Canadians often underestimate the complexity of US Admissions process, assuming it is similar to our post secondary process - it is not.

In fact, it can be a 3 - 4 year plan for admission. The US Admissions process is complex, time consuming and highly competitive. To successfully gain admission (and scholarships) requires planning, commitment and focus.

Here is a sample of a plan to approach from Grade 9

The summer of Grade 9 is in fact, the perfect time to start this time-consuming process, so that the pace of the next 2 - 3 years does not put a strain on high school workload. (And in fact some students start the process as early as Grade 7)

The PSAT is the first test to consider. If you are Canadian Citizen, you should be planning to write once annual this test in Oct of Grade 10. (Unless you are an American citizen and then it is Grade 11 - if you are eligible to apply for the US Merit Scholarships) The PSAT is a test taken by all US students to help them ready for the SAT. It’s content is the same as SAT (although it is half the time) It gives you a real indicator of the areas that that you must work on to maximize the SAT. Gaining this information a year early, is important to students who hope to gain a scholarship.

The Plan

1. Prepare to write PSAT Summer Grade 9 - Write the PSAT Oct Grade 10
2. Research and narrow down school selection- There are over 3900 US Colleges and Universities. Here is a very useful website to help you narrow now your school selections http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator
3. Speak with Admissions officers, (and athletic depts. If you are a student athlete) of the 3 - 6 schools of interest and determine "fit" and opportunity for you at that school
4. Prepare to prepare to write the SAT/ACT spring Grade 10 -write the SAT Fall Grade 11 no later than spring of Grade 11
5. Spring of Grade 11 - Write you SAT Subject Tests if they are required. Often students wait too long to prepare and write this important exam. Canadian students are unfamiliar with the standardized testing and often underestimate their complexity. Typically it takes 3 - 6 months to prepare for the SAT, with some students preparing a year in advance.

Special considerations: If you hope to gain admissions to an Ivy League or Elite American University, you will need to plan for much more than the standardized testing. They will likely expect of you the following additions:

• 2 SAT Subject tests in addition to the SAT/ACT
• A very strong personal statement on your application; (no more than 500 words) as well as additional supplementary essays.
• 4 - 6 Reference Letters
• Resume of accomplishments including: extracurricular, social, charitable and leadership contributions

Student Athletes have two doors to go through - coaching and admissions. Many Student athletes forget about admissions and that is a mistake, as the International admissions officer can become an important friend in the applications process.

Ensure that you are registered with the NCAA or NAIA
Prepare you sports profile
Ensure you understand the rules of contact.

Understand it is very much about marketing yourself. Unless you are a top athlete, sitting back and hoping to be noticed is not the tack to take.

Do strong academic student athletes have an advantage? All things being equal a strong academic student athlete is definitely preferred by schools.

SPRING/SUMMER GRADE 11

Start getting reference letters ready
Start writing your personal statement essay and supplemental essays

Gain competitive advantage by applying for Early application by Nov 1, Grade 12 US Universities view students who apply early as informed and organized. You are beating the majority of students who wait until January to apply

Good luck to you!

If you need help with standardized testing prep or process feel free to contact Prepskills. We have been working with US bound students for over a decade. We can be reached at 416-200-7728 or prepskills.com