Studying in the USA: the Common App, essays and timeline
In short
- Most US universities accept applications through the Common App.
- Assessment is holistic: grades, essays, activities and recommendations.
- Early deadlines are usually in November and regular ones from January.
American universities have one particularity: they don’t look only at your grades. They want to understand who you are. That is why the process is more demanding, and why it needs planning early on.
The Common App
The Common App is the platform through which you apply to many US universities with one main application. It includes your details, grades, activities and a central personal essay. Many universities also ask for their own shorter essays (supplements).
How they assess
- Academic record: grades and the difficulty of your courses.
- Essays: your voice, your ideas, your story.
- Extracurriculars: activities, projects, volunteering, awards. See profile building.
- Recommendation letters from teachers and a counsellor.
- Tests: many universities are test-optional for the SAT/ACT, but policies differ and change. International applicants usually also need an English language certificate.
Early and Regular Decision
- Early Decision / Early Action: usually early to mid-November. Early Decision is binding: if you are admitted, you commit to attending.
- Regular Decision: usually from early January.
Dates differ by university, so we build a personal calendar for every candidate.
An essay that stands out
The main Common App essay has a word limit and should say something that isn’t visible elsewhere in the application. It isn’t a CV in prose; it is a story that shows how you think. More in our guide to personal statements and essays.
Cost and financial aid
Studying in the US is usually expensive, but many universities offer financial aid or scholarships, with different rules for international students. We look at this from the start, together with the choice of universities.
When to start
For the US, ideally from the 1st year of Lykeio: that is when the profile that will be presented in the application is built. See the detailed timeline.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Common App?
A platform through which you apply to many US universities with one main application, including your details, activities and a personal essay.
Do I need the SAT to study in the US?
Many universities are test-optional, but policies differ by university and change. We check each university’s requirements separately.
What is Early Decision?
An early application, usually in November, that is binding: if you are admitted, you commit to enrolling at that university.
