College admissions timeline for U.S. students applying for college abroad
If you're one of the many students wondering how to apply for college abroad and need some help figuring out when or how to begin, the number one piece of advice I could give is to start planning early.
So I've created this roadmap to give you an idea of everything to consider in the college abroad admissions planning journey.
While this timeline will help students to be in the best position to apply to any country's higher education system, the number of AP's, other tests, subject-specific requirements and deadlines, however, will depend on the exact program and institution, so I would encourage you to also make sure you're doing your research along the way.
Freshman Year:
Introduce yourself to your school counselor
Join some extracurricular activities that interest you
Challenge yourself as much as you can in your curriculum
Start thinking about the classes you like and don't like (and why)
Get in touch with me to start comprehensive planning if needed (my rate is the same regardless of when you start; so it's better to start this option sooner than later!) or enroll in my courses on Applying for College Abroad: How to Get Started
Start keeping a list of activities
Summer:
Start thinking about the college criteria that may be important to you
Work, volunteer, TRAVEL
Start preparing for the PSAT
Start exploring possible majors & careers
Take a personality test for deeper insights
Sophomore Year:
Take challenging classes and 1-2 AP courses if possible
Meet with your school counselor
Spend your free time only in extracurriculars you enjoy/are relevant to your possible major
Take the PSAT in the fall
Research universities & work on initial list
Consider possible summer programs abroad
Summer:
Job shadow possible careers of interest
Discuss finances with your parent/guardian and research scholarships
Participate in a summer program overseas if interested
Visit colleges overseas and locally
Narrow down possible list of majors
Take a diagnostic SAT and prepare for SAT/ACT
Junior Year:
Plan to take at least 2 AP courses
Take the PSAT in the fall
Meet with your school counselor and discuss your reference letter
Take the SAT/ACT in the winter
Take the SAT/ACT in the spring
Take a subject test in the spring
Decide on your major
Start narrowing down list of universities
Summer:
Register for any program-specific tests (UCAT, ISAT, LNAT, etc.)
Read about current events/what's happening in your field of interest
Review test scores as well as admissions requirements of programs of interest
Start writing your personal statement
Find ways to engage with your subject (internship, volunteer, shadowing)
Get in touch with me to start comprehensive support, an academic review or other guidance if you haven't already
Finalize your personal statement and share it with your counselor
Visit universities and finalize list of universities and programs
Create online accounts for relevant application portals
Senior Year:
Meet with your school counselor and discuss reference letter timelines & requirements
Plan to take at least 2 AP's
Register for and take any final standardized tests in the fall/winter
Make sure to take note of all application & scholarship deadlines
Submit the FAFSA from early October
Arrange virtual meetings with university reps or alumni
Make sure you have a valid passport
Aim to ideally submit all applications before Christmas
Prepare for and attend any necessary interviews
Conduct final campus visits over spring break
Retake any standardized tests necessary in the spring
Receive responses from universities and apply for other programs if necessary
Make final decision and complete acceptance forms
Apply for on-campus housing
Complete the visa paperwork
Complete any final standardized testing required
Send final transcript
Graduate!
Get your student visa
Book flight
Arrange temporary housing if necessary & airport pickup
Pack only the essentials
Arrange health & travel insurance
