Because American institutions are so diverse and the education sector is so vast, applying to an American university is a more complex process than applying to universities in other countries.

Students thinking about going to the United States to study should commence their preparatory research at least 12 months before they plan to commence their studies. The U.S. academic year begins in August/September and finishes in May/June.

There are over 3,300 accredited colleges and universities in the United States, from large research universities with more than 20,000 students to small colleges with fewer than 1,000 students. The range of courses varies greatly from two-year associate degrees to research-based doctoral programs.

Whether you are applying for undergraduate or graduate study, the application process is similar.

1. Select up to 10 colleges or universities which may be appropriate for you. 
This process may take a considerable amount of research. Make use of the EducationUSA Advising Centers and the Internet.

2. Contact these institutions for more information and an international student information and application packet. If you hold American citizenship, be sure to state this clearly in your message.
You may be able to do this via an e-mail link from the institution's home page.

3.    Register to take the required admission tests.
The deadline for registration for most of these tests is generally six weeks before the test, and it can take up to five weeks for the results to be sent to the colleges of your choice. Undergraduates should take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) no later than December of the preceding year, and graduate students should take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) no later than October of the preceding year.

Admission test Information and Registrations Bulletins are available at all EducationUSA Advising Centers. Test preparation materials are available from the advising centers located in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

4. From the application packets you receive, select about five institutions to apply to.
Submit a formal application to these universities between October and December of the year preceding that in which you wish to commence studies. Every institution sets its own deadline, so be sure you know when these are.

Source & Courtesy: canberra.usembassy.gov

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