How to Successfully Apply to Popular USA Universities?

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Subhashri Roy
Updated on Mar 07, 2023 11:51 AM IST

How do you ensure a successful application to popular US universities? Scroll through to find how and also check out top tips to make a successful US university application while having a look at some of the popular US universities for 2023-24 admissions.

How to Successfully Apply to USA Universities?

Wish to study in the USA? Well, so do thousands of students from around the world who want toapply to USuniversities from India.

Every year, the US draws millions of students from across the globe like a magnet.Given that there are manycolleges in USA for international students, the pool of applicants can be quite competitive and overwhelming. In that case, all you need is an appealing application demonstrating how you are the ideal fit for programs at your desireduniversities that accept international students

Before diving into the application process in the universities in USA, let us first ask you a few questions that might just give you a head start on your application:

  • Why this program or why this US university?

  • What are your future goals and how your desired university and program will help you achieve them?

If you've satisfactorily answered all of these questions, you are already ahead on your journey on howapply to USuniversities from India!

You may also fast-track your application by getting in touch with our admission counsellors. Over the years, we've helped many students make informed decisions related to higher education abroad. The majority of these students are already studying in popular US universities and colleges in USA for international students and living the 'American dream '!

Connect With Us to Succesfully Apply to the Best US Universities!

What You Need to Know About Applying to USUniversities

Before you apply to US universities from India, you must first know a few important things about how to apply for university in USA for international students.

  • Admission decisions are made carefully by admission committee members who assess an application based on the institutions goals and priorities, how well you could fit in the program and if your application reflects honesty.

  • Overall, all universities in USA look for applicants with strong communication skills, academic background, organisational skills, interest, enthusiasm and commitment.

  • US university admissions are also based on a set of institutional values set for every year. These may include maintaining gender balance, valuing national, geographic and ethnic diversity, a balanced number of freshmen across disciplines, among others.

  • A US university application would typically include the following components: personal information, academic transcripts, standardised test scores, letters of recommendation, resume (for graduate applicants), application fee and a statement of purpose.

  • Letters of recommendation are weighed very highly by colleges and universities in USA. They usually require 3 LORs that often compensate for low GPAs and test scores.

  • For admission to graduate schools in the US, the admissions committee will always prefer someone with prior experience in the field. However, this may vary from university to university and program to program.

This is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for undergraduate study in USA from India.

Step 1: Research the University and List of Courses Thoroughly

The first step to applying to top universities in USA is figuring out if it offers the course or program of study you are interested in. While doing so, consider factors such as majors offered, the strength of the program, tuition fee, and availability of scholarships and financial aid, among others.

If you are having trouble finding the ideal course for you, here is the easiest thing you can do, write to us (contact information at the end) or register with us.

Step 2: Make Note of Application Deadlines & Take the Required Tests

Create a calendar of ASU's application deadlines applicable to international students. Overall, US universities for international students offer three intakes - Fall, the primary intake and the Spring and Summer intakes. Following that, prepare a schedule to prepare for and take the required standardised tests. Without your test scores, you are likely to be at the first step towards rejection although a good number of United States colleges and universities have been offering test waivers to eligible students.

Step 3: Write a Successful Application

Writing a successful application to top universities entails a number of important factors including academic indicators, your characteristics that make you unique and your career goals and priorities that meet the university's requirements.

To ensure a hassle-free admission process, get in touch with our admissions experts who provide end-to-end guidance on writing your application, gathering your documents and even ensuring a successful visa application.

Admission Criteria for Undergraduate Applicants include Academic Transcripts, test scores of standardised tests like the SAT or ACT, essays and personal statements, letters of recommendation, English language proficiency(TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic), special talents (based on evidence; if applicable) and more.

Need Help Writing the Perfect SOP And LOR?

Step 4:Pay the Application Fee: While some universities ask for a non-refundable fee, some may have a refund policy. Find out how much top universities in USA charge as application fees by dropping us a mail (email address below).

Step 5: Have Required Materials Sent Directly

Have official transcripts and test results of standardised and English proficiency tests sent directly from your school or exam board to the university's admission services. The records must include courses completed, certificates or degrees awarded, grades or marks earned. Also, make sure that it includes a certified English translation of all documents not issued in English.

Step 6: Submit Evidence of English Language Proficiency

Whether you have taken the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic or Duolingo English test, have your scores sent directly to the university.

Step 7: Submit All Documents

The next thing you need to do is submit all documents in original or an attested copy with an original seal or signature. All documents should be translated into English in case they are not issued in English. Remember, you need to send documents only after filling in your application or else the process may get delayed.

Step 8: Submit Your ACT/SAT Scores

Depending on the university and its test policies, you may or may not submit your ACT/SAT scores. Since 2020, a number of colleges in USA for international students have gone test-optional, test-flexible or test-blind. These scores, if asked for, may be used for admissions, scholarships, course placement or as supplemental information. Have them sent directly to the university from ACT or College Board when you register for the test. Check out US universities that have gone test-optional.

Step 10: Submit Your Student Visa Application

All international students planning to attend top universities in USA will have to first apply for an I-20 in order to apply for an F-1student visa or J-1 student visa. Find everything about US student visas.

How to Apply to USUniversities for Masters?

Here are the steps you must follow when applying masters in USA for Indian students:

Step 1: Make Sure You Meet Admission Requirements

Look into the graduate programs offered by the university as well as their respective eligibility criteria. While every program would have different requirements, the universities that accept international students maintain minimum standards for admission to graduate programs. These are:

  • Must have earned a bachelors degree or higher from an accredited and recognised university.

  • Must have obtained a 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale in undergraduate degree.

  • May or may not be required to meet GRE/GMAT score requirements, depending on the university.

Step 2: Know When to Apply

To apply to graduate degree programs at universities in the US, be mindful that each university and department might have a different application deadline. This might be a little confusing in the beginning, an expert or mentor to lead the way may help you put your mind at ease.

Step 3: Complete the Graduate Application

Kickstart your journey by simply registering with us. We have top study abroad consultants on board to help you with your entire admission process. Apart from ensuring admission to your preferred university, our experts assist you in writing essays, LORs, SOPs and provide the necessary visa assistance. You can also browse through our carefully curated list of popular US universities, which you can further narrow down based on the stream, level, fees range and so on. Our exceptional services will help you get into your dream school with scholarships.

Step 4: Pay the Application Fee

You will have to submit a non-refundable or refundable application fee to complete your application for admission to universities in USA. You may make the payment using a Visa or Mastercard.

Step 5: Send Official Transcripts

Have your original academic transcripts from each secondary school, university, college or technical school sent directly to the university's Graduate Admission Services. The same must include courses completed, grades or marks earned and so on along with a certified English translation of all documents not issued in English.

Step 6: Send English Language Proficiency Test Scores

Have your TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores sent directly to the university using the university's institutional code.

Step 7: Submit GMAT/GRE Scores

If your program requires you to submit GMAT or GRE scores, have your official scores sent directly to the university. Some might need you to submit additional documents based on the program you are applying for. These may include LORs, SOPs, an updated resume and so on.

Step 8: Arrange Visa and Immigration Documentation

You will need to first apply for an I-20 to apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa. In case you are in the US on a valid visa, you will have to provide proof of the same.

Popular US Universities for 2023-24 Admissions

Here are some other top universities in USAapart from ASU, to which you can apply in the upcoming academic year:

Name of University

Admission Intakes

Tuition Fee Range

Boston University

Fall & Spring

Bachelors - USD 62,267;Masters - USD 58,560

UCLA

Fall

Bachelors - USD 43,012;Masters - USD 32,858

University of Southern California

Fall & Spring

Bachelors - USD 60,446; Masters - USD 59,260

Carnegie Mellon University

Fall, Spring & Summer

Bachelors - USD 57,560; Masters - USD 52,420

University of Pennsylvania

Fall & Spring

Bachelors - USD 54,652; Masters - USD 49,000

Duke University

Fall & Spring

Bachelors - USD 60,594; Masters - USD 28,950

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Fall & Spring

Bachelors - USD 53,450; Masters - USD 55,510

Northwestern University

Fall & Spring

Bachelors - USD 60,276; Masters - USD 56,567

University of Florida

Summer, Fall & Spring

Bachelors - USD 48,340; Masters - USD 49,810

Manchester University

Fall & Spring

Bachelors - USD 35,206- USD 44,758; Masters - USD 47,100

Purdue University

Summer, Fall & Spring

Bachelors - USD 31,104; Masters - USD 9,401

University of Michigan

Fall, Summer & Winter

Bachelors - USD 53,232; Masters - USD 48,542

Ottawa University

Spring-Summer, Fall & Winter

USD 14,389 to USD 26,354 per term

University of Illinois

Fall & Spring

Bachelors - USD 35,206-USD 44,758; Masters - USD 28,464

Many students have been instructed by our experienced study abroad faculty specialists to get exceptional outcomes on needed standardised assessments. We are delighted to know that many of our learners are attending world-class universities of their choice. 

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