A step-by-step guide to applying to US universities for students from the CIS.

Today, the desire to get a decent education is quite reasonable. Graduates with diplomas from prestigious universities occupy more worthy starting positions and have greater opportunities for self-realization. It is not without reason that ambitious foreigners prefer to study abroad. Most applicants are interested in how to enter a US university. For many years, America has remained the leader in the quality of education. Admission to US universities is an exciting, but sometimes difficult process, especially for students from the CIS countries. In this article, we will offer you a step-by-step guide that will help you successfully complete this path and realize your education in one of the leading countries in the world.

Regardless of the chosen direction, for successful admission you need:

1. Excellent knowledge of English. This is confirmed by passing a special test (TOEFL or IELTS), upon successful completion of which a certificate is issued.

2. A high average grade point average for school certificates or diplomas for those who are interested in how to enter a US university after college.

3. A decent level of academic performance in specialized subjects. Their list depends on the chosen profession and program of study.

4. Successful passing of American exams - SAT, ACT and others. But this point is relevant not for all universities. Many universities focused on teaching foreign students require passing these tests.

5. Write a motivation letter and provide letters of recommendation to convince the admissions committee of your own exceptionalism.

6. Write an essay to provide an opportunity to assess the ability to think logically and defend your own position.

7. Some educational institutions will ask you to provide a resume (CV).

When applying to American universities for creative specialties, you will additionally need a creative portfolio.

Step 1: Define your goals and interests

Before starting the admissions process, it is important to clearly define your academic and career goals. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What specialty do you want to study?

• Which universities are the most famous in your field of interest?

• What level of education are you interested in: bachelor's, master's or doctoral?

It is important to pay attention to the type of educational institution. In the United States, international students study:

* at public universities with a large number of students and lower costs, talented students have the opportunity to study for free;

* for-profit universities enroll fewer students, they are better developed in terms of infrastructure, but tuition is higher;

* colleges offer specialties, but only in the bachelor's program.

Some applicants first enroll in a community college in the United States (community college), where they complete a two-year program. After successful completion, it is possible to immediately enroll in the 2nd year of the bachelor's program.

Step 2: Research universities and programs

Once you have defined your goals, begin researching universities. Pay attention to:

• The university's ranking.

• The programs it offers.

• Admission requirements.

• The location and culture of the university.

Make a list of universities that match your interests and goals.

Step 3: Prepare the necessary documents

To apply to US universities, you will need the following documents:

1. A high school diploma (for a bachelor's degree) or a higher education diploma (for a master's degree). Each educational institution sets its own passing score. To apply for training as a foreign student, you will first need to convert Russian scores to the American standard, but for some universities, an average value on a five-point scale is enough.

2. A resume or CV, which indicates your achievements, work experience and volunteer activities. Often, a CV (resume) becomes the first document that admissions committee members pay attention to. The document is necessary for those who are interested in how to enter the USA from Russia for a master's and some bachelor's degree programs. It must be written correctly, according to academic standards. It is important to make the right first impression with the help of a resume. Therefore, the content should not be template-based, but exclusively individual, with an emphasis on strong qualities and important biographical facts.

3. Letters of recommendation from teachers or employers.

4. An essay or motivation letter explaining why you want to study at this particular university and in this particular program. With its help, a potential student will have to prove to the admissions committee why he or she is the ideal candidate for the program. Convincing arguments will include high achievements in studies, sports, and social activities.

The main task of writing an entrance essay is the ability to clearly and reasonably explain your position. Examiners evaluate the ability to think logically and coherently defend a certain point of view. After writing the essay, you can discuss it with friends and teachers. An objective outside perspective will help you soberly evaluate the content.

Step 4: Take language tests

Before enrolling in the United States, foreigners will need to confirm their language proficiency. To do this, you need to pass the international TOEFL or IELTS test, which allows you to assess your ability to read, write, listen, and speak English.

For those who have studied British English, the International English Language Testing System, or IELTS for short, is suitable. The test was developed by the British. To enter a university in the USA, as a rule, it is necessary to choose an academic module. Testing lasts for 3 hours, includes several blocks: reading, writing, listening and an interview with an examiner. The certificate is valid for 2 years.

Experts in American English will have to pass the Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The developers from the United States have provided 2 versions of the exam:

1. TOEFL CBT is a basic test, but before entering a US university, it is often required to supplement it with the results of a test on knowledge of written English.

2. TOEFL iBT - includes tasks that allow you to assess your comprehensive knowledge of the language. The examinee will have to read one text, listen to another, and then draw conclusions in writing.

Passing the exam takes quite a long period of time - about 4.5 hours. With the TOEFL results, you can enter both the USA and other countries within 2 years.

Step 5: Take the entrance exams

Depending on the program, you may need to take additional entrance exams, such as:

• SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) for undergraduate programs

• GRE (Graduate Record Examination) for graduate programs

• GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) for MBA programs

Be sure to check the requirements of the universities you have chosen.

Step 6: Submit applications

Once all the documents are ready, start submitting applications. Most universities use online platforms for accepting applications. Make sure that you carefully fill out all the fields and attach the necessary documents. Applications for studying in the United States begin several months before the start of the academic year. Few people know that you need to submit documents before the end of March to enroll in the United States in the fall. If you apply in mid-June, you will be able to start studying only in the spring semester.

The rules for submitting documents to universities vary. In most cases, you need to fill out a questionnaire and attach files with scans of the required documents. If you really want to go to study in the USA, as a rule, for 100% admission, the candidate needs to send documents to several universities. To simplify the procedure, it is convenient to use the CommonApp service. This system allows you to enter data once, and then send it to the required number of universities.

A letter of admission (Conditional Offer Letter) comes a few weeks after sending the documents. Beforehand, the applicant may need to provide additional information, in particular, about solvency. After the final decision is made, the administration of the educational institution will notify that the applicant has been admitted, where to transfer money for tuition and will inform the date of the official inclusion in the list of enrolled students.

Step 7: Financing your education

Education in the United States can be expensive, so it is important to think about financing in advance. Consider the following options:

• Scholarships from universities or private organizations.

• Government grants and exchange programs.

• Student loans.

How to apply for a state-funded education in the United States

Despite the lack of free education in higher educational institutions in the United States, foreigners still have a chance to study for free. Talented students can count on a scholarship or grant. The funds received will fully cover the cost of education.

You can find out what types of financial support are available at the university in the financial aid department. It is quite difficult to receive support from a university on a free basis, but in the United States, educational institutions compete with each other by ranking.

Foreign students who bring a large number of points to the overall ranking will be willingly accepted to almost any university. Therefore, in order to enter a US university, you need to prepare for admission in advance - painstaking work, sincere diligence in studies will undoubtedly be appreciated.

Step 8: Get a visa

After you receive confirmation of enrollment, you will need to apply for a student visa (F-1). To do this, you will need:

1. Fill out form DS-160.

2. Pay the visa fee.

3. Attend an interview at the US embassy or consulate.

Step 9: Prepare for the move

After receiving the visa, start preparing for the move. Pay attention to:

• Finding housing.

• Organizing health insurance.

• Opening a bank account.

Step 10: Adapting to the new environment

After arriving in the United States, it is important to adapt to the new environment. Participate in Orientation programs, meet other students, and explore the campus.

Applying to US universities for CIS students is a challenging but doable process. By following this step-by-step guide to applying to the US, you can successfully complete all the stages and begin your education in one of the best educational systems in the world. Good luck!