Applying for college
Applying for college is a very long process and can be different for everyone. Therefore, It’s important to communicate with the colleges you are talking to and asking them exactly what they require you to do to apply.
In my experience, here are some of the things they could be asking:
​
• ACT/SAT test score
The biggest test you’re going to have to do is either the ACT or SAT test. They are both 3-hour tests involving math, English, reading, and science (ACT) and English, history, languages, mathematics, and science (SAT). Every student that wants to go to college in the United States has to do at least one of these two tests at the end of high school. There is also a chance that some schools will tell you that you don't need one so make sure to ask.
The ACT score goes from 0 to 36 (the national average is 20), depending on the school they are going to require a certain score to be able to get in, for example, the top schools like Harvard require a score of at least 34 to be able to just request to get in.
Most good schools will ask for a 21/22 but even if you get a lower score you will always be able to talk to the school or maybe take it again. The SAT test score goes from 400 to 1600 (the national average is 1050-1060).
These are two big tests and you will have to study for them if you want to do good. With the results from these tests, the school could decide if they want to give you more scholarship money so if I were you I would take this test as seriously as I could so that you will maybe even end up saving a lot of money. I personally bought the following book on Amazon to study for the ACT test and I’m pretty sure it’s the best one out there:
• TOEFL TEST
The TOEFL test is an English test that some school will require international student to take to make sure you are able to speak English well enough so that you can study in English with no language barriers. This is very expensive (more than 200$) compared to other tests so take it only if the school you want to go to requires it.
​
• Duolingo English test
Similarly to the TOEFL test, this is another, cheaper version of a test that some schools will require you to take to make sure you know English well enough to study in the U.S.
This is only about 40$ and you can do it from your computer.
​
• Translate your high school diploma and grades in English
All schools will require you to send them your high school diploma, some of them will ask you to translate the diploma using some special official services like for example:
- Immitranslate
- Rushtranslate
​
Make sure you ask the college you are talking to if they have any preferred site to use that they trust so that you are sure they will accept the translated diploma so do not use the previously cited sites if you didn’t talk to your school yet.
​
• Letter of recommendation
Most schools will require a letter of recommendation where you are going to ask one of your old teachers to write a letter on why you should be accepted in the school and say some good things about you.
​
• CSS Profile
The CSS Profile is an online application to determine eligibility for non-federal financial aid, which is administered by the College Board. Not every college requires it, but most of them do, so be sure to reach out to the colleges you are talking to and see if you need to fill out this document.
In simple words, this document will ask you your family’s financial situation and will give you scholarship money based on how much your parents are making a year.
There could be other versions of the CSS Profile that some schools might ask, like for example the FASFA or the ISFAA.