USA Application Process

1. Gather information

   For all applicants

   College Application Checklist:
   Before Starting your application:

   • A. Students’ Academic Accomplishment (GPA)
   • B. Transcripts
   • C. Courses selection for current academic year
   • D. College list for application
   • E. Standardized Test Scores
   • F. List of Activities – Advice on Activities from Penn Admissions
   • G. Schedule an Interview if possible – Advice on Interviews from Penn Admissions
     

     Parents information:

   • a. E-mail
   • b. Level of Education
   • c. University Graduation Dates
     

     For US citizens.

     To Complete FAFSA form:

   1. Social Security Number
   2. US Phone Number
   3. Parents Last TAX report
   4. An address in the US.
      

      To finalize your Application:

   • Payment Method for Application(s)
   • Online Payment for Online delivery for Standardized official Scores.
     

     ****If the college/ University you are willing to apply does not appear on the CommonApp, it means that the universities may require you to apply directly through their website.

2. Create a Common App account
3. Link Common App to MaiaLearning
4. Fill common app with your personal, family and academic information
5. Add School teachers for recommendation through MaiaLearning.
6. Add colleges you want to apply to. ** If visiting the University Campus or Admission Representative is flying in, plan for the Interview or just an encounter.
7. By Waiving the right of Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)- You are showing the universities your confidence regarding your application letters.
8. ADD your Personal Statement / College Essay.
9. If Required: Write Supplements essay , Portfolio, and/or Resumé. (Do not leave an optional requirement blank).
10. Pay for your applications Fee
11. Apply 15 days before the College/University Deadline. Many universities will take 2-3 business or more days to upload your information.
12. Check your email constantly, maybe universities will demand additional information.
13. Once you complete your application, students will be sent a username for accessing the university web portal. Make sure to check all your information is marked as submitted.
14. Some Universities may accept missing documents after the deadline has passed, but we recommend sending your application with all the required information.
15. Additional information: Parents proof of funds (Bank statement).
16. I-20 and Student Visa

The college Essay is an important part of your college application process. Is the chance universities offer for you to make an individual impression. Your college Essay should not only show your talents and accomplishments, but should be more focused on showing how you do things and not to tell what you do.

If applying through the Common App, you will have five (5) different prompts you could use. If you select one of the offered topics, make sure your essay relates to the prompt. It can tell if you are good at following instructions.

Is always good to have an additional opinion on your essay. Grammar and writing skills are really important during this process. The college Essay is about you, to tell who you are and what you can offer to the institution. If possible, make the connection on why you want to attend a higher institution.

At every moment, it will be best to ask yourself: What can I tell to complete the picture of myself to the admission officer? It is essential that your essay talks about you and not about other people.

If Universities want you to explain to them why you want to attend a specific university, they will ask you directly on the SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAYS. Is the section, where probably, you will be able to show why you are choosing a particular university. If you are planning to visit the campus of the university you are planning to apply, make notes on how you felt during the visit and what you liked.

The College Essay Guy

10 Tips for Getting Started on the College Essay

Advice on College Essay from U. Penn Admissions

Common Application Essays Prompts

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma – anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

New optional 250-word question under Additional Information.

Community disruptions such as COVID-19 and natural disasters can have deep and long-lasting impacts. If you need it, this space is yours to describe those impacts. Colleges care about the effects on your health and well-being, safety, family circumstances, future plans, and education, including access to reliable technology and quiet study spaces.

• Do you wish to share anything on this topic? Y/N
• Please use this space to describe how these events have impacted you.

Platform provided from the School for college planning and Application. Maialearning is the platform where you should request teacher recommendations letter and where school will submit your transcripts, secondary school report, and counselor and teacher recommendations.

To Log-In, Use your school gmail account.

• Access to personality and intelligence tests, that will help you understand some of your preferences.
• Do research on Universities that may offer the career of your dreams.
• Career Planning: Recommend careers where students are likely to thrive, and find universities that prepare them for career opportunities.
• University Planning: Research colleges and universities around the world. Plan and manage applications. Submit documents and track results.

The Common Application is an undergraduate college admission application that applicants may use to apply to any of more than 800 member colleges and universities in 49 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in Canada, China, Japan, and many European countries.

To Request KCP Teachers Recommendation:

1. Make a copy of the TEACHER & COUNSELOR RECOMMENDATION FORM, and start completing the information requested.
2. Ask your teacher if he is available to write your letter of recommendation.
3. Share with your teacher the Teacher & Counselor Recommendation form.
4. Link your Maialearning account with your Common App.
5. Request your teacher recommendation through MAIA LEARNING.
6. Log-in
7. In the Left Column look for: College Plan
8. Click on Recommendations: Add maximum 2 teachers. (DO NOT add the COUNSELOR)

To Request KCP Counselor Recommendation:

1. Make a copy of the TEACHER & COUNSELOR RECOMMENDATION FORM, and start completing the information requested.
2. Notify your counselor about your intention to apply to US Universities.
3. Share with your Counselor the Teacher & Counselor Recommendation form.
4. Link your Maialearning account with your Common App. Once you link both accounts, the counselor will be able to provide your information.
5. DO NOT add the COUNSELOR, for recommendation in MAIALEARNING.