Thinking Beyond the U.S. — What to Know About Applying to Colleges Internationally (2025 Edition)

More and more U.S. students are asking: What if I went to college abroad? 

And it’s a great question. 

Maybe it’s a lower tuition, sense of adventure, or desire to study in a different academic system. Whatever the case, applying to international universities can literally expand your horizons, so why not check out your options?

At Mulholland Prep, we’ve seen a steady increase in students applying to schools in Canada, the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand, and beyond. Here’s what you should know if you’re considering it.

Some of the most common reasons our students choose to apply internationally:

• Cost savings: Some schools abroad offer significantly lower tuition than U.S. private colleges, even for international students.
• Three-year degrees: In countries like the UK or Australia, many undergraduate degrees take three years, not four.
• Global experience: Studying abroad can help you develop language skills, cultural fluency, and an international network.
• Clearer academic focus: Many programs (especially in Europe) allow you to dive straight into your chosen field without general ed requirements.
• Work Opportunities: Many countries will allow students to remain after graduation for a certain period of time to work (as opposed to the US) and to work while they are in school. Students tend to have fewer classroom hours, allowing the opportunity to work jobs and generate income towards tuition. 

Different Application Process

Here’s how international applications are distinct from the U.S. system: 

1. Earlier Academic Specialization

In the UK and some European countries, students apply directly into a specific major or course of study. That means:

• You may want to show strong subject alignment (like APs or SAT Subject-style coursework).
• Your essay functions more like a personal statement of academic interest, not a life story.

2. Different Deadlines and Platforms

• UK schools typically use UCAS, with deadlines ranging from mid-October to January.
• Some Dutch schools use Studielink.
• Many Canadian schools have rolling admissions, but scholarship deadlines can come early.
• Australian, New Zealand, and Japanese universities often start their academic year in February or March, so the timeline shifts.

3. Grades and Testing

• Many schools convert your GPA and may require transcripts to be evaluated.
• Some require standardized tests, but many are test-optional or accept APs or IB exams instead of the SAT/ACT.

How Mulholland Prep Helps

We support students in:

• Researching international programs with strong reputations and English-language instruction
• Writing compelling academic personal statements
• Tracking different application systems and deadlines
• Understanding how U.S. high school transcripts translate abroad
• Communicating with admissions reps from global universities

Applying abroad isn’t for everyone, but if you’re curious, flexible, and academically ready, it can be an incredible option. Interested in exploring international colleges? Reach out! We’ll help you build a plan that fits your goals and your passport.

–