@Thumper1 has shared good background info.
Since you mentioned you are a recent immigrant, please do the following:
- your child’s school will have a counselor assigned to him/her. Meet that counselor and ask your questions and get an understanding of the US college applications and “holistic” admissions process.
- your child needs to make friends if he/she has not already done so. Ask those friends on what they are doing and how they can support his/her application.
- Many colleges host information sessions at the school or in a hotel in your city. Go and attend 1-2 of those sessions. Ask questions and listen to what others are asking.
Other points:
- Aug 1 is the start of the application process when Common Application officially allows you to start submitting applications to colleges.
- You will need to understand the differences between Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision. There will be different deadlines for different colleges.
- Many BS/MD (also BA/MD) programs have a Nov 1 deadline.
- Your child will have to write a lot of essays as part of the application process.