How to Apply for US Universities from India?

The process of admission in USA university can be a challenging journey for international students due to the high rate of competition. The US university offers letter processing time for admission is around 2-3 months for international students. However, starting from university selection and admission and visa applications, it will take up to 6 months to 2 years to complete the whole USA university admission. Applying to top US universities includes exploring the colleges, filling out the application, and submitting documents, followed by acceptance of the offer letter, and more.

As per the US Department of State, almost 70,000 international students enrolled in USA in the year 2023. Most of the students prefer to study for bachelor’s, master’s degrees, and Ph.D. in the US. Students need to submit separate applications to each US university programme to which they wish to apply. Students can apply to as many universities as they wish, however, it is recommended to apply to at least 5-6 US universities to improve your chances of selection. The process of securing admission and selection criteria differ from university to university, meanwhile, the US university application process is quite similar for most universities. Read the article to learn more about how to apply for US universities from India and more.

How to Get Admission in US Colleges From India?

There are a few details that the candidate must be aware of before proceeding to learn about “How to apply to US universities from India?”. The necessary information required and the steps to be followed to apply for study in USA are mentioned below.

The series of steps to be followed are -

• Selection of US colleges/universities

• Pre-application request

• Register for standardised admission tests

• Applying to universities

• Final steps after receiving the acceptance from the University

Selection of US Colleges/Universities

Shortlisting the universities to apply to is the first step of admission in USA for Indian students. Students are recommended to select as many as 20-30 universities to write to or email at first. However, it is advisable to shortlist only 8 to 10 or more schools for application submission. Candidates can also check the top courses to study in the USA to choose the best universities for admission. International students need to consider the following factors before selecting the universities of their choice:

• Departments of universities concerning the field of study

• Area of research quality and areas of faculty interest

• The thrust of the programme

• Accreditation of the university

• Student requirements

• Selectivity or level of competitiveness

• Costs of studying at the university

• Financial aid possibilities

• Geographic locations

Also Read: Things to know before studying in USA

Pre-application Request

Students should start their pre-application process about 14-18 months before the actual admission intake in USA. Candidates can send their pre-application request in the form of an email to the official university website. The email must contain the following information:

• Description of undergraduate educational background

• Information about the degree you intend to pursue in the US

• Proof of financial support

Students should also check the details of the admission requirements, deadlines, and specific course requirements for the university they are interested in.

Intakes in USA 2024-25 Timelines

The admission intake can vary from each university. The candidate has to check the university website check the university intake and apply accordingly.

Also Read: Fall Intake in USA

Register for Standardised Admission Tests

Students are advised to take the standardised tests by October or November of the year before the Fall semester. This will give enough time for students to send their scores to universities. Students who are applying for the Spring semester are recommended to take the tests before June of the previous year.

Also Read: How to Apply for MS in USA?

Applying to Universities

The admission in USA for Indian students is processed through online application. Although many universities accept offline applications via mail, students are advised to opt for online mode of application for fair processing. The application fee for US universities ranges between US 50 and US 250. The deadline for application submission varies from university to university. However, students need to submit their application before the deadline.

International students applying for USA university admission need to submit a list of documents to demonstrate their qualifications. Here’s the list of documents for international students admitted to US universities:

• Transcripts or records of grades (high school and/or university)

• Resume/CV

• Test scores (SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT)

• Proof of English-language proficiency

• Motivation letter or statement of purpose

• Application fee

• Writing sample

• Passport photo

List of Exams for US University Application Process

Financial Aid

To support the candidates financially, many universities and organisations fund the students in terms of scholarships, grants, and awards based on merit and financial need. These scholarships in USA for international students are both fully and partially funded. The fully funded scholarships cover the university fees, accommodation, and living expenses for the whole program, etc. The partially funded scholarships do not cover the entire program duration and fund either the university fee or living expenses.

How to apply for a scholarship in USA universities?

There are a few scholarship applications that are to be done before admission into the college and few are required to be applied after acquiring the acceptance letter from the university. How to get a scholarship in USA for Indian students? As an Indian student, there are many scholarships available in the USA, like Inlaks scholarships, Fulbright scholarships, etc. Candidates who can showcase their financial need with merit can apply for these scholarships. Along with that few documents like letter of motivation or statement of purpose and academic certifications must be submitted with the scholarship application form.

After Receiving the Acceptance from University

Once the candidates receive the acceptance letter from the university, they can proceed with the USA visa process. This is the last step in the process of “how to apply for colleges in USA from India?”. After receiving the acceptance letter, students need to send an email confirming their acceptance to the university. Student Office will later send an I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility) to the student to apply for an F-1 visa at the US Embassy.

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Tips for a Successful US Student Application

Getting enrolled in top USA universities can be challenging for international students. However, with the right approach and timing, students can easily get admission to their desired institution. Here are some of the important tips for international students to apply to US universities:

• Follow the US intake calendar carefully. Start your application early to ensure you have enough time to submit your application before the deadline with proper documentation.

• Keep track of the university deadlines, course requirements, and other important details before applying.

• Write an SOP and personal statement introducing yourself and underlining your capabilities, accomplishments, and other relevant information.

• Seek guidance from academic advisors, education consultants, or immigration authorities to complete the process fluently.

Also Read:

• Ivy League Universities in USA

• Top 5 US Universities with High Acceptance Rates

• Top 10 Public Universities In USA