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When should I start preparing for my undergraduate application to study in the United States?

1. When should I start preparing for undergraduate applications to study in the United States?

American high schools start in the 9th grade, which is the third year of junior high school in China. American universities will consider the grades and performance of students starting from the third year of junior high school. Therefore, in the face of the top American universities that continue to raise the admission threshold, international students who aim to attend Ivy League or first-class universities should make the following preparations starting from the first semester of the third year of junior high school:

1. Choose difficult high school courses

Most American universities only look at core courses (English, math, science, social science, foreign language, programming) when calculating GPA. If you are attending an American high school or taking AP or IB courses, you should try to choose more subjects in AP, IB and honors courses, and get high scores to be considered an academically excellent student. If you are taking ALEVEL courses, it is recommended to choose some humanities courses.

2. Achieve results that reflect effort and progress

It is better to get a slightly lower grade in a difficult course than to get straight A's in an easy course.

3. Obtain TOEFL and SAT/ACT scores that are consistent with high school grades

It is recommended to start studying for TOEFL in the third year of junior high school. Please note that high SAT/ACT scores cannot make up for a poor GPA.

4. High participation in a small number of extracurricular activities, demonstrating leadership, initiative, influence, and interests

Depth of experience, not breadth, is what matters most. American universities are looking for students with passionate, specific interests, not "well-rounded" students. It is better to have substantial input and gains in a few but focused extracurricular activities than to participate in many general activities. As a supplement to the application, if the university allows, students should prepare a detailed resume to showcase their extracurricular activities.

5. Have rich extracurricular experiences, including summer school, work, and hobbies, which can reflect the student's sense of responsibility, dedication, and interests.

It is very important to use your spare time to do meaningful things! Students should include their extracurricular efforts in their resume.

6. Have special talents or experiences that will help increase the richness and diversity of the school's student population

A student who has made extra efforts to develop his or her talents in sports, academic research, writing, art, or anything else will have an advantage. Consider providing the school with evidence of your outstanding talents (such as creative writing essays, research report summaries, videos, etc.).

7. A good application essay can give the school insight into the student’s personality, values, and goals.

An application essay should be thorough and highly personal, reflecting the student's careful, well-structured writing. This is a chance to share your story! Application essays require high writing skills, so practice writing and start English writing training from the third year of junior high school.

8. Letters of recommendation from teachers and college counselors with specific examples that provide evidence of the student's curiosity, professional skills, and positive character traits

Additional letters of recommendation from coaches, supervisors, or others who know the student well are helpful only if they provide further evidence of the student's abilities. Letters of recommendation from family and friends (even if they know the student well) are unlikely to be considered by the school.

9. Demonstrate a genuine interest in attending a particular college, which can be demonstrated through visits, interviews, or ongoing contact with the admissions department.

As early as the college application planning stage, students should make a plan to visit the school, including obtaining necessary information, visiting and interviewing (if possible). Students should always keep in touch with American college admissions officers and attend the lectures they hold in the student's location.

10. Show your curiosity through the books you read, your performance in school, your choice of extracurricular activities, your vacation activities, etc.

American universities have very high requirements for students' reading volume. If you don't read a lot after studying abroad, studying in a foreign institution will be a terrible thing.

2. Universities with strong study abroad capabilities in the United States

1. Harvard University

Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. It was founded in 1636. It is a higher education institution with a long history in the United States. It is also a world-renowned private research university and a member of the famous Ivy League. Harvard University consists of ten colleges and an advanced research institute. It has a high academic status and extensive influence in many fields such as literature, medicine, law, and business. It is recognized as one of the world's top higher education and research institutions.

2. Yale University

Yale University was founded in 1701 and is located in New Haven, Connecticut, USA. It is a world-renowned private research university, the third oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, a member of the famous Ivy League, and one of the 14 founding institutions of the Association of American Universities. It is also known as the "Cradle of Presidents". Yale has always been among the top universities in various university rankings, and is on par with Harvard and Princeton University, competing for the top three in the United States over the years. In addition, among the many disciplines of the school, humanities and social sciences, law, public policy, art and basic disciplines are the most famous.

3. Princeton University

Princeton University was founded in 1746 and is located in Princeton, New Jersey on the east coast of the United States. It is a world-renowned private comprehensive research university. It is a member of the Ivy League in the United States, and is also a member of the American Association of Universities, the Global University Presidents Forum and other organizations. It is also known as the "Cradle of American Politicians". Princeton is known for its theoretical academic research and is world-renowned for its tradition of emphasizing quality, research and theory. It adheres to the principle of academic supremacy and represents a rigorous, solemn and pure academic atmosphere.

4. Columbia University

Columbia University was founded in 1754 and is located in Manhattan, New York, USA. It is a world-renowned private comprehensive research university, one of the Ivy League schools, and a member of the Association of American Universities, the Global University Presidents Forum and other organizations. Columbia University is an important research center in the world, providing a unique and excellent learning environment for undergraduate and graduate students in many academic and professional fields. The school's School of Journalism, School of Education, School of International and Public Affairs, School of Medicine, School of Law, School of Business and School of Art are among the best in the United States and even in the world.

5. University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is located in Chicago, USA. It was founded in 1890 and is a world-class private research university, which has been ranked in the top ten of many world university rankings for many years. The University of Chicago has undergraduate colleges, 4 graduate schools, 7 professional colleges and affiliated schools. The undergraduate courses are known for their demanding standards and heavy academic pressure. Many well-known Chicago schools, such as the Chicago School of Economics, were born here. A total of 100 Nobel Prize winners have been produced. In addition, 10 Fields Medal winners, 4 Turing Award winners and 25 Pulitzer Prize winners have worked or studied at the University of Chicago.

6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. It was founded in 1861 and is a world-renowned private research university. During World War II and the Cold War, MIT researchers made important contributions to the development of technologies such as computers, radar, and inertial navigation systems. MIT ranks first in the 2021-22 QS World University Rankings, second in the US News World University Rankings, fourth in the Academic Ranking of World Universities, and fifth in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. It also ranks second in the world in the 2020 Times Higher Education World University Reputation Rankings.

3. Preparations for applying to study in the United States

1. Prepare your passport

If you plan to study in the United States, you should get a passport before applying. Many schools require a passport when applying, especially for students applying for business. A passport is required for the GMAT. Every year, many students cannot take the GMAT because they do not have a passport and have to transfer to another school. Transferring to another school is very expensive. Therefore, before going to study in the United States, you must prepare your passport first!

2. Prepare proof of funds

When applying to American universities, you also need to provide proof of funds, which can be deposited in the name of the parents or the student. The amount is to cover the first year's tuition and living expenses. It should be noted that many banks can only open a bank account once. If you find that it is not enough after opening it, you need to return all the previously opened proof of funds before opening it again. So open more at one time in case of emergency. According to Yunxue Education Group, parents should pay more attention to the proof of funds. Don't block your children's path to studying in the United States because of one less proof.

3. Prepare a dual-currency credit card

When applying to most American universities, you need to pay an application fee, which can range from tens of dollars to hundreds of dollars. It is usually paid online. Generally, banks do not allow students to apply for credit cards, so before applying, you should remind your parents to go to the bank to apply for a dual-currency credit card. VISA or Mastercard are currently used internationally, and some schools only accept Mastercard.

4. Prepare transcripts

Recently, it has been found that many students' transcripts have some minor errors. Some students are careless and seal the transcripts without even looking at them. Little do they know that teachers in schools can also make mistakes. Therefore, after the school issues your transcript, compare the Chinese and English versions and correct any errors in a timely manner. At this stage, the fake transcripts of Chinese students have left a very bad impression on foreign universities, so you should be as careful and meticulous as possible in this regard. In addition, in addition to the accuracy issue, it should also be noted that the transcripts issued by the school should be sealed in an envelope and stamped on the seal of the envelope to be considered formal. American universities attach great importance to this. Before preparing to study in the United States, you may wish to check your transcripts to see if there are any errors so that you can correct them in time.

5. Prepare recommendation letters

Now many universities in the United States allow you to submit recommendation letters online. The specific method is that when you apply online, the school will send a link to submit the recommendation letter to the recommender, and the professor can open the link and upload the recommendation letter. This method does not require the teacher to sign the recommendation letter, and you can quickly get all the materials. But the premise is that your teacher needs to know a little English and computer. If some teachers do not understand English or cannot use the Internet, it is safer to use paper recommendation letters. Moreover, submitting recommendation letters online requires the cooperation of teachers, because if you apply to 10 schools, the teacher will receive 10 recommendation letter submission requests from time to time. It will be very troublesome if the teacher does not check the mailbox frequently.

When should I start preparing for my undergraduate application to study in the United States? Summary

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