Application Calendar
Below is the recommended timetable for applying to universities in the United
States. It is sometimes possible to complete the process more quickly, but you
may have a much more limited choice of schools. Planning ahead gives you
sufficient time to make successful applications to the universities of your
choice.
Student Application Calendar
12 to 18 months prior to the academic year to enroll:
Consider you reasons for studying?
Which universities offer your subject and specialization?
Can you afford them? Will you need financial assistance?
Begin narrowing down your choices of schools to approximately 10 to 20 institutions, and make sure they meet your academic, financial, lifestyle, and other needs.
Find out application deadlines. This will affect when you take the standardized tests required for admission since test results must reach admissions offices
no later than these deadlines. The tests should be taken in advance of submitting university application forms.
Register to take Tests if required by the universities to which you are applying.
12 months prior to enrollment
Contact universities for application and financial aid forms and catalogs.
Register to take admissions tests (e.g. TOEFL, GRE, GMAT), as necessary.
11 months prior to enrollment
Request official transcripts from your undergraduate institution.
Brief your recommenders and request letters of reference from them.
Draft personal statements or statements of purpose and research proposals, if requested.
Submit completed application forms (for admission as well as financial aid).
Double check that transcripts and references have been sent.
Take the necessary admissions tests.
7 - 5 months prior to enrollment
University application deadlines must be met.
5 - 3 months prior to enrollment
Letters of acceptance or rejection arrive.
Decide which university to attend, notify the admissions office of your decision, complete and return any forms they require.
Send letters of regret to those universities you turn down.
Organize finances (arrange to transfer funds to a U.S. bank; make sure you have funds for travel and expenses on arrival).
Finalize arrangements for housing and medical insurance with your university.
Notify any sponsoring organizations of your plans.
3 - 1 months prior to enrollment
Contact your nearest educational information or advising center to let them know that you have been accepted to a institution.
Apply to your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for a visa upon receipt of your Certificate of Eligibility and well in
advance of your departure date. (international students)
Make travel arrangements, planning to arrive in time for the university's orientation program.
Contact the student office at your university with details of your arrival plans,
and confirm details of any orientation for new students held by the university.
Academic Calendar
The academic year will be slightly different for each university or college but normally runs from early September to the end of May.
It may be divided into two terms of 18 weeks called semesters. Alternatively, the university may have "quarters" or "trimesters,"
which are about 12 weeks in length. In addition, universities very often provide six- to eight-week summer terms.
These are optional, and students attend if they wish to get through their degree faster, to decrease their course load
during the regular terms, or to make up for courses not completed successfully during the regular academic year.
There are at least two main holidays during the academic year: a two- to four-week break over Christmastime and a one-week "spring break"
sometime between early March and mid-April.
Admissions - Information
Admission Process
General Considerations
Accreditation
Your Application
Academic Calendar
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