It's that time of year again—application season is here!
Have you mapped out your study-abroad application plan yet?
In the past couple of years,
the landscape for US undergraduate applications has become more intense,
and every year brings some changes to the process.
So the CheersYou（清柚教育） team has put together a review of the major changes in 2018 US undergraduate applications
and provided a breakdown of what you need to prepare.
At the end of the article, we've also compiled important details about application materials.
We hope this helps those of you applying to US universities~
Six Major Changes in 2018 US Undergraduate Applications
1
SAT score release time shortened in 2017–2018
To speed up SAT score reporting, the 2017–2018 policy introduced changes: starting in the second half of 2017, SAT scores will be available within two weeks. Additionally, Reading and Math scores will be released before the Writing score, with the Writing section results coming out five days later. Therefore, students who opt not to take the SAT Writing section can receive their scores earlier and send them to colleges sooner.
2
Common App now requires more detailed course and grade information
Students must list all high school courses and grades. Previously, the CA application system only asked for current courses. Now, the Common App has added a Courses & Grades section, requiring students to list all courses taken during high school, along with their grades. While schools will ultimately receive official transcripts, manually entering grades helps students get an overview of their academic performance.
3
Students can invite outside college admissions advisors
Earlier, students could only invite in-school high school counselors to participate in the application process. With the updated Common App, students can also invite external resources, such as private admissions consultants, independent counselors, and community-based organizations, to assist with their applications.
4
Common App integrates with Google Drive for easier document upload
This year, the CA application system will offer students a way to upload application materials directly from Google Drive. Students can instantly access and submit their application files, résumés, assignments, and supplementary materials stored in Google Drive.
5
Common App account information can be retained long-term
In the past, when the CA system reopened each year on August 1, previously registered student information would be deleted and students had to re-register. This year, students who applied for the 2017 intake before August 1 can keep their CA accounts, and their personal information added during the application period will be saved unless they choose to delete it. This allows those unfamiliar with the application process more time to learn about it and prepare the required materials.
Key Guidelines for Preparing Application Materials
In addition to participating in extracurricular activities and working on essays early, students also need to prepare recommendation letters, recommendation forms, transcripts from grades 9–11 (including summer school), bank statements and financial forms, as well as TOEFL and SAT/ACT scores.
These materials involve many details and considerations; here's a breakdown for you.
1. Are documents issued by the high school submitted online or by mail?
Online submission: transcripts and recommendation letters are submitted through the online system.
Paper submission: transcripts, recommendation letters, recommendation forms, bank statements, and financial forms are sent in hard copy to the applied schools.
If submitting online, only transcripts, recommendation letters, bank statements, and financial forms are needed in paper form.
If submitting by mail, hard copies of recommendation letters, recommendation forms, transcripts, bank statements, and financial forms are all required.
Students should confirm with the relevant high school staff; if the school has no preference, online submission is recommended.
2. What are the requirements and submission process for recommendation letters?
Generally, three recommendation letters are needed: one from a counselor and two from academic teachers.
In regular Chinese high schools, the counselor can be the principal, vice principal, grade director, or homeroom teacher.
International high schools or programs usually have designated college guidance counselors.
The two academic teachers typically include one humanities and one science teacher. Choose teachers based on your intended major and your relationship with them.
3. How to obtain and submit transcripts
One of the key materials that parents need to help prepare is the official school transcript. After the new school year starts in September, visit the relevant middle and high schools to request bilingual (Chinese-English) transcripts for grades 9–11. US undergraduate applications require transcripts for grades 9–12. In the US system, our junior high 3rd year is equivalent to US grade 9, senior high 1st year to grade 10, 2nd year to grade 11, and 3rd year to grade 12. When applying, you only need to submit official transcripts from junior high 3rd year through senior high 2nd year.
After the first semester of senior high 3rd year ends, before the winter break (usually mid-January), you need to request the first semester transcript for grade 12;
After final exams in the second semester, you need the final transcript. At each stage, your application advisor will remind you what to prepare.
Here are some notes and requirements for transcripts:
* Must be in both Chinese and English.
* If the school has a transcript template, follow the school's format; if not, prepare a bilingual electronic version and ask the school official to fill in the scores for each subject.
* Print on school letterhead, with the school's official stamp at the bottom right corner; place in a school envelope and seal it with a stamp across the flap (embossed seal).
* If junior high and senior high are the same school, the transcripts for grade 9 and high school can be put in one envelope; otherwise, place them in separate envelopes for each school.
* As for the number of copies, it depends on the number of schools you are applying to; generally prepare 2–3 extra copies as backups.
4. Bank statements and financial forms
During the application process, parents also need to help prepare a bank deposit certificate.
Note: not all universities require a bank statement; check the official website of each university to see if they have a specific financial form. If so, complete the form based on the applicant's personal information and the deposit details.
Please prepare the funds in advance. Depending on the application deadlines, send the bank statement and financial form to the respective universities ahead of time.
Format requirements
Must be in both Chinese and English, original copy, clearly stating the depositor's name, the amount, and the bank's signature and stamp.
The account holder can be the student's father or mother. When visiting the bank, inform the account manager that you need a bank certificate for study abroad; most banks will be familiar with this request.
5. Sending TOEFL and SAT scores
TOEFL score sending: Log in to the official TOEFL Chinese website (http://toefl.etest.net.cn/cn). You need to first top up your TOEFL account with the appropriate fee (126 yuan per school, subject to annual change), then you can send scores.
Select the "Score Report Fee (per copy)" option, choose the quantity, and recharge. The number depends on how many universities you are applying to. Any remaining balance after the application process can be refunded to your bank card.
SAT score sending: Log in to the College Board website, pay by credit card (regular sending: $12 per report, 7–15 business days; rush sending: additional $31 per report, 2–3 business days). Parents need to prepare a credit card that can make USD payments in advance; this is used not only for submitting college application forms but also for sending SAT scores.
Finally, we emphasize that all application materials—including transcripts, recommendation letters (and forms), bank statements, and financial forms—should be sent/submitted approximately 7–10 days in advance. Standardized test scores should also be sent ahead of time.
If the application status is not complete, admissions officers will not review the application materials.
