USIEF - US: EARLY APPLICATIONS

US: EARLY APPLICATIONS

RENUKA RAJA RAO, COUNTRY DIRECTOR, USIEF, AND ANUBHOOTI ARORA, EDUCATIONUSA ADVISER, USIEF, ON WHY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS KEEN TO STUDY IN THE US TO APPLY EARLY

    When it comes to admissions to US universities, the ‘early bird does take the worm’ in more ways than one! If you are a student looking at applying to a US university for an undergraduate or a graduate programme, applying for admissions well before the deadlines will hold you in good stead.
    Although applying early in the admissions process does not guarantee a seat, it does ensure that your application is reviewed thoroughly and that you are considered for the available financial aid. When applying to a US university, you should plan ahead — ideally 12-18 months in advance. A US application has multiple components, including standardised tests, application essays, letters of recommendation and the online application itself. Universities set their own application deadlines, however, most deadlines for international students for fall admission are end of the previous year. Therefore, in case you are seeking admission to a US university for fall 2014, the application deadline will be December 2013 or January 2014. In case you are applying well before the average student, you should be applying as early as November 2013. >> UNDERGRAD ADMISSIONS
If you are applying to a US university for an undergraduate programme, you have the option of applying early or under the regular admissions plan. The early action and decision are unique admission plans that allow you to apply early by November and receive admission outcomes by December. Students, who have completed all aspects of their application and are committed to applying to a specific university, would be benefiting by this particular arrangement.
    The regular admission plan allows you to apply by December or January, prior to the programme start date and receive outcomes by April.
    One of the main advantages of applying under the early application plans is that this admission process has a slightly higher acceptance rate than the regular plan. >> 

 

GRADUATE ADMISSIONS
Although US universities set specific deadlines for admissions to specific graduate programmes, they begin assessing applications well before the deadlines. By applying early, you have stronger chances of being accepted by a university compared to an equally competent candidate who applied towards the very end of the application cycle. Graduate programmes like the MBA have twothree rounds of admissions. The first round of applications has deadlines as early as mid-September, the second December-January and the third end-March. By applying to an MBA programme by the first or second round, you enhance your chances of admissions.
    It is important to emphasise that applying early is advantageous as it offers a student time to compare admission offers, plan finances and apply for visa. It is imperative to remember that an early application that is not well prepared will not get selected from the applicant pool by some of the more selective universities. Hence, apply early but with understanding of the admission requisites.
    EducationUSA has evolved five simple steps of applying to US universities. To know more, visit www.educationusa.state. gov. You may get in touch with advisors at USIEF to receive unbiased advising. Visit www.usief.org.in or call the toll free helpline at 1800-103-1231 Monday through Friday 2pm to 5pm