Because of the work, and the costs, involved in putting together a
good application, most students limit their applications to between
four and seven colleges. However, you can request information from
as many universities as you like, keeping in mind any postage costs
you may have to pay. You may have a clear idea of exactly which
schools you will be applying to and request information only from
those. Or you may prefer to request information from between 10 and
20 schools that you believe meet your needs, and then narrow down
your list once you have read through the catalogs, application
forms, and other information you receive.
If you have access to the Internet, you will find that many U.S.
universities also put their college catalogs onto their websites,
and some have even stopped printing paper copies. Many also have
on-line application forms that can be completed on the computer and
sent back to the university electronically, or the forms can be
downloaded and printed. If there is an on-line application, you
should use it. This is the quickest method for submitting your
application. If you can download the application, appropriate parts
of the catalog, and other information from a college's website, you
will not need to contact the school directly. Also, college websites
increasingly offer other features, such as video tours of their
campuses.
If you do not have access to the Internet and need printed copies of
application materials and catalogs, contact each university by
writing a letter or by sending a fax or e-mail request separately to
each school. Include the information detailed in the section below,
"What to Include," in your written request. Or, you may prefer to
submit a preliminary application form instead; contact your nearest
EducationUSA information and advising center for copies of these
forms.
Due to the cost of mailing to other countries, you may receive a
shortened version of course listings, and you may be asked to pay if
you require the entire catalog. Check to see if your information or
advising center has copies of catalogs you need. If you do not
receive, or cannot find, all the information you require, write or
e-mail again to the international undergraduate admissions office
and ask the specific questions you wish to have answered.
E-mail is an easy way to obtain an application and other materials,
and U.S. universities are usually quick to respond. However,
sometimes you may need to make a telephone call to follow up on a
particular item. In that case, send a fax or e-mail ahead of time,
telling the appropriate person that you will be telephoning, when
you will call, and what you wish to discuss. |
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Send your first inquiry approximately 12 months before you plan to
enroll. Give yourself sufficient time for possible delays in
international mailings, especially if you are posting applications
or requesting information in November or December when the high
volume of holiday mail will often double the length of time mail
takes to reach its destination.
Address your requests for information to the Office of International
Undergraduate Admissions. Be brief but clear in your request. Be
sure to include the full zip (postal) code for the institution on
the envelope to ensure that your letter reaches its destination as
quickly as possible. You may also send these inquiries by e-mail.
- name, address, age, and nationality (always be consistent in
the spelling of your name and address);
- your secondary school diploma or examination results that
you have obtained or that you will obtain;
- any postsecondary study you have undertaken (if applicable);
- the degree and subject you would like to major in (if
known), and the proposed starting date;
- how you expect to finance your studies — if you need
financial assistance from the university, inquire about the
possibilities;
- results of TOEFL, the ACT, the SAT, and any other admissions
tests, if already taken.
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