1. Create Account
  2. Login
StudyUSA
Match Me
  • Create Account
  • Login
  • School Search
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Articles
    • Student Voices
    • Videos
    • Magazines
    • Podcasts
  • Services
    • All Services
    • Accommodation
    • Support
    • Career
    • Financial
    • Testing
    • Other
  • Apply
  • Chat

5 Things You Need Before Applying to Study in the USA

5 Things You Need Before Applying to Study in the USA

Nov 1, 2021

By Brianna Burrows

It’s an exciting decision when you have decided you are going to study in the USA! Although, some students can find the process frustrating and overwhelming. Before you start packing your bags, here are five things that students need to have before applying to study in the USA.

Application Fee and Financial Information:

Many students are not aware that they have to pay an application fee to apply to schools, colleges, and universities in the USA. While this might not be a normal practice in the other countries, this is standard in the United States. Application fees can range in price depending on the school. Some schools charge as much as $90 while other schools charge as little as $25. During the spring of 2015, the average application fee was $41, based on 1,068 ranked colleges. Generally, schools will waive the application fee under certain financial circumstances. If you are needing financial assistance to submit your application, contact your prospective university's admissions office. The application fee is essential, as you will not be able to submit your application until the fee has been paid or waived.

In addition to the application fee, students are required to show proof of financial eligibility. Generally, most schools will require a copy of your bank statement but some schools may allow other documents to show financial eligibility. If you are concerned about providing proof of financial eligibility, contact your prospective school’s admissions office.

Passport:

If you are a not a citizen or permanent resident of the USA, you will need a passport to study in the USA. Schools in the U.S. require prospective students to submit their passport number on their application. Without a passport, the school will not be able to issue the necessary forms for a student visa, if accepted. Most importantly, your passport must be valid six months beyond the time of your planned studies have completed. For example, if your program ends May 2018, your passport must be valid through November 2018. Therefore, it’s important to check that your passport is valid before applying to study in the USA.

Academic Records and Test Scores:

There are many programs in the USA and each have their own requirements for admission. Many schools that offer undergraduate degrees will require students to submit SAT or ACT test scores prior to submitting their application. In addition to undergraduate programs, postgraduate programs may require the GMAT, GRE or MCAT test depending on the program to which you are applying. As an international student, generally you will have to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score for consideration to an undergraduate or postgraduate program. Although most schools require a TOEFL or IELTS score, there are some schools that do not require them. A list of those schools can be found here.

In addition, schools will require your previous academic transcripts. These transcripts should be from any previous accredited learning institution, such as a high school, community college, or a university. Obtaining academic transcripts can be a time consuming process, therefore, make sure to plan ahead.

Planning in advance will make the process of applying to schools in the USA easier. Remember to have money for each application you submit, a valid passport, and test scores relevant to your program, prior to submitting your application. Applying to study in the USA can be an overwhelming process but if you remember these key elements needed to apply you’ll experience an easy and simple application process.

Follow us:
Written by

Brianna Burrows


Brianna Burrows is a freelance marketing specialist and alumna of Northeastern University. She specializes in event management, social media management, and content branding. Follow her on Twitter here.

Get matched to the best program for you

Let us know what you're looking for so we can find the best school for you.

Get matched
Call to action background image. Decorative.

Useful Articles

Main image for the article titled Internships and Fellowships for International Students
Internships and Fellowships for International Students
Main image for the article titled Studying Psychology at St. Joseph’s University in New York
Studying Psychology at St. Joseph’s University in New York
Main image for the article titled What Should I Major in to Become an Anesthesiologist?
What Should I Major in to Become an Anesthesiologist?
Main image for the article titled Transfer from Shoreline Community College to Your Dream University
Transfer from Shoreline Community College to Your Dream University
Read more

Check Out These Schools

University of South Alabama

University of South Alabama

$15,000—$20,000 Year

English Programs Masters Bachelor Degree
Contact
Jamestown Community College SUNY

Jamestown Community College SUNY

$15,000—$20,000 Year

Certificate/Short Term Summer 2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs
Contact
University of Puget Sound

University of Puget Sound

$35,000—$40,000 Semester

Masters Bachelor Degree
Contact

Featured Programs

Santa Barbara City College

Typical cost per Year: $5,000—$10,000

Bachelor Degree Masters Certificate/Short Term
Learn More

Florida Institute of Technology

Typical cost per Semester: $40,000—$45,000

Bachelor Degree Masters Online
Learn More

Peninsula College

Typical cost per Quarter: $5,000—$10,000

Bachelor Degree Secondary/Boarding Certificate/Short Term
Learn More

Related Stories

Is My TOEFL Score High Enough for Admissions?

Main image for the article titled Is My TOEFL Score High Enough for Admissions?
What is Conditional Admission in the USA?

Main image for the article titled What is Conditional Admission in the USA?
What is a High School Completion Program?

Main image for the article titled What is a High School Completion Program?

Start your U.S. adventure with Study in the USA

What's your dream? We can guide, advise, and connect you with your perfect U.S. school. We can also help you with the application process.
More about us
Partner Services

Learn About U.S. education financing, housing, and more

Partner service logo for IELTS for the USA

IELTS for the USA

IELTS is the world’s most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration. It is accepted by more than 3,400 institutions in the US. If you want to study in the US, IELTS can help you get there!

Read more
Partner service logo for campusSIMS

campusSIMS

campusSIMS helps students get connected with mobile phone service in the US. Get a US phone number while in your home country so you have service that’s ready as soon as you land. Plans start as low as $15/month.

Read more
Partner service logo for ARGO

ARGO

Let us help you through your U.S. visa application process. GET STARTED NOW!

Read more

Testimonials

Quotation mark.

I was able to get a filtered list of suggestions of schools that are more suitable to my needs financially and program-wise from Study in the USA.

Hermela Aboye Ethiopia

Study in the USA's Instagram introduced various colleges in the USA. They interviewed actual students on there, so it was helpful to know the real-life of an American college student.

Saki Shiraishi Japan

StudyUSA.com has helped in a sense that it continuously provided additional information both in regard with finding a good university.

Sirojiddin Amirov Tajikistan

Resources

Learn about American culture and education direct from our experts at Study in the USA. Read more

Achieving Your Goal
Admissions and Placement Testing
Beyond the Basics
Education System in the USA
Financing Your U.S. Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Life in the USA
Resources
Student Experiences
For students age 10-18
Study in Canada
Podcasts
Magazines
Videos
Student Voices
Ask StudyUSA.com

Subscribe to get the latest from Study in the USA

You can unsubscribe at any time.


StudyUSA
Explore

  • School Search
  • Resources
  •   Articles
  •   Student Voices
  •   Videos
  •   Magazines
  • Partner Services
  •   Accommodation
  •   Career
  •   Financial
  •   Other
  •   Support
  •   Testing
  • Apply
  • Chat
Information

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Course Index
  • Article Index
  • Create account
  • Sign in
  • For Educators & Institutions
Match Me
  • English
    العربيـة English Español Français Bahasa Indonesia 日本語 한국어 Português Русский ภาษาไทย Türkçe Tiếng Việt 简体中文 繁體中文

  • Privacy & Policy
  • /
  • Terms

Study in the USA logo

© 2023 Study in the USA. All Rights Reserved.

Global Study logo
A member of the Global Study network

When you visit or interact with our sites, services or tools, we or our authorised service providers may use cookies for storing information to help provide you with a better, faster and safer experience and for marketing purposes.