Applying to US

Over 2,000 colleges and universities in the US offer four-year undergraduate programs in which students earn a Bachelor's degree. When selecting universities in the US, you should be open-minded and realistically weigh your options. 

Applying to US takes a lot of time and energy and paperwork. Please start your research very early, at least during DP1 spring term.

In Finland Fulbright Finland Foundation enhances study opportunities in US.

Fulbright Finland 

Well-known Ivy League universities have very low admittance rates, 3-6%. As an example, Brown received 48,898 applications. Brown will make 1,621 Regular Decision offers of admission to the incoming Class of 2028, in addition to the 898 Early Decision admission offers made in December. The overall admit rate for year 2024 is 5 percent,

General info of studying in the US:

If you want to study in the US guide 

Steps for studying in the US

• Research your options 

• Make a realistic funding plan 

• Complete your application

• Apply for your VISA 

• Prepare for your departure

Funding your studies

Studying in the US is really expensive. Tuition fees vary: state universities are cheaper, 8 000 - 35 000 $/year and private universities charge 25 000 - 80 000 $/year. When you apply, you need to have a realistic plan of funding your studies. There are different kinds of scholarships: 

• Merit-scholarships and sport scholarships

• Need-Based Aid

• Need-blind admission for international students that also meet students’ full demonstrated financial need: Amherst College, Bowdoin College, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT, Princeton University,Yale University.

• Need-aware admission institutions can also provide substantial financial support

You can also get funding from KELA, foundations eg Fulbright Finland and other organizations, your own savings and support from parents.

Types of Application Deadlines for US Universities

USA universities application deadlines are of 4 different types for each intake. 

The most common US university application deadlines are November 1 and November 15 for early action and January 1 and January 15 for regular decision deadlines. 

Application requirements

Usually required application materials for US:

• Application through Common Application or Coalition Application or University of California (UC) application or other

• Academic Credentials ie. official transcripts (PG's and term reports). OBS!1st set of PG's will be given end of August

• Standardized test scores if needed: SAT, ACT

• Personal essay 

• Letters of Recommendations (usually 2 from teachers and one from your student counsellor)

• English Proficiency, sometimes even for IB students

• Financial Requirements (Proof of Funding)

• Extracurriculars

• Personal Interviews (Optional)

• Videos

• Audition, resume (CV) or Portfolio (Field of Culture usually, If applicable)

• Passport copy

• Application fee!