Applying to US schools for Regular Decision

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Summary of US applications components

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Autobiography (submit under the additional information section). Limit: 650 words.

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Personal statement (choose any one of the 7 topics on Common app). Limit: 650 words

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2 letters of recommendation from any of your high school teachers

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1 letter of recommendation from your high school counselor

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High school transcript

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O level results (and AS results if you wrote Cambridge exams)

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CSS profile

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Some schools may have Supplemental essays eg Why us?

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Duolingo English Test

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Activities list
Portfolio (if you have one already)

What is Regular Decision (RD)?

This is the second round of applications to US schools after Early Decisions 1 & 2.

Deadline for RD
It's usually January 1 for most schools unless specified.

RD decisions
Decisions are received usually around late-March or early-April

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More information on RD
It is a non-binding entrance plan, meaning that if you are admitted into any school you are not

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committed to attending.
One can apply to as many schools as they want

📍Choose at most 5 schools for RD to research more on. The point is to look for common
Tips for RD

attributes between you & the school you're applying to. Researching doesn't simply mean you
just go on the website and look up the programs offered. Be that curious student who
demonstrates interest by looking into any other activities done at the school. Here are a few
examples:

▶️Are you a person fascinated by Biomedical Research? Look for projects, research studies
that are being done by the professors and/ or at the school. You may choose to deepen your
research into a specific one. Is there something that intrigues you? If so, how can you include
that in one of your essays as you also talk about your niche? Remember the point is to show the
admissions officers that you're a great fit for the college!!!
▶ ️Do you have an interest in sports, soccer for example? Talk about your background in relation
to soccer. How do you feel when you're playing soccer? What do you hope for through doing
so?

▶ ️Do you consider music as part of you? If so, tell us a hooking story related to your passion. It
would be good to also mention any musical event done at the school that aligns to your interest.
For example, talk about how you got to know about Oberlin College when you bumped into a
YouTube video of the famous Oberlin's Conservatory Orchestra performance at Finney Chapel.

📌The examples above are also there to show you that it will be very hard for any sane person
to thoroughly complete competitive 30 applications in one month unless you're very committed
to that. Also consider the application fees if you're planning to apply to many schools. Regular
Decision rounds are very competitive hence you need to dust even the tiniest particles in your
application. It should be free from grammatical errors and sentences should make sense.

Start polishing your essays now to avoid last minute confusion!!!

Common questions asked during the previous session

● What is a Common App?
The CSS profile is an online application used by colleges and scholarship programs to
award non-federal aid to international students. In simple terms, that is how you get
financial aid from the school.

Below is a link to fill out the CSS profile:

CSS Profile - College Board https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/

● What is a college portfolio?

A portfolio for college applications is a collection of documents to showcase someone's
talents, interests and goals. For example, you might have a portfolio of songs you've
recorded singing, playing instruments etc. If you're a person with deep interests in
Computer Science this is where you upload any programs you've coded.

● How do I submit proof of income when my parents are informally employed?

For those who might not have formal statements of income, your parent/ guardian may
write an affidavit estimating the income they get annually and have that signed by the
Commissioner of oaths.

● Are there some universities that consider ED1 applications for more financial aid than
regular decision applicants?
In regards to need-based financial aid, universities are blind about whether you are an
early decision or regular decision admit. They generally use a formula to determine how
much aid is offered. It’s worth noting that regular decision applicants do get priority much
of the time for disbursement and calculation of financial aid because they need to
 choose between multiple financial aid offers before May 1st, whereas early decision
applicants know they will be attending the university they were admitted to. In short, it
can be 50-50, but it also depends on colleges.

● Do all colleges require SATs?

Most colleges are test optional for this academic year except a few competitive ones.
You may check this out too
https://www.quadeducationgroup.com/blog/colleges-that-dont-require-sat-or-act

● What are the Common App essays for this year?

Below is the full set of Common App essay prompts for 2023-24.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they
believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then
please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success.
Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you,
and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted
your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or
thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal

growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose track of
time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn
more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one
that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

We will also retain the optional COVID-19 question within the Additional Information
section.

● Which universities particularly give full scholarships? And are these scholarships based
on merit only or activities you have done for the community?
https://skoolville.com/blog/125-universities-that-offer-scholarships-to-international-studen
ts-in-usa/