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Timeline – Grade 12
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11 MINUTE READ

September

  • Carefully review your college application instructions and create a timetable for all the deadlines you have to meet.
  • Be familiar with the policies and rules for sending applications.  Remember that each university will have different rules.
  • Review the test scores from your SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests.  If the scores are low, you may want to take the tests again to earn a higher score.
  • Review your TOEFL test score.  You may want to take the test again to earn a higher score.
  • Register for the TOEFL, SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests (if needed).
  • Find the dates for any College Fairs or representatives traveling in Iraq.  Plan to visit.
  • If you need letters of recommendation, give the forms to your School Counselor or Principal (Secondary School Report) and Teachers (Teacher Evaluation).
  • Continue studying English.

October

  • If you need to submit a portfolio for the major you have chosen (for example, architecture, art, film), select and organize samples of your work.
  • Write the essays for your applications.  Ask a teacher for help editing.  But, make sure the essay is your OWN writing!
  • Complete the application forms.  Write your answers first on a paper-copy and ask your Teacher or another Adviser to check the information.  Then copy your final answers to the online application – including the essay.
  • If you are applying for Financial Aid, complete Financial Aid Application with your family.
  • If you are NOT applying for Financial Aid, ask your parents to take the International Student Certification of Finances Form to their Bank.  A Bank Official needs to complete the information on the form.  Make copies of the Form.  Submit the original with your Application.
  • Ask for official copies of your Student Records, in Arabic (or Kurdish) and English.  Order enough copies so you can send originals to each university that you are applying to.
  • Continue studying English.

November

  • Request that your TOEFL and SAT scores are sent to the universities where you are applying.  If you need to order additional copies of your test scores, do that now.
  • Get the Letters of Recommendation from your school teachers and counselor (or Principal).  Make sure they are in separate envelopes and sealed.  Make sure your full name is written on the front of the envelope.
  • Submit your applications with fees (and portfolios, if required) to the universities as soon as you are able.  DO NOT wait for the final application deadline.  Make sure to include:  Letters of Recommendation, Student Records (transcripts), Financial Aid Application with supporting documents, and International Student Certification of Finances Form.  You will need to send some documents by mail or by courier to the United States.  Make sure that ALL the documents have your name written in full – in the same format on your passport or official identification.
  • Continue studying English.

 

December

  • Give your School Counselor or Principal the Mid-Year Report Form and ask that it be sent at the end of the first semester or term.
  • Be ready to reply promptly if the universities ask for more information.
  • Continue studying English.

January

  • Keep working hard and earning good grades.  Remember that the final transcript from Grade 12 must be sent to the university you are going to attend – so you want to have good grades!
  • Some universities will hold telephone interviews.  Be ready in case they want to chat with you.
  • Complete any other Financial Aid forms that need to be filled out.
  • Continue studying English.

February – March

  • Continue studying English.

April

  • You will start receiving letters from the universities telling you whether or not you have been accepted.
  • If more than one college or university accepts you, you must choose which one to attend.  Talk to your family, teachers and advisers.  Decide which school you will attend.
  • Accept one offer by the deadline – email that university and tell them that you will attend.
  • You will need to send a deposit (money) to hold your spot at the university.
  • Decline the other offers – email those universities; thank them for being selected, but tell them you have decided to accept another offer.  You do not have to explain why you are going to another school.
  • Share the good news with your school counselor, teachers or trusted advisers.
  • Continue studying English.

May

  • After you accept an offer, you will receive information from the university about “next steps.”  Follow the directions carefully.
  • The university will send you information about how to apply for the study visa.  Go to the U.S. Embassy website.  Complete the application form.  Include the information from the university (i.e. I-20 information or DS-2019 information).
  • Gather all the documents you need.  Then request a visa interview at U.S. Embassy Baghdad at BaghdadNIV@state.gov
  • Confirm the housing situation at the university.  Many universities will assign (give) you a roommate.  You can start emailing with your new roommate to get to know each other before you meet in person.
  • If you have not heard back from any of the universities that you applied to, you can email to them to ask about your application.
  • If there is some problem – or if some information is missing, send that information to the university immediately.
  • Continue studying English.

June

  • Continue the visa application process at the U.S. Embassy.  Go for your interview.  Wait for the visa to be approved.
  • Remind your School that you need a final transcript (record) to send to your college or university.  Order a copy in Arabic or Kurdish and English.
  • After you receive your visa, make your travel arrangements.
  • Continue studying English!

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