It’s that time of year again. The time when Nigerian students start scrambling to get their applications into US universities. The process can be daunting, but we’re here to help. Here’s a checklist of University deadlines in the USA for Nigerian students.
Timing is an important element in applying for university admission as a Nigerian student. To study in the USA, you need months to prepare for the application process. The university deadlines in the USA vary based on the individual schools.
However, all the schools provide admission within a framework of four different application deadlines. They include regular decisions, early action, early decisions, and rolling admissions.
Each of these frameworks allows prospective students to apply in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Besides, the US universities have a maximum number of students they offer admission to within the semesters.
Each university must not also apply to all four admission deadlines. Hence, the number of deadlines they apply to differs individually.
Table of Contents
- 1 USA Admission Intakes
- 1.1 How does the application intake work in the US?
- 1.2 What are the different types of deadlines for admissions to US universities?
- 1.3 Early Decision
- 1.4 Regular Decision
- 1.5 Rolling Basis
- 1.6 Regular Decision Deadlines for Top Universities in the USA
- 1.7 Early Action Deadlines for Top Universities in the USA
- 1.8 Early Decision: University Deadlines in the USA for Nigerian Students
- 1.9 Which USA University Should You Choose?
- 1.10 What are the US Undergraduate Programme Basic Requirements?
- 1.11 US Postgraduate Programme Requirements
- 1.12 Standardized Admission Tests
- 1.13 What Supporting Documents do You need?
- 1.14 Conclusion
USA Admission Intakes
Nigerian students receive admission to some of the top universities in the USA if they apply early and meet other requirements. You must be ready to apply for admission within the dates stipulated before the deadlines. The immigration process is time-consuming and may cause delays if you do not start early to process your admission. Thus, you may miss classes if you resume late.
How does the application intake work in the US?
There are three admission intakes in the USA, and each of them experiences a massive pool of applicants. The intakes include fall, spring, and summer. As a Nigerian student, you can choose from any of the intakes, depending on your choice.
In addition, the spring intake session starts in January and ends in April. Similarly, the summer intake session starts in May and ends in August. The fall intake starts in September and ends in December. Having known how the intakes happen, you can choose the most appropriate time to apply for a US university admission.
Other factors to consider include the availability of the test dates for IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, etc., the time taken to obtain your visa, loan processing time, and others.
What are the different types of deadlines for admissions to US universities?
The USA has extensive and inclusive admission and entrance examination dates. The process implemented considers all the pressures that could stop the student from applying for admission. Hence, the students are at liberty to apply at different months for each session. However, they must meet the deadlines for their application to count. Here are the categories of different university deadlines in the USA for Nigerian students:
Early Decision
Applying in the Early Decision deadline gives you more priority than other deadlines. It means you apply for admission a few months before the commencement of the standard deadlines. However, the downside of this deadline is that if you receive an admission offer to study a course, you cannot change your mind.
Regular Decision
If you are applying for the January – April deadline, you should consider the Regular Decision deadlines. By mid-April, the list of successful applicants will be released. The spring semester application is available in this particular intake option.
Rolling Basis
Some universities and colleges in the USA do not have a fixed application deadline. Rather, they set a priority date that precedes the conclusion of the application process. Besides, the applications are processed upon receipt, and admissions are offered regularly. This process keeps happening until the number of students needed for the seats is obtained.
Most Nigerian students prefer the Regular Decision. Between January 1 and 15 is the most common regular decision in the USA. However, the courses offered and the university may affect the decision. Majorly, applicants apply in January and receive confirmation in March or April.
Regular Decision Deadlines for Top Universities in the USA
Regardless of what deadline you target, ensure to apply for admission a bit earlier. This will enable the admission officers to review the application and determine their judgment. Below are the top USA universities and their Regular Decision deadlines:
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| Brown University | January 5
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| Yale University | January 2
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| Princeton University | January 1 |
| Boston University | November 1
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| American University | October 1 |
| Georgetown University | January 10 |
| Caltech University | January 3 |
| Villanova University | January 15 |
| Columbia University | January 1
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| University of Pennsylvania | January 5 |
| Johns Hopkins University | January 2
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| Tufts University | January 6 |
| Cornell University | January 2 |
| Stanford University | November 1 |
| University of Notre Dame | January 1
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| Duke University | January 4
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Early Action Deadlines for Top Universities in the USA
November 1 and 15 are the most common Early Action deadlines in US universities and colleges. You must go through the application process cautiously before applying for admission. This is because some schools have restrictive Early Action application policy, which restricts you from applying to more than one school in the USA.
Some of the schools that fall under this deadline include Harvard University, Yale University, Stanford University, Princeton University, and the University of Notre Dame. Here are the deadlines:
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| American University | November 15 |
| Boston University | November 1 |
| Johns Hopkins University | November 1
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| Princeton University | November 1 |
| Caltech University | November 1 |
| UNC-Chapel Hill | October 15 |
| Tufts University | November 1 |
| MIT | November 1 |
| University of Michigan | November 1 |
| Villanova University | November 1 |
| UMass Dartmouth | November 15 |
| Stanford University | November 1 |
| University of Pennsylvania | November 1 |
| University of Chicago | November 1 |
| Harvard University | November 1 |
| Georgetown University | November 1 |
| Yale University | November 1 |
| University of Notre Dame | November 1 |
| University of Virginia | November 1 |
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Early Decision: University Deadlines in the USA for Nigerian Students
The primary difference between early action and early decision application is that the latter has a legal implication. Thus, if a student opts for an early decision process to apply for admission to the study, they must sign an agreement that once they are awarded admission, they must take it. That means the student does not have any other choice than to study the course they applied for.
So, if you fall under this category, you must be sure of your decision. You must not also depend on scholarships and financial aid for your sponsorship.
In addition, there are two types of application deadlines for early decision and they are ED I (coincides with the early action deadline) and ED 11 (falls under January deadlines). However, the results are released in February for both cases. Below are the deadlines for top USA universities:
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| University | Early ED I | Early Decision II |
| Colby University | November 15 | January 1 |
| Villanova University | November 1 | January 15 |
| Columbia University | January 15 | March 1 |
| Vanderbilt University | November 1 | January 1 |
| Duke University | November 1 | N/A |
| Bowdoin University | November 15 | January 1 |
| Wellesley College | November 1 | January 1 |
| Brandeis University | November 1 | January 1 |
| American University | November 15 | January 15 |
| Brown University | November 1 | N/A |
| Cornell University | November 1 | N/A |
| Emory University | November 1 | January 1 |
| Wesleyan University | November 15 | January 1 |
| New York University | November 1 | January 1 |
| Northwestern University | November 1 | N/A |
| Tufts University | November 1 | January 4 |
| University of Pennsylvania | November 1 | N/A |
| Pomona College | November 1 | January 1 |
| Johns Hopkins University | November 1 | January 3 |
| University of Chicago | November 1 | January 2 |
| Boston University | November 1 | January 4 |
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Which USA University Should You Choose?
It would be best if you started early to research the most suitable American university that accepts Nigerian students. This should be at least 18 months before the commencement of the session. You can check with the EducationUSA Advising Centers (EAC) in Abuja or Lagos for updates on the accredited USA universities. The university you apply to must be certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). If not, you will be denied a US student visa.
What are the US Undergraduate Programme Basic Requirements?
To gain admission to an undergraduate course in any USA university, you must pass any English language standardized tests, including IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and MELAB. In addition, you must be prepared to take an SAT (multiple-choice test of English and math) or ACT (multiple-choice test of English, math, reasoning, and science, plus an optional writing component) test.
Must Read: 15 Requirements to Study in the USA as a Nigerian Student
US Postgraduate Programme Requirements
The USA boasts over 1000 universities in America focusing on postgraduate programs at all levels. The deadline for the final opportunity to take the SATs and ACTs, although the dates vary depending on the university. You can opt for the ‘single choice early action’ before November 1. Then, you can compare each school’s results before making a choice. It is instructive to check each school’s website for information on their deadlines and other elements that will affect your admission.
Standardized Admission Tests
These are the standardized admission tests into the USA universities:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) for business schools and study for MBA programs
- Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) for liberal arts, science, mathematics
- Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)
- Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) for medical schools
- Law School Admission Testing Programme (LSAT) for law schools
- Dental Admission Testing Programme (DAT) for dental schools
- Optometry Admission Testing Program (OAT)
Schools in the USA use credential evaluation to verify applicants’ courses, documents, and professions. You can check any certified credential evaluation agency in America to verify your documents.
Must Read: Study in the USA guide for Nigerian students
What Supporting Documents do You need?
Here are the supporting documents for undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the USA. These may vary depending on the university; hence, it is wise to check the list with the International Admission Office at the university in focus.
- Completed application, including a CV
- Application fee (normally between $50-$70 with some exceptions)
- Standardized test results
- School reports and teacher evaluations
- Two academic letters of recommendation
- Academic records with official transcripts and certified English translations (if applicable)
- Demonstrated English proficiency test
- Two or three essays depending on the subject and program
- Completed Certification of Finances form
- Bank letter showing the required level of finance for the first year of study and living expenses within the past three months
Conclusion
Knowing the university deadlines in the USA for Nigerian students is good so that you can prepare ahead. Therefore, go through the list and contact the relevant authorities (if possible) for more information.