Probably many of us have watched films and TV series about studying in American schools and universities. It seemed like something iconic, distant, and unattainable. But my experience of studying in the United States proves the opposite: American education is real. And it can be fully funded.
Many people decide to apply to study in America, but because they do not know the procedure, the timeline for submitting documents, or simply lack confidence in themselves, they postpone this step for many years. Many also immediately think: “How will I pay for my studies?”, not even realizing that a university may cover most or even all expenses. I hope this column with practical advice and common mistakes during the admissions process will help you take the first step and soon become an American student.
When beginning the process of applying for a master’s degree in the U.S., one often encounters the statement: “Master’s programs in the United States are always paid, and full scholarships almost do not exist.” When I studied at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana as an exchange student, one professor told me: “Choose Europe or doctoral programs in the U.S., because getting a full scholarship for a master’s degree will most likely not work out for you.” I am very glad that I did not listen to those words. If you truly make the effort, about 5% of applicants to U.S. master’s programs receive full scholarships. However, in most cases this covers only the tuition fee. Universities usually do not pay for housing, food, flights, or health insurance for master’s students—this happens in roughly 1% of cases. But it is still possible.
I am one of those people who ended up in that 5%. I remember the moment when I received a letter from the University of Chicago about my admission, and later a notification about full funding. I reread it several times and, before celebrating, thought: “Maybe this is some kind of fake?” The response from the university came very early, and I did not expect it, although I had applied for the early deadline—so in fact it was quite logical.
That was the moment I realized that a single submitted application can change the entire trajectory of your life, influence your environment, your opportunities, the job you will get in the future, and even partly your worldview.
After I received the news that I had been awarded the Dean’s Opportunity Scholarship (the name of my scholarship at the University of Chicago, which amounted to $70,000 for 9 months of study), I began applying for additional external funding and found an American host family that agreed to provide me with housing near campus for free in exchange for helping with the children, minor household tasks, and cultural exchange.
So here is the most interesting and practical part: how did I manage to receive an acceptance letter from one of the world’s top-15 universities and 100% tuition coverage as a Ukrainian student? Here are several practical tips that are rarely discussed:
Private universities often have more scholarships for master’s students than public ones. Funding at public universities is often available only for Green Card holders or United States citizens, not for international students.
Start preparing early, almost a year in advance. Applying for a master’s program in the United States requires strategic planning: first, you should make a list of universities, research funding opportunities, and arrange recommendation letters with professors in advance.
Consult people who already have experience with the admissions process. These may be professors, mentors, or Ukrainian students who already study in the U.S. Their advice will help you avoid common mistakes and better understand the process itself. At one point, a girl from Ukraine told me about the Bridge4Students foundation, which provides funding from $200 to $10,000. Thanks to this, I received additional financial support, although I had never seen information about such an opportunity before.
Finally, here are 3+1 guaranteed tips for getting into an American university:
High-level English (B2–C1). This may sound obvious, but strong English is necessary to successfully pass international tests such as TOEFL or IELTS. Sometimes students are admitted with average English skills, but this does not happen often, so it is not worth relying on the admissions committee’s leniency. Your score should be high enough for you to study effectively and interact with the university community.
Activities, background, and achievements. You do not need to be a genius to receive a prestigious scholarship. However, a person who only performs routine tasks and is not interested in anything else will unfortunately not receive full funding. You need something that truly interests you and where you achieve results—either for yourself or for society. This may include volunteering, participation in international exchange programs, leadership in projects, or, for example, organizing fundraising to support the military.
Plenty of time in reserve (although sometimes it is possible to apply even a month before deadlines). In Ukraine, the national exam can be taken only once a year. If the score is low, you either have to wait another year or apply to a university that is not your dream institution. In the United States, it is different: if your SAT or TOEFL result is unsatisfactory, you can retake the test as many times as needed. You can prepare longer—even a year or two—and send the university your best score.
+1 The ability to write essays. Even if you have never written before and are “not a humanities person,” it does not matter—you need to learn how to write admissions essays. You may have many achievements and interesting projects, but if you do not “package” them properly, no one will be interested in you. It is like a film on Netflix: if it is not engaging, we rarely continue watching and simply switch to another movie. The same applies to applicants. That is why from the very first sentence you need to capture the admissions committee’s attention, keep them engaged, and immediately explain: why you, what your motivation is, and why you need a master’s degree specifically at their institution.
The biggest mistake is not even a university rejection. The biggest mistake is never submitting an application at all because it seems that you have no chances and are not a strong enough candidate. If I could give advice to my past self—the girl who was applying to various programs—I would definitely say: be brave and apply everywhere you dream of studying (even Harvard and Princeton). Top universities in the United States receive thousands of applications from students all over the world every year. But they are not looking for perfect or genius people—they are looking for those who have a story, motivation, and the courage to try. Sometimes the difference between those who get admitted and those who do not is very simple: some submitted an application, and others did not.
Author: Olha Droniak
Olha Droniak is a graduate of the University of Chicago (ranked among the top-6 universities in the United States according to national rankings), where she received a full scholarship for a master’s program in International Relations. She is also a graduate of the Ukrainian Catholic University and studied as an exchange student at the University of Notre Dame in 2022.