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International Applicants · Fall 2027 Entry

How to Apply to U.S. Colleges as an International Student: The 2026-2027 Step by Step Guide

Everything an international student needs to apply to American universities for Fall 2027: which tests are required, the new TOEFL scale, which colleges are need-blind for international applicants, how the I-20 and F-1 visa work, and the policy changes families should watch this year.

By Jeremy Fine, Founder of ConnectPrep

Updated October 9, 2026 · 14 minute read

✓ Fact-checked against official sources

Quick answer

International students apply to U.S. colleges through the same applications as Americans, usually the Common App, with a few extra steps. Build a balanced college list, take the SAT or ACT if your colleges require it, prove English proficiency with the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test, submit transcripts (translated if needed), essays and recommendations by each deadline, and apply for financial aid at the same time. After you are admitted and pay your deposit, the college issues a Form I-20, you pay the $350 SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160, attend an F-1 visa interview, and can enter the U.S. up to 30 days before classes begin.[1][2]

1.18M

International students in the U.S. in 2024/25[3]

357,231

International undergraduates[3]

$350

SEVIS I-901 fee for F-1 students[2]

30 days

Earliest arrival before your program starts[1]

In this guide

  1. What changed in 2025 and 2026
  2. Application timeline
  3. The 10 steps
  4. SAT and ACT requirements
  5. English proficiency tests
  6. Financial aid
  7. I-20 and F-1 visa
  8. Mistakes to avoid
  9. FAQs
  10. Sources

What Changed for International Students in 2025 and 2026

The application itself has not changed much. The visa and post graduation environment has. These are the developments families should know as of October 9, 2026. Several are in active litigation, so check the cited sources before making decisions.

Travel restrictions

Presidential proclamations issued in June 2025 and expanded effective January 1, 2026 suspend new student visas for nationals of the listed countries, with limited exceptions such as dual nationals traveling on another passport.[4][5] If you hold citizenship in a listed country, speak with an immigration attorney before building your plan around a U.S. campus.

Change What it means for Fall 2027 applicants Status
Online presence review F, M and J visa applicants are instructed to set all social media profiles to public before the visa interview.[6] In effect since June 2025
In-person interviews F-1 applicants should expect an in-person interview, generally in their country of nationality or residence.[7][8] In effect
Fixed period of admission A DHS rule would replace “duration of status” with admission tied to program length, capped at four years.[9] Duration of status remains in place for now.[10] Blocked by a federal court, Sept 14, 2026[11]
OPT fee proposal Schools would pay $70,000 per student for initial Optional Practical Training. Comments close Nov 9, 2026.[12] Proposed only
$100,000 H-1B payment Affects work plans after graduation, not admission. F-1 students changing status inside the U.S. were exempted by USCIS guidance.[13] Blocked by federal courts; a separate DHS proposal is pending[14]
New TOEFL scale TOEFL iBT now reports a 1 to 6 score, with a comparable 0 to 120 score shown until January 2028.[15] In effect since Jan 21, 2026

The Application Timeline for Fall 2027 Entry

When What to do
Grades 10 and 11 Research colleges, take the SAT or ACT, sit an English proficiency test, and build depth in two or three activities.
Summer 2026 Finalize your list, draft the Common App personal essay, and ask two teachers and your counselor for recommendations.
Oct 1, 2026 The CSS Profile opens. Most need-based aid for international students runs through it or a college’s own form.[16]
Oct 15 to Nov 15, 2026 Early Decision, Early Action and Restrictive Early Action deadlines. See every date in our college deadlines database.
Nov to Dec 2026 Last SAT and ACT dates most colleges accept for regular rounds. See our SAT and ACT test dates.[17][18]
Jan 1 to Jan 15, 2027 Most Regular Decision and Early Decision II deadlines.
Dec 2026 to Apr 2027 Decisions released. Compare financial aid offers carefully.
By May 1, 2027 Choose a college, pay the deposit, and submit proof of funding so the college can issue your I-20.
Spring to summer 2027 Pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend your visa interview. F-1 visas can be issued up to 365 days before the program start date.[1]
Up to 30 days before classes Travel to the U.S. New students cannot enter on a student visa earlier than 30 days before the start date on the I-20.[1]

The 10 Steps to Applying to a U.S. College From Abroad

  1. Build a balanced list with aid policy in mind

    For international families, the college list and the financial plan are the same decision. A college that is need-aware for internationals may weigh your aid request in admissions, while a need-blind college will not.[19] Include reach, target and likely schools, and at least a few where the cost of attendance works with the aid you can realistically expect. Free advising is available through the State Department’s EducationUSA network of more than 430 centers worldwide.[20]

  2. Decide on the SAT or ACT early

    Testing is required again at many of the most selective U.S. colleges for Fall 2027, and both tests are offered internationally. The SAT costs $68 plus a $43 international fee,[21] and the ACT outside the U.S. costs $188.50 for the core test.[22] Plan two attempts before your earliest deadline.

  3. Prove English proficiency

    Unless English is your first language or you have studied in English for several years, most colleges require the TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic or Duolingo English Test. Waiver rules vary widely, so check each college.[23]

  4. Prepare your academic records

    Colleges evaluate your transcript in your own school’s grading system, so you do not need to convert to a U.S. GPA.[24] Records not in English need official translations, and the rules differ: Yale requires certified translations,[25] while Harvard accepts a translation by an English teacher with the original attached.[26] IB and A-level students should ask their school to submit predicted grades.[27]

  5. Write essays that sound like you

    The Common App personal essay is 650 words, and most selective colleges add their own supplements. Admissions officers read for voice, initiative and fit. International applicants often under-explain their context, so tell readers what your school, curriculum and community are like.

  6. Line up recommendations and school documents

    Expect a school report, two teacher recommendations from different subjects and a school profile.[28] If your school has no college counselor, a principal or dean can complete the school report.[24]

  7. Choose your application round

    Early Decision is binding and can improve odds at some colleges, but you give up the chance to compare aid offers. Many international students choose Early Action or Regular Decision for that reason. Compare every round in our 2026-2027 deadlines database.

  8. Apply for financial aid at the same time

    Aid for international students comes almost entirely from colleges, so apply by the same deadline as your application, usually through the CSS Profile.[29] Princeton and Stanford award need-based aid only and do not offer merit scholarships.[24][19]

  9. After admission: deposit, proof of funds and the I-20

    Once you commit, the college asks for proof that you can cover tuition and living costs, then registers you in SEVIS and issues your Form I-20.[1] Check every detail on the I-20 against your passport.

  10. Pay the SEVIS fee, file the DS-160 and attend your interview

    Pay the $350 SEVIS I-901 fee online,[2][30] complete the DS-160 and pay the $185 visa application fee,[1] then schedule your interview. A $250 visa integrity fee created in 2025 may also be collected at issuance, so check your embassy’s fee page.[31] Once the visa is issued, you can enter up to 30 days before your program begins.

Do International Students Need the SAT or ACT for Fall 2027?

At many top colleges, yes. At most colleges the policy is the same for international and U.S. applicants, though a few test optional colleges, such as Dickinson, still ask international applicants for scores.

College Fall 2027 policy Notes for international applicants
MIT Required SAT or ACT, no substitutes listed[18]
Harvard Required AP, IB, A-level or national exams accepted only when the SAT or ACT is inaccessible[28]
Yale Required International leaving exams and English tests do not fulfill the requirement[32]
Dartmouth Required Students outside the U.S. may submit IB, A-level or national exam results instead[27]
Stanford Required English tests cannot substitute[33]
Penn Required Hardship waiver available[17]
Cornell, Brown, Johns Hopkins Required SAT or ACT for first-year applicants[34][35][36]
Princeton, Columbia, Notre Dame Optional All three require testing again for students entering in Fall 2028[37][38][16]
Amherst and most liberal arts colleges Optional Strong scores still help, especially from school systems colleges know less well[39]

The full testing list for 150 colleges is in our deadlines database.

Our advice for international students is to test even where it is optional. A strong SAT or ACT gives admissions officers a common yardstick for a curriculum they may not know well. ConnectPrep’s SAT prep and ACT prep run online in every time zone, and you can start with our free practice tests.

TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo: English Requirements

The TOEFL iBT changed in January 2026. It now reports each section and the total on a 1 to 6 scale aligned to the Common European Framework, and reports show a comparable 0 to 120 score until January 2028.[15] Reading and Listening are now adaptive, and base testing time is about 90 minutes.[40] IELTS Academic remains on its 1 to 9 band scale,[41] and the Duolingo English Test is taken online with results in about two days.[42]

College TOEFL (1 to 6) TOEFL (0 to 120) IELTS Duolingo
MIT, minimum / recommended[18] 5 / 5.5 90 / 100 7 / 7.5 120 / 125
Yale, competitive benchmark[32] 5+ 100+ 7+ 120+
Cornell, competitive minimum[34] 5.0 (5.5 recommended) 100 7.5 130
Columbia, minimum[23] Not stated 105 7.5 135
Amherst, recommended minimum[39] 5.5 100 7.5 130

Not every college requires an English test. Harvard and Stanford do not require one for first-year applicants,[26][19] and Bowdoin treats English scores as optional.[43] Common waivers include English as a first language, several years of English-medium schooling (two years at Yale and Amherst, three at Princeton and Penn, four at Cornell) or high SAT or ACT verbal scores.[25][24][17][34] Penn accepts only English tests taken on or after April 1, 2025 for this cycle.[17]

Financial Aid for International Students

Federal aid such as Pell Grants and federal loans is not available to international students, so aid comes from the colleges themselves. A small group of colleges admit international students without regard to financial need and then meet 100 percent of demonstrated need.

Need-blind for international applicants and meet full need

Many other colleges meet full demonstrated need for admitted international students but are need-aware, meaning an aid request can factor into the admissions decision. Stanford is one example.[19] Need-aware does not mean you should skip the aid application; it means your list should include colleges where you are a strong applicant either way.

What it costs. Princeton’s 2026-27 budget for tuition, fees, housing and food is $90,574, with an average grant for aided students of about $83,000,[48] which shows how much aid can change the real price. Forms. Most colleges use the CSS Profile, which is free for families earning up to $100,000 a year.[29]

From Admission to Arrival: The I-20 and F-1 Visa

  1. Get your Form I-20The college you commit to registers you in SEVIS and issues the I-20 after you submit proof of funding.[1]
  2. Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee$350 for F-1 students, paid online. Keep the receipt.[2]
  3. Complete the DS-160The online nonimmigrant visa application, plus the $185 visa application fee.[1]
  4. Schedule and attend your interviewApply in your country of nationality or residence and check wait times monthly.[7][49]
  5. Make your social media publicRequired for F, M and J applicants under the State Department’s online presence review.[6]
  6. Travel within 30 days of your start dateCustoms and Border Protection makes the final decision at the port of entry.[1]

As of the State Department’s September 2026 update, waits for student visa appointments ranged from under two weeks in cities such as London, Seoul and Mexico City to five months or more in Beijing and Dubai.[49] Check the live tool as soon as you are admitted.

Seven Mistakes International Applicants Make

Treating aid as an afterthought

Missing the aid deadline at a need-based college can mean no aid at all, even after admission.

Testing too late

International test seats fill early. Leave room for a second attempt before your earliest deadline.

Assuming English tests are waived

Waiver rules differ by college and by years of English-medium study. Check each school.

Leaving context unexplained

Readers may not know your curriculum or grading. Your counselor report and essays should explain it.

Applying ED without checking aid

Early Decision is binding. Run each college’s net price calculator first.

Private social media at visa time

Profiles should be public before your interview under current guidance.

Booking the interview late

Some consulates have waits of several months. Book right after you receive your I-20.

How ConnectPrep Helps International Families

ConnectPrep works with students online across time zones, from SAT and ACT preparation through essays, list building and aid strategy. Our college admissions counselors build a list that balances admission odds with each family’s aid picture, plan testing around international seat availability, and help students explain their schooling and story in a way U.S. readers understand. Families can start with a free consultation and a free assessment test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can international students get full scholarships to U.S. colleges?

Yes, at a small number of colleges that meet full demonstrated need for international students, such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Dartmouth, Brown, Notre Dame, Amherst and Bowdoin. For families with limited means, need-based aid at these colleges can cover tuition, housing and more. Merit scholarships exist at many other colleges but rarely cover the full cost.

Do international students apply through the Common App?

Most do. International applicants complete the same application with added citizenship and school information. A few colleges use their own applications, such as MIT, and the University of California uses the UC Application.

Is the SAT required for international students?

It depends on the college. For Fall 2027 entry, MIT, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Penn, Cornell, Brown, Dartmouth and Johns Hopkins require the SAT or ACT. Princeton, Columbia and Notre Dame are optional this year but will require testing for Fall 2028 entry.

What TOEFL score do top U.S. universities require?

Highly selective colleges typically look for about 100 or higher on the 0 to 120 scale, roughly 5 to 5.5 on the new 1 to 6 scale. MIT’s minimum is 90 (5 on the new scale) with 100 (5.5) recommended, and Columbia’s minimum is 105.

How much does the F-1 student visa cost?

The core costs are the $350 SEVIS I-901 fee and the $185 visa application fee. Depending on nationality, a visa issuance fee may also apply, and a $250 visa integrity fee may be collected at issuance.

When can international students arrive in the U.S.?

New students can enter on an F-1 visa up to 30 days before the program start date on their Form I-20. The visa itself can be issued up to 365 days before that date.

Applying from outside the U.S.?

We help international families build the right list, hit every test and aid deadline, and present a student’s story clearly to U.S. admissions readers. Start with a free consultation.

Book a Free ConsultationSee 2026-27 Deadlines

About the author

Jeremy Fine

Jeremy Fine founded ConnectPrep in 2013 and brings more than 20 years of experience in education, spanning test preparation, college advising and academic program management. He holds a BA from Washington University in St. Louis and an MPA from the University of Pittsburgh.

ConnectPrep is based in Westport, Connecticut, and works with students from kindergarten through graduate school, in person and online. Meet the team.

Sources

Numbered references are cited in the text above. All links open the original source.

  1. U.S. Department of State. Student Visa. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  2. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. I-901 SEVIS Fee. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  3. Institute of International Education. Open Doors 2025 Report on International Educational Exchange. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  4. Fragomen. United States Travel Ban Expanded and Revised, Effective January 1, 2026. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  5. American Institute of Physics. Country-Specific Travel Bans. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  6. U.S. Department of State. Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for Visa Applicants. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  7. U.S. Department of State. Interview Waiver Update. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  8. Duke Visa Services. Visa Interviews Must Take Place in Your Country of Nationality or Residence. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  9. Federal Register. Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students (July 17, 2026). Accessed October 9, 2026.
  10. Yale Office of International Students and Scholars. Elimination of Duration of Status: Summary and FAQs. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  11. BAL. Federal Court Blocks DHS Duration of Status Final Rule Before Effective Date. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  12. Federal Register. Optional Practical Training Fees, Proposed Rule (October 8, 2026). Accessed October 9, 2026.
  13. BakerHostetler. USCIS Clarifies When $100,000 H-1B Fee Is Required, Exempting Most F-1 Students. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  14. Borderless Counsel. The $100,000 H-1B Fee: Where Things Stand and What May Come Next. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  15. ETS. TOEFL iBT Score Scale Update. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  16. Notre Dame Admissions. International FAQs. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  17. Penn Admissions. Testing. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  18. MIT Admissions. Tests and Scores. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  19. Stanford Admission. International Applicants. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  20. U.S. Department of State. EducationUSA. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  21. College Board. SAT International Fees. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  22. ACT. Fees for the ACT Outside the U.S. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  23. Columbia Undergraduate Admissions. English Proficiency. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  24. Princeton Admission. International Students. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  25. Yale Admissions. Applying to Yale as an International Student. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  26. Harvard College. International Applicants. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  27. Dartmouth Admissions. Testing Policy. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  28. Harvard College. Application Requirements. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  29. College Board. CSS Profile. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  30. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. SEVIS I-901 Fee Payment. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  31. Ellis. Visa Integrity Fee. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  32. Yale Admissions. Standardized Testing. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  33. Stanford Admission. Testing. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  34. Cornell Admissions. Standardized Testing Policy. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  35. Brown University. Brown Reinstates Test Requirement (March 5, 2024). Accessed October 9, 2026.
  36. Johns Hopkins Admissions. Standardized Testing. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  37. Princeton Admission. Standardized Testing. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  38. Columbia Undergraduate Admissions. Testing. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  39. Amherst College. International Applicants. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  40. ETS. TOEFL Transformation Announcement. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  41. IELTS. IELTS in the USA. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  42. Duolingo English Test. For Test Takers. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  43. Bowdoin College. International Students. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  44. MIT Admissions. Affordability Basics. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  45. Dartmouth Financial Aid. International Students. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  46. Brown Admission. International Applicants: Financial Aid. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  47. University of Notre Dame. Notre Dame Makes Historic Investment in Affordability and Access. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  48. Princeton Admission. Cost and Aid. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  49. U.S. Department of State. Global Visa Wait Times. Accessed October 9, 2026.

This is a ConnectPrep resource. Policies are current as of October 9, 2026 and can change. This article is general information, not legal or immigration advice.