American universities practise holistic admissions: academics, essays, recommendations, and activities are read together. Deadlines fall almost a year before enrolment.
The application calendar
Early deadlines typically fall in November, regular deadlines from December to February, and decisions arrive in spring. Visa processing then follows admission.
- 18 months out — research programmes and requirements
- 12 months out — testing and recommendation requests
- 10 months out — essays and applications
- 6 months out — funding decisions and visa steps
Paying for it
Published tuition is rarely what students pay. Institutional aid, merit scholarships, and assistantships change the real cost substantially, especially at private universities.
Compare total cost of attendance rather than tuition alone: housing, insurance, and fees are significant.