<p>Some more help from another link, to get you organised...</p>
<p>College Applications and the Admissions Process</p>
<p>Something for Parents</p>
<p>""""Discuss the Personal and Social Responsibilities of Going to College</p>
<p>For many students going away to college may be their first time away from home, so it’s important to discuss the social and personal implications they may face.</p>
<p>Open a dialogue about underage drinking. According to recent studies, more than half of college freshman will face an opportunity to drink within their first week of college. And over 159,000 first-year students are forced to leave school every year for alcohol or drug related reasons. Have a frank discussion with your child about the implications to their success if they participate in it.</p>
<p>In addition, an important aspect to cover will be how your child budgets their expenses. Decide if your teen will be using a credit or debit card, what their limit should be, and provide ways for them to budget how they spend what they’re allotted. </p>
<p>College Admissions Calendar For Parents</p>
<p>Preparing for college does not start the week before moving into the new dorm room.
Many students want to put off thinking about their college plans for as long as possible. It’s then up to the parents to set them on the path to matriculating at the right school.</p>
<p>So It Begins: The Freshman Year Plan</p>
<p>First things first: in order to be accepted to college, a student must complete the high school requirements. By the first month of school is done, students and parents should know which classes are needed to graduate high school and which are needed to enter college.</p>
<p>These requirements are not always the same. For instance, some four-year universities require two years of a foreign language, while some high schools may not require any foreign language at all. It would be a shame not to realize that until senior year, when it may be too late.</p>
<p>The best way to stay on track is to visit and create a relationship with the guidance counselor. A counselor is sure to know the high school requirements and will likely have information on classes needed for college.</p>
<p>It’s a good idea to have your child begin volunteering and becoming involved in extra curricular activities to build his college resume and discover his interests.</p>
<p>It’s also smart to begin thinking about finances at this time. By saving or planning early, you may save yourself some hassle later.</p>
<p>Keeping on the Path: Sophomore Year</p>
<p>Freshman year was a teaser of the next three years of grades, classes and extra curricular activities. Continue to make sure that everything is on track in those areas.</p>
<p>The second year of high school is a good time to begin researching colleges and attending college fairs.</p>
<p>Also, it’s never too early to begin studying for the SATs. Students have the opportunity to take it all throughout their junior year, so studying early might not be a bad idea.</p>
<p>The Almighty Junior Year</p>
<p>Junior year is usually considered to be the most important year in college planning. Grades from this year are often the last that colleges see when applications are sent out.</p>
<p>Schedule SAT testing times. The test is very important, so make sure your child studies. And remember that she can take it over as many times as she wants.</p>
<p>Visit If You Can afford to! Colleges welcome high school students with open arms to tour the campus and learn a bit about the school. Not only will this teach you more about the university, it may also excite your child about going to college.</p>
<p>Discuss college plans with your child. It’s important to know what he wants out of his college experience. After all, where he chooses to go may affect his entire life.</p>
<p>The Last Step: Senior Year</p>
<p>Many college applications are due early in the year, around November. It may be best to begin college applications as early as the summer before senior year.</p>
<p>Most applications require at least a personal essay. It wouldn’t hurt to have your child write the essay early so that she may re-write until it’s up to her standards.</p>
<p>Once college applications are turned it, it’s time to wait for the acceptances to roll in. However, make sure that a case of senioritis doesn’t cause your child’s grades to slip.""""""</p>
<p>To all new applicants, I do hope it will help with getting started. And the process will look manageable, because it actually is. Only thing required is planning ahead, making a timeline, a Checklist and sticking to deadlines. And work hard and smart during those High School years ie. 9/10/11/12.</p>
<p>Great post !!!</p>
<p>Amazing general guide, anialways!</p>
<p>Woah ! Awesome work Anialways. This should help a lot of 17ers and beyond.</p>
<p>Thank you Tizil and Mrinal.</p>
<p>Hope things are great for you Tizil. Another 5 weeks and then a week of Exams and you are all set for this semester. Wishing you the very best.</p>
<p>And Mrinal, so how was Sandy for you. Hope you were saved from all the trouble that affected a lot of people. And I just received a photo of snowstorm in NY today early morning my time. Looks like winter is setting in early this year. Usually the snow comes in during the New Year. Stay safe and stay warm.</p>
<p>@anialways - yes, East coast is getting real bad weather lately..but I think it is going to improve next week. Thanks for all the post here. Hope people are able to take advantage of this.</p>
<p>Yes. The east side was flooded and it was water everywhere. Upper west, not so much. We just had a power cut, though it is back now. Some of the areas are still in the dark though.
Haha, yes. Snow. I will stay warm, thanks a ton Anialways !</p>
<p>Some useful links (on financial aid for internationals) and other useful links</p>
<p>eduPASS</a> | Financial Aid for International Students | Schools with Aid for Undergraduates
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1334891-merit-scholarships-intl-students-compiling-list.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1334891-merit-scholarships-intl-students-compiling-list.html</a>
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html</a>
EducationUSA</a> | For International Students</p>
<p>Reviving this thread for Class of 2018 Applicants. Good luck to all of you out there. Read and research as much as you can and it will help you in making sound decisions in terms of your choices.</p>
<p>Thank you so much anilways. :)</p>
<p>Thank you! This is great! </p>
<p>When should I be writing essays and applications? Towards November? </p>
<p>And would you need to write a separate essay for each university? </p>
<p>How long are essays and Letters of recommendation? </p>
<p>Thanks again :)</p>
<p>You should write first draft of the Commonapp essay in the summer between 11th-12th grade. </p>
<p>Once you shortlist the colleges you want to apply to, each college will have it's own requirements for SATs, essays, LORs...</p>
<p>The word limit for essays is also defined. The LORs, in my opinon, should be mo longer than one page. If I remember correctly, there is a standard format for this as well.</p>
<p>This is a great thread that you have started, but you have neglected perhaps the most important aspect for any International student- how to pay for college. Many schools will not give financial aid to International students. Each school has its own individual policy, and as an Indian parent who has lived in the USA nearly my entire life, the rise in costs has been staggering. If you look hard enough on CC, there are several International students who have been accepted to some stellar institutions and received little if any financial aid, with no means to finance an education. Other than that, I think that your posts are pretty spot on to help others who don't understand the process.</p>
<p>Awesome, thanks!</p>
<p>PsychDad10</p>
<p>Thank you for the kind words.</p>
<p>You are right about not enough information regarding FA. The reason for that is, since my D is full pay, I did not have the opportunity/need to do research on that. However if you see post no.35 by fall2016parent, it has some links. Also please know I am not a counsellor or a professional, just an ordinary parent tring to share whatever I know.</p>
<p>Other than that, here is a list of "10 Colleges That Give the Most International Student Financial Aid"</p>
<p>10</a> Colleges That Give the Most International Student Financial Aid - US News and World Report</p>
<p>And this on "3 Ways for International Students to Cut U.S. College Costs",
3</a> Ways for International Students to Cut U.S. College Costs - US News and World Report</p>
<p>And then, here is some infirmation on that subject,
Schools</a> Awarding International Financial Aid</p>
<p>"The Best Colleges and Universities-Schools Awarding Financial Aid</p>
<p>US Schools That Offer Need-Blind and Full-Need Admission to International Students - under a need-blind admissions policy, a college or university will admit students regardless of their ability to pay, and for any students that cannot afford the price tag, full-need means the university awards scholarships and other institutional aid to make up the difference. There are now six US schools that offer need-blind and full-need admissions to international students - Amherst College is the most recent to join this elite group. Basically, if you can get in, you can afford to go - they are:</p>
<p>MIT, Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Massachusetts
Harvard University in Massachusetts
Princeton University in New Jersey
Yale University in Connecticut
Dartmouth College in New Hampshire
Amherst College in Massachusetts""</p>
<p>Here is another thread on CC with the topic of discussion, "need-based aid for international student", specifically post no.5,</p>
<p>Bump + Please Sticky!
The list I needed is covered here.</p>
<p>anishbasu</p>
<p>I think only the Moderator can Pin this thread. If you request texaspg to do it, then it will appear right on top everytime you click on the India forum here on CC. That will make it easy and quick reference for all future aspirants and applicants.</p>