Personal essays, are the most important component of the undergraduate admissions process in the United States. For international students, this essays provide an opportunity to showcase their unique backgrounds, experiences, and aspirations to admissions committees. In this guide, we'll learn about the significance of personal essays and provide valuable tips for international students on how to craft compelling narratives that resonate with US universities.

Understanding the Purpose

Personal essays offer admissions officers insight into who you are beyond your academic achievements and test scores. They allow you to share your personal story, values, and goals, helping admissions committees assess your fit for their institution and community.

Essay types

There are two types of essays in the admissions process. They are: 1. Common App Essay and 2. Supplemental Essays.

Common App Essay

The Common App essay is a central component of the application, providing students with a prompt and 650-word limit to convey their story, values, and perspectives. With seven essay prompts to choose from, applicants have the flexibility to select a topic that resonates with them and allows them to showcase their individuality.

For common app essay, select a topic that is authentic, meaningful, and relevant to your identity or experiences. Consider highlighting moments of growth, challenges overcome, cultural perspectives, or significant achievements. Showcasing your unique perspective and voice will help your essay stand out.

Supplemental Essays

Supplemental essays differ from universities to universities, offering applicants an opportunity to provide additional insights into their personalities, passions, and fit with specific universities. These essays complement the Common Application essay and allow students to showcase their uniqueness while demonstrating a genuine interest in each institution. 

Tips and tricks to write the essays:

Structuring Your Essay

Start with a tempting introduction that hooks the reader's attention and clearly states the central theme or message of your essay. Develop your ideas cohesively in the body paragraphs, providing specific examples and anecdotes to support your narrative. Conclude with a reflection or takeaway that leaves a lasting impression.

Show, Don't Just Tell

Use vivid imagery, descriptive language, and storytelling techniques to bring your experiences to life. Instead of simply listing accomplishments, delve deeper into the emotions, thoughts, and lessons learned from each experience. Show how these moments have shaped your identity and aspirations.

Be Authentic and Genuine

Stay true to yourself and your experiences. Avoid exaggeration or embellishment, as admissions officers value sincerity and authenticity. Your essay should reflect your voice, values, and personality, allowing admissions committees to gain a genuine understanding of who you are.

Highlighting Cultural Perspectives

As an international student, your cultural background and experiences can enrich the diversity of the university community. Use your essay to share insights into your culture, traditions, and values, offering a unique perspective that contributes to the campus dialogue.

Addressing Challenges and Overcoming Adversity

If you've faced significant challenges or obstacles, consider addressing them in your essay. Highlight how you've persevered, grown, and learned from these experiences, demonstrating resilience and determination.

Proofread and Revise

Carefully proofread your essay for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Revise for clarity, coherence, and flow, ensuring that your ideas are communicated effectively. Take the time to polish your essay until it shines.

Seek Feedback

Share your essay with trusted mentors, teachers, or peers for feedback and suggestions. Consider their insights on clarity, coherence, and overall impact. While it's essential to receive feedback, ultimately, ensure that your essay remains true to your own voice and perspective.

Personal essays are a powerful tool for international students to showcase their identities, experiences, and aspirations in the US undergraduate admissions process. With careful thought, reflection, and revision, your personal essay can become a compelling testament to who you are and what you bring to the university community.

Studying in the USA for international students can be very expensive if you are not wealthy. However, the good news is that the USA is one of those countries that are very generous with their scholarships and financial aid, making the dream of studying in the US more attainable. In this comprehensive guide, we will dive into various financial aid opportunities and scholarship programs for international students seeking admission to US undergraduate programs.

Understanding Financial Aid

Financial aid includes various forms of funding, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs, designed to assist students in covering the costs of tuition, fees, and living expenses. International students may be eligible for merit-based scholarships, need-based aid, or a combination of both.

Types of Financial Aid and Scholarships

Merit-Based Scholarships

Awarded to students based on academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, leadership potential, or other exceptional talents.Many US universities offer merit-based scholarships specifically for international students to attract top talent from around the world.

Need-Based Aid

Provided to students who demonstrate financial need based on their family's income and resources. Some US universities offer need-based financial aid to international students, although availability may vary.

Specialized Financial Aid Forms

Students who need financial aid have to submit either CSS profile or ISFAA. It depends on the universities and colleges what the applicant need to submit.

CSS Profile

An online application used by many US colleges and universities to assess a student's eligibility for non-federal financial aid. The CSS Profile provides a detailed analysis of a student's financial situation, including family income, assets, and expenses, to determine eligibility for institutional aid. 

Tips to get a CSS fee waiver:  The CSS profile costs $25 to submit to one institution and $16 for each additional institution. However, students can waive this fee. To obtain a fee waiver, mail the university explaining your financial situation, and they will provide you with a CSS fee waiver.

ISFAA (International Student Financial Aid Application)

A form specifically designed for international students to provide detailed financial information required by US universities for financial aid consideration. It is basically the PDF version of CSS profile. 

Tips for Securing Financial Aid and Scholarships

Start Early

• Begin researching financial aid and scholarship opportunities well in advance of application deadlines to maximize your chances of success.

Research Extensively

• Explore scholarship databases, university websites, and financial aid resources tailored for international students to identify relevant opportunities.

Meet Application Deadlines

• Pay close attention to deadlines for submitting financial aid and scholarship applications, as late submissions may jeopardize your chances of receiving aid.

Securing financial aid and scholarships is a crucial aspect of the US undergraduate admissions process for international students. With thorough research, careful planning, and support from scholarship providers and university resources, international students can achieve their goal of pursuing higher education in the United States.

For international students, among the various requirements, standardized tests play a significant role in the admissions process for undergraduate programs. Understanding these tests, their significance, and how to prepare for them is essential for aspiring students aiming to secure admission to their desired institutions. In this blog, we'll look into the world of standardized tests and provide valuable insights for international students who are applying to the US for undergraduate admissions.

Understanding the tests:

In the United States, standardized tests such as the SAT(Scholastic Assessment Test) and ACT (American College Testing) are widely used by colleges and universities as part of their admissions criteria. These tests assess a student's readiness for college-level academics and serve as a standardized measure to evaluate applicants from diverse educational backgrounds. Because, most of the educational curriculums are not familiar to the admission officers. That’s why, these standardized tests help the admission officers to understand the students’ capabilities if they can get fit to USA’s education and academic system or not. 

SAT vs. ACT:

The SAT and ACT are two primary standardized tests accepted by most US institutions for undergraduate admissions. Since spring 2023, SAT has changed to digital format from paper based SAT test. While both tests assess similar skills in English, Math, Reading, and Science, they have distinct formats and scoring systems. International students should research and determine which test aligns better with their strengths and preferences. Additionally, some institutions may have a preference for one test over the other, so it's crucial to check individual requirements.

Here is the breakdown of both the SAT and ACT exams:

Digital SAT

Format:

• The digital SAT is taken on a computer rather than using traditional paper and pencil.
• The content and structure of the digital SAT are similar to the traditional paper-based SAT, consisting of sections in Reading, Writing and Language, and Math.
• The test interface allows for easy navigation between questions, highlighting, and flagging of questions for review.
• The digital SAT may also include multimedia elements such as videos or interactive graphics.

Scoring:

• The scoring system for the digital SAT remains consistent with the paper-based SAT.
• Each section (Reading, Writing and Language, and Math) is scored on a scale of 200 to 800, with a total score range of 400 to 1600.
• Additionally, the Essay section, if included, is scored separately on a scale of 6 to 24.
• Scores are typically available online approximately two to three weeks after the test date.

Digital ACT

Format:

• Similar to the digital SAT, the digital ACT is administered on a computer and follows the same content structure as the traditional paper-based ACT.
• The digital ACT includes sections in English, Math, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing (Essay) section.
• Test-takers takes the test using a computer interface, with features such as highlighting, flagging, and skipping questions.
• The digital ACT may also incorporate multimedia elements and interactive questions to assess various skills effectively.

Scoring:

• The scoring system for the digital ACT remains consistent with the paper-based ACT.
• Each section (English, Math, Reading, Science) is scored on a scale of 1 to 36.
• The Composite score, which is the average of the four section scores, also ranges from 1 to 36.
• If the Writing (Essay) section is completed, it receives a separate score ranging from 2 to 12.
• Scores are typically available online within two to three weeks after the test date.

Additionally, accommodations for students with disabilities are available for both digital 

SAT and ACT tests to ensure equitable access to the testing experience.

Score Reporting:

International students should be aware of score reporting policies for standardized tests. Most institutions require applicants to submit official score reports directly from the testing agency. It's essential to understand score validity periods and ensure that scores are sent well in advance of application deadlines to avoid any delays in the admissions process.

Considerations for Test-Optional Policies:

Some US colleges and universities have adopted test-optional policies, allowing applicants to choose whether to submit standardized test scores as part of their application. While this may provide flexibility for some students, international applicants should carefully consider whether submitting scores enhances their application and demonstrates their academic preparedness.

Standardized tests are really important parts of the US undergraduate admissions process for international students. That is why, it is vital for th students to understand the tests so that they can position themselves competitively for admission to their desired institutions. 

To learn more about standardized testing, visit the respective websites below:

ACT: https://www.act.org/

SAT: https://www.collegeboard.org/

When applying for any undergraduate institutions in the institution one needs to take the standardized tests. Though this might vary depending on each applicant's situation and circumstances and the times we live. For example, during the COVID Pandemic, most institutions did not require Standardize tests. 

So what are standardized tests? What purpose do they serve in the admissions process and how relevant are they? 

Undergraduate standardized tests are exams that are designed to assess a student's academic abilities and aptitude in various subject areas, typically taken during high school. The most common undergraduate standardized tests are the SAT I (Scholastic Assessment Test), SAT II, AKA subject Tests,  and ACT (American College Testing) in the United States. And as an international student you will be required to take an English Proficiency Tests such as the TOEFL, IELTS.

The primary purpose of these tests is to provide colleges and universities with a standardized measure of a student's academic ability, which can be used as one factor in the admissions process. The scores from these tests can be used in conjunction with other application materials such as transcripts, essays, and recommendation letters to help colleges make informed decisions about which students to admit. For more specific information please visit each schools website to learn more about their admissions requirement.

To book a date and a place where you can take these standardized tests. Please visit their respective websites for more information. On these websites you will find the test dates which are throughout the year, testing locations, ask for financial assistance and resources that will help you prepare for the tests.

To learn more about standardized testing, visit the respective websites below:

ACT: https://www.act.org/

SAT: https://www.collegeboard.org/

TOEFL: https://www.ets.org/toefl.html

As international students who want to pursue undergraduate education in the United States, proficiency in English is paramount for academic success and integration into university life. English standardized tests like the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and PTE (Pearson Test of English) are widely recognized by US universities. But, from the time of COVID-19, the Duolingo English Proficiency Test has gained popularity as an alternative assessment option. Additionally, there are some ways to waive this English language proficiency test requirements; that means you don’t have to take any of the tests. In thisblog, we'll explore these tests and will learn how we can waive the requirement as an international student.

Understanding the Tests

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
•  
  • Assesses English proficiency in Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.
  • Offered in internet-based (iBT) and paper-based (PBT) formats.
  • The TOEFL iBT test is offered two ways: TOEFL iBT test: on a computer at an authorized test center. TOEFL iBT Home Edition: on a computer at home, monitored by a live human proctor.
  • Scores range from 0 to 120, with each section scored on a scale of 0 to 30.

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
•  
  • Evaluates proficiency through Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking components.
  • Available in Academic and General Training formats, with the Academic version typically required for undergraduate admissions.
  • Test taker can take the test on paper or on a computer in the official test centres
  • Scores reported on a 9-band scale for each section, with an overall band score calculated as an average.

PTE (Pearson Test of English)

• A computer-based English language proficiency test.
• Assesses Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing skills.
• Scores are reported on a scale of 10 to 90.

• Duolingo English Proficiency Test
•  
  • A convenient online test that evaluates English language skills in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.
  • This test is taken at home.
  • Scores range from 10 to 160.
  • Accepted by an increasing number of universities worldwide as an alternative to traditional English proficiency tests.

Additionally, you can get a Duolingo fee waiver to take this test. To get the fee waiver, kindly mail to the universities you are applying to.

TOEFL vs IELTS vs PTE vs Duolingo

Here is the score comparison of these tests:

(I will make a graphics for this, this is just for reference)

Waiving English Proficiency Test Requirements

There are three ways to waive the English proficiency test requirements:

• Academic Background
  • Some universities may waive the English proficiency test requirement for applicants who have completed a certain level of education in English-medium institutions.
  • Check individual university policies to determine eligibility for a waiver based on academic qualifications.

• Standardized Test Scores
  • Exceptional scores in other standardized tests like the SAT or ACT may sometimes be accepted as evidence of English proficiency.
  • Verify with universities whether high scores on these tests can substitute for English proficiency test requirements.

• English Language Proficiency Certification
  • Applicants who have obtained certification from recognized English language programs such as ESL (English as a Second Language) courses may qualify for waivers.
  • Provide documentation of completion or certification from accredited language institutions when applying for waivers.

Navigating English standardized tests is a crucial step for international students seeking admission to US undergraduate programs.  Moreover, understanding the options for waiving English proficiency test requirements can provide additional pathways to admission. 

To learn more about the english proficiency test, visit the respective websites below:

TOEFL: https://www.ets.org/toefl.html

IELTS: https://ielts.org/

PTE: https://www.pearsonpte.com/

DUOLINGO: https://englishtest.duolingo.com/test_takers

The USA college application process can be scary and daunting at the same time for someone who is not familiar with how USA college admissions works. Fortunately for anyone out there is going through it and planning to go through it, Education and I has got you covered. We have people who have gone through the process and have been successful at the processs, with scholarships amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The college application process should not been seen as a barrier but as a process to be embraced where one can show their authentic self. What you think of the world, how your life experiences lead you to the being you are today and evenrtually how you plan to use these experiences to change the world and make it a better place. The USA application process is wholistic and considersan applicant in ther entiretity. You are more than your test scores. Admissions officers want to know the person behind the numbers and test scores. They want to know, what keeps you awake at night, do you ever question how things are they way they are, what is the one thing that you can keep doing that it makes you lose track of time.  Thinking of the college process in this way will help you be a successful applicant and consider the application process as a way of convincing admissions officers that yes! You definitely deserve a spot in their college.

Now lets get into the nitty gritty of the entire process. To become successful in the process you need to work closely with your mentor/ college counselor in identify the schools that are best suited for your personality and what you want to achieve. Discuss with them yout strengths and weaknesses and how you can best show your strengths to submit a stellar application.

•  In addition, ensure your had to attain th best possible grades you can during your high school career, 
• take your standardized tests, eg SAT/ACT/TOEFL, 
• make sure to have extra curricular activities that you are interested in and not just do them for the sake of doing them in order to get into a good college. Admissions officer know the depth of someone’s involvement in extracurricular activities. It is better to focus on a few where you shine rather than multiple where you are doing alittle bit. 
• Write your personal essay that shows the admissions officer who you are as a person in a indepth way. Write multiple drafts and start early! Have someone you trust go through the essay and get feedback. Ensure that during the feedback process, you voice is not lost and that the essay is in your own voice,
• Get your teachers and coaches and anyone in the community to recommend you. Be sure to ask them early and never wait for the last minute!
• Some schools will require a supplementary essay 
• Start your common app or coalition portal once you are ready and have all the above materials ready and you should be ready to go!