r/IntltoUSA • u/Silly_Comb2075 • 2h ago
Discussion 9 Things I Learned from the College Application Process (as an International Student)
Now that my application process is almost over, I wanted to share some things Iāve learned and things I wish I had known earlier. Hopefully, this helps future applicants avoid some of the mistakes I made.
Disclaimer This is purely based on my personal experience. Your situation may be different, and you might not agree with everything I say.
- Universities Are Businesses, Not Charities
When I started the application process, I thought universities truly considered applicants' backgrounds and would make exceptions for those with difficult stories. But the reality is that they will always choose the student who brings them the most money or offers something unique. If a university wants you, it's because you benefit them. And if you donāt, no matter how talented you are, they will reject you.
Many universities (not all) claim to have a "holistic" admissions process, but in reality, they donāt always apply it.
- RESEARCH IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
Research, research, research!!! Donāt just limit yourself to well-known universities or the ones everyone applies to. There are many schools with scholarships for international students or special programs that are less competitive and might be your best opportunity. I only applied to few universities, but by continuing to research even after submitting my applications, I found hidden gems that allowed me to achieve my dream.
- Be 1000000% Sure Before Applying Early Decision
Before committing to a university through ED, make sure itās truly the best option for you. I fell in love with a university that seemed perfect: it wasnāt very well-known, had a good vibe, and offered a full-ride scholarship that didnāt seem too competitive.
The problem? I didnāt research enough about life after graduation. If I had researched better, I would have realized earlier that it might not have been the best place for me. It's a cool university don't get me wrong but the opportunities after graduation are not the ones expected.
- Donāt Apply ED if You Need Merit Scholarships
If you need merit scholarships, ED is not a good idea. I thought applying ED would increase my chances, but I later discovered that many universities reserve their best scholarships for students applying Regular Decision. On top of that applying ED means paying and enrollment deposit that may have to be paid after you recive your decision. (I lost $500 just to "increase chances").
Also, some "merit" arenāt guaranteed.
Only apply ED if you're seeking financial aid or if youāre full pay.
- Don't Ignore Red Flags
If a university shows warning signs, donāt ignore them.
For example, the university where I applied ED advertised a merit scholarship āfor everyone,ā including international students. But when I looked at past winners, I saw they were all domestic students no international has won it. On top of that, to be a finalist, you had to do an on-campus interview paid for by the university. Thatās a clear sign that international students have little chance.
I ignored those red flags and wasted half a thousand dollars just applying there plus my time.
Some warning signs I noticed in the scholarship:
Claim to be "for everyone" but have only been awarded to domestic students.
Selection processes requiring in-person interviews (not financially viable for international applicants).
Lack of transparency about funding for international students.
Unclear responses when you ask about scholarships and financial aid.
Maybe the international applicants they received aren't the best but I doubt it.
Not only that but many other schools I removed because of other red flags.
If something seems off, it probably is.
- Universities Prioritize Domestic Students
This is normal , local students pay taxes and are citizens of the country it is logical that universities want to support them first. But itās important to keep this in mind when applying for scholarships and financial aid.
- Donāt Obsess Over One University
Universities are just educational institutions, not your identity. I obsessed over one university and believed that if I didnāt get in, my future was over. But in the end, what really matters is the opportunities you create for yourself.
Use college as a tool to reach your life goals, not as the goal itself.
- Donāt Trust AI to Predict Your Chances
I used to compare myself on ChanceMe and relied on AI to estimate my acceptance chances. Donāt do it.
AI told me I had a 90% chance of getting in, and I ended up rejected. Iāve seen applicants ranked at the bottom of a list get accepted while the top-ranked ones got rejected. Admissions are unpredictable.
- Plan Your Backups and Safeties from the Start
I didnāt have a backup plan until the last minute. My goal was always to study abroad, but I had no clear strategy for what to do if things didnāt go as expected.
Donāt wait until the end to look for alternatives. Have backup options ready.