Frequently Asked Questions
We get a lot of queries and many of these questions are applicable to the majority of students. In addition, during the webinars and knowledge sessions, we are often unable to answer all the questions due to time constraints. In this section, we've covered the frequently asked questions and our responses to them.
Where possible, we’ve clubbed multiple questions inquiring about the same thing. This allows us to respond a bit more comprehensively about what's being asked. We've also grouped them for convenience under different sections such as General Questions, Admissions related, Major Selection, Standardized Tests, Essays, Costs and Scholarships etc.
Our goal is to share information that helps you become better informed. Armed with the right information you can take decisions boldly and with confidence. All the questions below are real questions, posed by students and parents.
General Questions
With Covid-19, how are admission timelines expected to be impacted?
This question has come up a lot in the past couple of months. As if the college admissions process wasn’t already complex enough, students now have to deal with this x-factor in the form of the Covid-19 pandemic. Understandably students are grappling with how to react and respond and also been wondering about the impact. Please refer to the article Corona and College which talks about a lot of these aspects.
Reality is, no one knows, and everyone is engaged in a wait-and-watch game. Most students who are applying for Fall 2021 should not have to worry as colleges will publish proper guidelines once clarity emerges. In the meanwhile, please continue to maintain focus on your academics, make the most of your down time, and make sure to make it count.
With all these travel restrictions by USA government currently, how easy is the travel for students who want to pursue education?
At the moment, the US Government has not announced any policy changes. The current travel restrictions are linked to, and because of Covid-19 situation. Students applying for Fall 2021 shouldn't worry overly about this as their travel is still a good 15+ months away.
Can you elaborate more on visa and college visits please?
Once the offer of admission is accepted, the college issues a form I-20 along with other necessary paperwork and this can be used to obtain a visa (F-1 is the most common visa for students) per the prevailing rules. In general, colleges have dedicated teams to help students and they are quite helpful in these matters.
College Visits are a great way to see the place for yourself and decide if this is the place you want to call home for the next 4 years. We recommend it highly and while there, take a tour of the campus, take a sample class, talk to students, and grab a meal at the dining hall. There is no substitute to experiencing it firsthand and seeing what your heart tells you about the place and the people.
How to make selection of institute when the student gets admission in 2-3 institutions?
This is a good problem to have. We always recommend that you apply only to those colleges where you intend to go, if admitted. This means that you are now looking at multiple good options and trying to pick one that would work best for you. As a rule, always pick the program over the college.
Go back to the basics. What were your priorities when you initially picked these colleges to apply? We also strongly recommend that you visit the colleges in person (if and when possible). There is something about being there in person and experiencing the vibe of the place, which will definitely help you later, to make the right decision.
What about study opportunities in Canada?
Can we know about the study opportunities in Canada and how to go about it?
Canada has a number of excellent schools. In fact, U of Toronto, McGill University, and U of British Columbia are all ranked in the top 50 schools internationally. The college ecosystem however, does not match up to USA in terms of the number of schools, variety of programs and research capabilities.
Canadian colleges place a lot of emphasis on the applicants' academic credentials but the application process itself is quite similar to applying to a US college. Compared to USA, studying in Canada would imply lower fees, greater career orientation, lesser job opportunities and harsher weather in general.
Can you share anything in particular that applies to applicants who are US Citizens residing in India?
This question has multiple aspects to it. The fact that you are a US citizen, makes you eligible for all forms of financial aid and support available to any US national. This implies that your application will be evaluated on a need-blind basis (applicant’s financial situation isn’t factored when deciding admission which isn’t true for international applicants).
However, regardless of citizenship, applicants are typically reviewed in the context and country where they attend high school. Your actual application will be evaluated by an international admissions officer along with other international applications. Also, the timelines you have to follow are that of an international applicant as you are in fact applying from outside the country.
My daughter is in 10th standard. What is the right time to start the process of application?
It is never too early and the 10th grade is indeed the ideal time to start the process, especially if the student has not made up their mind about what stream she wants to pursue. Starting the process early allows enough time to explore options and devise a plan to achieve success in your chosen path.
I am a parent and would like to know the services offered and how do I avail the services?
What is your role in helping students who want to pursue education abroad?
We work with both schools and students alike, providing a variety of services. Please look up the Services section. Alternatively you are welcome to drop a note to support@ugadmit.com and we can share more details.
Application Related
What things should be included in a profile?
Along with education, what are extracurricular activities?
What you share with the colleges in your application kit typically consists of your academic and non-academic credentials, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, and essays. Your non-academic activities, experiences, achievements, as well as details of internships and projects help colleges better understand your life and accomplishments outside the classroom. Some colleges or academic programs may ask for more. For example, a Program in Art may require students to submit an Arts Portfolio to highlight their extraordinary talent in the fine or performing arts.
Is there any specific weights against each of these items in the application package, to secure an admission?
Each college does its own prioritization and even within that as they progress through the admissions, they may change the priority to ensure that the student mix is optimized. Having said that, unless you are a star athlete or an Olympic medal contender, every college assigns the highest priority to your high school grades and next probably to your test scores. Writing an outstanding essay differentiates your application and makes it stand out from the rest.
In general, there are some things in the student's control e.g. your grades, and some things that are beyond your control e.g. Teacher's recommendations and there will always be a few things that schools will factor but not advertise. Best to focus on what you can control.
Letters of recommendation and what is their role?
Letters of Recommendation provide the College a view of the applicant through the eyes of someone who knows the applicant well – Most colleges require these letters of recommendation to be from your high school classroom teachers. The intent of these recommendation letters is to get an unbiased portrayal of the applicant's strengths (personal and academic), distinguishing traits, and insight into the applicant "as a whole". Colleges like it and it strengthens your application if others see you in coherence with how you see yourself.
College Selection
What colleges can you recommend for computer science?
Top colleges for a major in EEE
What are the best 10 colleges for fine arts ?
Which, in your opinion, are the top 5 biotechnology colleges in the US?
Which are the best universities u can suggest for computer science
We get a lot of questions like these, asking for college lists. We would never be able to respond directly by sharing a list, even if we wanted to. Unless we know the student really well, such a response would not make any sense. The same question could yield vastly different answers depending on the profile of the student.
Many colleges offer many fabulous programs in many disciplines. That does not automatically make it a good choice for you. Allow us to reiterate what we always say; it bears repeating...
College selection is a complex activity that begins with understanding what YOU want. The student has to define what matters to them and what they need from a college in order to be happy, to learn, and to excel. Figuring out and evaluating fitment for a college across various factors – academic, social, and personal – is the key step. Only upon completion of this activity and evaluating your chances realistically should the list of colleges be finalized.
Costs and Scholarships
You talked about cost of the tuition etc. what about scholarships?
What scholarship programs are available for students?
How to manage finances? Are there any scholarships available?
Are there any scholarships schemes available for students?
What is the average cost of education in USA universities for 4 years including boarding, lodging etc.?
Quite understandably a lot of students and parents are concerned about the costs of studying abroad. This is a legitimate area of concern as college finances require a considerable amount of planning. What we have provided is a basic structure to help you understand the overall costs of a typical 4-year undergraduate degree in the USA.
The costs can be broken into the following broad buckets (the amounts are per year). In addition, please factor inflation and currency exchange rates to get a more accurate picture.
-
Tuition Fees (~$30K to $35K)
-
College Administration Fees including health Insurance (~$3K)
-
Room and Board (~$12K to $15K)
-
Books, Lab, Supplies (~$1,500)
-
Living Expenses (~$3K)
Colleges do offer Scholarships / Grants as Financial Aid. However, this varies from College to College. The Financial Aid available for International Students may also vary from year to year. In other words, a College may offer a particular amount as aid to a student, but may not make the same amount available for a new applicant next year. Students often use costs as one of the factors in selecting Colleges they apply to and also while accepting the offer of admission keeping in mind the financial aid offered.
Is there substantial difference in the fees between Private Universities and State Funded Universities?
In general, you could say that it costs more to attend a Private University than a Public (State Funded) University. However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. International Students are required to pay "Out-of-State" Fees, which are higher than the fees for residents of the state. Additionally, for International Students, Private Universities may offer more Financial Aid possibilities such as Scholarship / Grants.
Is there a method to target applications to a particular set of colleges based on chances of getting more comprehensive financial aid?
The top elite colleges are quite generous in giving scholarships and aid to a majority of the admitted students. In general, you can expect more aid from colleges that view you as a highly desirable student, or if they feel that you somehow uniquely enrich their student body or if you bring complementary skills to the mix. Of course, if you are a US citizen, then all other options are open to you in terms of Federal Aid and grants etc.
Essay Writing
Generally what topics would be given for essay or is the essay to be written on yourself and your interests?
More info. on the essays please
Can you share some tips on essay writing
College Essays are an integral part of the college admission process and provide vital clues about who you are as a person beyond the quantitative aspects. It is an open canvas for you to share what is meaningful to you with the admissions office.
Please refer to the articles on College Essays to learn more.
Stardardized Tests
What is the difference between SAT and subject SAT?
I am from the Humanities stream. Is the Subject SAT applicable for this stream too?
Can you tell me more about SAT and ACT?
ACT vs. SAT please
Standardized tests like SAT and ACT help measure a student’s aptitude and proficiency. They are used by admissions officials to compare students from different backgrounds using a common yardstick. Most colleges accept either ACT or SAT scores or both. Depending on the format you are comfortable with and based on your interests, you can take one or the other. Some students take both the tests and share the better score.
American College Test a.k.a. ACT is a standardized exam administered by the American College Testing Program. Four separate, multiple-choice tests measure knowledge of English, math, reading, and science, and one optional writing test measures essay planning and writing skills.
SAT, originally called Scholastic Aptitude Test and now just SAT, is a standardized test which measures reading, writing and language, and math skills. The test taker may optionally write an essay, which if taken is scored separately from the two section scores.
The Subject SAT is a 1-hour test on topics under Maths, Science, History, English, and Languages. The Subject SAT is a way applicants to demonstrate their knowledge in specific academic areas. Depending on your area you can choose from the 20 different topics in which you can appear for a SAT Subject Test.
Many colleges are declaring that they will not require SAT scores in 2021. How will this affect our admission?
Colleges are firming up their policies in terms of test scores for Fall 2021 admissions and it is a distinct possibility that many colleges may make it optional in order to support students who were unable to take the tests in a timely manner. Alternatively, they may allow students to share scores if possible but assign a lower priority to the test scores in the admissions process or they may assess those who do not submit scores using a different yardstick.
In general, such changes should not affect you materially unless you have already taken the test and gotten a top score which you will now be unable to use. In general, it continues to be a level playing field and once colleges provide clarity on the process they are going to follow, you can decide on a suitable course of action.
What is the difficulty level of SAT when compared to Indian exams like JEE?
Comparing SAT to IIT-JEE is not a meaningful comparison. They test and measure completely different things. Please read the other questions that talk more about what SAT and SAT Subject Tests comprise of and what they measure to get a better idea.
For commerce students, should they take SAT or ACT?
SAT covers Reading, Writing & Language, and Math. ACT has a Science section in addition which SAT does not. Based on this, SAT is the better option between the two for a Commerce or Humanities student.
This FAQ complements the College & Me set of articles. Both feature useful information about College Admissions for undergraduate degree programs in US colleges.