How to (Painlessly) Apply to US Universities

This is another thread I think could be helpful.

I. Assembling General Information

Decided you want to apply to US universities? Only familiar with ones often cited in popular culture? Wondering where to begin?

1. How do I figure out where to apply to? How many universities can I apply to in the US?

You can apply to an unlimited number of universities in the US--in theory. However, since many have individual application systems and cost upwards of $60 each, this poses its own constraint.

2. How should I narrow down my list?

-figure out a list of about 20 universities you are at all interested in
-cut it down to about 15 that you could actually see yourself attending for 3 to 4 years (you will most likely receive some advanced standing for A level or IB exams)
-take a look at the application processes for the universities on your list
-cut your list down to a more manageable number, considering the work you'll have to be doing alongside applications/UCAS app/A levels or IB

3. What should I take into consideration?

-Do you want to be on a coast? In a big city? Would you mind being in a small town?
-Will the university offer advanced standing if you do well on your A levels? Will it affect your decision to attend the university if you have to spend the full 4 years?
-how important is knowing one's major from the get go or is it fairly easy to switch? how easy is it to double major?
-Do you want quirky programs, small classes, would you mind large lectures, do you want to study abroad, etc?
-How do my qualifications stack up against the students they usually admit?

4. How do I learn more about the universities?

Most universities have all the information you need under the "Prospective Students" or "Admissions" header on their websites. However, don't hesitate to email your questions to the admissions office to find out specific information. Some universities are more responsive than others, though.

For a lot of basic information on US colleges and deciding which ones could fit your needs, The Princeton Review has a nice quiz and database.

Note: Keep in mind, most universities require the SAT. For more information on the SAT see here.

II Applying

The Princeton Review has links to many college applications here
A. The Common Application.

1. What is it?

The Common Application is somewhat like UCAS in that you can apply to different universities all through the same general application. However, similarly to Oxbridge, most of the universities have "supplements" but more on that later.

2. How do I register for it?

Register

3. What universities accept it?

This chart shows the universities and what you need in addition to the common app

4. What kind of information is included?

On the Common Application, you will fill in your academic information, from grades to SAT scores, and will have to complete a personal statement, a short essay. However, on most of the supplements, additional essays are required.

B. Other Popular University Applications

U of Arizona

University of California
One of the systems that appear most often on this site is the University of California. To apply, you will use a central application system, located here

Columbia

MIT*
fyi, start this application early, it's a bit intense.

Stanford

C. Canada
one piece of advice: if you are unsure whether you realllyyy want to attend a specific Canadian university, wait to apply until after you have heard from many of your other universities--they generally have significantly later deadlines but costly application fees. However, the applications are also quick to fill out because they focus on grades.

UBC
McGill
Queen's
U of Toronto
York


(will add others as requested/discussed)

III. Glossary

College- catch all phrase for an institute of higher education in the United States.

Early Action/Early Decision
Overview

Major- focus of study. US colleges allow for many other options outside of ones core focus, and encourage the study of more than one topic, with most requiring some level of "general education" to establish a breadth of study.


Schedule:
Early Action and Early Decision programs will require you to apply earlier, but you will also hear back sooner. Regular admissions will notify you most likely in mid-March to early April, and you will most likely have to make a decision by early May.

Questions or Comments?

ps can this be stickied as well? thanks

Great post.

1)If you apply for example for the univeristy of california does your application automatically get submitted to places like bekerly,san diego,la,southern california?

2)I suppose Im being lazy but could you add some links on how to fill a good application. I mean it could make all the diffrence

3)If you went from UK to US what sort of exams did you do? (GCSE + ALEVEL? or something more) You dont have to tell us the grade just the number of subjects passed if you dont mind

4) For the "Common Application" Does this work for International Students? (i.e that have completed a different schooling system to the American 1 i.e gcse/aslevel/alevel sort of thing)

5)When Should you actually apply i.e if You wanted to go for the 09-10 academic year should apply in the 08-09 academic year?

2)I suppose Im being lazy but could you add some links on how to fill a good application. I mean it could make all the diffrence

3)If you went from UK to US what sort of exams did you do? (GCSE + ALEVEL? or something more) You dont have to tell us the grade just the number of subjects passed if you dont mind

4) For the "Common Application" Does this work for International Students? (i.e that have completed a diffrent schooling system to the american 1 i.e gcse/aslevel/alevel sort of thing)

5)When Should you actually apply i.e if You wanted to go for the 09-10 acadmeic year should apply in the 08-09 academic year?

thanks all.

the SAT bit is bugging me though. I mean why would the university want you to have completed tests in 2 diffrent systems.

I don't know the percentage of people who get jobs at top IBs, but I know they actively recruit from Berkeley for both summer & post graduation jobs. Which, evidently, is why one of my friends might end up transferring.

Transferring to Berkeley from a CC?

Megx, do I need to rent a car if I want to tour California alone, mostly LA area? There are so many cool places in LA that I want to visit, like Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and other areas in LA. I also would like to go San Francisco, Pasadena, and Santa Barbara, and for these I will need to take planes?

Is Califronia full of sunshine every day? (This is a not-so-stupid question when you consider the weather in London. )

He actually goes to UCSB, but there's not the same recognition or recruitment, or even the classes he wants.

I'd say it would be best to rent a car, but you have to be 21 to rent one. San Francisco to LA can be done by car or hypothetically train/bus. I have a friend who was in California over the summer and only used a car when I was driving him, so I'll see if you have specific questions, I'll pass them along.

It was sunny & beautiful today, and much too warm for it to feel like Christmas, lol. San Francisco is a bit cloudier than San Diego or LA though.

UCSB is actually a very good university if you count by the no. of Nobel prizes won in the last 10 yrs.

Oh, there's no denying that there is research money for the taking, but its just it seems underutilized by the students. Which helps perpetuate the reputation that's a haven for partying, casual sex, etc.

He just doesn't have the same opportunities that I can have at Berkeley, in terms of classes and recruitment.

Would people like it if I did a big post on the UCs & other major universities? Harvard, Yale, Brown, Princeton, Dartmouth, UNC, UPenn spring to mine. I just picked those because I know former classmates or have close friends at them. I'm kind of bored with winter break and all.