Home
Dashboard
My universities
Full access

Applying

Steps & costs
Documents & visa

Explore

Universities
Programs
Scholarships
Guides

More

FAQ
Settings

© 2026 Individual Entrepreneur Uladzislau Dubouski. All rights reserved.

Founded by Valeria Dubouskaya.

Lists About Pricing Privacy Policy Terms of Service Refund Policy Contact

Want a quick guide?

It takes about a minute: we walk through the main pages of the site.

Sign in

Statuses, bookmarks, notes and ticks are kept per account, so they follow you between devices.

Save more universities

The free plan keeps 5 saved universities. The paid plans keep unlimited.

Season Pass
$79
one-time
18 months from purchase
Lifetime
$129
one-time
No end date

Compare the plans

Guides

Articles on applying, exams and funding, arranged by stage or by topic.

By stage By topic

1

Before you apply

How US universities work, building a list, choosing a major, and the timelines.

Before You Apply8

How US Universities WorkThe structure of US higher education: types of institutions, degree levels, credit systems, and academic calendars.Read →
University vs Community CollegeKey differences between four-year universities and two-year community colleges, including costs, admissions, and transfer paths.Read →
Choosing a MajorHow majors work in the US system, when you declare, and what undecided means.Read →
Building Your College ListFactors to evaluate when researching universities: location, size, programs, cost, and admission rates.Read →
Academic RequirementsGPA expectations, course prerequisites, and how international transcripts are evaluated.Read →
Extracurriculars and ActivitiesThe role of extracurricular activities in US admissions and how they are evaluated.Read →
SAMPLE 1: short guide with a few sectionsPlaceholder demo article to show the reading time and the contents list.Read →
SAMPLE 2: long guide with many sectionsPlaceholder demo article to show a longer reading time and a longer contents list.Read →

Timelines & Planning5

Key Deadlines to KnowImportant dates in the US application cycle: early decision, early action, regular decision, and financial aid deadlines.Read →
How to Build Your Application PlanA framework for organizing your application tasks across testing, essays, recommendations, and submissions.Read →
6-Month TimelineWhat to work on if you have about six months before applications are due.Read →
12-Month TimelineWhat to work on if you have about twelve months before applications are due.Read →
18-Month TimelineWhat to work on if you have about eighteen months before applications are due.Read →

2

Exams

Which exams to take, and the structure of SAT, ACT, TOEFL and IELTS.

Choosing Your Exams3

All You Need to KnowOverview of standardized tests for US admissions: which ones exist, who requires them, and how scores are used.Read →
SAT vs ACTA factual comparison of the SAT and ACT: format, scoring, timing, and acceptance.Read →
TOEFL vs IELTS and OtherComparing English proficiency tests: TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, and others.Read →

SAT3

SAT: Structure and FormatThe SAT test structure: sections, timing, question types, and scoring.Read →
SAT MathWhat the SAT Math section covers: topics, question formats, and scoring details.Read →
SAT Reading and WritingWhat the SAT Reading and Writing section covers: passage types, question formats, and scoring.Read →

ACT4

ACT: Structure and FormatThe ACT test structure: sections, timing, question types, and scoring.Read →
ACT MathWhat the ACT Math section covers: topics, question formats, and scoring details.Read →
ACT English and ReadingWhat the ACT English and Reading sections cover: passage types, question formats, and scoring.Read →
ACT ScienceWhat the ACT Science section covers: data interpretation, research summaries, and conflicting viewpoints.Read →

TOEFL5

TOEFL: Structure and FormatThe TOEFL iBT test structure: sections, timing, question types, and scoring.Read →
TOEFL ReadingWhat the TOEFL Reading section covers: passage types, question formats, and timing.Read →
TOEFL ListeningWhat the TOEFL Listening section covers: lecture and conversation formats, question types.Read →
TOEFL SpeakingWhat the TOEFL Speaking section covers: task types, timing, and how responses are scored.Read →
TOEFL WritingWhat the TOEFL Writing section covers: task types, timing, and how responses are scored.Read →

IELTS5

IELTS: Structure and FormatThe IELTS Academic test structure: sections, timing, question types, and scoring.Read →
IELTS ReadingWhat the IELTS Academic Reading section covers: passage types, question formats, and timing.Read →
IELTS ListeningWhat the IELTS Listening section covers: recording formats, question types, and timing.Read →
IELTS SpeakingWhat the IELTS Speaking section covers: the three parts, timing, and how responses are scored.Read →
IELTS WritingWhat the IELTS Academic Writing section covers: Task 1, Task 2, timing, and scoring.Read →

3

Applying

The Common App, round types, essays and recommendations.

The Application4

Common AppHow the Common Application works, what sections it includes, and how to fill it out.Read →
EssaysTypes of application essays, word limits, and what admissions officers look for.Read →
RecommendationsWho to ask for recommendation letters, how many you need, and how the process works.Read →
Deadlines and Round TypesEarly Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision, and Rolling Admission explained.Read →

Documents & visa →

4

Money

How financial aid works, the offer, working in the US, and fee waivers.

Understanding Aid3

How Financial Aid WorksAn overview of financial aid for international students: need-based, merit-based, and institutional aid.Read →
Types of AidScholarships, grants, loans, and work-study explained — what is available to international students.Read →
Finding FundingWhere to search for scholarships and financial aid opportunities as an international applicant.Read →

Process & Decisions3

Apply for Aid and DocumentsStep-by-step process for applying for financial aid, including required forms and documents.Read →
Understanding Your OfferHow to read a financial aid award letter and compare offers from different universities.Read →
Working in the USRules for international students working in the US: on-campus jobs, CPT, and OPT.Read →

Fee waivers →

5

After you apply

The decision, interviews, tracking the application, and the visa steps.

After Applying3

InterviewWhich universities conduct interviews, how they work, and what format to expect.Read →
Tracking Your ApplicationHow to check your application status and what the different statuses mean.Read →
DecisionTypes of admission decisions (accepted, denied, waitlisted, deferred) and what each means.Read →

Visas & Documents3

All Documents GuideA complete list of documents international applicants may need for applications and enrollment.Read →
F-1 Visa, I-20, and SEVISHow the F-1 student visa process works, the I-20 form, SEVIS registration, and visa interview.Read →
Document Translation and NotarizationWhen and how to get documents translated and notarized for US university applications.Read →

Visa: after admission →