Applying to U.S. Universities from Coursera

“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.

What's inside

Syllabus

The U.S. Admissions Process

The first step to studying in the USA is to understand the application and admissions process in the U.S. How to apply to colleges and universities in the U.S. is probably very different than the university admissions process in your home country. One big difference is the importance of “fit,” and how fit plays a different role among the 4,000+ U.S. colleges and universities. In this module, you will begin to learn about the U.S. admissions process, including how schools evaluate international applications, U.S. college admission requirements, and how schools decide who to accept (it is not all about SAT or ACT scores like many students think). You will also begin to explore yourself so that you can look beyond the "top" colleges and universities to identify schools based on “fit,” a big step toward being accepted into U.S. colleges and universities.

Self-Assessment

The most important part of your college application is you. Before you apply to any U.S. universities, you have to know yourself – likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses. Once you know yourself, you can look at your application the way a U.S. admissions counselor will look at your application. In this module you will learn how to use self-assessment to examine your application, identifying strengths and weaknesses in both your academic and non-academic qualifications. You will also learn about EducationUSA, a college admissions assistance resource located in your home country.

Research & Planning

It is time to use what you learned about yourself to start the college search and find the schools where you will apply. With 4,000+ colleges and universities in the U.S., picking the right schools for you takes time and strategy. This module will focus on three areas: (1) conducting your research, (2) building your school list, and (3) creating your college application plan. To accomplish these goals you will learn everything from application deadlines to where you can research schools to what the information means and how to use that information to better ensure your success.

The Pieces of Your Application

Your college “application” is made up of eight individual pieces, including essays, letter(s) of recommendation, test/exam scores (SAT, ACT, TOEFL, & IELTS), and more. In this module you will understand how each piece is viewed individually along with how that piece fulfills admission requirements and contributes to your application as a whole. We will also discuss how to submit the pieces of your application, as well as the timing related to each piece. Understanding the pieces of your application, along with the admission requirements, will help you assemble a stronger application overall.

Admission Officials Interview Series

While these interviews might be long, this information is some of the most valuable in the course. Throughout the course you have learned that U.S. colleges and universities are all different – different environments, different personalities, and different admission processes. In this module you will hear directly from admission counselors at five schools so that you can see the similarities and differences for yourself. These five schools are from across the U.S. and range from small to large, highly selective to open admission, research focused to liberal arts, and more. The previous parts of the course taught you the theories of U.S. admission, in these interviews you will learn the actual practice from the people who make the admission decisions.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Addresses specific concerns of non-native speakers and non-U.S. citizens applying to the U.S., providing tailored guidance

Offers a comprehensive overview of the U.S. university application process, guiding students through each step

Provides practical information about the application requirements and how they are evaluated

Facilitates understanding of U.S. university admissions criteria beyond numerical scores, emphasizing the importance of holistic evaluations

Guides students in developing a personalized approach to the application process by encouraging self-assessment and exploration

Includes valuable insights and perspectives from actual U.S. university admission counselors, providing real-world insights into the admission process at different institutions

Reviews summary

Helpful course for applying to u.s. universities

According to students, this course provides useful information for those who are applying to U.S. colleges. The course has helped students gain a better understanding of the college application process. Students appreciate the positive and encouraging instructor.

Straightforward and helpful instructor.

"The instructor was very straightforward and gave clear instructions."

"The instructor is great. She is very positive and encouraging."

Course provides valuable insights.

"The course was really helpful."

"This course provides valuable information for those who are applying to U.S. colleges."

Course can feel overwhelming.

"I found the course to be a bit overwhelming. There was a lot of information to cover in a short amount of time."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Applying to U.S. Universities with these activities:

Complete practice SAT and ACT exams.

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Prepare for standardized tests commonly required for university applications.

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Take a full-length practice SAT or ACT exam.
Review your results thoroughly.
Identify areas of strengths and weaknesses.
Focus on improving your weaker areas.

Watch YouTube videos on different universities

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Gain insights into potential universities and their environment.

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Search for videos on YouTube about universities you are interested in.
Watch videos to learn more about the campus, academics, and student life.

Create a resume or CV

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Package relevant experiences and skills for showcasing to potential universities.

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Gather information about your education, skills, experience, and awards.
Choose a template or format.
Write your resume or CV.

Four other activities

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Read “How to Be a Successful Student in College”

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Introduce techniques to succeeding in a college environment.

View Who's Who in California on Amazon

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Read the text's introduction and chapters 1 through 5.
Highlight key concepts and ideas.
Summarize each chapter in your own words.

Join an online study group or forum for international students applying to the U.S.

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Connect with peers, share experiences, and learn from collective knowledge.

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Find and join an online study group or forum.
Introduce yourself and share your goals.

Write a personal statement

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Craft a compelling narrative that showcases your strengths and aspirations aligned with university goals.

Browse courses on Personal Statement

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Brainstorm ideas and create an outline.
Write the first draft.
Revise and edit your statement.
Get feedback from others (optional).

Participate in a local or global case competition or hackathon

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Engage in practical problem-solving and showcase analytical skills valued by universities.

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Find and register for a case competition or hackathon.
Prepare for the event by researching the topic and practicing relevant skills.

Career center

Learners who complete Applying to U.S. Universities will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Higher Education Administrator

Higher Education Administrators plan, direct, and coordinate academic support services and educational programs within institutions of higher education. In addition to fulfilling the management and operational needs of their institution, Higher Education Administrators must also stay up-to-date on the latest trends in education and pedagogy to ensure the delivery of high-quality academic services to students. The insights from this course, particularly the segments on self-assessment, research and planning, and understanding the individual pieces of an application, would be invaluable for someone looking to pursue this career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Higher Education Administrator

Postsecondary Education Administrator

Postsecondary Education Administrators oversee the day-to-day operations of colleges and universities. They are responsible for ensuring that the institution runs smoothly and that students have the resources they need to succeed. The information presented in this course on researching and planning for school and developing an application tailored to each university is critical for those aspiring to become Postsecondary Education Administrators since they will be tasked with guiding students through the application process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Postsecondary Education Administrator

Education Policy Analyst

Education Policy Analysts conduct research and analysis on education policy issues to inform policymakers and stakeholders. The information and skills one gains from this course on researching the U.S. college admission process and application requirements would be useful to Education Policy Analysts, particularly those who focus on international student issues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Policy Analyst

Higher Education Researcher

Higher Education Researchers conduct research on various aspects of higher education, including student success, faculty development, and institutional effectiveness. The course's content on the U.S. admissions process and the factors that universities consider when making admissions decisions would be useful for Higher Education Researchers who study international student admissions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Higher Education Researcher

International Student Advisor

International Student Advisors provide support and guidance to international students on a variety of issues, including academic advising, cultural adjustment, and financial aid. This course would be very useful for International Student Advisors, as it would provide them with a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. college admissions process and the challenges that international students face.

See salaries and explore the career path for International Student Advisor

Education Consultant

Education Consultants provide guidance and support to students and families on a variety of educational issues, including college admissions. This course would provide Education Consultants, particularly those who work with international students, with a deep understanding of the U.S. college admissions process and how to help their clients navigate it successfully.

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Admissions Counselor

Admissions Counselors evaluate applications, interview prospective students, and make admissions decisions. The course material on the U.S. college admission process, the pieces of an application, and the factors that universities consider when making admissions decisions would be beneficial for Admissions Counselors, particularly those who work at universities that enroll a significant number of international students.

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Academic Advisor

Academic Advisors help students develop and achieve their academic goals. This course on the U.S. college admissions process and the factors that universities consider when making admissions decisions would be useful for Academic Advisors who work with international students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Academic Advisor

Career Counselor

Career Counselors help people explore and develop their career options. This course on the U.S. college admissions process and the factors that universities consider when making admissions decisions would be useful for Career Counselors who work with students who are considering applying to college in the United States.

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Educational Psychologist

Educational Psychologists study the psychological principles of teaching and learning. This course on the U.S. college admissions process and the factors that universities consider when making admissions decisions could be of interest to Educational Psychologists who are interested in researching the experiences of international students in the U.S. higher education system.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educational Psychologist

Public relations manager

Public Relations Managers develop and implement public relations campaigns to promote an organization or individual. This course may be of interest to Public Relations Managers who work for colleges or universities or who specialize in international public relations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public relations manager

Market Researcher

Market Researchers conduct research to understand consumer behavior and trends. This course might be of interest to Market Researchers who are interested in studying the international student market or the higher education market in general.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers oversee all aspects of human resources for an organization, including recruiting, hiring, and employee development. This course might be of interest to Human Resources Managers who are responsible for recruiting international employees or who work for organizations that have a global workforce.

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Writer

Writers create content for a variety of purposes, including marketing, journalism, and creative writing. This course may be of interest to Writers who are interested in writing about higher education or international education.

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Teacher

Teachers instruct students at all levels, from preschool to college. This course may be of interest to Teachers who are interested in teaching at the university level or who work with international students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher