What makes American universities reject applications

Students make mistakes such as not understanding the application requirement and submitting incorrect applications, writes Bhavvna Jolly

University applications are not just about the act of applying. The success of an applicant is also dependent on the steps that come before and after applying. Here are some of the most common mistakes students can avoid through careful planning:

Accreditation: One of the first few pieces of advice Education USA advisers give to students is to apply to US universities after checking the accreditation status of institutions. Accreditation is a hallmark or symbol of quality and a way to determine the credibility of the university, its campuses and programs. Students can check the accreditation status and the eligibility of a university to host international students through ‘DAPIP’ (U.S. Department of Education Database of accredited U.S. universities - https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home) and ‘School Search’ ( a U.S. Department of Homeland Security resource - https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/school-search). There are more than 4,500 accredited higher education institutions in the US that welcome lakhs of Indian students each year. Enrolling at unaccredited institutions may lead to wastage of time and financial resources.
Shortlisting Universities: Universities are keen to admit students based on ‘best fit’. Therefore, universities follow a holistic review process that assesses an applicant’s unique experiences alongside traditional measures of academic achievement such as grades and test scores. Students must judiciously create a balanced list comprising of institutions that admit students based on their past achievements and credentials as well as match students’ expectations.
Funding: Students who seek financial aid, especially need-based funding, should check the university’s policy on financial aid, its availability to international students and eligibility criteria. Not checking this may also lead to a mismatch of expectations, both, for the student and the university.

Correspondence and Research: Students may not always understand the application requirements just by reading the university website. U.S. universities are extremely welcoming of questions from students and provide multiple modes of reaching university officials (email, phone, WhatsApp, Zoom calls). Remember - when in doubt, ask!

Application: Students should ensure that they complete the application and mail it before the deadline. For electronic submissions, the application is not considered submitted unless you press the send/to submit button and pay the application fee. This also includes successfully submitting all required supporting documentation (essays, LORs, transcripts and any other information required by the university). Failure to complete all or any of the above may lead to applications not being submitted and reviewed. Sometimes students may also answer essay prompts incorrectly. This coupled with other factors such as fit, the number of applications received, and strength of your overall application in comparison to others may result in a rejection.

Visa Process: While this step comes after the application process, it can also determine whether a student can travel to the U.S. for educational pursuits. Incomplete and/or incorrect information presented in the student visa application form as well as during the visa interview may affect students’ chances of receiving a visa. While several organizations and individuals claim to offer assistance with this process, the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs at the U.S. Department of State is the only official source of information on student visas (ustraveldocs.com/in). Students can contact their nearest United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) and/or EducationUSA center to find out about information sessions conducted by Consular or ‘Visa Officers’ from the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India. Students may also access this link to check for upcoming visa information sessions and other events hosted by EducationUSA at USIEF - bit.ly/IndiaCalendar
(The author is senior program officer, EducationUSA United States-India Educational Foundation)