The following calendar and checklist will help you with your college admissions planning. It begins 24 months (2 years) before your planned enrollment date (i.e. in the beginning of your Junior year).
|
When |
What |
September
(24 months) |
Begin
your search for colleges. Visit the College Counselling office and
the library. Explore college sites on the web. Talk with family,
friends, and acquaintances who may have studied in the US. Write
to 10-15 schools for information (you can do this right from their
webpage). |
October-November
(22-23 months) |
Start
preparing for the TOEFL exam and other admissions tests (e.g.,
GRE, GMAT, or SAT). |
December - May
(16-21 months) |
Register for the TOEFL exam, SAT I and other admissions tests. |
January
(20 months) |
Select
the schools to which you will apply. Request application materials
if you haven't already. Learn which schools require the SAT II. |
March
- June
(15-18 months) |
Take
the TOEFL and other admissions tests. You must take the tests
before December, or you will miss the deadlines at most
universities. Taking the tests now gives you a chance to improve
your scores by taking them again in October. |
May
(16 months) |
Identify the teachers you will ask for letters of recommendation. |
July
(14 months) |
Read
the college applications and backtrack the deadlines to allow
yourself enough time to complete them. Remember to allow for
delays in the mail. Narrow your list of schools to 10. |
August
(13 months) |
Write a
draft of your application essays and statement of purpose. Get
comments on it from friends, the College Counsellor, and an
English teacher. |
September
(12 months) |
Register for a second set of SAT I and TOEFL exams. |
September
(12 months) |
Ask
your teachers to write letters of recommendation for you. Given
them the necessary forms and plenty of time. Tell them to return
the recommendations to the College Counsellor. |
October
(11 months) |
Complete your essays and application forms, including the
financial aid application forms. Mail them airmail or FedEx. Ask
your schools to send certified copies of your academic
transcripts. |
October
(11 months) |
Take
the SAT I, TOEFL and other exams again. |
November
(10 months) |
Check
with your teachers and the school to make sure your
recommendations and transcripts have been mailed. Apply for a
passport if you do not already have one. |
December
(9 months) |
Respond
promptly to any requests for additional information. |
April-May
(4-5 months) |
You
will start hearing from colleges. Contact the admissions office if
you do not receive anything from them. Accept one school's offer,
and notify them and the others of your choice. Ask the school to
send you the I-20 or IAP-64 form. Contact the Financial Aid office
of your school of choice and ask them if they require any
additional information; make sure they are working on your FA
package! Make permanent housing arrangements if you will be
staying on-campus, temporary housing arrangements if you will be
living off-campus. Apply for a passport if you do not already have
one. Apply for your visa. |
June
(3 months) |
Apply
for a visa. Attend pre-departure orientation programs in your
country. Make travel arrangements. Plan to arrive at least 15 days
prior to orientation (2 months if you have to take an English
course). |
July-August
(1-2 months) |
Have a
nice trip! |
