Congratulations! You have been accepted to study in the United States! Last year, over one million international students studied in the U.S. in a variety of programs—from a six-month certificate to graduate-level work. Students pursued a diverse range of fields, including business, engineering, math and computer sciences, social sciences, and physical and life sciences. As a citizen of another country, you will need a student visa to study in the U.S., but today’s political climate is leaving many hopeful international students anxious about the visa process. Visit travel.state.gov to find out what to expect on your journey, and check out this brief outline of the visa process.

The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is a standardized test that measures the English skills of non-native speakers. The Internet-based test consists of reading, writing, speaking, and listening sections, while the less common paper-based test covers only reading, writing, and listening. Most U.S. universities will expect you to take the TOEFL if you are a non-native speaker residing in a country where English is not the primary language. Even if you attend an English-language high school, many universities still expect you to take the TOEFL.

Sending your child off to college can be nerve-wracking for any parent, whether that campus is 20 minutes away from home or a two-hour plane ride. There is the inevitable push and pull of giving your child the space and opportunity to venture out on his own and simultaneously ensuring appropriate safety nets. But what if you’re sending your child to study overseas? How can you safeguard your child when you are literally a world apart?

I’ve often been asked how US colleges go about admitting international students. The questions are usually centered upon quotas—limits to how many students can be admitted from a particular region of the world. Because certain countries often send such “incredible” students to US colleges, and only a few of them are admitted year to year to a given school, there must be a predetermined number of admission slots per country goes the thinking. Right? Wrong.

How to Research US Universities When You Can’t Visit

In a recent College Coach blog post, 5 College Visit Tips for International Students, advice was given to international students on how to maximize college campus visits in the U.S. There’s no doubt about it, if international students have the time and ability to visit, do it!  But that certainly isn’t always a realistic option.

Tips for International Students Visiting U.S. Universities

The vast majority of students applying to U.S. universities from overseas won’t have the opportunity to visit American campuses, and this fact won’t hurt your chances of admission. The university staff knows it can be impractical and costly to see all of your prospective schools if you live far away. However, if you find yourself in a position to travel to the U.S., be sure to take advantage of the extensive campus tours and information sessions most schools provide. This will not only give you a clearer impression of the schools and their rightness of fit, but may also give you a chance to show you’re actively interested in these universities. Here are our tips for how to make the most out of your college visits.

What International Students Can Expect from the US Admissions Process

Applying to a US university from abroad can seem like a daunting process. Not only are you taking a leap from the familiar educational surroundings of your secondary school into the unknown waters of higher education, there’s a possibility you’re flying farther away from home than most of your peers and taking a chance on an entirely different country, a completely dissimilar educational system. Let’s just say, “we’re not in Kansas anymore.” Unless, of course, Kansas is your ultimate destination.

In the May 12^th episode of “Getting In: A College Coach Conversation,” guest host Ian Fisher welcomed three unique perspectives to discuss three very different topics.

Should I Take a Gap Year?

Earlier this month, Malia Obama announced that she’ll be taking a gap year before heading off to college, thus sparking many people to ask, “What is a gap year and should I also consider taking one?” College Coach admissions expert Kara Courtois joined Ian to discuss what a gap year is and the many reasons why a student might choose to take one.