FAQs

The SAT and ACT are weighed equally, so the choice is up to you. The best way to decide is to take a practice test of each so that you can see which format you like better and which one you perform better on. Check out a quick overview of both exams to help you make your decision. We also offer education videos about the SAT and ACT exams from previous webinars on our Facebook page.

In the United States, university scouts start looking at students as early as Grade 8 or 9. If you are a star in a sport and you have participated at highly visible tournaments, especially in the United States, you will likely be contacted by university scouts by Grade 10. This will let you know that you are a desirable asset and may have a chance at a full scholarship. If you haven’t been contacted by scouts, you need to make sure to put yourself on their radar by creating a highlight video and an athlete profile. Send this information to programs you are interested in pursuing. Use our Checklist for Student-Athletes to get started.

After self-funding, the majority of students primary source of funding is the university that they attend. The best way to fund your studies is to apply to universities that offer sizable scholarships to international students. Check out our “Funding Your Studies” page for links to loan, scholarship, and grant information.

There are two approaches to this question, and you should use both of them. Deductive: Use a search engine to plug in the field of study, location, and other specifics. You will likely generate a long list. From there, start researching the universities on their websites to see what would make a good fit. Inductive: Open up the bibliographies of some of your favorite books and papers in your field. Is there a professor or a laboratory that keeps coming up? You could work with them! Identify who is on the cutting edge of your field and see if their university’s program is right for you. If you need help narrowing down your list, set-up a 30-minute advising session with EducationUSA, and check out our resources for graduate school applicants.

If you are getting ready to leave, watch our “Pre-Departure” Webinar recording.

Check out our resources for high school and CEGEP counsellors. If you have specific questions, visit the Contact Us page to reach out to your local EducationUSA adviser. You can also schedule a presentation for you and other Guidance Counselors or for your students. Click here to request a presentation.

EducationUSA does not subscribe to ranking systems. This means that while U.S. News and World Report may rank Princeton University as #1, this does not mean it is the best university for you. We support trying to find your best fit, which is most likely will not be the university at the top of a ranking system. To start looking for your best fit, head over to Research Your Options.

Some do and some don’t. Universities with a large number of Canadians are very aware of CEGEPs. You know if a university has a large number of Canadian applicants if they have an international admissions officer that only works with Canada (examples: NYU, Harvard, UPenn). It is a great idea to reach out to a university and let them know that you are interested in more information about their programs. In that email, let the admissions officer know that you attend a CEGEP, and ask them if they need more information on what a CEGEP is. You can direct them to the EducationUSA Canadian Education System page for more information or to your Guidance Counselor. It is suggested that your Guidance Counselor describes what a CEGEP is and how the grading system works in their letter of recommendation to the universities you are applying to.