I want to apply to American universities, however I saw that the applications are around November - Dec/Jan. I want to apply EA to Harvard, and RD to other schools. However it says for RD decisions come out in March. I’m in Australia so we would have finished school in December (around EA apps) and started university in February (before RD decisions come out). How does this work then?
American school curriculum differs from that of many across the world - Australia being one of them.
Normally, students who wish to do EA/ED to schools that offer it will apply by 11/1 deadline (average for elite institutions), while the RD for most will be around the following 1/1. It’s too late to apply EA AND RD for Harvard now, so you will have to wait until next year should you wish to apply.
While the college process is taking place, American high school students will be attending their high school. By the time of their graduation in June, most will have a set college to attend for the next 2-4 years.
I’m talking about in two years year. I’m in Grade 10 right now. @viphan And you didn’t answer my question, thats basically what I was saying.
You asked how the American college process works and I gave you the exact corresponding answer. Perhaps you should look at more realistic colleges here in the US.
Edit: If you meant how you should spend the 6 months following your Australian graduation, how can anyone answer that for you?
It means you are 6 months ahead in school time. It doesn’t change anything other than the fact that you will have the cold hard reality of your stats in your sweaty hands at application time. Obviously you will be sitting your SAT etc before then to give you an idea of application suitability. Realistically for you, it means your safety Australian applications would require an agreed gap year, proceed as normal with your Australian applications with the gap year caveat and plan to do something stellar in your gap time to cite on your application. ECs are a big deal in the USA and this won’t be something your Aussie peers will likely be looking at. As you are ?? at the end of yr 10 you should be well on task in this area already.
I went the opposite direction. Finished college in the US in June, worked for 7 months, and then started graduate studies in Australia the following February.
I think what you are asking–and excuse me if I’m incorrect on this–is: Given that many acceptances at US unis aren’t announced until March, and Uni starts at home in February, how can I be sure that I’ve gotten in?
Many American students begin working on their applications the summer (July, Aug) before their final year of high school. The common app opens on 1 August (this means it is available to be filled out beginning on this date). They work on their essay questions, line up their rec letters from teachers, etc.). ED apps are generally due by 1 Nov, although this can vary slightly. Decisions are generally announced in mid-Dec. Obviously, if you had a successful ED acceptance, you would know in time.
Many American institutions have EA programs that are announced on the early side. My D had 4 acceptances by 20 December, but these were not at Ivies. You’d have to check, but I doubt that many of the Ivies or near-Ivies will give you an EA answer by the time you need it. Maybe U of Chicago.
So unless you are willing to apply to US schools that have rolling admissions, or you are successful ED, or at an EA program that announces early, you’ll be rolling the dice on RD. Of course one option would be to take a gap year if things don’t work out. This would give you an opportunity to add a compelling EC. Hope this helps.