Students planning to apply to American universities must get an early start
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Boards, entrance exams, extended essays, internships … Grade 12 demands discipline. The key to navigating the year lies in planning your timeline, no matter where you are applying for college admissions. In this first of a three-part series, we take a look at applying to the U.S.
April to June
Make lists: Build a longlist of about 20 colleges from the over 150 universities. Then shortlist them with a balanced number of Reach, Match, and Safety colleges. Explore aspects such as class size, location, fee and funding options, smaller liberal arts colleges versus large public or private universities … Give yourself time for a deep dive and make a thought-out list.
Tests: Take the IELTS or extra attempts on the SAT or ACT. Complete all tests by the summer.
Deepen your profile: Do an internship or an in-depth summer programme that relates strongly to the area you are applying for in college.
July to August
Connect with the school counsellor: School often reopens with a clear agenda on completing your requests for Letters of Recommendation and sharing your college lists. Align with your school calendar to keep your (and your counsellor’s) sanity and pressure levels manageable!
Letters of Recommendation (LoRs): U.S. universities require you to submit one counsellor recommendation and up to two LoRs from subject teachers. Choose teachers who have seen you grow as a student and truly understand your unique strengths. Fill in a “bragsheet” or a form that details your academic and extra-curricular achievements so that these can be added to your LoR. Make sure your LoR reflects those achievements that you intend to showcase in your applications and align your LoR story with the one you hope to pitch to universities.
Create accounts: For Common Application, Coalition Application and the University of California (UC) applications, so that you can collate your deadlines and essay prompts.
Start writing: Writing a Common Application essay requires introspection, story-telling and multiple rounds of feedback and refining. Try to finish before your mid-year exams.
Board projects: Crafting a research-based academic project in your area of interest is often the pinnacle of your academic maturity and independence Align your topic with your college application story and the courses you are targeting. Research to create a unique and original story.
September to November
Finalise college list: Bring your longlist down to a manageable 10 or 12 (UC application count as one). Schools often need you to close your application list and plan so that they can send your transcripts and LoRs in time.
Predicted grades: Most schools plan mid-year assessments for Class 12 in September or October. While each gives weightage to multiple factors when predicting your grades, a good performance in the mid-year exams can help you lift your scores.
Activity list: The Common App allows you to present 10 activities in 150 characters each. Choose the right ones and present them effectively.
Supplementary essays: A good supplementary essay takes in-depth research and multiple drafts. Those aiming for early deadlines will have to spend the autumn break researching colleges and crafting essays.
Maximise early applications: Apart from your ED (if you are doing one), apply early to at least one dream and one safety option to ensure that you have some good news by New Year.
December to February
Pre-board exam: Many schools allow requests for revision of predicted grades if students perform well in the November-December assessments. So double down on these.
Check college-specific portals: Each college will set up an account on their application portal for you to track your application progress, complete submission of any material, test scores or school transcripts, and send additional material. Check your accounts regularly.
Apply for regular decision: Most universities have their regular deadlines between January 1 and 15. Stretch yourself and apply to dream and target universities.
Schedule interviews: Many colleges offer alumni interviews for prospective students to give you a better picture of the institution. Take every opportunity that comes your way.
March to May: Enjoy the results of your hard work
Assess your offers: Tabulate the pros and cons of each offer. Connect with students in each university to get the full picture of student life, academic environment and prospects.
Letters of Continued Interest (LOCIs): For colleges that have put you on their waitlist, share your latest achievements and underline your keenness to study there. If colleges don’t ask for an LOCI, they will have an online waitlist form on the portal for you to complete.
Accept offers: Most universities have a May 1 deadline, so make sure you accept your offers in time and request an i-20 from the one you finally choose..
Apply for accommodation: Campus accommodation is limited, so apply early to have a shot at your preference.
Visa application: Reach out to visa professionals to complete your documentation and apply well in time.
With inputs from Kritika Malhotra
The writer is Founder and CEO, Inomi Learning, a Gurugram-based career and college guidance firm. [email protected]
Published – April 20, 2025 10:00 am IST