When

What

July
(14 months)

Begin your search for colleges. Visit the nearest U.S. educational advising center in your city. Use the local library. Explore college sites on the web. Talk with family, friends, and acquaintances who may have studied in the U.S.

Write up to 10 schools to request an information packet about the school and their programs.

Identify the teachers you will ask for letters of recommendation.

August - November
(10-13 months)

Select the schools to which you will apply. Request application materials if they were not sent with the information packet you earlier requested.

Start preparing for the required admissions tests (SAT or SAT II, and TOEFL).

Register for the tests.

Request for transcripts from your school. Make sure the transcript has a description of the courses you’ve taken and the grading system. Request a notarized/certified translation if it is not in English.

December - March
(6-9 months)

Ask the teachers you’ve selected to write recommendation letters for you. Ensure to give them the necessary forms and a stamped, envelope addressed to the schools.

Write a draft of your application essays. Get comments on it from friends, family and an English teacher. You may also use the services of a professional editor if you want.

Take the admissions tests. We recommend that you take the SAT or SAT II before you take the TOEFL because they need more preparation time. Take the TOEFL about a month or so after.

Finalize your essays and application forms, including the financial aid application forms and send them via courier or registered mail. If the schools allow it, use their online application forms. It is faster and there’s no risk of your application getting lost in the mail.

Check with your teachers and the school to make sure your recommendation letters and transcripts have been mailed.

April-May
(4-5 months)

You will start hearing from colleges. Contact the admissions office if you do not receive any correspondence from them.

Accept one school's offer after considering all the factors that are important to you in a school. Notify them and the others of your choice.

Ask the school to send you the I-20 or IAP-64 form if it wasn’t sent with the offer of admission notice.

Make housing arrangements.

Research health insurance options and decide on which one to buy.

June
(3 months)

Apply for a visa.

Attend pre-departure orientation programs. These are usually organized by the U.S. educational advising center.

July-August
(1-2 months)

Look over everything to make sure all’s in order.

Visit friends and family for goodbyes.

Plan to arrive at least two weeks prior to the school orientation to give yourself time to settle down.

And finally, have a nice trip!