Applying to college in the United States is hard enough when you’ve lived here and have been exposed to the system your entire life, let alone when you’re an international student potentially navigating the process for the first time. You’ve probably heard that applying to college in the United States is very different from abroad. Within the U.S. college system, students are judged for their actions inside and out of the classroom– which might be very different from the straightforward, solely grade centered approach you’re used to.
However, at Marks Education, we’re experts at meeting students where they are. Our customized and tailored approach allows you to get exactly what you need, and nothing that you don’t from a college counseling session. From building a list based on your interests and priorities, to essay guidance, and academic advising, we do it all. Here’s what you can expect from a typical session and how to make the most of it.
What Does a Typical Session Look Like?
All international college counseling sessions will begin with a conversation about your academic history, extracurricular activities, interests, and any specific questions you may have about the application process.
We’ll ask you to send any academic information in advance, which your counselor will review before you meet, so that we can have an informed and productive conversation about your college aspirations, profile, and any other relevant considerations that come up.
During the session, we will:
- Explain the U.S. Admissions Process:
At the beginning of your time together, if necessary, your counselor will break down the components of the U.S. college application. This includes explaining standardized tests (SAT, ACT®), essays, recommendation letters, the Common Application. This time can also be spent discussing what colleges might be looking for and how your profile might be interpreted by admissions officers. Our team has experience working in admissions offices across the country and understand firsthand how international applications are read at elite colleges.
One thing that we always remind students about when they go through the international college application process is to never forget about language proficiency requirements. While this won’t be applicable to all international students, it applies to a lot of them and it never feels good to let this key piece of the application come as a surprise– some schools can be SUPER inflexible– and therefore we wanted to mention it.
- Review Academic Records and Test Scores:
We’ll examine your transcripts, standardized test scores, and any other academic credentials that you submit to us. This review helps us identify your academic strengths, and help in building a college list that you’re happy with.
U.S. colleges and universities sometimes have standardized testing requirements or optional test policies. Your advisor knows how such policies apply to each individual college you’re applying to and may encourage a consultation with a Marks Education Test Prep Tutor before making any final decisions on the SAT/ACT®.
- Discuss Your College List:
Developing a balanced college list can be challenging if you don’t know all of your options and how your profile stacks up against admitted students. Our team will help you consider factors like location, size, academic programs, campus culture, and your personal career goals to make a sound decision. We encourage our students to build a list of reach, match, and safety schools that will fit your preferences and strengths.
Our educational philosophy is that students should pursue “best fit” schools. A best fit school is a pick that prioritizes a student’s academic, social, and personal alignment. Marks Education values getting to know each of our students and then combines that with our decades of institutional knowledge.
- Strategize for Essays
While not always the case abroad, essays are a very important part of the U.S. college application process. Your advisor will help you brainstorm, draft, and edit your personal statement and supplemental essays. Good essays showcase your unique experiences and personality and help admissions officers get to know the real you.
If you’re applying to a school that requires interviews as part of their application process, our team will offer tips for that specific school and conduct practice sessions to help you prepare.
How to Prepare for Your Session
We agree that your time is valuable, and therefore, we want to help you make the most of it. Our team comes prepped on your profile to each session, ready to deliver only the most personalized and up to date advice; but here are some ways you can come to your session ready to gain the most from it.
- Prepare an Agenda:
By preparing an agenda you’re able to make the most of your time with your counselor. Think about the questions you have, the topics you most want to cover, and what is important to you before your session. This helps to maximize the efficacy of our time together.
- Reflect on Your Goals:
Consider what you hope to achieve from studying in the U.S. and what type of college experience you are looking for. Having a clear idea of your goals will help us provide more targeted advice. Try to think about: what you’re interested in studying and if there is a particular area of the country you’d hope to live in.
- Be Open-Minded:
The U.S. offers many college options, from large research universities to small liberal arts colleges. Many students come to us only planning to look at the Ivies and other selective schools, but we encourage students to be open to exploring different types of institutions, even those you may not have heard of before. Ranking isn’t everything and there are many ways for a student to have a great college experience.