FAQs
When should I start the application process if I am interested in studying in the U.S.?
You should start the application process at least 12-18 months before your planned arrival at a U.S. college campus. The academic year generally runs from September to May or June.
What tests are required for admission to U.S. colleges and universities?
Most institutions require TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS if English is not the studentsˇ¦ first language. In addition, most universities require the ACT or the SAT for undergraduate studies and SAT II Subject Tests if required, and the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) for graduate studies. Students applying to MBA programmes are often require to submit the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) score; LSAT (Law School Admission Test) for law schools, and MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) for medical schools. Students should check with individual colleges for specific admission requirements.
These tests are only part of the overall application process.
Do 4 year colleges/universities accept community college transfer students?
Yes. Most U.S. colleges/universities accept accredited community college transfer students. Most have agreements with 4-year colleges/universities to allow students to transfer their community college credits toward a university degree. These agreements are called articulation agreements or 2+2 transfer agreements, because students will complete the first two years of their Bachelor Degree at the community college, and then finish their final two years of undergraduate education at a 4 year college/university. Many state universities give preference to qualified students who transfer from a community college in that state; however, it is not unusual for students to transfer from one state to another, such as a student from California transferring to Michigan or other states in the U.S.
What are the basic admission requirements of U.S. colleges/universities?
To be considered for admission to a 4-year college/university, the student must be a secondary school graduate (Form 6). In some cases, colleges/universities might require students from Hong Kong to complete Form 7 in order to be considered for admission.
A completed application package for a 4-year college/university usually requires the following: 1) a completed university application, 2) required standardized test scores, i.e. TOEFL, SAT, etc., 3) high school transcripts (educational documents that list all the classes you have taken and the grades you have received for each of the classes), 4) letters of recommendation, 5) statement of educational purpose, and 6) evidence of financial resources. Though each university may have slightly different requirements, most will require the above.
For 2-year community colleges, the basic requirements are: minimum Form 5 graduate, high school transcript, TOEFL, and proof of financial support for the first year of college.
What is the difference between Regular Admission, Rolling Admission, Conditional Admission, Early Decision and Early Action?
Regular Admission: Students must file the application for admission before the application deadline, and universities are usually firm about not accepting application after that time, particularly if the college is very popular. Deadlines usually fall between December and February, although some can be as late as June. Students can expect a decision from the universities between March and June.
Rolling Admission: There is no set application deadline. Admission applications are evaluated when all the required supporting documents and credentials (essays, test scores etc.) have been received. A decision is usually made without delay.
Conditional Admission: An offer of admission to a college that is dependent on the student fulfilling specified criteria set by the college/university prior to enrollment. This could range from having to file a final, official secondary school completion document; coming to the U.S. early for an intensive English language course; submission of a satisfactory TOEFL result; and/or achieving a specified quality of academic achievement during the first quarter or semester of enrollment. The conditions will be specified in the letter of admission.
Early Decision: BINDING. Students applying to a university under the Early Decision plan submit their application by the Early Decision deadline which is normally in November, and can expect to learn of the decision by mid-December. Students can only apply to one college/university under this plan.
The university may make on of three decisions: accepted, denied, or deferred (placed together with the applications of students who apply by the regular deadline). Students admitted by the university under the Early Decision plan are committed to attending that college and must withdraw their applications from other colleges.
Early Action: Early Action plans are similar to Early Decision in that students may apply early and learn of their acceptance, denial, or deferment by mid-December. In most cases, unlike Early Decision, students admitted based on this plan are not committed to attend that college.
What is the cost of higher education in the U.S.?
The cost of studying at a U.S. college or university range anywhere from $20,000USD to more than $50,000USD per year. This includes tuition, fees (computer, lab etc.), food, and on campus or off campus housing. Additional expenses include books and supplies, transportation, insurance, and personal expenses.
What are the different types of scholarship available for studying in the U.S.?
There are generally three types of scholarships: merit based, need-based, and special talent based.
Need-based: scholarships are awarded based on the demonstrated financial need of the applicant.
Merit-based: scholarships are awarded based on the studentsˇ¦ academic achievement in school. Therefore, the studentsˇ¦ grades, test scores, and recommendation letters are the most important for these types of scholarships.
Special talent based: scholarships are awarded for someone who demonstrates a special talent or gift in a certain area. For instance, a talented athlete or musician might be awarded this type of scholarship.
How can I get a scholarship?
Most scholarships are awarded directly by the college or university the student is applying to. Therefore, students should check with individual colleges/universities for available scholarships before making a decision as to which college/university to apply to. Sometimes students are automatically considered for scholarships when they submit their applications but most require separate applications, so it is important to ask the university or college directly about their available scholarships, eligibility and requirements, and application deadline.
Where else can I find funding for my studies in the U.S.?
There are outside organizations that sometimes award scholarships to Hong Kong and Macau students who are pursuing their post-secondary education in the U.S. For instance, The American Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation U.S. Studies Scholarship, The GET Foundation Scholarship, The Hong Kong Schools Alumni Federation of Southern California Scholarship Foundation Scholarship Awards for Undergraduate Studies in U.S. Universities, and Japan IMF Scholarship etc. For info on funding opportunities, visit www.fundingusstudy.org.
It is important to remember that all scholarships have their own requirements and criteria. Some scholarships are only awarded to graduate students, while others may only be awarded for a particular field of study. Using the Internet can be one of the best ways to locate scholarship opportunities that are best for you.
How do I know if a university is a good choice for me?
The best way to find out if a university is a right fit for you is to match it up with your own specific needs. Factors to consider include: accreditation, location and setting, cost of tuition, availability of scholarships and financial aid, size of campus, admission selectivity, admission requirements, facilities available, and departmental strength. You might ask yourself the following questions to help you make an informed decision: Do I want to live in an area where it snows in the winter or an area where it is pretty warm all year-round? Do I want to go to a big university with over 50,000 students or a small college that may have only 2,000? Does this university offer the major I want to pursue? Remember: the best college for you is the one that has a good academic fit.
How do I apply for a student visa?
The U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong issues student visas for students pursuing full-time studies in the U.S. Before you can apply for a student visa, you must first be accepted by an accredited college/university in the U.S. You will receive an I-20 form from the university or college that has accepted you and that you plan to attend. You will take this form, along with your visa application form and additional documentation to the U.S. Consulate anytime from Monday to Friday from 8:30am-10:30am for an interview. For more information, visit the U.S. Consulate General website at: http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov
Is it difficult to get a student visa?
To obtain a U.S. student visa, students must be able to demonstrate the following to the Consular officer during the interview:
a.) You must be a bona fide (serious) student with serious study intentions: Since you are applying for a student visa, it is expected that your purpose in going to the U.S. is to study. The Consular officer will expect you to be able to answer basic questions such as why you chose your school or what you plan to study, and how are you going to pay for your studies in the U.S.
b.) You must have adequate financial resources: You must demonstrate you can financially afford the first year of school in the U.S.
c.) You must show your intent to return to your home country: When you apply for a student visa, it is understood that you are seeking permission to be in the United States for a period of time to complete your studies. When you have completed your studies it is expected that you will return to your home country.
Where can I get more information about TOEFL and other admission tests?
Test bulletins are available at our advising center. Or you can visit the test websites directly. They are:
TOEFL: http://www.ets.org/toefl
GMAT: http://www.mba.com
GRE: http://www.ets.org/gre
ACT: http://www.actstudent.org
SAT: http://www.collegeboard.com
