<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>
<p>@anialways Made a PDF version of the Guide:
<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9_EkwwrYceEeFpLQ2FvT0RoZFE/edit?usp=sharing%5B/url%5D">https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9_EkwwrYceEeFpLQ2FvT0RoZFE/edit?usp=sharing</a></p>
<p>Just had a look at it. Awesome anishbasu.....</p>
<p>GOSH! This is so amazing. Unfortunately, I never saw it when I was applying cause it was lost in CC archives. Someone really needs to sticky this. This would've been such a great help.
Going through this huge process was like navigating into the eye of a tornado. Is there anything I can do to help this get stickied? A PM to the moderator, maybe? If you know who it is?</p>
<p>firefliesdance</p>
<p>texaspg is the Moderator. I think if you request them through a PM, that will work.</p>
<p>I see it's been stickied. :)</p>
<p>Yes I did send a PM request to texaspg and so we have this one stickied. Thank you texaspg.</p>
<p>wow, great thread anialways :) Nice to see you so active even now :)</p>
<p>Crystal31</p>
<p>I think you will be class of 2018 applicant, right?
So how are things. Done with your class 12 Finals.</p>
<p>anialways, yes I will be class of 2018 applicant :) Everything is alright , very hectic and tiring I must say. I have started with class 12 and my first Unit Test is on monday! :\
My 12th finals (Board exam) will be in March 2014 :)</p>
<p>How are you doing?</p>
<p>For all those who have this question to ask, Which schools require, recommend, or utilize SAT Subject Tests? Read and figure it out on your own depending on the colleges you are interested in applying to.</p>
<p>"2012-2013 SCHOOL YEAR:</p>
<p>SCHOOLS THAT REQUIRE, RECOMMEND OR UTILIZE SAT SUBJECT TESTS IN ADMISSION OR FOR PLACEMENT/CREDIT"</p>
<p>I just came across something I wrote for a fellow CCer who had PMed me. anialways has put together the most comprehensive guide ever, but just in case someone wanted a more concise timeline, here is the message:
The optimal time to start the process is in the beginning of class 11. You should initially familiarise yourself with the SAT and take a diagnostic test. This should give you an idea about how much you can aim to score in the real exam. Next, take a college search quiz on CollegeBoard or PrincetonReview. Also use ************** and USNews rankings to determine which college offers your intended major and meets other requirements. Find out what subject tests are required at each college. Remember, set goals but not unreasonable ones. It's a good idea to discuss your future plans with your parents. Approximate how much your parents are willing to support you financially. Although net price calculators are usually not intended for international students, they should give you an idea of how much financial aid you can expect. You should try to take your first SAT in the winter before class 12, so prepare accordingly (Barron's is more than enough if you also get hold of a suitable vocabulary list). Even if you don't do as well as planned, you can take the test again in summer. Meanwhile, start preparing for the subject tests of your choice. Write to the college to clear specific doubts. Take the subject tests in October/November. Meanwhile, the Common Application for US colleges releases on 1st August. You should start filling up the forms and brainstorming essays. Ask your teachers (politely) for recommendations. Write the first drafts of your essays. They should be edited and proofread by atleast a couple of people. However, your voice should remain the strongest. By this time you should have shortlisted to about 20 colleges. Go through the specific facilities + opportunities of each (the websites are valuable sources of information) and choose around 10. This is the time you should write to each college if you think you might need a fee waiver, a Toefl waiver etc. Finalise your essays and send them in before the November 15th deadline (if you're applying in the Early Rounds) or January 1st/15th (if you're applying under Regular Decision). As soon as your applications have been submitted gather all your documents and fill in the financial aid application forms (if you intend to apply for FA). These are due anytime between January 15th and March 1st so make sure you don't miss any deadlines! As soon as these are done you'll have to get back to mundane but less tiring studying for your boards. The rest of the process involves waiting patiently till end-March for the college decisions to roll in. Occasionally check your email and keep yourself updated. Finally you can weigh and compare offers from colleges until you pay the enrollment deposit and then there's just college to look forward to :)
I hope I helped a bit! Good luck! :)</p>