What is Regular Decision and Early Decision? 

Early Decision:

  • Allows you to apply early
  • You receive the college’s decision early
  • If selected under ED, you must withdraw applications from other colleges
  • Raises chances of acceptance
  • The deadline is usually in November

Regular Decision:

  • You apply in the normal timeframe
  • You receive the college’s decision later than the ED
  • You may apply to multiple colleges. using regular decision
  • Does not affect chances of acceptance
  • The deadline is usually in early January
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Applying for Financial Aid on the Common App

Federal Aid by the US Govt.

Most foreign citizens are not eligible for federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education.

The only special circumstances to receive federal aid by the US Govt. is if you are a overseas US resident. More details on eligibility are available on the Common App website.

Need-based Funding & Grants from Colleges

Your college will mainly offer financial aid if you are a foreign student. You may apply for college specific financial aid using the College Board’s CSS Profile application or other college forms.

Financial funding applications must be completed while you are applying for the colleges. Colleges will not accept any funding requests made after the college application has been processed. Different colleges have different deadlines for their financial funding applications.

CSS Profile Application

The CSS Profile is an online application used by colleges and scholarship programs to award non-federal

institutional aid. Check your colleges’ information to determine whether they require the CSS Profile. A list of participating school is available online. Some schools may also require divorced or separated parents to complete separate applications.

Take Help from a Guidance Counsellor

The best way to ensure you receive the right amount of financial aid to cover college costs is to hire a guidance counsellor.

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Do’s and Don’ts of the Common App Essay

Do:

  • Be honest; the essay is the perfect way to show the admissions officer who you truly are beneath all your grades and extracurricular activities.
  • Write about your special characteristics. Shortlist special words that describe a special characteristic of yours.
  • Use the thumb rule. Place your thumb on your name in the essay and read it again. If anyone else’s name can be placed in the space instead of yours, it means your essay is not distinct enough.
  • Show, don’t tell. Use examples from your life to support your claims. For example, don’t simply write, “I am a hard worker.” Instead, quote a time in your life when you showed your hard work.

Don’t:

  • Choose controversial topics to write about. The essay is only 650 words long. Don’t use it to shed light on controversy or negative traits about yourself.
  • Be compelled to use all 650 words. Remember, this is the word limit, not the goal. The minimum number of words should be 250. Ideally, anything above this minimum limit is acceptable.
  • Write a vague description of yourself. Phrases like “I am a good student” or “I work well in a group” should not make the final cut in your essay.
  • Be pretentious; although it is not discouraged to write about your achievements, the common app essay might not be the place for it. Save your achievements for the activities section.
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FAQs for applying to colleges abroad!

1. How do I cover the cost of the college abroad?

A lot of universities offer financial aid, scholarships, student loans, and grants to cover expenses and the tuition fee.

2. How do you maneuver the complex application process?

The college application process can often be challenging to undertake alone. It is best to work with a guidance counselor or a teacher to make this process easier.

3. What is the best way to navigate deadlines?

Make sure to get a head start on the process so you stay in control of your application. Check up on deadlines beforehand and start working on them early.

4. I have no prior experience traveling abroad. What should I do?

Research the country as much as possible. Watch vlogs, read blogs, and talk to friends and family who may have traveled to the country. Gaining knowledge about the culture, traditions, and background of the country you’re traveling to will not only calm your nerves, but it will also help you navigate it more easily.

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Final touches on Common App

1. Review your application:

Check your application packets. Most colleges want the same things when it comes to an application: Application Form, Essay, Letter Of Recommendation, Transcripts, Application Fee, and Review State Residency Requirement Form (if necessary).

2. Fill residency requirements:

If you are applying to a college with residency requirements, you’ll need to confirm that your state residency requirement is filled out correctly and accurately. If this portion of your application is not completed or is inaccurate, you could be deemed ineligible for in-state tuition rates and ACT/SAT scores. 

3. Check for inconsistencies:

There are a lot of tiny details that you’ll be glossing over as you fill out college applications, and many of them may not seem very important on their own. You need to double-check all the details of your application to be certain that everything is accurate before you submit it.

4. Review your essays:

Review Your Essay(s) and ask your counselor to help. It’s extremely important to make sure that they are squeaky clean. Review your essays meticulously and read them aloud to be sure there aren’t any typos or careless errors.

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The Common App

What is the Common App?

The Common App is the portal used for undergraduate and transfer students’ college applications to the US.

900+ Colleges to choose from

The Common App includes over 900 colleges, including all IVYs. All colleges listed in the Common App require you to fill out their application via the Common App, saving you the time and the hazard of filling out the same information on different college portals.

Application Requirements

The most standard information always required by all colleges includes:

  • The Common App Essay
  • School reports
  • Mid and Final-year reports 
  • Teacher(s) or counselor recommendations. 

Deadlines on the Common App

November: Early decision applications close.

January: Regular decision applications close.

May-June: Colleges make their final decisions.

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Navigate the Common App

Take the SAT and/or ACT:

If you feel like you can improve on your initial SAT and/or ACT results, take the tests for the second (or, at most, third) time in the fall of your senior year.

Revise College Application Essays:

Ask your counselor to proofread your application essays and then make any revisions and prepare final drafts before college applications are due.

Ask for Letter of Recommendation:

At least a month prior to the deadline, provide your recommenders with bullet points listing how you excelled academically in their classes and add them to your CommonApp profile as recommenders.

Gather all Application Material:

Make sure you or your guidance counselor have the necessary materials for college admissions, including forms, test scores, essays, recommendations, and transcripts.

Submit Early Decision Application, if Desired:

Early decision applications, usually due in November, require a binding commitment in exchange for early acceptance.

Ensure Official SAT and/or ACT Score Reports are Sent:

Your early decision application will require you to go to the college Board (SAT) and ACT Student (ACT) websites to send colleges your official test score reports.

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Importance of LORs in your Common App application

Letters of recommendation play a significant role in the Common App application process. They provide valuable insights into an applicant’s character, abilities, and achievements from the perspective of individuals who have worked closely with them, such as teachers, counselors, or mentors, Their insights and observations carry weight and provide additional information to the admissions officers, helping them make informed decisions during the evaluation process. 

Here are a few reasons why letters of recommendation are important in Common App applications:

Third-party perspective:

Letters of recommendation provide an opportunity for individuals who have interacted closely with the applicant, such as teachers, mentors, or employers, to share their insights and observations. Admissions committees value these perspectives as they offer a more holistic view of the applicant beyond their academic achievements or test scores.

Assessment of personal qualities:

Recommendations often shed light on an applicant’s personal qualities, such as their work ethic, leadership potential, teamwork skills, intellectual curiosity, creativity, or resilience. These qualities are crucial for colleges to gauge an applicant’s potential to contribute positively to the academic and social environment on campus.

Validation of achievements:

Recommendations can serve as a validation of an applicant’s accomplishments and achievements mentioned in their application. When a respected individual attests to an applicant’s abilities and successes, it adds credibility and enhances the overall impression created by the application.

Differentiation among applicants:

In highly competitive admissions processes, letters of recommendation can be a differentiating factor. They provide an opportunity for applicants to showcase unique qualities or experiences that set them apart from others with similar academic records. Exceptional letters can leave a lasting impression and help applicants stand out in a crowded applicant pool.

While letters of recommendation are essential, it’s important to note that they are typically considered alongside other factors, such as grades, standardized test scores, essays, extracurricular activities, and interviews (if applicable). The weight given to each component may vary depending on the institution and its specific admissions criteria.

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Top 7 books all students should read

As a college student, it is likely that you already have a massive reading list. However, that doesn’t mean that you need to give up reading for pleasure. In fact, college is the ideal time to start exploring literature and expanding the type of books that you enjoy. Here are the top 7 books that every college student should read.

1. This Side of Paradise (Novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald)

This Side of Paradise is one of the novels that every student should read before graduating. The famous book is both humorous and passionate, following the story of a Princeton student who loses hope in life after graduation.

2. Brave New World (Novel by Aldous Huxley)

A Brave New World is a satirical, pessimistic view of an idealized future in which people do not fit into the system. Every student should read this book and consider whether it is more important to strive for happiness or to accept things as they have always been.

3. One Hundred Years of Solitude (Novel by Gabriel García Márquez)

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is one of the well-known books in the world right now. Every student should set aside some time to read this book because it teaches a vital lesson about the value of friends and family. 

4. A Farewell to Arms (Novel by Ernest Hemingway)

A Farewell To Arms is widely considered to be one of Ernest Hemingway’s best works. He has long been regarded as one of America’s most talented writers. Every student owes the author the courtesy of reading it before graduating, as it appears that he rewrote it approximately 40 times to get it perfect. 

5. The Grapes of Wrath (Novel by John Steinbeck)

The Grapes of Wrath is an extraordinarily beautiful story of love, camaraderie, resilience, and bravery. During the Great Depression, an Oklahoma farmer and his family were uprooted from their home and forced to travel to California.

6. Lord of the Flies (Novel by William Golding)

In 1954, Lord of the Flies was originally published, and it continues to be divisive today. It is a timeless work that has been called an allegory, a satire, a myth, and a morality story.  A group of young boys who are left alone and abandoned on an island serve as an example of how a damaged society is shown in the book. 

7. To Kill a Mockingbird (Novel by Harper Lee)

Any student who is majoring in English, the Arts, or Literature is likely to have previously read Kill a Mockingbird as part of their assigned reading list. Many high schools also offer courses in it. This masterwork should be placed on your “to read” list as a top priority, though, if you haven’t already read it. Racism and racial equality are major issues in the book. 

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Best jobs to get in college

Peer Mentor: A peer mentor engages with and guides new students and helps them realize their potential.

Teacher’s Assistant: A TA overseas students when the professor is absent, offering help with classwork and grading papers, homework, and tests.

Lab Assistant: Expect to work on various projects, carry out research, maintain lab equipment, and collate results.

Library Assistant: Library assistants are responsible for shelving books, helping customers find books and other materials, and making recommendations.

Barista: A barista prepares and sells specialized beverages, such as coffee and espresso drinks.

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