The US process is front-loaded in a way the UK process is not. If you are starting in DP2 first term, you are already late for early decision. Here is what to do when.
The timeline, honestly
DP1 term 2: sketch a list of 10 to 15 schools across reach / match / safety. Register for SAT if you are taking it (many schools are test-optional now, but test-optional is not test-blind for competitive programmes).
DP1 term 3: first SAT attempt if applicable. First draft of the personal statement.
DP1 summer: second SAT if needed. Lock your personal statement. Start supplements for your top 5 schools.
DP2 term 1 (August to October): finish supplements. Request teacher recommendation letters by early September at the latest. Early Decision / Early Action deadlines are usually 1 November or 15 November.
DP2 term 1 late: Regular Decision supplements. Deadlines typically 1 January.
DP2 term 2 (March / April): decisions arrive. Commit by 1 May.
The supplements are the application
Your SAT and your IB predicted grades get you over the threshold. Your personal statement and your supplements decide the outcome. Invest most of your application-writing time there.
The honest thing about cost
A top-20 US undergrad with no aid is roughly S$400,000 to S$500,000 total. A need-based aid package can cut that by 50 to 80 percent. A merit scholarship is rare but possible. If cost is a real factor, apply for financial aid at the same time you apply. Do not leave it until after admission.
Where students commonly mess up
- Applying to 15 schools when 10 would have been better. The marginal school is rarely worth the marginal essay.
- Writing one personal statement and then adapting it poorly for different supplements. Admissions reads thousands. They can tell.
- Underestimating how much they will care about fit, not rank, once they get to campus.