Studying in the US is a dream of any highly aspiring student. And why shouldn’t it be when the US has top-class universities with the right infrastructure to back the ambitions of a diverse set of students–native and international. However, attaining an admission in a good college is not a cake walk and requires a deliberate effort. The competition is tough but don’t feel intimidated, it only means you have to be all the more ambitious and determined to succeed. Let me share a few steps on how you can gain an edge over others and have a better chance of being admitted to the college or university of your choice.
1. Start working on your application early
Application in the US universities or colleges is a time-consuming process thus, a student must start the work early, say at least one year before. The admission requirements of each institution differ hence, it must be prepared carefully and with concentration. Half-hearted presentation would lower your chances of admission, so steer clear of that.
Collecting ‘Recommendation Letters’ from your school teachers/college professors and preparing Essays or Personal Statement takes a lot of time. Moreover, you would also have to give SAT/GRE/GMAT exams along with the English proficiency test – TOEFL. Preparing for all these tests along with essential documents needs you to have a well-thought plan, and it’s not advisable to leave any last-minute work; your profile could end up being unconvincing for the admission officers. Hence, it’s supremely important to keep enough space for accommodating all this work along with your academics and other activities.
2. Select your course of study
Demonstrating your passion for the subject is crucial. For this, you must include details of why the subject intrigues you and share examples, reasons or anecdotes of instances where you felt this is the field for you. Having a clear idea about what you wish to do with the degree will impress the admission officers. And by way of your essays and an interview, you could tell them about your motivations and future aspirations. US colleges are particularly impressed by students who are willing to put in the effort and are passionate about their cause.
Your research on the subject and the quality of information expressed through your essays will convey your motivations of choosing a particular college. Thus, reflecting on your intellectual knowledge and why you find the subject interesting or challenging would be the deciding factor for admission officers.
3. Put effort in writing your Essays and Personal Statement
Writing stellar essays and personal statement is the most important step to having a successful US college application. This is the place where you get to express your interest in the field of study and showcase your willingness and capabilities of working hard and building a career in the respective field.
Including your existing knowledge of the subject and how you intend on building it further shall impress the admission officers. Having said that, you must take time to highlight your abilities through responsibilities and challenges undertaken so far. At the same time, while presenting yourself positively, be authentic. Try not to write in high-flown language and say things in your own style. Colleges like students who don’t ape anyone else but have a sense of their own identity. That’ll fetch you brownie points.
4. Create a Timetable of Application Deadlines
In spite of an excellent quality of your application, all your efforts will go down the drain if you miss a key date. That’s why you need to plan ahead and stay organized by keeping a calendar for application deadlines. Highlighting all the deadlines will keep you on track and allow you to collect the necessary documents in time. God forbid if your application is incomplete, your candidature might get rejected immediately. And I’m sure you would not want to take that chance.
Therefore, following your timetable will not only help ensure all your application requirements are in order but also save you from last minute hassles.
The road to getting admission in the US college or university may seem daunting but, if you keep track of these four basic rules, there is no stopping you from getting there. It’s that simple!