Application Checklist & Glossary

Everything Vietnamese students need to know before applying to US colleges

Application Checklist

Track your progress through the US college application process. Recommended timeline for Fall 2027 enrollment.

Summer 2026 (Now)

Attend LSTS College Workshop (June 8-13)

Build your college list, write essays, prepare for interviews

Take TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic

Most schools require TOEFL 80+ or IELTS 6.5+. Top schools expect TOEFL 100+ or IELTS 7.0+

Take SAT or ACT (if test-required or to strengthen application)

Many schools are test-optional, but strong scores help international applicants. SAT 1400+ or ACT 31+ recommended

Build your Activities List

Document 8-10 activities with leadership roles, hours, and impact

September – October 2026

Finalize college list (8-12 schools across Reach/Target/Safety)

Request teacher recommendation letters (2 required for most schools)

Create Common App account and start main essay

Prepare CSS Profile (for financial aid at private schools)

November 2026

Submit EA/REA/ED applications (Nov 1 or Nov 15 deadlines)

Submit UC Application (Nov 30 deadline for all UC schools)

Send official TOEFL/SAT scores to all schools

December 2026 – January 2027

Submit Regular Decision applications (Jan 1-15 deadlines)

Submit FAFSA (if applying for federal aid — limited for internationals)

Complete any additional financial aid forms

March – May 2027

Receive decisions and compare financial aid offers

Commit to one school by May 1 (National Decision Day)

Begin F-1 Visa application process (see Visa tab)

English Proficiency Tests

Almost all US universities require proof of English proficiency for international applicants.

TOEFL iBT

Most widely accepted in the US

Safety schools: 70-80

Target schools: 80-100

Reach schools: 100+

Cost: ~$235 USD | Test centers in HCMC: IDP, British Council

Scores valid for 2 years | Takes 3 hours

IELTS Academic

Accepted at most US schools

Safety schools: 6.0-6.5

Target schools: 6.5-7.0

Reach schools: 7.0+

Cost: ~$240 USD | Test centers in HCMC: IDP, British Council

Scores valid for 2 years | Takes 2 hours 45 min

Duolingo English Test (DET)

Accepted by 4,500+ schools. Cheaper ($65), faster (1 hour), taken at home. Score 120+ for top schools. Growing acceptance but some competitive schools still prefer TOEFL/IELTS. Check your target schools.

SAT / ACT

Many US schools are test-optional through 2027, but strong scores help international applicants demonstrate academic readiness.

SAT

Digital format, 2 hours 14 min

Target: 1400+ for competitive schools

Cost: ~$68 USD | Available at LSTS or local test centers

ACT

2 hours 55 min (with writing)

Target: 31+ for competitive schools

Cost: ~$93 USD | Less common in Vietnam

F-1 Student Visa Process

After you commit to a school, you must apply for an F-1 Student Visa at the US Embassy in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. Start early — the process takes 2-3 months.

1

Receive I-20 from your school

After accepting admission and paying the enrollment deposit, your school issues a Form I-20. This is your visa sponsorship document. Takes 1-3 weeks.

2

Pay SEVIS fee ($350)

Pay online at fmjfee.com using your SEVIS ID from the I-20. Keep the receipt for your interview.

3

Complete DS-160 visa application

Online form at ceac.state.gov. Takes 1-2 hours. You'll need a passport photo and your I-20 details.

4

Schedule visa interview

Book at ustraveldocs.com/vn. Appointments in HCMC can book up fast in summer (June-August). Schedule as early as possible.

5

Attend visa interview at US Embassy

Bring: passport, I-20, DS-160 confirmation, SEVIS receipt, financial documents, admission letter, transcript. Interview is 5-10 minutes. Be ready to explain why you chose your school and your plans to return to Vietnam after graduation.

6

Receive passport with visa stamp

Usually 3-5 business days after the interview. You can enter the US up to 30 days before your program start date.

Important for Vietnamese Students

- US Embassy in HCMC: 4 Le Duan, District 1
- Book your appointment 2-3 months before you plan to travel
- Financial proof is critical: bank statements showing ability to cover at least 1 year of expenses
- If you have a scholarship, bring the award letter
- Visa application fee: $185 USD (paid separately from SEVIS fee)

Admissions Glossary

Key terms you'll encounter during the US college application process, with Vietnamese translations.

Application Types

Early Decision (ED)

Binding agreement — if admitted, you must attend. Usually due November 1 or 15. Apply ED only to your top-choice school.

Quyết định sớm — Cam kết ràng buộc: nếu được nhận, bạn phải nhập học

Early Action (EA)

Non-binding early application. You get a decision sooner (December) but can still compare offers until May 1.

Hành động sớm — Không ràng buộc: được nhận sớm nhưng vẫn có thể so sánh các trường

Restrictive Early Action (REA)

Non-binding like EA, but you cannot apply EA/ED to other private schools. Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Georgetown use REA.

Hành động sớm có giới hạn — Không ràng buộc nhưng không được nộp EA/ED ở trường tư khác

Regular Decision (RD)

Standard deadline, usually January 1-15. Non-binding. Most applicants apply this way.

Quyết định thường — Hạn chót thông thường, không ràng buộc

Financial Aid

Need-Blind Admission

The school does not consider your ability to pay when making admission decisions. Very rare for international students — only Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, and Amherst are need-blind for internationals.

Tuyển sinh không xét nhu cầu tài chính — Rất hiếm cho sinh viên quốc tế

Need-Aware Admission

The school considers your financial need when deciding whether to admit you. Requesting financial aid may lower your chances of admission. Most US schools are need-aware for international students.

Tuyển sinh có xét nhu cầu tài chính — Yêu cầu hỗ trợ tài chính có thể ảnh hưởng đến cơ hội nhập học

Merit Scholarship

Money awarded based on academic achievement, talent, or other qualities — not financial need. Does not need to be repaid.

Học bổng thành tích — Dựa trên thành tích học tập, không phải nhu cầu tài chính

Need-Based Aid

Financial help based on your family's demonstrated financial need. The school determines how much your family can afford.

Hỗ trợ dựa trên nhu cầu — Dựa trên khả năng chi trả thực tế của gia đình

CSS Profile

Financial aid application required by ~400 private US schools. Costs $25 to submit. More detailed than FAFSA.

Hồ sơ tài chính CSS — Đơn xin hỗ trợ tài chính cho trường tư

Demonstrated Need

The gap between what a school costs and what your family can pay (as calculated by the school, not you). "Meeting 100% of demonstrated need" means the school covers this gap — but they decide how much you can afford.

Nhu cầu tài chính được xác nhận — Trường quyết định gia đình bạn có thể chi trả bao nhiêu

Classification & Strategy

Reach / Target / Safety

How likely you are to be admitted. Reach = less than 20% chance. Target = 20-50% chance. Safety = 50%+ chance. Build a balanced list with schools in each tier.

Reach (vươn xa) / Target (mục tiêu) / Safety (an toàn) — Phân loại theo xác suất trúng tuyển

Common Application

Online platform used by 1,000+ US schools. One main essay, one activity list, shared across all schools. Each school may have supplemental essays.

Đơn ứng tuyển chung — Nền tảng trực tuyến dùng cho hơn 1,000 trường Mỹ

TAG (Transfer Admission Guarantee)

California program: complete specific courses at a CA community college and get guaranteed admission to a UC campus. Popular pathway for international students.

Đảm bảo chuyển tiếp — Hoàn thành yêu cầu tại cao đẳng cộng đồng CA để được nhận vào UC

Visa & Enrollment

I-20 / SEVIS

I-20 is the document your school issues to sponsor your F-1 visa. SEVIS is the government system that tracks international students. You need both to apply for a visa.

I-20 là giấy bảo lãnh visa. SEVIS là hệ thống theo dõi sinh viên quốc tế

F-1 Student Visa

The visa type for full-time students at US colleges. Allows you to study and work on-campus (up to 20 hours/week during school). Valid for duration of your program.

Visa du học F-1 — Cho phép học toàn thời gian và làm việc trong khuôn viên trường

Financial Aid Guide for Vietnamese Families

Understanding the real cost of a US education and how to fund it.

Typical Annual Costs (2026-2027)

Category	Private University	Public University (OOS)	Community College
Tuition & Fees	$55,000-65,000	$30,000-45,000	$8,000-12,000
Housing & Meals	$15,000-20,000	$12,000-18,000	$10,000-15,000
Books & Supplies	$1,000-1,500	$1,000-1,500	$500-1,000
Health Insurance	$2,000-3,000	$2,000-3,000	$1,500-2,500
Personal & Travel	$3,000-5,000	$3,000-5,000	$2,000-4,000
Total Per Year	$76,000-94,500	$48,000-72,500	$22,000-34,500

Types of Financial Help

Merit Scholarships (Best option for most LSTS students)

Awarded for academic excellence, not financial need. Many Target and Safety schools offer $10,000-$30,000/year in merit aid to international students with strong GPAs and test scores. Does not affect admission chances.

Need-Based Aid (Caution: may affect admission)

Most US schools are "need-aware" for international students. Requesting need-based aid signals that you cannot pay full price, which may reduce your admission chances. Only 5 schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Amherst) are need-blind for internationals.

Community College + Transfer Pathway

Start at a California CC for $22,000-28,000/year, then transfer to a UC campus after 2 years. Total 4-year cost can be $100,000-150,000 less than starting at a private university. See the CC Pathways page for details.

Advice for Vietnamese Families

- Apply to a mix: 2-3 schools where you can afford full price + 3-4 where you'll get merit aid + 2-3 generous need-based schools
- Ask each school: "What is your average merit scholarship for international students?"
- Financial proof: most schools require bank statements showing funds for at least 1 year
- Consider total 4-year cost, not just Year 1
- Community college is not "lower quality" — it is a strategic, affordable pathway to top universities