Welcome to the First Step towards application in the United States for Universities and visa application.

The best time to start searching for your college and university is 6 month before your graduation so if you are in Alevels/Olevels 1st year or in Inter 1st year student start searching for the university you want to apply. I have set a guide line for International students so that you don’t have to waste your time in searching for the universities. Just apply in the Universities that I mention here and start your application process If you have relatives in Chicago. Otherwise you can choose whatever fits best for your need.

Applying for universities and colleges is your first step towards your application to US as student. Don’t think about Visa right now unless you accepted by the universities or college.

At least apply for 3 universities which may be 2 high ranked universities and 1 community college or 1 high ranked university and 2 community colleges. You can choose your choice of community college too but I am also listing some college which you can choose from.

Apply to Loyola University Chicago Undergraduate Program

Apply to Oakton Community College(International Students)

Apply to Harper College(International Students)

Apply in these 3 schools and you will get accepted easily here. All the process is explained in each of the university application. You have to make an account for Loyola University and Harper College. For Oakton community College you have to download the application and fill it by hand and submit to through mail.

Community College are only give Associates and Certificates to you. Just like we have diplomas in Pakistan. They call it Associates in America and then you have transfer yourself from 2 year college to university.

But Before moving on to something else lets clear the confusion of what is the meaning of Community College and why I want you to apply in Community College.

Why community college?

It is easy to get admission in community colleges. And the biggest advantage of applying in community colleges is that you don’t have to give SAT which is the most time consuming and difficult test I’ve ever seen.
Community colleges are cheap and you can easily pay your fee by working part time in your college while you studying.

Why apply for universities

Apply for good ranking universities will make your case more strong when your application comes in front of the visa officer. Even if you don’t get accepted by all universities which mostly won’t happen with international students. Just by saying to the officer on asking that you’ve applied for Loyola university or University of Chicago will have a good impact and you have higher chances of approval.

Once you applied for colleges and universities and got accepted they will send you I-20 and whole bunch other stuff to prepare for interview remember: I-20 is your permit and you have to keep it on safe place so that you can use it when ever you need it.

Make a proper file for application for US because you will have lots of paper. I-20 will be your permit to schedule an interview appointment.

While applying for colleges or universities you can submit your application without TOEFL and inform international advisor of your college that you registered for the TOEFL and scores will be send it to you once you are done with TOEFL test.

Its not a big issue and you can start your application with only matric, inter or O-levels/A-levels transcripts.

Where should I send my transcripts?

You will apply online and send the copies to your international advisor. Ask your international advisor that do they want hard copy of your transcripts. If they ask you then send them otherwise you don’t need to send hard copy.

Same goes with universities. Find the address of undergraduate department and send your transcripts copies to them through FedEx or DHL. Do not use Pakistan post or any other local Postal service if you are not sure that your parcel will be deliver there safely and on time.

Read Step#2: Register for TOEFL Test.