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“Applying to American Universities”. Dr Jon Tabbert Jon Tabbert Associates. American Universities - Overview. Is American University Right for All Students? Where to Start the Process What are American Universities Looking for? How Do They Make the Application Decision? Financial Matters.
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“Applying to American Universities” Dr Jon Tabbert Jon Tabbert Associates
American Universities - Overview • Is American University Right for All Students? • Where to Start the Process • What are American Universities Looking for? • How Do They Make the Application Decision? • Financial Matters
Is American University Right for All Students? No! • Not Appropriate for Medicine, Law or Vet. Science • Not Right if you Want Only One Subject - US degree programme is 1/3 Major, 1/3 Electives & 1/3 General Education: maths/science, humanities, social science, arts
Identifying Universities – Where to Start the Process: With Yourself! • 3700+ universities gives you plenty of choice anywhere in the country • Consider: Reputation, Location, Physical Setting, Competitiveness of University
They Want to Make a Match Why? Ultra Selectivity of US “Top Tiers” What are American Universities Looking for?
Difference in the Application Process: • In Britain: Application Process is Centralised • In US: You Apply to each Individual University • In Britain: Apply for Specific Course • In US: Apply to University as a Whole
What Factors Do US Universities Use When Making the Admission Decision? • GCSE Subjects & Grades; AS Subjects & Grades; A Level Predictions • The SAT Reasoning Test & Subject Tests/ACT • Teacher References • Extra-curricular Activities & Leadership • Essays • “The Gatekeepers” – Grades & SAT
Timelines • US Academic Year is September – May • Two Semesters: Fall: September – December Spring: January – May Application Plans • Regular Decision – Apply by 1st January; Decision on 1st April; Accept/Reject Decision by 1st May • Early Decision – Apply by 1st November; Decision by 15th December. This is a Binding Plan. • Early Action – Apply by 1st November; Decision by 15th December. This is a Non-Binding plan. You need not Accept/Reject until 1st May.
The SAT Subject Tests – How do they match with A Levels? Timing of SAT – When to take which tests? When to Start the Entire Entry Process? Issues for British Educated Students
Financial Matters • Most Universities Do Not Offer Financial Assistance to International Students • Tuition/Room & Board Fees Can Vary Considerably: - IVY LEAGUE = $45,000 + p.a. - LARGE STATE = $28,000 + p.a. - SMALL STATE = $21,000 + p.a.
For more information… Jon Tabbert Associates 39 St. James’s Street • London • SW1A 1JA www.jontabbert.com all@jontabbert.com Tel: 0207 491 8085