What You Should Know Before Applying: U.S. Undergraduate Application Memo | UP-STUDY Educational Center

I. U.S. University Start Dates

1. Fall Admission

The start date for fall admission is typically in August or September each year. Fall is the main admission season, with the largest number of applicants and the most diverse programs available. Since there is more time to prepare for fall admissions, the application period usually runs from September of the previous year to April of the following year.

2. Spring Admission

Spring admission typically takes place from January to March each year. Spring admission serves as a supplement to fall admissions, with fewer spots available and fewer programs to choose from. Not all schools offer spring admission. The application period usually runs from August to October of the previous year.

II. U.S. University Application Systems

There is no unified system used by all U.S. universities, and the opening times of the various systems may differ slightly. Among them, the Common Application, with over 800 member schools, is one of the most commonly used systems. Many students can apply to all schools through this system. Other application systems include the Coalition Application, Universal College Application, and independent systems used by specific states or universities.

III. U.S. University Application Deadlines

1. Early Decision

Early Decision (ED) is an early application process, also known as ED. Some schools have two rounds: Early Decision I and Early Decision II. The deadline for ED is usually in November, with results notified in December. During the ED phase, applicants can apply to only one school, and if accepted, they must submit a deposit and withdraw applications to other schools. Some schools offer Early Decision II, which allows students whose ED I application is rejected to apply again. The ED II deadline is usually in January, with results announced in February.

2. Early Action

Early Action (EA) is another form of early application. The EA deadline is usually between late November and early December, with results announced between January and February of the following year. Compared to ED, in the EA phase, applicants can apply to multiple schools and decide whether to attend by May. It is also possible to apply for both ED and Regular Decision (RD) during the EA phase.

3. Regular Decision

Regular Decision (RD) is the standard application process, with the most common deadlines being January 1st and January 15th. Some schools may have deadlines from February to April. However, it is important to note that the application deadlines for universities in the California State University (CSU) system, the University of Washington, and the University of Texas – Austin are on November 30th or December 1st.

IV. U.S. University Fall Application Timeline

V. List of Documents for U.S. University Applications

1. Middle and high school transcripts: Request official transcripts in both Chinese and English from your school
2. Graduation certificate or enrollment certificate: Request official graduation or enrollment certificates in both Chinese and English from your school
3. Recommendation letter: Recommendation letters should be provided by school teachers
4. TOEFL or IELTS score report
5. SAT or ACT score report
6. Portfolio: For applications to special programs such as those in the fields of art and music, applicants must submit a portfolio to the school
7. Copy of passport
8. Proof of financial support: International students need to provide proof of financial support to show they have enough funds to cover all educational and living expenses in the U.S. The amount of financial proof typically needs to cover the full cost of one year's expenses for international students