Applying to U.S. Universities
“It depends.” That is what you’ll hear when asking about the U.S. university admission process. With over 4,000 universities in the United States and no standard application system, the U.S. admission process can be confusing for everyone, but especially for students applying from other countries. This course will help international students (non-U.S. citizens) and non-native English speakers navigate the U.S. university admission process by offering practical information about the documents and pieces that make up a U.S. university application.
Monthly Subscription Starting at AED 99 + VAT
- Level Foundation
- Duration 25 hours
- Course by University of Pennsylvania
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Offered by
About
“It depends.” That is what you’ll hear when asking about the U.S. university admission process. With over 4,000 universities in the United States and no standard application system, the U.S. admission process can be confusing for everyone, but especially for students applying from other countries. This course will help international students (non-U.S. citizens) and non-native English speakers navigate the U.S. university admission process by offering practical information about the documents and pieces that make up a U.S. university application. More importantly, admission officers will discuss how they use those pieces to decide who is accepted and who is denied, so that you can understand the process beyond the pieces. By the end of this course, you will understand application basics that include researching schools, creating a school list, and establishing an application plan. This course will not answer all of your application questions, but it will teach you to ask the right questions of yourself and the universities. Ultimately, you will have all the information you need to start your process the right way, putting you on the path to acceptance. * Please note, while the English Language Programs are part of the University of Pennsylvania, this is not a course about applying to Penn. Furthermore, this course is intended for international students educated in the national curriculum of their country. While other students are welcome to enroll, the course is not intended for American students or students studying in an American, International Baccalaureate, or Advanced Placement curriculum. The course is also intended for students who do not have access to university counseling – if you attend a school that offers university counseling, your counselor is the best source of information on applying to university. Finally, this course is for undergraduate (Bachelors degree) freshmen (students who have not attended any university) applicants. Undergraduate transfer applicants, students who have attended a university, will find some of the information helpful, but graduate (Masters and Doctoral) applicants will not.Modules
Introduction to the Course
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1
Videos
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1
Readings
1
Videos
- Introduction to the Course
1
Readings
- FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
COVID-19 Related Information and Resources
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7
Readings
7
Readings
- English Language Testing Information: TOEFL, IELTS, and DET
- Fall 2020 Admission: For Students Who Have Already Applied
- Fall 2020 Admission: For Students Who Have Not Applied
- For All Students: NACAC College Admission Status Update Tool
- Fall 2021 Admission: SAT & ACT Information
- Fall 2021 Admission: Test Optional Schools
- Graduate Admission Information: GRE & GMAT
The Admissions Process
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7
Videos
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3
Readings
7
Videos
- The Realities of Admission: Understanding Options
- The Realities of Admission: Understanding Timing
- The Admissions Process and the Course
- Eight Pieces & Two Questions
- Being the "Best"
- The Second Question
- Different Universities Evaluate Differently
3
Readings
- Thoughts on College Rankings
- "What It Takes” by Ivan Maisel
- The Selection Process: Online Resources
Understanding the Evaluation Process
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6
Videos
6
Videos
- Purdue University
- Montgomery County Community College
- Rhodes College
- Santa Clara University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Online Learning Opportunities to Extend Your Skills
Additional Resources
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2
Readings
2
Readings
- Connect with Our Partner Schools
- Suggested Readings
Assessment
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1
Readings
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Assessment Quiz: Personal Qualities
1
Readings
- Instructions for Self-Assessment Quiz 1: Personal Qualities
Understanding You: The Process of Self-Assessment
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3
Videos
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2
Readings
3
Videos
- Importance of Self-Assessment
- Personal Strengths
- Study Preferences
2
Readings
- "5I's" by Eric Furda
- "4C's" by Eric Furda
Examining Your Qualifications
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3
Videos
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1
Readings
3
Videos
- Academic Qualifications Part 1
- Academic Qualifications: Testing
- Non-Academic Qualifications
1
Readings
- Notes on Practice Materials and the New SAT
Understanding What Is Important
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1
Videos
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1
Readings
1
Videos
- Connecting You with Universities
1
Readings
- "5 College Admission Mistakes International Students Can Avoid" by Amy Rader Kice
Application Advising In Your Country
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5
Videos
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1
Readings
5
Videos
- EducationUSA: A U.S. State Department Supported Network
- EducationUSA Interview Part 1
- EducationUSA Interview Part 2
- EducationUSA Interview Part 3
- EducationUSA Interview Part 4
1
Readings
- EducationUSA Resource
Additional Resources
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1
Readings
1
Readings
- Additional Resources
Assessment
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1
Readings
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Assessment Quiz: Academic Preferences
1
Readings
- Instructions for Self-Assessment Quiz 2: Academic Preferences
Before You Begin
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2
Videos
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1
Readings
2
Videos
- Beginning Your Research
- Building Your School List
1
Readings
- "Aligning Your Interests With Your College List" by Eric Furda
Narrowing the Thousands of Options
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4
Videos
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2
Readings
4
Videos
- Level 1 Research: What You Want
- Level 1 Research: What is Realistic
- Level 1 Research: Understanding Your Findings
- Level 1 Research: Additional Options
2
Readings
- Digging Deeper Into Acceptance Rates
- Additional Research Resources
Deeper Research and Reaching Out
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3
Videos
3
Videos
- Level 2 Research
- Level 3 Research
- Demonstrated Interest
Picking and Planning
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3
Videos
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2
Readings
3
Videos
- Identifying Reach, Target, and Safety
- Understanding Deadlines
- Creating a Plan
2
Readings
- Articles About the School List
- Early Admission/Decision Statistics
Additional Resources
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1
Readings
1
Readings
- Suggested Reading
Special Topics for International Applicants
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6
Videos
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2
Readings
6
Videos
- Financial Aid, Part 1: Cost of a U.S. Education
- Financial Aid, Part 2: Need-Based Aid
- Financial Aid, Part 3: Merit-Based Aid
- Financial Aid, Part 4: Other Types of Funding
- Financial Aid, Part 5: The Realities of Available Funding
- Financial Aid, Part 6: Need Blind vs. Need Aware
2
Readings
- Financial Aid Resources
- Exchange Programs and Scholarships
Your Application and The First Piece
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2
Videos
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1
Readings
2
Videos
- The Application Piece-by-Piece
- The First Piece: The Application Form
1
Readings
- Application Tips & Notes
The Second Piece
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2
Videos
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1
Readings
2
Videos
- Academic Documents Part 1
- Academic Documents Part 2
1
Readings
- Understanding Document Requirements
The Third Piece
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2
Videos
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2
Readings
2
Videos
- Test Scores: ACT & SAT
- English Language Proficiency Tests: TOEFL & IELTS
2
Readings
- Testing Data and Information Resources
- "That Time I Took the TOEFL" by Meghan McHale
The Fourth & Fifth Pieces
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2
Videos
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3
Readings
2
Videos
- Essays
- Letters of Recommendation
3
Readings
- "Writing the Essay: Sound Advice from an Expert" by Parke Muth
- An Essay Should...
- "Writing Recommendations" by MIT Admissions
Pieces Six, Seven & Eight
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3
Videos
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1
Readings
3
Videos
- School Forms
- Activity List & Résumé
- Other Requirements
1
Readings
- "Interviews" by The College Board
Your Whole Application
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Connecting Themes
Additional Resources
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5
Readings
5
Readings
- Essay Resources
- Letter of Recommendation Resources
- School Forms Resources
- Activity List Resources
- Suggested Reading
Assessment
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1
Readings
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Assessment Quiz: Application Planning
1
Readings
- Instructions for Self-Assessment Quiz: Application Planning
Final Examination
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Final Examination
Montgomery County Community College
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4
Videos
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1
Readings
4
Videos
- Part 1: Getting to Know You
- Part 2: The Application & Evaluation Processes
- Part 3: Piece-by-Piece Evaluation
- Part 4: Additional Information & Advice
1
Readings
- Connect with Montgomery County Community College
Purdue University
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5
Videos
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1
Readings
5
Videos
- Part 1: Getting to Know You
- Part 2: The Application Process
- Part 3: The Evaluation Processes
- Part 4: Piece-by-Piece Evaluation
- Part 5: Additional Information & Advice
1
Readings
- Connect with Purdue University
Rhodes College
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5
Videos
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1
Readings
5
Videos
- Part 1: Getting to Know You
- Part 2: The Application Process
- Part 3: The Evaluation Processes
- Part 4: Piece-by-Piece Evaluation
- Part 5: Additional Information & Advice
1
Readings
- Connect with Rhodes College
Santa Clara University
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5
Videos
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1
Readings
5
Videos
- Part 1: Getting to Know You
- Part 2: The Application Process
- Part 3: The Evaluation Processes
- Part 4: Piece-by-Piece Evaluation
- Part 5: Additional Information & Advice
1
Readings
- Connect with Santa Clara University
University of Pennsylvania
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5
Videos
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1
Readings
5
Videos
- Part 1: Getting to Know You
- Part 2: The Application Process
- Part 3: The Evaluation Processes
- Part 4: Piece-by-Piece Evaluation
- Part 5: Additional Information & Advice
1
Readings
- Connect with University of Pennsylvania
Auto Summary
Navigating the U.S. university admission process can be daunting, especially for international students. This course, led by experts from the University of Pennsylvania, offers practical guidance on researching schools, creating application plans, and understanding admission criteria. Perfect for non-U.S. citizens and non-native English speakers, the course spans 1500 minutes and is available via a Coursera Starter subscription. Designed for undergraduate freshmen, it equips students with essential tools to embark on their application journey confidently.
Erick Hyde