12 TO 18 MONTHS PRIOR to the academic year in which you hope to enroll, begin to consider, research, and do the following:

• What are your reasons for wanting to study in the United States?
• Which universities will meet your needs?
• Will you need financial assistance? Evaluating expenses will give you a reasonable idea if you can really afford the educational and miscellaneous expenses.
• Find out application and financial aid deadlines. This will affect when you take the standardized tests required for admission since test results must reach admissions offices no later than these deadlines. The tests should be taken in advance of submitting university application forms.
• Register to take standardized tests if required by the universities to which you are applying.
• Begin narrowing down your choices of schools to approximately 10 to 20 institutions.

12 MONTHS PRIOR to enrollment, complete the following (months indicated are estimates, based on fall enrollment):

AUGUST

• Contact universities for application and financial aid forms and catalogs.
• Register for standardized tests (TOEFL, SAT, GMAT, GRE, etc.) Find out which tests are needed for the program that you want to join.
• Get your passport ready. At the time of the test, they may need to see your passport.

SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER

• Request an official transcript from your school.
• Request letters of recommendation from your teachers.
• Submit completed application forms (for admission as well as financial aid).
• Double check that transcripts and references have been sent.
• Take the necessary admissions tests.

JANUARY – APRIL

• University application deadlines must be met; note that these are for regular admission — early admission deadlines will be sooner.
• Compile the offer letters/ acceptance letter and evaluate your university and choose considering your chosen field of study, quality, ease of admission, location, size, cost, availability of financial aid, housing, approach to technology, International Student Services Office.

APRIL – JUNE

• Letters of acceptance or rejection arrive. Compare the acceptance letters, rankings of the schools, scholarships, etc. and make a decision about which school to join. Inform the school about your decision as soon as possible, complete and return any forms they require. so that they can start the paper-work for your visa
• Send letters of regret to those universities you turn down.
• Organize finances: arrange to transfer funds to a U.S. bank; make sure you have funds for travel and expenses on arrival.
• Finalize arrangements for housing and medical insurance with your university.

JUNE – AUGUST

• Apply to your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for a visa upon receipt of your I-20 form and well in advance of your departure date (see "Visas").
• Make travel arrangements.
• Contact the International Student Office /ISA at your university with details of your arrival plans, and confirm details of any orientation for new students held by the university.
• Make sure that you complete all necessary tasks and formalities before you leave.