International Student Admissions: What USA College Counselors Don’t Tell You

One of the benefits of attending an American high school is that you have access to a ton of resources, including college counseling. Most college counselors are incredibly savvy when it comes to university selection based on a particular student’s academic profile. However, there are a few key areas where college counselors at US high schools fall short when advising international students.

Below we’ve uncovered a few industry secrets you need to know before submitting your college admissions applications.

1. You must overcome the “robot” stereotype.

Let’s face it, most foreign high schools do not teach you how to adjust to American culture. They don’t teach you how to write about yourself. In fact, many of you come from more traditional cultures that focus mostly on perfecting exam scores. This presents a challenge for most international students who first try to tackle the US college admissions essay or confront the “Activities” section of the Common Application. Because of this, Admissions Committees view international students as rigid and robotic. How do you overcome this stereotype?

• Get involved in leadership roles and extracurricular activities that showcase your interests and talents, even if it’s something seemingly silly like computer gaming.
• Write a winning college admissions essay that shows your personality!
• Don’t view your foreign citizenship as a disadvantage. Instead, make it into a strength by writing about your unique background, culture, or favorite ethnic food.

2. Corruption is a real concern.

If you pay attention to the news headlines, you’ve noticed several foreign SAT exam centers have come under increasing scrutiny for cheating and corruption. This makes Admissions Committees view your college application with greater caution and examine your test scores or grades with extra attention to detail.

Our advice? Take the SAT in the United States where exam centers are more trusted, rather than in your home country.

3. Diversity is an admissions factor.

Depending on which country you’re from, diversity can work for you or against you. For example, American universities receive more than 200,000 Chinese applicants each year, which makes competition among Chinese students much more difficult.

• Our advice to Chinese applicants is to overcome the robot stereotype—get involved in something creative like a theater production or comedy club.
• On the flip side, if you’re from a rare country like Serbia or Argentina, your application will receive special attention. Our advice to these students is to emphasize parts of your culture, but don’t get too arrogant! While you may be from a rare or interesting culture, remember that fact alone will not get you accepted. It’s all about how you present your background.

4. Financial aid is limited.

USA College counselors are more familiar with advising American students who are eligible for federal financial aid. But they often overlook financial barriers for international students. College counselors have fun imagining which university fits your preppy, nerdy, or surfer personality best. If your family can afford the $60,000 price tag, you’re fine as long as you’re admitted. But for international students who have lower-income parents, the cost of an American university education presents a daunting reality.

• Fear not! Many American universities offer merit-based scholarships. Some even provide financial aid to international students. But you have to know if these are “need-blind” institutions or if your financial need may prevent you from getting accepted. The best way to navigate all these caveats is to work with a knowledgeable international student adviser.

If you follow our advice, you’re taking the first step toward admission to your top-choice university. If you need a knowledgeable international student adviser, email us at info@cogitoworldeducation.org.