6 Tips for International Students Looking to Attend a University

For international students looking to attend an American university, it can often be a difficult process. Location, language, and admission requirements can all cause challenges in choosing the right university to fit the individual. Below are six tips from Heather Von Seggern, College Advisor at IMG Academy, to help make the college planning process go as smooth as possible for international students.

Have your transcripts ready. Have your official transcript ready and on file with you or your college counselor. If you are a prospective student-athlete, have a second copy that it translated line-by-line by an accredited translator for the NCAA. Some universities may require a version of the literal translation as well. If your transcript has a grading scale different than the traditional American system, you may need to have it evaluated by an accredited evaluation organization. Also, if English is not your first language, you should have a record of your TOEFL exam taken within the last two years.
Prepare yourself for the SAT/ACT. Practice the tests before taking them so you can find out what areas you may need to work on and get a feel for the time constraints. At IMG, this process begins during the second semester of a student-athlete’s sophomore year.
Research. Often, international students and families are only familiar with a number of schools in the United States. With over 6,500 choices, your best fit may be a school you’ve never heard of!
Stay on top of your inbox. When filling out your applications, check your email often. Most universities communicate via email and you do not want to miss out on important messages from them. Also, it is a good idea to create an email address that is professional and designated for the college planning process to avoid clutter and keep everything in one place.
Own the process. Since you are the one who will be attending the university, the more work you put in to finding the best school, the better the chances are of you choosing the right school for you. The process is yours!
Ask questions and start early! It’s never too early start the college conversation. Be open to advice from your family, teachers, coaches and counselors about the application and decision processes.

For more information on IMG's college planning and placement program, click here.