As part of the Educational Bridge project, we spoke with EducationUSA Adviser Madina Abugalieva about applying to U.S. universities. Based on that conversation, we’ve outlined the five main steps of the application process, offering clear guidance on planning, priorities, and strategies for a successful admission journey.
Madina Abugalieva, EducationUSA Adviser
Applying to a U.S. university is a long and structured process. In my work as an EducationUSA adviser, I usually explain this journey through five main steps. If you understand each of them and plan in advance, the application process becomes much clearer and more manageable.
Step 1. Research your options
I always recommend starting your research one to one and a half years before enrollment. At this stage, the most important task is not choosing a university right away, but understanding your own priorities.
You need to clearly define what matters to you academically and personally, and you also need to understand your financial situation. It is important to know how much your family can realistically contribute to your education and living expenses in the U.S. If you are applying independently and do not plan to rely on your parents, you should calculate how much you can afford on your own.
Based on this, I suggest gradually narrowing down your list of universities and dividing them into three categories:
— Dream universities, which are highly competitive
— Match universities, where admission is realistic
— Safety universities, where your chances of admission are very high, usually around 80-100%.
This approach helps you stay ambitious while remaining realistic.
Step 2. Finance your studies
The second step usually begins 10-12 months before enrollment and is entirely about financial planning. At this stage, I advise students to explore all possible types of financial aid and to understand how university costs are structured.
You should prepare a detailed budget that includes not only tuition and living expenses, but also additional costs. These may include preparation for English exams such as IELTS or TOEFL, standardized tests like SAT, GRE, or GMAT, and application fees.
When students understand their finances early, they are able to make more strategic decisions throughout the application process.
Step 3. Complete your application
This stage normally starts 6-12 months before enrollment and focuses on preparing and submitting applications.
High school students usually apply through the Common Application platform. Graduate and doctoral applicants, on the other hand, submit applications directly to each university, as requirements may differ by institution, school, or even faculty.
One of the key points I always emphasize is paying close attention to deadlines. Undergraduate applicants work with deadlines such as Early Decision and Regular Decision, while graduate applicants face deadlines that vary significantly from one university to another.
At this stage, students also submit financial information, indicating income levels and how much they are able to contribute toward their education. Based on this information, universities assess eligibility for financial aid. Admission decisions typically arrive within one to three months, depending on the deadline.
Step 4. Apply for a student visa
Once you receive an admission offer, the next step is applying for a student visa. The university issues an I-20 document, which confirms that you have been accepted and are eligible to study in the United States.
If you receive several offers, you need to choose one university, officially confirm your enrollment, and then proceed with the visa application. Based on my experience working with students, those who prepare properly usually do not face visa refusals.
Step 5. Prepare for your departure
The final step is preparing for your move to the United States. This includes collecting documents, organizing personal belongings, and preparing any medications you may need abroad.
Choosing the right university
Each student decides what is most important to them, but there are several key factors I always recommend considering. These include the location of the university, the cost of tuition, available financial aid, and housing options. It is also important to remember that not all universities provide on-campus housing. In the United States, there are three main types of higher education institutions:
— public universities and colleges
— private universities and colleges
— two-year community colleges.
Community colleges are often comparable to colleges in Kazakhstan. Students enroll after high school, study for two years, and receive an Associate Degree. After that, they can either start working or transfer to a university to complete their third and fourth years and earn a full bachelor’s degree.
I often recommend two-year community colleges because they are significantly more affordable than public or private universities. In addition, many of them have partnership programs with top universities, which makes this pathway even more attractive.
Most students start their research using search engines and international rankings such as World University Rankings or U.S. News. However, I always advise not to rely on rankings alone.
It is usually more helpful to look at rankings by major rather than overall university rankings, as a university’s position can vary greatly depending on the field of study.
The most reliable sources of information are official university websites and admission officers. I do not recommend relying on third parties, as even current students may not have complete or up-to-date information.
I also encourage students to attend college fairs, both online and offline, which are regularly held in large cities such as Astana and Almaty. School counselors, college counselors, and educational webinars are also valuable sources of information.
One point I always stress is the importance of tracking deadlines. Missing a deadline can mean losing the opportunity to apply for an entire academic year.
Financial aid opportunities
For undergraduate applicants, the main types of financial aid include:
— Full Ride Scholarships, which are highly selective and may cover tuition, housing, and living expenses
— Merit-Based Scholarships, awarded for academic achievements, talents, or skills and sometimes requiring a separate application
— Need-Based Scholarships, determined by a family’s financial capacity
— Athletic Scholarships for students with strong sports backgrounds.
Graduate students usually rely on two main types of funding:
— Fellowships, which function as grants awarded directly to students
— Assistantships, where students work on campus as teaching or research assistants and receive tuition coverage and a salary.
For students from Kazakhstan, I also strongly recommend considering the Bolashak Scholarship Program, as it covers most education-related expenses and supports study at highly selective universities, including Ivy League institutions.
Exams and application documents
Many U.S. universities now accept a wide range of exams and offer test-optional admission policies. This flexibility became especially common after the COVID period.
Application packages usually include essays, recommendation letters, academic transcripts, and application fees, which typically range from $50 to $150 per university. Some programs may also require interviews or a résumé.
An additional option for proving English proficiency is the Duolingo English Test, which is more affordable and can be taken online.