When it comes to applying to universities in the US, the application deadline is of great importance. If missed, you have to wait another year to apply and get admission. Some might think that applying to universities in the US is a quick process or the time for applying to all the universities is the same or you can easily apply after your 12th standard/senior year of high school. But this is not the case. Applying to universities in the US at an undergraduate level is a lengthy process and the deadlines may not be the same for every university.

Because applying to universities in the US is a lengthy process (as it involves various documents, tests, and recommendations) you should start applying before your senior year (class 12) begins. You might think that it’s too early but remember Rome wasn’t built in a day! Your application is of paramount importance as it will decide whether you’ll get the admission you deserve or not. So, don’t wait for the last minute to apply and start as soon as possible. 

Many students begin working on the process earlier as well – in class 10 or right after. Because of the increased competition, students often feel that it’s best to start as soon as possible. We believe that it’s okay to start when suitable but you should definitely start before you begin class 12 for a comfortable & smooth process. 

Another important aspect is working on the deadlines provided by each university. There are certain types of admission deadlines and a university can have more than one type of admission deadline. Refer to the table below for types of admission deadlines and the tentative timeline for applying:

Apart from these, there is one more category: Rolling Admission. In this, the university has a flexible procedure i.e. there is no deadline for the submission of applications, but these universities give admission on a first-come, first-served basis, therefore creating an early deadline on your own will prove very helpful. 

Here is a tentative timeline that you should follow for your application process:

1. Start preparing for the SAT and/or ACT tests right after the 10th standard/sophomore year of high school as you might have to give these 2-3 times to get a good score.
2. Along with your test prep, make sure you engage in some extra-curricular activities, social service activities and gain some significant work experience.
3. Start working on your essay after your 11th/junior year exams so that you have plenty of time to write a perfect essay.
4. Get your letter of recommendation from your teachers by the start of October (of senior year/class 12) because for early admissions you must complete your application process by November. For regular admission deadlines, get your recommendations latest by November as your teacher might not be available during the winter vacation. It is always better to have them ready beforehand. 

For more information regarding the application procedure and various elements, visit UniRely, an innovative college counseling platform that will assist you through the application process at every step. Register now and get access to the resources that will help you in your application process for free.