Applying to American Post-Secondary Schools
Students who are considering studying in the United States need to be aware that they will be paying international student fees, unless they have dual or American citizenship.
The following outline for students considering studying in the US was adapted from Education USA Advisor, Jenika Heim.
Students who are considering studying in the United States need to be aware that they will be paying international student fees, unless they have dual or American citizenship.
The following outline for students considering studying in the US was adapted from Education USA Advisor, Jenika Heim.
HELPFUL LINKS
Create an on-line player profile on a website like BeRecruited.com
GRADE 11 (Junior Year in the US)
GRADE 12 (Senior Year in the US)
USA ATHLETICS
EducationUSA Canada - Athlete Checklist
NCAA – Eligibility information
NCAA - GPA Calculation
NCAA - B.C. Highschool Equivalent Courses
NCAA – Download Div 1 Eligibility Requirements Chart
NCAA - Download Div 2 Eligibility Requirements Chart
NCSA – Athletic Recruiting Information
PSAT
APPLICATIONS
DEADLINES
HELPFUL LINKS
- Undergraduate Study in the US
- EducationUSA Canada
- Big Futures - comprehensive search engine for U.S. Colleges and Universities
- Virtual Campus Tours - USA
- Common App YouTube Tutorial
- Take difficult but achievable classes; US institutions consider your Grade 9 marks, so every course counts
- Take the PSAT towards the end of Grade 10 (info. below)
- Get involved in clubs, sports and/or extracurricular activities
- Volunteer in your community
- Track all your achievements and extracurricular activities in a resume
- Athletes must:
Create an on-line player profile on a website like BeRecruited.com
GRADE 11 (Junior Year in the US)
- This is the most important academic year for US applications as universities will make decisions before they know all of your Grade 12 marks
- It is helpful to take one or two Grade 12 courses in Grade 11 if you can do so and earn high marks
- Take on leadership roles in school clubs, sports, and/or extracurricular activities
- Take on a special project with a volunteer organization
- Take the PSAT, if you did not do so in Grade 10 (see info. below) in October
- Visit institutions during Open House events or plan a road trip during school breaks or holidays
- Take the SAT or ACT (see info. to the right) in Spring
- Continually up-date your resume with information about your achievements and extracurricular activities
- Athletes must:
- Talk with your coach about available opportunities
- Have videos and stats available for scouts and/or recruiters
- Have an SAT (or ACT) score as part of your application - SAT (or ACT) must be written prior to your Grade 12 year in order to attend school visits for recruitment.
- Create a Common App account the summer before your Grade 12 year
- Keep your marks as high as possible
GRADE 12 (Senior Year in the US)
- Most applications to the US open on August 1.
- Register to re-write the SAT (or ACT) one more time; 55% of students improve their scores when they take a retest
- Meet with your school counsellor about your application so they can be prepared to complete their section of the Common App or provide information to the an American institution(s)
- Include your school counsellor’s contact information in your application so your transcript, letter of recommendation and the School Profile can be up-loaded by October
- If you have a clear #1 choice university, this would be an “Early Action” application
- Carefully prepare and edit your essay(s) before you upload them
- Visit the university, whenever possible, before confirming your decision
- Indicate on your Student Transcript Service portal that you want your marks to be available to the NCAA (Section 3)
- Indicate on your Student Transcript Service portal the US Institution(s) you want your marks to be available too (Section 3); this should be done by March of your grad year.
USA ATHLETICS
EducationUSA Canada - Athlete Checklist
NCAA – Eligibility information
NCAA - GPA Calculation
NCAA - B.C. Highschool Equivalent Courses
NCAA – Download Div 1 Eligibility Requirements Chart
NCAA - Download Div 2 Eligibility Requirements Chart
NCSA – Athletic Recruiting Information
PSAT
- The PSAT measures critical reading, math problem solving and writing skills
- Students in Grade 10 or 11 should prepare to write the PSAT.
- Info coming soon on organizing to write the PSAT for Salish students!
- American Institutions require either a SAT or an ACT score for admission purposes.
- Most Canadian students write the SAT because there are more test sites available. The SAT/ACT should be written in the spring of your Grade 11 year and likely again in the fall of your Grade 12 year. You need to have your test score by December.
- SAT/ACT comparison table
- Our School Code is: 821099
- Khan Academy has partnered with College Board to offer the tutorials and practice tests.
- SAT Deadline YouTube
APPLICATIONS
- A number of universities us the "Common Application" service. Not all institutions use the Common App, so you will need to check the institution's website.
- America institutions usually require the following:
- Grade 9-12 Transcript ( specifically ask for this when requesting your transcript as it prepared differently from those used for Canadian institutions)
- SAT (or ACT) Score – see info. above; Salish Code is: 821099
- Application Essay
- List of your extracurricular involvement
- Letters of reference (usually from a teacher, coach and/or school counsellor)
- A School Profile (which the counsellor will send when they complete the Common App.)
- Continually review the status of your application to make sure that nothing is missing from your submitted files.
DEADLINES
- Each institution has its own application deadline but generally:
- Early Acceptance is November 1 of Grade 12
- Regular Acceptance is usually December 31
- Most student-athletes sign their Letter of Intent by April 13.
- Generally, universities want acceptance or rejection of their offer by May 1
- Canadian Students, once accepted, will receive an I-10 form from the school.
- All students need to ensure they have a valid passport.
- Non-Canadian Students need to apply for a student visa in June.
HELPFUL LINKS
- Undergraduate Study in the US
- EducationUSA Canada
- Big Futures - comprehensive search engine for U.S. Colleges and Universities
- Virtual Campus Tours - USA
- Common App YouTube Tutorial