If you are an international student, you will have to go through some additional application process. In some cases you will have to complete additional requirements besides the general one and sometimes, you may have to go through process different instead of the general one. The major differences in an international student application is the TOEFL, Financial assistance, Financial aid application and other additional applications.1. The TOEFL
Students whose first language isn't English are generally asked to submit their TOEFL scores. The test is administered by the Educational Testing Service. These days, the TOEFL is computer-administered in most countries. Previously it used to be a paper based exam. TOEFL has four sections: Listening Comprehension, Structure, Reading Comprehension, and Writing. Unlike the standard practice for the SAT, many schools do have cut-off scores for the TOEFL. Most schools have a cut-off score of 80 some good schools require 100. The cut-off scores generally ranges from the mentioned scores. Some schools have a policy to waive the TOEFL requirement if international students have been studying in English Medium Schools or if they have scored over a certain score in SAT Verbal Section.
2. Financial aid
First of all, financial aid for international students is limited. Only a small number of schools provide good financial assistance to international students. And if you have very high financial need, you will need to choose colleges from a even smaller list. Only around 5 colleges have need blind financial aid policy for international students and they are some of the most selective colleges in the States. Other colleges have need sensitive policy. In short, financial aid for international students is very low compared to financial aid to U.S. citizens.
Also, another difference is in financial aid application. International students cannot submit the FAFSA. FAFSA is federal scholarship and is available to only U.S. citizens. International students are however able to submit the ISFAA and it is accepted by not all colleges. Also, the CSS Profile of Collegeboard can be submitted by both international and national students.
3. Additional Requirements
There are a few other additional documents that need to be submitted by international students. One of them is International Student Report which is to be submitted by your counselor via Commanapp. Also, some specific colleges may have some more requirements for international students, so make sure you check the admission checklist of all the colleges you are applying to.
