Factors
Applying to the United States can be a very long and tedious process - consider some factors before you apply:
1) Finance
This is one very important factor. US Universities tend to be very expensive and financial aid and scholarships are not always available for international students. Talk to your parents before you apply. The applications itself are pretty expensive - registering for the SAT/ACT, TOEFL, application fees for universities, sending scores to these universities and so on.
**2) Time **
Different universities have different application deadlines, but the earliest generally starts from around October (the October of your 12th grade) lasting to as long as June (after your 12th grade ends). You will have to write various exams before that, collect letters of recommendations, talk to your counselor and write essays. Ideally, begin preparation at least a year to a year and a half before you go to the US. Plan beforehand!
Check this out: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/india/1413006-all-new-applicants-the-process-and-timeline-p1.html
3) Miscellaneous factor
These can include anything that may be relevant to you and your family - distance, weather etc.
Application requirements
1) Tests
One of the most important requirements are tests - namely the SAT and ACT. A majority of colleges require either of these.
SAT Subject Tests (aka SAT II) are not as important as the SAT, but this varies with each university. Some require SAT Subject Tests especially for certain majors.
As an international student, you will also probably have to write TOEFL or IELTS. This is just to prove your English proficiency and nothing more. Different universities have different cutoffs. If you do not clear the cutoff, you won’t be eligible to apply.
Since each university has its own requirements, check the individual university website for details to make sure you clear all the requirements.
**2) Essays, LORS, activities and honors **
Many universities require the applicant to write essays on the topics they provide to get to know you better and more personally.
LORs are letters of recommendations which some universities require/recommend. Ask for these from any of your high school teachers and counselor.
Unlike Indian universities, US universities have an ‘Activities’ and ‘Honors’ section as part of their application. You will need to fill in your major extracurricular activities and the awards you’ve won since 9th grade. Universities place a lot of importance to this.
**3) Transcripts **
A lot of universities require your grades from class 9 onwards upto the mid-semester of class 12. Again, the requirements vary with each university. Your final exam marks (usually Board marks) are generally not as important (although you must have scored a respectable percentage - if your marks go down too low, your admission offer could be rescinded). You’ll most likely need to submit the final marks after getting your admission offer.
For a lot of applications, you’ll just have to enter your marks, for some your counselor will have to upload the report card - again, it varies!
Procedure
1) Planning
The first thing would be of course, to plan ahead - plan when you wish to write the SAT/ACT/TOEFL/IELTS, preparing for them, researching various options etc. Also, while planning on when to write all the exams, keep some extra time in case you want to improve your score.
2) Preparing for and writing exams
Try to write the tests as soon as possible so that it doesn’t get in your way and become a hassle later on, especially when you’re studying in class 12. Register early - some of the test centres fill up quickly. Finish writing the exams in enough time to get the scores and send them to universities before the specified deadlines.
3) Choosing the universities
Most students choose only around 9-10 universities to apply to mainly because applying is expensive and sometimes because they don’t have enough time to write more essays and fill in the application. Whether you want to apply to more or less number of universities is up to you.
Choosing universities can be a tricky affair.
Most applicants choose around 3 ‘dream’ universities - universities that are very competitive and harder to get into.
They also choose around 3 ‘match’ or ‘reach’ universities - universities where you are more likely to get into and where your test scores, grades etc. (statistics) match the average of that university.
Applicants also choose about 3 ‘safe’ universities - universities which you are more likely to get into because your statistics far exceeds the average of the university’s.
Also consider other factors ike ranking, location, weather etc.
4) Applying
Application to most universities can be done through their website. Most applicants however, use the Common application (www.commonapp.org) - an extremely convenient resource where you only need to fill in one application while applying to several universities at once (not all universities are part of the Common Application though. Another example is the Universal College Application, although as many universities are part of it.
A lot of universities have their own deadlines - keep track of them. Some universities also have plans like ‘Early Action’ and ‘Early Decision’. In ‘Early Action’, you apply earlier than usual if you can complete the application by then. ‘Early Action is quite advantageous because you probably will have a bigger chance of getting in. in "Early Decision’, you apply early and if you get in, you will have to attend that university after withdrawing your applications to other universities.
Applying also includes writing your essays, getting letters of recommendation from your school counselor and teacher etc.
If you have any questions, post below!
And finally, good luck 