Study in the United States
American universities read the whole person: grades, tests, essays, activities and recommendations. Deadlines fall almost a year before you start.
Corinia finds the universities in the United States that fit your record and checks the exact requirements of each programme you choose. Get started free
How to apply
Build a balanced list
Most students apply to between six and twelve universities across reach, match and safe. Each has its own requirements on top of the shared application.
Decide about the SAT or ACT
Many universities are test-optional, while a growing number of selective ones require tests again. Check each one.
Write the essays
The Common App has one main personal essay. Most selective universities add their own short questions.
Ask for recommendations
You usually need a counsellor letter and one or two teacher letters, sent by the school.
Choose early or regular
Early Decision is binding and usually closes at the start of November. Regular Decision usually closes in early January.
Sort out funding
Sticker prices are very high, but aid for international students ranges from none to full need. A few universities are need-blind for everyone.
Cost
Each university sets its own price. Private universities are the most expensive, and public universities charge out-of-state rates to international students. Financial aid policies differ sharply, so read each one.
Language
Non-native speakers need TOEFL, IELTS or the Duolingo English Test, unless they studied in English.
Good to know
After admission the university issues an I-20 form, which you need to apply for the F-1 student visa.
Official sources: Common App · EducationUSA
Universities Corinia covers in the United States
Corinia matches you against these, then checks the exact programme on the university’s own pages.
- Amherst CollegeAmherst, MA
- Brown UniversityProvidence, RI
- California Institute of TechnologyPasadena, CA
- Columbia UniversityNew York, NY
- Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY
- Dartmouth CollegeHanover, NH
- Duke UniversityDurham, NC
- Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA
- Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MD
- Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MA
- Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL
- Princeton UniversityPrinceton, NJ
- Rice UniversityHouston, TX
- Stanford UniversityStanford, CA
- University of ChicagoChicago, IL
- University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA
- Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN
- Williams CollegeWilliamstown, MA
- Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT
- Boston UniversityBoston, MA
- Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA
- Emory UniversityAtlanta, GA
- Georgetown UniversityWashington, DC
- Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtlanta, GA
- New York UniversityNew York, NY
- Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA
- Tufts UniversityMedford, MA
- University of California, BerkeleyBerkeley, CA
- University of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA
- University of California, San DiegoSan Diego, CA
- University of MichiganAnn Arbor, MI
- University of Notre DameNotre Dame, IN
- University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA
- University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX
- Ohio State UniversityColumbus, OH
- Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity Park, PA
- Purdue UniversityWest Lafayette, IN
- Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick, NJ
- University of California, DavisDavis, CA
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUrbana, IL
- University of Massachusetts AmherstAmherst, MA
- University of MinnesotaMinneapolis, MN
- University of RochesterRochester, NY
- University of WashingtonSeattle, WA
- University of Wisconsin–MadisonMadison, WI
- Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
- Fordham UniversityNew York, NY
- Arizona State UniversityTempe, AZ
- University of ArizonaTucson, AZ
- University of South FloridaTampa, FL
Guides for your application
How to apply to university abroad
How to apply to a university in another country: choosing where, having your diploma recognised, language tests, costs, visas and timing.
Read the guideCollege application checklist
A complete checklist for applying to college or university: documents, tests, writing, references, and what to do after you submit.
Read the guideHow to write a personal statement
What a personal statement is for, how it differs between the UK, the US and Europe, and a way of writing one that is clear, specific and your own.
Read the guide