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Applying FAQs
Q: When should I submit my application(s)?
Q: What are the differences between Early Action and Early Decision application deadlines?
Q: Is there an equivalent to UCAS in the USA?
Q: What is the Common Application?
Q: What is an academic transcript, and how do I get one?
Q: How do I choose referees, and what should be addressed in the letter?
Q: What makes a good application essay? Do you have any example essays to look at?
Q: I have US citizenship. Should I submit the domestic or international application form?
Q: How do I get a document attested or verified?
Q: Where can I find additional or one-to-one support on my application(s)?
Q: I have questions beyond what is on the Fulbright website. Where can I get further information?
Applying
Q: When should I submit my application(s)?
If you are applying via regular admission most American universities will require you to submit your application by January/March of the year in which you wish to begin university. If you applying for Early Action or Early Decision you will be required to submit your complete application in the autumn of the year before you wish to begin university. For more information, please visit our Application Timeline.
Q: What are the differences between Early Action and Early Decision application deadlines?
Early Action and Early Decision applications allow you to apply early to US universities and receive admissions decisions well before the usual spring decision date usually by December or January. Early Action and Early Decision admissions are also not conditional on speculated A-level results. The advantage of Early Action and Early Decision is that you are competing with a smaller applicant pool and are generally more likely to be accepted if you have the proper credentials. Early Decision is different from Early Action in that it is legally binding and that you can only apply to one university as Early Decision (whereas with Early Action you can apply to several universities early**). If you are accepted by a university under Early Decision you must withdraw all other applications to US universities and commit to attend that university assuming you study in the US. With Early Action you have until spring to make a decision on a university and are not required to attend the university that accepts you under Early Action.
** There are two types of Early Action options, Restrictive Early Action (REA) and Un-restrictive Early Action. Under Restrictive Early Action, applicants are only allowed to apply to one university as Restrictive Early Action and none under Early Decision, but are welcome to apply to as many as they want under Regular Decision. Under Restrictive Early Action...Universities such as Yale and Stanford offer Restrictive Early Action. If a student wanted to apply to both universities early, they could not. Rather, the student must choose either Yale or Stanford as their first choice and then the rest of their university applications are lodged under Regular Decision admission.
Q: Is there an equivalent to UCAS in the USA?
No, there is no exact equivalent to UCAS in the USA. You will apply to each of your American universities individually. Many American universities, however, will require similar components in their applications. Some 450 American universities also use the Common Application, which streamlines the application process by only requiring you to fill out basic information and write a common essay once and then allowing you submit it to multiple institutions. Keep in mind, however, that around one third of universities that use the Common Application will also require you to submit supplemental essays or materials. See the Common Application website for a list of universities that use the application and visit our Common Application page for a guide on completing the Common Application.
Q: What is the Common Application?
The Common Application is used by over 450 American universities. It is somewhat akin to UCAS, in that you will save time by being able to complete information and essays that you can submit to multiple universities. However, bear in mind that approximately one third of universities ask for supplemental information and/or essays. For more information, please visit our Common Application page or access the Common Application official website. Don't forget to download our step-by-step student guide to completing the Common Application, as well as our step-by-step school's guide to completing the Common Application School Forms.
Q: What is an academic transcript and how do I get one?
Most US universities will require applicants to submit an academic transcript. This is a document that your school prepares listing your academic qualifications and marks during the final four years of school (US grades 9 - 12, UK Years 10 - 13: i.e. - GCSEs, A-levels, IB, BTEC, etc.) To get more information and to see a sample transcript please visit our transcripts page.
Q: How do I choose referees, and what should be addressed in the letter?
Most US universities will require applicants to submit two to three letters of reference from teachers, school administrators, or contacts from work or extracurricular activities. These letters should address the applicant’s academic aptitude and his/her ability to succeed and contribute to campus life. Be sure to ask for references from people who know you well and who have a positive opinion of your potential to succeed. Also make certain that your referees have enough time to compose and submit a letter on your behalf. Do not ask them the week that the letters are due! For further information on what should be included in a letter of reference and tips for your references, please visit our reference letters page.
Q: What makes a good application essay? Do you have any example essays to look at?
The essay(s) is one of the most important components of a US undergraduate application. Essays allow you to address you’re academic and career goals, elaborate on extra curricular activities, why you chose that university and any other information about yourself that you feel is important for the admissions staff to know. You can also show off your creative side and personality in your essay. For more information on what US universities expect in an applicant’s essay and tips on how to write a good essay, please visit our essays page. On that page you will find a sample essay that you can read to get an idea of what American universities are looking for in an application essay, and a worksheet that will help you evaluate your own essay.
Q: I have US citizenship. Should I submit the domestic or international application form?
If you are a US citizen and hold a US passport you will apply via domestic admissions. You may be required by the university to submit a photocopy or fax of your American passport. As you hold US citizenship you will also not be required to apply for a US student visa.
Q: If I am pursuing a Foundation Degree, should I apply to US universities as a first-year or transfer student?
A: Universities in the US each have their own policies on admission and awarding credit for different qualifications. For this reason, it is best to contact each university about their policies. Some US universities view Foundation Degrees as a gateway to higher education and will have you apply as a transfer student.
Whilst other US universities may view Foundation Degrees as continuing secondary education and will have you apply as a first-year student if you have not yet attended a university and/or worked towards a bachelor’s degree.
Keep in mind that most American universities processing applications from around the world and that they may not be as familiar with Foundation Degrees as they are with other British programmes. Therefore, although US universities do not use the UCAS Tariff, it doesn't hurt to include information about the UCAS Tariff points for your qualification or the description of the qualification provided by UCAS. Please see more information about admissions criteria.
Q: If I have completed one or two years at a UK university, should I apply to a US university as a first-year or transfer student?
A: In general, most universities will require you apply as a transfer student (even if you are just beginning your university studies in the UK). However, it is always important to check with each university you are applying to in order to ensure they accept transfer students, to confirm you should apply as a transfer student (vs. a first year student) and to check the admission requirements. Universities will have policies regarding transfer student admission, such different deadlines and application requirements as well as a residency requirement (how long they require you to attend their university before you are eligible to receive a degree from their institution, generally two years out of a four year bachelor's degree). For more information, see our page on transfer admissions.
Q: How do I get a document attested or verified?
If you need a document attested or verified, you may wish to use services provided by the Office of Authentications of the US State Department or a company that can coordinate this process for you such as Speedy Egger. (Please note the Fulbright Commission does not endorse any university, product or service.)
Additional Questions
Q: Where can I find additional or one-to-one support on my application(s)?
There are many organisations and individuals in the UK who can help you prepare applications to American universities. Many of our partner organisations offer one-on-one support to students who are searching for and applying to universities in the USA. You can also search for educational consultants online.
Q: I have questions beyond what is on the Fulbright website. Where can I get further information?
After reviewing the information provided on our website, feel free to contact our advising team. You can reach us via phone 0845 894 9524 (Mondays 1:30 - 5 pm and Thursdays 1:30 - 5 pm, 15p per minute); via email – advising@fulbright.co.uk; or in-person during the Resource Library opening hours or at events.
If you need additional assistance as you apply for US study beyond what our staff are able to provide, you may wish to consider contacting one of the organisations on our Resources page. These test tutors and educational consultants offer a higher level of personalised, additional support and services to help you prepare for admission exams and complete a competitive application.