Seven Common Mistakes International Students Make When Applying to College
Thinking about college applications? Maybe you’re halfway through the process, scrolling through endless college websites and trying to make sure every detail is perfect. Sound familiar?
It’s an exciting but overwhelming time—and as someone who’s worked with many international students, I’ve seen the same mistakes pop up again and again. To make your journey a little smoother, I’ve rounded up the top seven mistakes international students make when applying to colleges. Let’s dive in!
Applying to Colleges You Can’t Afford
Picture this: you’ve applied to top schools like UCLA, Columbia, and King’s College London without discussing finances with your parents. You’re confident they’ll find a way, or you’ll secure a full scholarship. Then, acceptance letters roll in, but financial aid doesn’t. Now you’re scrambling to make ends meet and realize that as an international student, your work options are limited to specific on-campus jobs for a maximum of 20 hours a week.
What to do instead?
It is never safe to assume that you’ll receive full financial support from the schools you’re applying to.
Talk to your parents early about what they can realistically contribute.
Research financial aid options for international students at each school. It is super important to make sure that the colleges you apply to are affordable.
Create a detailed budget, including tuition, housing, and other indirect costs, before finalizing your college list.
Research work restrictions that come along with your student visa.
Applying Exclusively to Highly Selective Colleges
I’ve seen two types of students here. I’ll call them Jeff and Allen.
Jeff understands the odds and applies to a balanced list, including schools where he’s likely to get in. He’s disappointed when his dream school rejects him but thrilled with a great alternative. Allen, however, believes he’s the exception. He applies only to elite schools and ends up with no options.
What to do instead?
Build a balanced college list with reaches, fits, and safeties. By expanding your lists to include schools with different admission criteria, you will have a better chance of having more options to choose from come April.
Remember that even the most impressive grades and scores don’t guarantee admission to selective schools. Schools look at applicants in a holistic way.
Focus on what’s within your control, which is crafting strong applications for a variety of schools.
Applying to Too Many Schools
Kelly applied to 20+ schools across multiple countries, juggling different deadlines and requirements. By the time she was done, she was exhausted, and the quality of her applications varied.
What to do instead?
Be intentional and limit your college list to 12 - 15 schools. Focus on quality and fit over quantity. Besides, how much time do you have outside of everything you’re already doing anyway?
Make sure you have a balanced list with reaches, fits, and safeties. If you have more than 15 schools you are seriously considering, prioritize them, and start with the schools you want to attend most.
Waiting Too Long to Start Test Prep
Katherine was so busy with school and extracurriculars that she delayed prepping for the SAT. By senior year, test dates were full, leaving her one last chance to get the score she needed—and a lot of stress.
What to do instead?
Start preparing for your standardized tests in sophomore year, and plan to take your first test in junior year. SAT or ACT is more important for international students than it is for US students because college admissions offers are much less likely to be familiar with the quality of high school education overseas.
Take tests with at least three months in between. Similar to practicing a sport or musical instrument, it takes time and sustained practice to improve.
Always plan ahead. There are fewer test dates internationally, and spots fill up quickly.
Failing to Understand Impaction
Joey wanted to major in computer science and applied to top programs without realizing how competitive they were. He didn’t meet the additional requirements for impacted majors and was rejected everywhere he applied.
What to do instead?
Research whether your intended major is impacted (has more applicants than available spots) at schools on your college list. Some schools may use terms such as “limited enrollment” or “capped.”
Check for additional requirements, like higher GPA thresholds or separate applications for specific programs.
Be honest with yourself about your competitiveness for these programs. Make sure your academic and overall profile goes above and beyond the minimum to ensure you have a competitive application.
Recalculating Your Grade Point Average (GPA)
Chloe wanted to fit in, so she converted her grades to a US-style GPA using an online rubric. Admissions officers, however, assess applications based on the grading system provided by your school—not a self-converted GPA.
What to do instead?
Submit your transcripts as-is. Admissions officers are trained to evaluate applications from different grading systems.
Use the “additional information” section of your application to explain your school’s grading system if it’s unusual.
Missing Post-Submission Requirements
After submitting his applications, Josh decided to take a well-earned break. Unfortunately, he missed follow-up requests from schools, including one from his dream school. He was denied admission because he didn’t complete a required step.
What to do instead?
Regularly check your email, spam, and junk folders.
Log in to school portals frequently to stay updated on requirements.
Respond promptly to any requests for additional information.
College applications are tough, but avoiding these common mistakes can save you a lot of stress. Take the time to plan, research, and double-check every step of the process. You’ve got this!