Applying to U.S. Colleges: A Guide for International Students
For many international students, applying to college in the United States is both exciting and overwhelming. The U.S. higher education system features world-renowned universities, a uniquely broad-based liberal arts curriculum seldom found elsewhere, and a vibrant residential campus life that defines the American college experience—distinct from what many international students experience in their home countries.
At the same time, the application process, academic structure, and cultural expectations can differ significantly from what students are used to. We also understand that families may have concerns about global uncertainty or changing immigration policies. While the landscape continues to evolve, the U.S. remains a top destination for higher education—and we help students navigate this environment with clarity, care, and reliable expertise.
At Lantern College Counseling, we work with students across the United States and internationally—including students currently living in the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and India—offering personalized guidance as they explore American college options and identify Deep-Fit™ schools where they can thrive—academically, culturally, and personally. We are familiar with a wide range of international high school systems and curricula, including American-style high schools, the International Baccalaureate (IB), British A-levels, and national curricula from around the world.
This familiarity comes from both our work with high school students applying to college and our years of advising international students enrolled at U.S. and Canadian institutions of higher education. These experiences give us firsthand insight into how students from a wide range of educational systems adapt to the academic expectations of U.S. colleges and universities—and what they need to thrive.
For example, this year we worked with a student in India navigating the IB curriculum who was eager to study physics in a rigorous academic environment. She was drawn to the U.S. because of its world-renowned universities and the opportunity to learn in an intellectually dynamic setting. Because the American application process was so different from the Indian system—and her family was unfamiliar with how it worked—they sought expert, U.S.-based guidance. We helped them evaluate the landscape and build a well-balanced list that ensured she would have strong options. She’ll be attending the University of Chicago this fall—excited to pursue physics within a community that values both depth and exploration.
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9 Key Differences Between U.S. and International University Systems … and Why They Matter to International Students
International students considering U.S. colleges should be aware of several important distinctions that span academics, admissions, and campus life.
1. Holistic Admissions vs. Metric-Based Selection
U.S. colleges use a holistic admissions process that evaluates essays, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and institutional priorities alongside grades and test scores. Many other countries rely more heavily on numerical metrics such as standardized exam results.
2. Flexibility in Major Selection
U.S. students often apply without declaring a major and explore various academic paths before committing to one. In contrast, systems like the U.K.’s require students to apply directly to a specific course of study, with limited flexibility to switch later.
3. Degree Duration
Most U.S. bachelor’s degrees take four years to complete. In countries like the U.K. and Australia, undergraduate degrees typically take three years. Scottish universities often offer four-year degrees with slightly more curricular flexibility.
4. Broad-Based vs. Specialized Curriculum
In the U.S., students take general education courses across multiple disciplines—even when majoring in technical or professional fields. This encourages intellectual breadth and skills like critical thinking and communication. Many international systems emphasize early specialization with fewer courses outside the chosen field.
5. Academic Calendar and Application Deadlines
U.S. colleges typically follow an August–May academic calendar, with application deadlines between November and January. Academic calendars and deadlines in other countries vary widely, which can affect application planning and decision timing.
6. Teaching Style and Assessment
U.S. education often emphasizes class participation, continuous assessment, and multiple forms of evaluation—such as midterms, papers, and projects. Many international systems rely more heavily on final exams or independent study. For example, in the U.K., a single exam may determine the entire course grade.
7. Residential Campus Life
In the U.S., it’s common for students to live on campus and engage in clubs, athletics, and student-led organizations—fostering close-knit academic and social communities. In many other countries, students live at home or off-campus and commute to class, with fewer residential or extracurricular opportunities built into college life.
8. Institutional Variety and Campus Culture
The U.S. offers an exceptional range of higher education institutions—from large public research universities to small liberal arts colleges with fewer than 2,000 students. Campus culture, class size, faculty accessibility, academic flexibility, and research opportunities can vary significantly from one college to another.
In contrast, many international systems are more centralized, with students attending large universities that offer less variation in institutional structure and fewer built-in residential or extracurricular opportunities.
Understanding this diversity is a crucial part of the U.S. college search process. At Lantern College Counseling, we help students look beyond rankings to identify Deep-Fit colleges where they can thrive academically, socially, and personally.
9. The Liberal Arts Model
The American liberal arts tradition is a distinctive feature of U.S. higher education, offering students the chance to explore a broad range of subjects—even when pursuing technical or pre-professional majors. In contrast, many international systems (such as the U.K. and Ireland) emphasize subject specialization from the first year. While this can be ideal for students with a clear direction, the flexibility of the liberal arts model appeals to those still exploring their interests or seeking a more interdisciplinary path.
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How Popular Majors and Country of Origin Affect Admissions
Students from overrepresented countries—such as China, India, or South Korea—who apply to popular majors like computer science, business, or engineering at globally-known universities may face significantly more competitive admissions odds. The same is true for schools in high-demand regions like California, New York, or Boston.
At Lantern, we help students and families understand these patterns and consider a wider range of institutions where students can access outstanding opportunities with a greater likelihood of admission. By remaining open-minded and strategic, students often discover exceptional Deep-Fit colleges they might not have initially considered—ones that offer rich academic experiences, supportive international communities, and strong outcomes.
5 Key Benefits of Studying in the US as an international student
Studying in the United States offers many benefits, including:
Building global awareness and cultural adaptability—while gaining experience in countries that often rank higher than the U.S. in global peace and safety indexes
Experiencing diverse teaching methods and academic perspectives
Opening doors to international careers and graduate opportunities
Developing resilience, independence, and problem-solving skills in new cultural contexts—with many students finding that international study environments offer enhanced safety, wellbeing resources, and support for LGBTQ+ students and women
Expanding personal and professional networks across borders
For many students, learning in a different country is both challenging and transformative—broadening perspectives and cultivating lifelong skills.
How to Get Personalized Admissions Support as an International Student in the U.S.
At Lantern College Counseling, we support international students by clarifying the U.S. college admissions process and helping them prepare compelling, well-researched applications. Our comprehensive approach includes:
Explaining how holistic admissions work and what U.S. colleges value
Building a balanced list of Deep-Fit colleges tailored to each student’s academic profile, personal values, and aspirations
Coaching students through essays, activity lists, and recommendation strategies
Teaching students to research schools deeply—from academic fit to campus culture, size, setting, and regional climate
Helping students gain a nuanced understanding of the U.S., especially when campus visits aren’t possible
We also assist families with practical considerations such as support services, housing options, and common questions about visas and international student logistics. While we don’t offer legal visa services, we help families ask the right questions and direct them to reliable resources so they can move forward with clarity and confidence. In today’s evolving global landscape, we stay current on policies affecting international students—from visa regulations to post-graduation work opportunities—providing steady, informed guidance every step of the way.
English Proficiency and Interviews
Most U.S. colleges require international applicants to demonstrate English language proficiency, typically through tests like the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET). Some institutions may waive this requirement for students who attend English-medium secondary schools or meet other criteria.
The importance of interviews varies widely by institution. At some colleges, interviews are a meaningful part of the evaluation process; at others, they are optional or not offered. We help students determine whether interviews are available or recommended at the colleges on their list and offer strategies for preparing thoughtfully when applicable.
Financial Aid and Funding Realities for International Students
Most international students fund their education through personal or family resources; institutional financial aid is limited and highly competitive. Fewer than one in five international applicants will receive institutional need-based aid, and only a small group of U.S. colleges are both need-blind and meet full demonstrated financial need for international students.
Most colleges are need-aware, meaning that the amount a student requests can influence their admission decision. If admitted, an institution may also not meet a student’s full need. We help families approach this landscape with clarity—setting realistic expectations about merit- and need-based aid and identifying schools that align with both academic and financial priorities. When more detailed support is needed, we connect families with trusted financial aid professionals who can provide expert guidance on required forms such as the CSS Profile, ISAFA, or institution-specific documentation. (Note: international students do not complete the FAFSA, which applies only to eligible U.S. citizens and residents.)
We help international students find campuses where they feel at home—academically and culturally.
Meet Our Team: Eliza Yuen and Jennifer Stephan
Our collaborative approach is grounded in the combined expertise of two seasoned professionals:
Meet Eliza Yuen: International Admissions Specialist
Eliza Yuen’s global perspective is grounded in both personal and professional experience. A Canadian citizen, she earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from York University and a post-graduate diploma in Child & Youth Counseling from Humber College, both in Toronto. She later completed a Master of Science in Education at Medaille College in New York—gaining firsthand experience as an international student adjusting to U.S. higher education.
Eliza has held advising roles at the University of Massachusetts Boston, Tufts University, and Carleton University in Ottawa, gaining extensive experience supporting international students as they navigate academic and cultural transitions. At Tufts, she advised hundreds of undergraduate engineering students at a highly selective U.S. university, helping them build confidence and thrive in new environments.
With over a decade of cross-border advising experience—including supporting first-generation and underserved students to apply to Canadian universities at Pathways to Education Canada—Eliza brings a deep understanding of diverse student needs.
Jennifer Stephan: University Dean and International Education Advisor
Jennifer Stephan is a university dean and college admissions counselor with extensive experience advising international students navigating the complexities of applying to and thriving at U.S. colleges. Having served at institutions such as Wellesley College and Tufts University and supported students at MIT, Olin College of Engineering, and Babson College, Jennifer brings firsthand knowledge of U.S. academic systems and campus cultures, as well as insight into the unique challenges faced by students from around the world.
Her background includes developing global academic partnerships and study abroad programs at Tufts University and Wellesley College, which deepen her appreciation for diverse educational systems and enhance her ability to support students transitioning into the U.S. higher education environment.
Collaborating closely with Eliza, Jennifer brings decades of experience and a nuanced understanding of the U.S. college landscape, making Lantern’s team-based counseling especially effective for international students seeking U.S. colleges where they can achieve a Deep-Fit across all aspects of their experience.
Two Experts, One Powerful Experience
You can learn more about our unique dual-counselor model in our article on College Admissions Counseling at Lantern: A Team-Based Approach to Student Success.
Why International Families Choose Lantern College Counseling for Admissions Support
A collaborative, two-counselor model that brings global admissions expertise to every student
Deep knowledge of international curricula, including IB, A-levels, and national education systems
Strategic coaching on essays, recommendations, and extracurricular profiles aligned with U.S. admissions values
Firsthand insight into the realities of U.S. higher education, shaped by decades of experience supporting international students on U.S. and Canadian campuses
Thoughtful support through academic, cultural, and logistical transitions to college in the U.S.
Personalized, research-informed college lists built around our Deep-Fit methodology—ensuring students thrive both in and beyond the classroom
Considering Applying to College in the U.S.? We’re Here to Help.
At Lantern College Counseling, our team-based approach combines extensive international advising experience with a research-driven methodology. We deliver personalized guidance to help students from around the world find Deep-Fit colleges where they can thrive academically, socially, and personally.
In today’s shifting global and political landscape, trusted and experienced guidance is more important than ever. Our collaborative, steady support empowers international families to feel confident and prepared throughout the entire college admissions journey.
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