The Student Applicaiton
Applications for the US are made in the Fall of S7 (Grade 12). The application typically contains the following:
· Application Form and fee or fee receipt
· International Application Form
· Essay or Personal Statement
· AIS High School Profile
· Letter of Recommendation Waiver
· Letters of Recommendation and School Report Forms
· Peer Recommendation
· Transcript Release Form
· Official High School Transcript(s)
· IB Predicted Grades
· S6, Semester 2 School Report (and S7 Semester 1 Mid-term Report if applicable)
The packets containing all of the above are given to you by the agreed AIS deadline. You are then responsible for mailing the packets to individual colleges and universities so that they arrive before the deadline (preferably by courier service).
Application forms can be acquired from individual institutions on-line or by post. Most colleges and universities accept on-line applications and payment (by credit card) of the application fee. If you apply on-line, you must print a copy of you application form and payment receipt and give these to the college counselor by the agreed AIS deadline.
Paper application forms are accepted and must be accompanied by a US$ check to cover the application fee. Experience shows that paper applications and checks take longer to process by admissions offices than on-line applications and payments. Therefore, there tends to be a delay in receiving decisions from colleges when applications are made in this way!
Usually, international students are required to complete additional application, medical and finance forms. Check with individual colleges.
It is recommended that you photocopy the application form, complete the copy, and have it proofread by the counselor (along with your Essay or Personal Statement), before filling in the actual form. Content and presentation are very important and can make the difference between acceptance and rejection.
The application fee varies from college to college, and can be different for international students. The fees and policies are stated on by individual institutions. The application fee must accompany the form (US$ check) or have been paid on-line when the application form or copy is submitted to the counselor. Be sure to meet the deadlines and check submission dates if applying under ED or EA (see admission policies).
Once application forms and supporting documentation are received by colleges you will be informed of decisions by email and post. Decisions are posted within a few weeks if applying under EA, ED or Open admissions policies. Other admissions policy routes post their decisions after varying times.
If you are a US citizen, in January (S7) you need to complete and submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form. This can be done on-line. And all US-bound students need to complete the PROFILE form. (For further information see the Financial Assistance and Scholarships section).
When you have received a decision (accept or decline), you must inform the counselor. You can do this by email (jbaldry@aislusaka.org). When you have received the decisions, choose which college place you will accept, formally accept this place and send your enrollment fee by the stipulated deadline. Let the counselor and IB Coordinator know your decision so that they can send your Official High School Transcript and IB results to the college.
US bound international students need to complete the I-20 Student Study Visa process as soon as they have received the form and an official letter of acceptance from the college of their choice. You can only complete and process one I-20 form, so complete the form given to you by the college that you will attend.
If you do not receive any acceptances, see the counselor. You can make late applications to other colleges.