How to Increase Your Chances of Admission into Popular US Universities

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Subhashri Roy
Updated on Jul 31, 2022 11:26 AM IST

Wondering how to increase your chances of getting into your dream US university? Check out these expert tips on how to make a successful US application and increase the chances of getting accepted. 

How to Increase Your Chances of Admission into Popular US Universities

Not sure whether you've done enough to ensurea successful application to a US university? Given the competition forUS University admissions, the fear of not being accepted is inevitable.

Well, as an applicant, you can only do so much as obtaining good scores on the entrance tests, achieving an above-average GPA or even crafting the best SOP.

But there are some ways that will not only help you boost your profile and application but will also ensure admission in your dream university.

Give it a read and let us know if you're all set to start your journey to get into the bestUS universities.

USA Universities Entry Requirements

Entry requirements are the basic eligibility criteria which applicants must fulfil to get admission to US universities. The admission officers review the application to find out who will utilise most of the universitys resources and will contribute significantly to the college community.

The entry requirements appear on the university websites. You must check them out before filling up the application form. Most of the entry requirements are similar while there are some subject-specific requirements. Here are the mandatory entry requirements you need to fulfil to be eligible to study Bachelors and Masters courses in the USA:

Academic Qualifications

Good grades are necessary for high school or undergraduate studies to get into top universities. It is the most important entry requirement and the marks should be equivalent to the Grade Point Average (GPA) required for your chosen course. They inform the university about your academic drive and performance in future. The GPAs are measured on a scale of 4.0. You may join a pathway programme if you do not have satisfying grades for undergraduate admission.

Standardised Test Scores

Students have to take standardised tests like ACT or SAT to get into bachelors programmes whereas GMAT or GRE is required for masters programmes. Though most universities do not mention the cut-off scores required, they publish the average score of students in a particular class. You can set your target score according to the median score of your school and course.

English Language Skills

English language skills are essential for international students to enrol in bachelors or masters courses in the USA. For that, you will have to submit scores of standardised language tests like Cambridge tests, TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or DET to prove that your English standard is up to the mark.

Other Requirements

US universities try to understand the personal side of applicants through the use of short essays and personal statements. You must write about your interests, activities and experiences honestly for the admission committee to make informed decisions. Besides, letters of recommendation are also required to give a glimpse of what you are in the classroom.

Tips to Increase Your Chances of Admission in Popular US Universities

Contact Study Abroad Consultants: Unlike studying in your home country, studying abroad has its own unique set of methods, admission criteria, visa technicalities and so on and so forth. The easiest and the most efficient way to ensure a successful application to US universities is by getting in touch with study abroad consultants.

You can also get in touch with our Ivy League mentors to find the right course and university for you, explore hundreds of renowned universities in the US and fastrack your application.

Take Help from Our Experts to Boost Your Profile & Study Abroad Application!

Start Your Application Early: Do not make the mistake of starting your university application late. Entry requirements, and accepted admission tests may be different for every university and given that most universities would require you to submit LORs and SOPs, which take up a lot of time, starting your application early is a must.

Create a Hotlist ofUS Universities: Choose at least four to five universities to apply to. Your list of universities should include one to two schools that you are keen to join, two to three that are competitive but not extremely selective and one safety or backup school. Find the top bachelor's and master's courses for Indian students and theApplication Deadlines 2022-2023for Popular US Universities.

Invest Time in Writing Your SOP: Believe it or not, SOPs often end up determining your admission to the university of your choice. What an SOP does is help the admission committee get an idea of your personality, your view on life, special interests, talents, qualities, goals and skills. It should clearly reflect what kind of person you are as well as your passion for the subject. US universities love students who are willing to put in the effort in showing their interest in studying at the university. Talk about your motivation for studying in the US and how the subject would help you meet your career goals and aspirations.

DO NOT RESTATE THINGS YOUVE ALREADY MENTIONED IN OTHER PARTS OF THE APPLICATION.

Be Honest: Why try to be someone else when admissions officers clearly want your honesty and answers that best describe you. What many do is imitate someone else and try to sound like the candidate they think the admissions committee wants. But, what the university is looking for is a student who is unique, creative and ambitious in their own way. Please, dont use flowery language in your SOP, forcing the university to doubt your capabilities. Instead, word everything in the simplest and straightforward way.

Do Not Ignore the Importance of LORs: No, letters of recommendation are not something you can ignore when it comes to applying to popular US universities. They are given utmost importance by admissions officers. So, the ones referring you should be people who know you and would certainly write a positive letter. It could be a teacher, college counsellor or even a former employer. Remember to ask them to complete the recommendation well before the deadline so the application does not get delayed. Also, provide them all the necessary information such as your overall GPA, what classes you took, your professional goals, awards you have won, activities you have engaged in, prior research experiences and so on.

How to Make Your USA University Application Stand Out?

University applications play an important role in getting selected to US universities. Through these, the universities understand the students engagement and ability. Transcripts, essays, scores and recommendations create a picture of the accomplishments of the applicants and the ways in which candidate has utilised the available resources and opportunities. Here are some ways to make a stellar application to US universities:

  • Make an early start. List down the colleges to apply along with essay topics that you need to submit. It is good to start a year ahead so that you can brainstorm ideas and create new experiences to write. Create an outline of the essays before writing.

  • It is not necessary to illustrate your entire life story. Be specific and write examples to support your claims.

  • Research about your major. It will help you to personalise the application and convince the officers of your interest in them.

  • Get some course-related work experience. It will show that you are eager to study your course.

  • Prepare for standardised tests as they are crucial in helping you enter a top college. Start taking tests in high school or during undergrads to understand your weaknesses and improve your scores.

  • Participate in extracurricular activities. You can take up sports or any creative activity. You may participate in awareness campaigns. These will bear evidence of good utilisation of your spare time.

USA University Rankings 2023

The USA university system is highly flexible and decentralised, setting it apart from its peers. The USA universities deliver excellent education and students have enormous scopes to get into research later. The QS rankings 2023 for US Universities are given below:

USA Universities

QS Rankings 2023

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

1

Stanford University

3

Harvard University

5

California Institute of Technology

6

University of Chicago

10

University of Pennsylvania

13

Princeton University

16

Yale University

18

Cornell University

20

Columbia University

22

The task of choosing courses and applying to US universities can be a challenge but it is the first step towards a bright academic and professional career. A holistic application process can secure your chances of admission to top colleges in the USA.

You can also write to us at abroad@collegedekho.com to get in touch with our admissions counsellors who would guide you through the entireUS university admissions process.

Still Not Confident About Your US Application?

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