How the US process differs
In the US there is no national entrance exam. Each college reads your whole file, and for the 2026-27 cycle most selective colleges want it between 1 November 2026 and 5 January 2027, usually through the Common App, which takes up to 20 colleges per account.
| Exam-based admission (many countries) | US admission | |
|---|---|---|
| What decides | Your score on one national or entrance exam | Your whole file: grades over several years, essays, activities, letters and often the SAT or ACT |
| When you apply | After the final exam | During your final school year, with deadlines from November to January |
| Where you apply | A national system or each university's exam | The Common App, up to 20 colleges per account, or a college's own form |
| English | Rarely relevant | Many colleges ask for TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo. Harvard, MIT and Stanford do not require one |
| Your grades | Usually converted or ranked nationally | Usually entered as your school reports them, with no need to convert them to a GPA |
The biggest difference is time. A strong US application is built across your last years of school, not on one exam day.
The five steps
EducationUSA, the US government's advising network, uses these five steps worldwide: research your options, finance your studies, complete your application, apply for your student visa and prepare for departure. The first four steps each have their own guide.
| Step | What you decide | Guides |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Research your options | Which colleges, and how many, split into reach, target and safety | College list; Community college |
| 2. Finance your studies | What your family can pay, and whether you apply for aid | Cost; Financial aid; Need-blind colleges; Athletic scholarships |
| 3. Complete your application | Deadlines, application plan, essays, tests, grades, letters and activities | Timeline; ED, EA and RD; Common App; Essays; SAT and ACT; English tests; International grades; Recommendation letters; Extracurriculars |
| 4. Apply for your student visa | Get the I-20, show the funds, pay the fees and go to the interview | I-20 and proof of funds; F-1 visa |
| 5. Prepare for departure | Housing, health insurance and travel | Coming soon |
What it costs, in one line
One year at a selective college costs about US$88,000 to US$100,000 before aid, using the official 2026-27 figures for the University of Michigan (out-of-state) and Harvard. At Harvard, add US$4,954 for health insurance unless your family's plan covers you. Then add application fees (US$75 at Michigan, US$95 at Harvard), test fees and visa fees: US$185 for the visa and US$350 for SEVIS, plus the new Visa Integrity Fee (US$250 or more) once it starts being collected, and any reciprocity fee your nationality pays. The cost guide has the full breakdown.
Can you study for free?
At a few colleges, yes, if your family income is low enough. Harvard, MIT, Yale, Dartmouth, Bowdoin, Washington and Lee and Brown (first-years) are among the colleges that admit international students without looking at their ability to pay (need-blind) and meet 100% of demonstrated need. At Harvard, the expected parent contribution is zero for families earning under US$100,000 a year, and international students get exactly the same aid. Stanford also meets full need, but for international applicants asking for aid counts in the decision.
Most families still pay. Across all international students in the US, 51.5% rely mainly on personal or family funds. For 19.3%, the US college is the main source.