Table of Contents of this Study Abroad Blog
Why Do you NEED this Roadmap?
In today’s day and age – every single Indian student is probably aware of US colleges, and that Indian ones don’t even come close (we do not even have a college in the world’s top 100 •_•)
HOWEVER we don’t pursue these for two primary reasons:
- The Cost
- Where do we even begin?
Fret not – we won’t be selling courses or guaranteeing you a placement into these colleges. But we also know that if given serious consideration and time, chances of getting into top colleges in the US is NO HARDER than in India. In fact, sometimes the admission process even costs less (owing to the money our parents spend on coaching)
But if your passions are strong – then we are going to reveal the reality of applying to US colleges, a comprehensive roadmap that’s easy to follow – so that you have no excuses to not follow your dreams 😉
The COST
There are three main financial burdens when it comes to studying in the US –
Application Fees
For most reputed colleges this lies in a range of 65 – 80 USD ( ~ ₹6000). But wanna know a secret? You can waive your application fees to all the colleges you apply to on the Common App
All you need – is a signature from your school counselor qualifying you as eligible. Now I know what you’re thinking.. Indian schools don’t have counselors.
Don’t worry, this can be your school principal or even a particular teacher you’re close with. You can do all the main work yourself!
Cost of Standardized tests
You may have heard of the SAT or ACT to be “entrance tests” for international colleges. This.. is a broad oversimplification. We go into more detail on our blog on the SAT vs ACT – but just remember these won’t be everything.
What a lot of mid-tier colleges value more are the APs, which are expensive but still cheaper than your coaching centre 🙂 Plus – they’ll also help you skip whole courses in college (and not pay for them!)
At the end of the day – your extracurriculars will matter the most, and if you have tests to back them (for example, the Olympiads or National certification) you’ll be balling!

PRO TIP: Before we get started, if you’re starting early make sure you get these right (I wish I knew when I started)
- Be close to your school teachers, and try to stay in their good book.
- Do not take your Board exams for granted, just to focus on JEE or NEET. You too deserve to know if JEE mattered in Chirag Falor going to MIT
Cost of Attendance
This is the major kicker. We’ll touch on Financial aid later, but to put it simply – getting a full ride is not easy. But you will also make a lot of money as a student in the US, by the Student work policy. Think of it as a major Return On Investment.
If you’re in the lower middle class, don’t worry – we’ll have complete guides to Financial Aid and Scholarship programs soon!
Where to Begin? (Complete Roadmap)
Before applying, it is crucial to understand how the USA study guide differs from the Indian education system.
Types of Institutions:
- Ivy League Schools – Prestigious universities like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. They cost more, are highly selective – but also have insane ROI, and great financial aid.
- Public Universities – State-funded institutions like the University of California and University of Texas.
Private Colleges – Independent institutions like MIT and Stanford. These will be our primary focus
- Liberal Arts Colleges – While not totally different, these are like hidden gems, allowing the most freedom with course planning and have a cozier feel! (only for undergraduates)
So with that out of the way – here are the Major steps in the application timeline, the perfect roadmap.
- Shortlist colleges
- Take standardised tests
- Complete your Common App
- Complete your CSS profile
And that’s it! Let’s go into a bit more depth.
PRO TIP:
Try to avoid Public Universities, they hardly have any aid for International students, and are much stricter with their courses (less freedom)
Find out more specifics on the website page, like here for The University of Washington – this is a common trend.

Researching & Shortlisting Universities
Choosing the right university is a critical step in the study abroad roadmap.
Factors to Consider:
- Academic Reputation – University rankings and program accreditation.
- Course Availability – Majors and elective options that align with career goals.
- Cost & Scholarships – Tuition fees, living expenses, and available financial aid.
Be sure to check the University’s specific requirements and quirks, by searching them on your Common App account – where you can create your list of Universities!
Check everything from their testing requirements (test optional or no?), to essay topics.
Get this done by :
March of the previous year (Say 2025 March if you’re finishing class 12 in the year 2026)
Standardized Tests & English Proficiency Exams
Most US universities require standardized test scores and proof of English proficiency.
Required Tests:
- SAT or ACT – Measures aptitude in math, reading, and writing.
- APs – Basically a golden ticket
- IELTS or TOEFL – Tests English language proficiency.
- Alternative Tests – Some universities accept Duolingo English Test (DET) or PTE.
We recommend you to opt for the DET for it’s ease of testing AND the added advantage of a wayyy lower cost. To learn more – find details on this blog!
I was able to score a 155/160 on the DET with less than a week of prep, and it’s accepted by over 5000 Universities!
Get this done by :
July of the previous year (especially for the APs, stretch your deadline for the other exams to August if you’re out of time)

PRO TIP :
A crucial distinction for Indian students – NEED BLIND vs NEED AWARE colleges. Need blind are those which will not take you asking for financial aid into consideration – while need aware colleges can flat out reject you for being broke.
This is why we created the perfect list for you, with only those colleges in the US offering full financial aid! And it’s free to download, we believe in no BS 😉
If you’re out of time, check out this vid on how to ace the DET like a boss!

The Common App
This is basically where you’ll be applying to the Universities majorly – you may also use Scoir (an application platform that allows you to apply to many more colleges)
Here : the major things that’ll come into play are the following.
- Transcripts
- Extracurriculars
- Essays
- Letter of Recommendation
We won’t be going into complete depth on these topics, we already have complete guides on them!
But make sure you start early in this process, you don’t want to be running to your school last minute asking for recommendation letters when you have Pre Boards a few days later (PS : yes this was me)
Review your essays after every week or so, because despite EVERYTHING ELSE, your college essay can either make or break your college application. (oh and don’t just use ChatGPT, trust me.. admission officers can tell :))
If you have great extracurriculars, or even weak ones – check out our free resource that frames your extracurriculars in the way any admissions officer would commend!
Get this done by :
Start as early as possible, and be fully prepared by the end of October of the precious year.
Application Process & Deadlines
How to Apply:
- Common Application (Common App) – A centralized portal for multiple universities.
- University-Specific Portals – Some institutions require direct applications.
Application Deadlines:
- Early Decision (ED) – Binding commitment, deadlines in November.
- Early Action (EA) – Non-binding, deadlines in November/December.
- Regular Decision (RD) – Deadlines in January/February.
Financial Planning & Scholarships (Your CSS Profile)
Studying in the USA can be expensive, so financial planning is crucial for an Indian student abroad.
CSS is the only way for you as an international student to apply for aid, by which colleges will cut down on the ridiculous fees as follow:
Tuition Fees & Living Costs:
- Public universities: $20,000 – $40,000 per year.
- Private universities: $40,000 – $70,000 per year.
- Living expenses: $10,000 – $15,000 per year.
Yep, so open an account on the College Board website – and be prepared to answer some tough questions. Do NOT answer dishonestly here, and sit with both your parents (if possible, my parents were separated and I know the pain)
Once you’re done, you can apply for college fee waivers by asking them politely for codes by emailing them. If that doesn’t work, it’ll cost you 25 USD for your first application, and 16 USD for every next one.
Don’t worry – this fee is more than made up for by scholarships which can go upto 70-80%.
Scholarships & Financial Aid:
- Merit-Based Scholarships – Awarded for academic excellence.
- Need-Based Financial Aid – Available for students with financial need.
- Assistantships & Part-Time Jobs – On-campus jobs, Research Assistant (RA), and Teaching Assistant (TA) positions.
Learn more about scholarships by joining our very helpful community!
Student Visa Process (F-1 Visa Guide)
Remember : these steps only come into play once you’ve been actually accepted!
Steps to Apply for an F-1 Student Visa:
- Receive I-20 Form from your university.
- Pay SEVIS Fee ($350).
- Fill DS-160 Form (Non-immigrant Visa Application).
- Schedule Visa Interview at a US Embassy or Consulate.
- Attend Visa Interview with all required documents.
Visa Interview Tips:
- Be confident and clear about study plans.
- Carry financial proof and necessary documents.
- Practice common interview questions.
Final Thoughts
Planning to study in the USA requires dedication, research, and careful preparation. This USA study guide outlines the key steps, from selecting the right university to settling in as an Indian student abroad. By following this step-by-step guide for Indian students, you can streamline the process and achieve your dream of studying in the USA.
Additional Resources:
- Official US government visa website: travel.state.gov
- Scholarship search: scholarships.com
- Test preparation: collegeboard.org, ets.org
FAQ Section
1. How much does it cost to study in the USA as an Indian student?
Tuition fees vary from $20,000 to $70,000 per year depending on the university. Living expenses add an additional $10,000 to $15,000 annually.
2. Can I study in the USA for free?
While full scholarships are rare, financial aid, assistantships, and merit-based scholarships can significantly reduce costs.
3. Which standardized tests do I need to take?
Most universities require the SAT or ACT and an English proficiency test like TOEFL, IELTS, or DET.
4. What is the best time to start my application process?
Begin researching universities and preparing for standardized tests at least 12-18 months before your intended intake.
5. How do I apply for financial aid?
International students can apply through the CSS Profile for need-based aid and search for external scholarships.
6. What are my chances of getting a visa?
If you have an acceptance letter, strong financial proof, and a clear study plan, your visa approval chances are high.
7. Can I work while studying in the USA?
Yes, students on an F-1 visa can work up to 20 hours per week on campus and may apply for OPT/CPT for work experience.
Abroad For Better Future is a study abroad community for Indian students.
We don’t ask MONEY for the information we provide. We aim to help other Indian students in fulfilling their study abroad dreams by providing the right info. If you are a prospective Indian student, you can join our cohorts (WhatsApp groups, it’s FREE) to get access to:
Fill up this form and we will let you know if you are abroad. And if you know anyone interested but confused about how to go abroad, kindly refer us. We would really appreciate your support.
In case you are in doubt about Can You Beat the High Cost of AP Exams?
Feel free to read this: Guide to Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad After 12th Grade
Hope your study abroad dreams get fulfilled and you stay connected with family for Indian students