It’s widely accepted that getting into a US university is no mean feat – and dazzling grades or extraordinary talent in another area isn’t always enough to secure a place. We asked two schools to weigh in, telling us the most important things to bear in mind when embarking on the admissions process, and how they help support students with their applications to US universities.
Why should students consider a US university?
In general, US universities offer a much broader education than those in the UK – and offer far more subject choice, and less early specialisation. ‘US study is an excellent opportunity to build skill in a chosen “major” subject, while still developing other areas of interest and gaining a broader understanding of the relevance of a student’s chosen subject in the wider world,’ says Sam Harris, head of North American university applications at
Rugby School. Courses also tend to run for four years, rather than the usual three in the UK. However, do bear in mind that if you’re interested in a specific subject such as medicine or law, they may not be right for you – many students go on to do a postgraduate course instead, which, of course, comes with an additional cost.
What are the most important things to think about when deciding whether to apply to a US university?
‘Ask yourself: why are you choosing the American system for tertiary education over a British, European or Asian experience?’ says Sarah Oakley,
Bedales School’s overseas admissions advisor. There are more than 2,000 different degree-awarding institutions in the US – so choosing the perfect university for you is key. Think about long-term goals, range of opportunities (co-curricular options are huge at US universities), location, size (many colleges have only 2,000 or so students, which is not much bigger than your average high school) and demographics – and what the colleges you want to apply for offer that others don’t. Crucially, don’t just rely on name and reputation. Many colleges without recognisable names are just as good as the much more famous Ivy Leagues.
Think about the commitment you’ll need to give to your application as well. US applications are far more nuanced and contain many more components than their UCAS equivalents – and you’ll need to get ahead as early as possible. ‘It has been suggested that to complete an application with the correct rigour is the equivalent to completing an extra A-level – and the level of research and considered writing required to make a fully informed application is a major task,’ advises Oakley.
Cost is, for many, a vital factor too. ‘Students should have honest conversations with their families about whether or not they could reasonably fund the standard four years of a US undergraduate degree,’ says Harris. It’s no secret that attending a US university comes at a significant financial price, but thanks to hefty government and private funding, some colleges are needs-blind, even for international pupils. Do your research – and be aware that although there are many generous bursaries on offer, they require plenty of additional fact-finding and form filling.
What are the key deadlines students need to bear in mind?
A good rule of thumb is to start thinking about the process during Year 11, and then really start committing time to your application from the very beginning of Year 12.
One of the most important things to consider when applying for a US university is timing. Application deadlines can fall anywhere between October and February of Year 13 (with early deadlines tending to be on 1st November), but most will be during the first week of January. ‘Students should begin preparing for standardised tests a full year before the first deadlines,’ advises Edgell. These are taken at any time from December of Year 12, and can be taken multiple times – although it is worth noting that many colleges are currently test-optional, and are looking to remain that way for another year or more.
Also consider the time you’ll need to write your essays – most universities require multiple essays to support a student's application, and these can take months to write. ‘Start brainstorming in late spring of Year 12 and set aside a good chunk of the summer holidays between Years 12 and 13 to work on your drafts.’
What can students do to really make their application stand out?
‘US universities first and foremost look for excellent students,’ says Harris. ‘Academic achievement and rigour is the number one element of a strong US application.’ That said, it’s rarely enough. ‘Strong US applicants must also stand out when it comes to extracurricular activities and involvement with the wider school or local community. To really stand out, students might aim to be the “first”, “best” or “only” student to engage in an activity in a given context.’
‘Institutions often strive for cohort diversity, so try to articulate any distinctive heritage and interests,’ suggests Oakley. ‘Volunteering and initiating groups or activities are a great way to demonstrate your ability to a community through care, diligence, social skills or leadership.’
What about those with strong sporting talent?
If you’re a brilliant athlete, and think you’d like to be part of a team at a university in the US, the application process becomes even more complicated and competitive. Pupils must be recruited, apply, and then be accepted by both a team coach, and the university.
'Students who would like to be considered as a recruited athlete at a US university should start compiling footage and statistics in the three years before they submit their application (i.e at the beginning of Year 10),’ says Edgell. She recommends using an app such as , or creating a dedicated social media account or website that can then be shared with team coaches.
‘It’s a good idea for students to introduce themselves to coaches via email in the earlier years – although they should be aware that coaches may not be able to initiate a recruitment conversation until their penultimate year of school. Prospective student athletes should also move their application timetable forward by about six months because it can be helpful to have official SAT/ACT scores when beginning the recruitment process. Coaches may ask a student to apply during an early deadline – and pupils should make sure they have the coach’s full support before committing to a binding or restrictive deadline.’
And finally…. A word of advice
‘Start early!’ says Harris. ‘Putting together a competitive US application takes time and needs to be strategic. And stay determined too – I always remind our students that no one simply ends up at a US university; rather, they make a conscious decision to pursue their goal and work towards that goal consistently for a couple of years. The end result is usually worth it –there’s nothing quite like studying at a US university.’