Study in USA
What are Rolling Admissions?
Last Updated: 9 January 2026Rolling Admissions allows students to apply to a school at any time up to a certain date, the application remains open and students are admitted until the institution fills its class.
Can we apply for medicine and law directly in undergrad?
Last Updated: 9 January 2026No, both require undergraduate degrees first. US medical schools require a Bachelor’s degree (any major) plus pre-med courses (biology, chemistry, physics, math) and MCAT exam; law schools require any Bachelor’s degree plus LSAT exam. However, some universities offer combined BS/MD or BA/JD programs (7-8 years total) with early conditional admission to their graduate schools.
Which are the common application portals used for admissions?
Last Updated: 9 January 2026The Common Application (1,000+ schools including Ivies, most private universities) and Coalition Application (150+ schools) are primary portals allowing one application for multiple universities. UC System uses its own UC Application for all 9 UCs. Some universities (MIT, Georgetown) have unique institutional applications. Most students use Common App as the primary platform.
Can students apply to multiple USA universities at the same time?
Last Updated: 9 January 2026Yes, most students apply to 8-15 universities simultaneously. You can apply Early Decision to only one school (binding), but unlimited Early Action, and unlimited Regular Decision (January deadlines). Strategic approach: 3-4 reach schools, 4-5 target/match schools, 2-3 safety schools. Each application requires separate fees ($50-90), essays, and sometimes supplemental materials.
What is Restrictive Early Action? (REA)
Last Updated: 9 January 2026Like EA, Restrictive Early Action (REA) is non-binding. However, students may only apply to one private school with REA. They also can’t apply ED other schools. They can usually apply EA to public schools, though.
What is Regular Decision? (RD)
Last Updated: 9 January 2026Regular Decision is one of the most popular application cycles for students. Unlike Early Decision, where you have to commit to one college, or Early Action, where you don’t have to commit but need to apply early, Regular Decision gives you more time. You can take it easy, think about your choices, and decide which...
What are the advantages of Early Decision? (ED)
Last Updated: 9 January 2026Applying Early Decision can show a university that it’s your clear first choice, which may slightly improve your admission chances, but it’s not a shortcut. You should only apply ED if you’ve thoroughly researched the school and feel confident it’s the best fit academically, socially and financially.
What is Early Action? (EA)
Last Updated: 9 January 2026Early Action is an admissions process that allows you to submit your college application earlier than the regular admissions deadline. Applying Early Action offers the opportunity to receive an admissions decision sooner while retaining flexibility since you’re not required to commit to any university, if accepted. This differs from Early Decision, a binding agreement where...
What is the difference between financial aid and merit-based scholarships?
Last Updated: 9 January 2026Merit-based aid is institutional grant aid that is offered to students based on the overall strength of their admissions application. Need-based grant aid is institutional grant aid that is based on an applicant’s financial aid application.
How much importance do admissions officers give to school transcripts versus standardized test scores?
Last Updated: 9 January 2026Transcripts are weighted most heavily since they show 4-year performance, course rigor, and consistency. Test scores (SAT/ACT) are secondary: they validate academic preparedness but many schools are now test-optional. At test-optional schools, strong transcripts (challenging courses + high grades) can compensate for missing scores, but competitive scores strengthen applications at top universities.
What skills do USA universities value most in applicants?
Last Updated: 9 January 2026Critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, resilience, leadership, and collaborative spirit. Demonstrated through: ability to tackle complex problems (essays, projects), pursuing learning beyond curriculum, overcoming challenges, initiating impact in communities, and contributing to diverse perspectives. Top universities seek “builders” who will engage campus intellectually and socially, not just high scorers.
Do activities like basketball, dance, art, music, or drawing count as meaningful extracurriculars?
Last Updated: 9 January 2026Absolutely, especially if you show commitment, progression, and ideally leadership or community contribution. Playing basketball for 3 years, performing in state-level dance competitions, exhibiting art locally, or teaching music to younger students all demonstrate passion and discipline. Admissions officers value authenticity and depth over prestige of activity type.
Is it necessary to have national or international-level achievements, or are school-level activities also valued?
Last Updated: 9 January 2026School/community-level activities with genuine impact are valued because depth matters more than awards. Examples: starting a tutoring program for 50 students, leading debate team to district finals, or organizing community cleanups. National/international recognition (IMO medals, Intel ISEF) helps at highly selective schools, but 2-3 years of committed leadership in any activity demonstrates qualities universities seek.
How important are extracurricular activities in USA college admissions?
Last Updated: 9 January 2026Critical for selective schools (Top 50), where they differentiate academically qualified applicants. Admissions use a holistic review: grades/scores get you past the threshold, but essays and extracurriculars demonstrate initiative, leadership, and impact. Less selective schools (acceptance rate >40%) weight them lower, focusing primarily on GPA and test scores.
Can students apply for Mathematics, Computer Science, or Engineering majors after studying Commerce with Math in Class 12?
Last Updated: 9 January 2026Yes, if Commerce included Math, most universities accept you into Arts & Sciences undeclared or as a Math/CS applicant. However, top engineering programs (UC Berkeley EECS, UIUC CS) favor applicants with Physics/Chemistry and stronger STEM profiles. You’ll likely need to complete intro science courses freshman year and may face competitive declaration processes at some schools.
If my high school stream is Humanities or Commerce, can I still pursue a STEM major in the US? How does that work?
Last Updated: 9 January 2026Yes, but you need foundational prerequisites. Most STEM majors require Calculus, Physics, and Chemistry, if your Class 12 lacks these, you may take them in college (extends time/cost) or self-study for AP exams. Selective STEM programs (MIT, Caltech, CMU CS) expect competitive STEM coursework/scores, so Commerce students should demonstrate math strength through SAT Math Level...
What are the pros and cons of applying to college as an undecided major?
Last Updated: 9 January 2026PROS: – Students can explore diverse courses and discover what they enjoy before committing to a major, with most schools requiring declaration only by end of sophomore year. – You can raise your GPA through general education courses before applying to competitive majors. – Access to specialised advising for undecided students helps identify strengths through...
Is it possible to major in a science subject (like Chemistry or Physics) and minor in a humanities or social science subject (like Journalism or International Relations)?
Last Updated: 9 January 2026Yes, completely normal. The liberal arts model encourages interdisciplinary study where you’ll typically take 10-12 courses in your major, 5-6 in your minor, and the rest are general education/electives. For example, Yale allows Chemistry majors to minor in Global Affairs; Berkeley offers Physics with a Journalism minor easily.
What is the difference between major and minor?
Last Updated: 9 January 2026A major is your primary field of study and constitutes a significant part of your undergraduate coursework. It appears prominently on your degree (e.g., “Bachelor of Arts in Economics”) and provides depth/specialisation in that discipline. A minor is a secondary concentration, providing supplementary expertise without the depth of a major; it appears on your transcript...
Is it too early for a Class 10 student to start thinking about US college admissions, and how can preparation be paced over time?
Last Updated: 9 January 2026It’s never too early to start prepping for college. Class 10 is ideal for foundational work: maintain strong grades, explore interests through activities, and read broadly. Use Class 11 for SAT/ACT preparation (take first test by December-March of Class 11), deepening extracurriculars, and researching universities. Class 12 focuses on applications (essays, finalizing test scores, recommendation...
If I haven’t actively built my profile until Class 11, will that negatively impact my chances of admission?
Last Updated: 9 January 2026Class 11 start is standard since many students intensify efforts then. Focus on depth over breadth: commit meaningfully to 2-3 activities in Class 11-12 rather than superficial involvement in many. Admissions committees value sustained commitment and growth, so strong performance in your remaining time can offset a later start, especially for mid-tier universities.
I am currently in Class 10/11. What steps should I start taking now to prepare for undergraduate admissions in the US?
Last Updated: 9 January 2026Focus on maintaining a strong academic score (aim for 90%+ or equivalent), start SAT/ACT preparation by Class 11 end, and engage in 2-3 sustained extracurriculars showing leadership or impact. Begin researching universities and their requirements, and if planning for top schools, consider taking AP/IB subjects, if available. Start building relationships with teachers who can write...