MyCollab
Country guide

Study in United States

Everything an international student needs to apply to a United States university: grading scale, fees, language tests, visa proof, top universities, and deadlines.

Grading scale

0.0 – 4.0 GPA (some institutions use 4.3 / 4.5)

Pass varies (typically C / 2.0 GPA); competitive graduate programmes expect 3.3+ (B+) or 3.7+ (A−)

Convert your grades

Application requirements

Application fees

Undergraduate (Common App): $50–$100 / school. Graduate: $50–$150 / school. Some fee waivers available based on need or fee-waiver test.

Language tests

Undergraduate: TOEFL iBT 80–100 or IELTS 6.5–7.5. Graduate: TOEFL iBT 90–110 or IELTS 7.0–7.5. Many programmes also require GRE / GMAT.

Cost & visa proof

Estimated tuition, accommodation, living costs, and the visa financial proof requirement — by city and university type.

Open Study Cost Estimator

Top universities in United States

Ranking source: QS World University Rankings & Times Higher Education 2024 (where noted). Links go to each university's official admissions page.

UniversityCityRankingAdmissions
Harvard UniversityCambridge, MAQS 4Open
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MAQS 1Open
Stanford UniversityStanford, CAQS 6Open
Yale UniversityNew Haven, CTQS 23Open
Princeton UniversityPrinceton, NJQS 22Open
California Institute of TechnologyPasadena, CAQS 10Open
Columbia UniversityNew York, NYQS 23Open
University of ChicagoChicago, ILQS 11Open
University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PAQS 12Open
UC BerkeleyBerkeley, CAQS 12Open

Application timeline

Fall (Aug–Sep start)

Typical window

Common App: Aug 1 – Jan 1 (Early Decision: Nov 1; Regular Decision: Jan 1–Feb 15)

Spring (Jan start)

Typical window

Sep – Nov of preceding year (limited; many top schools don't admit)

Individual programmes vary. Always confirm on the target university's official admissions page.

Cost of living (per month)

New York

$2,500 – $3,800

San Francisco

$2,800 – $4,200

Boston

$2,200 – $3,200

Austin

$1,500 – $2,400

Indicative all-in ranges for student accommodation, food, transport, and basic utilities. Personal lifestyle and accommodation type swing these significantly.

Common questions

Common App or direct application?+
Most undergraduate applications go through the Common Application or Coalition Application, which let you apply to many schools with one shared application. Some schools have their own portals (MIT, UCs).
Do graduate programmes require GRE / GMAT?+
Many do, though a growing number of programmes have made GRE optional or test-free post-2020. Business schools (MBA) typically still require GMAT or GRE. Always check the programme's specific requirements.
How does the F-1 visa work?+
Receive your I-20 from the university, pay the SEVIS fee ($350 as of 2025), schedule a visa interview at the nearest U.S. embassy, prove ties to home + funding + intent to return. Apply 6+ months before your start date.
Are scholarships available for international students?+
Yes — need-blind admission at Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Yale, Amherst (rare). Most other top schools are need-aware for internationals but offer generous merit aid. Public flagships rarely fund internationals.

Next steps

Convert your grades

Use the My Grades tool to translate your transcript into the us scale.

Plan your application

Personalised application checklist for United States at every degree level.

See related conversions

Every conversion involving the us grading scale, in one place.