How to Apply to College and University in the US and Canada

TL;DR / Quick Answers

Applying to college in the US: Most schools use the Common App, one application that goes out to multiple colleges. A few large public systems run their own portals.

Applying to university in Canada: It depends on the province. Three provinces use a central portal. Everywhere else, you apply to each school directly.

If you're an athlete: Your application timeline runs alongside your recruiting timeline. They are not the same thing, and missing the difference costs athletes opportunities. More on that below.

How do you apply to college in the United States?

This is the question we hear most from athletes and parents: how do you actually apply to schools in the States?

The short answer for most students is the Common App.

The Common App is the most widely used college application platform in the US, accepted by more than 1,000 colleges and universities. You build one application with your personal information, academic history, activities, and a personal essay, then send it to multiple schools at once. That saves you from filling out the same information over and over for every school on your list.

A few things to know:

• You can apply to up to 20 schools through the Common App. For most athletes, that is far more than enough. A focused list beats a scattered one.
• Some schools run their own portals. A handful of large public university systems, like the University of California, do not use the Common App. You apply to those directly through their own websites. Always check each school's admissions page to confirm how they want your application.
• Watch for Early Decision and Early Action. Some schools let you apply early for an earlier answer. Early Decision is binding, meaning you commit if you get in. Early Action is not. Read the terms before you choose.
• Application fees typically run from $50 to $90 per school, and fee waivers are available if you qualify based on financial need.

Each school still sets its own admission requirements and deadlines, so the Common App gets your application out the door, but you are responsible for hitting every school's specific requirements.

How do you apply to university in Canada?

Applying in Canada works differently than in the US, and the process depends on the province.

There is no single national application system. Three provinces run a central portal that lets you apply to multiple schools in that province with one application. Everywhere else, you apply to each university directly through its own website.

Here's the breakdown:

• Ontario: Apply through OUAC, the Ontario Universities' Application Centre. One application covers every Ontario university. There are two streams: the 101 application for students currently in an Ontario high school, and the 105 application for everyone else, including out-of-province and international students.
• British Columbia: Apply through EducationPlannerBC, which covers most BC universities. A few schools also take applications directly, so confirm with each one.
• Alberta: Apply through ApplyAlberta, the central portal for Alberta universities.
• Every other province: No central portal. You apply to each university directly through its admissions page.

Two things to watch:

• Where you live can change how you apply. An out-of-province student applying to an Ontario school still uses OUAC, but through the 105 stream, not the 101. Always check which application type fits your situation before you start.
• Canadian universities focus mostly on your Grade 11 and 12 marks, with Grade 12 carrying the most weight for final admission. US schools tend to look further back, weighing your full high school record. We break the differences down in the comparison below.

If this is starting to feel like a lot, that's normal. The provincial differences trip up plenty of families, especially when an athlete is looking at schools across more than one province. A 60-minute recruitment advising session with a Streamline Athletes expert can walk you through exactly which applications you need, what each one requires, and how to line it all up with your recruiting timeline.

What's the Difference Between Applying in the US and Canada?

Do you need the SAT or ACT?

For US schools, often yes, but the rules have loosened.

The SAT and ACT are standardized tests US colleges use to compare applicants. Historically, almost every school required one. That has changed. Many US colleges are now test-optional, meaning you can apply without submitting a score, though a strong score can still strengthen your application. Policies vary widely from school to school, and some have started bringing test requirements back, so always check the current policy at each school on your list.

A few quick notes:

• The SAT is now fully digital. It is taken on a computer or tablet, runs about two hours, and is scored out of 1600 across two sections, Reading and Writing, and Math.
• The ACT has its own recent changes, including a shorter format and an optional science section. Check the latest before you sit it.
• There are several test dates throughout the year. Look up the requirements for your top schools first, then work backward to pick a date that gives you time to prepare and retake if needed.
• For Canadian schools, you generally do not need the SAT or ACT. Admission is based on your grades.

We cover test prep, scoring, and how to decide whether to submit a score in a dedicated guide.

→ Read our full guide to the SAT and ACT for student-athletes

Applying to US schools as a Canadian (or Canadian schools as an American)

Here's something a lot of families miss: if you're a Canadian applying to US schools, you count as an international student. The same goes for an American applying to Canadian schools. That status adds a few steps on top of the normal application.

If you're crossing the border for school, plan for these:

• A student visa. For US schools, that's the F-1 visa, and it's tied to the specific school you enroll at. For Canadian schools, you'll need a study permit. Start this early, since processing takes time and you can't begin without it.
• English proficiency tests are usually required, but often waived. Tests like the TOEFL or IELTS are standard for international applicants. The good news for most North American athletes: if you completed high school in English, schools will usually waive this requirement. Confirm with each school.
• Proof you can fund your studies. Both countries want to see that you can cover tuition and living costs. International students generally don't qualify for the host country's federal student aid, so plan your financing early. Scholarships, including athletic scholarships, can be part of this picture.
• An up-to-date passport. Sounds obvious, but renew it well ahead of any deadlines if it's close to expiring.

None of this is a reason to hesitate. Thousands of athletes cross the border for school every year. It just means a bit more paperwork and a longer runway, so start sooner rather than later.

We are now into the new year, which means the reality of university is emerging for soon-to-be high school graduates. The anticipation and excitement about making new friends, exploring new academic subjects and training in a different environment with new teammates and coaches, is one like no other. However, deciding what school to go to can be quite an overwhelming process - this is the place you are going to be spending the next four or five years of your life, after all!

Understanding what options and opportunities are out there for you, in the collegiate landscape, can make the decision a lot easier. Read on to learn about your options for university, both academically and athletically, how to apply to university and important dates to keep in mind during the whole process!

How does applying fit your recruiting timeline?

Here's the part general admissions guides leave out: if you're an athlete, you're running two timelines at once.

One is the application timeline this guide covers, the deadlines, the portals, the essays. The other is your recruiting timeline, when coaches can evaluate you, when they can contact you, and when you commit to a program. They overlap, but they are not the same thing, and the recruiting side usually starts earlier than families expect.

A coach often knows they want you well before you submit a single application. By the time you're filling out the Common App or your OUAC application, your recruiting conversations may already be deep. That's the goal. You want the athletic fit sorted so the application becomes a formality, not a gamble.

What that means in practice:

• Your profile does the early work. A complete, verified Streamline Athletes profile gets you in front of coaches who are actively recruiting your events and performance range, often before you've started any applications. That's the foundation, and it's free.
• Recruiting milestones come first. Evaluation windows, contact periods, visits, and commitments run on the recruiting calendar, which moves faster than the admissions calendar in the early years.
• The application is the finish line, not the starting line. Coaches who want you will guide you through their school's admissions process. Your job is to be a fit they want to recruit, and to hit the academic bar for admission.

If you want the full year-by-year breakdown of when to do what, that's a separate guide.

→ Read our track and field recruiting timeline: a year-by-year guide

And if you're just getting started, the first move isn't an application. It's getting found.

→ Build your free Streamline Athletes profile so coaches can find you, then explore Plus when you're ready to reach out to programs yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply to college in the United States?

Most US colleges use the Common App, a single application you send to multiple schools at once. You build one profile with your grades, activities, and a personal essay, then submit it to the schools on your list. A few large public university systems, like the University of California, run their own portals instead, so always check how each school wants your application.

How do I apply to university in Canada?

It depends on the province. Ontario (OUAC), British Columbia (EducationPlannerBC), and Alberta (ApplyAlberta) use central portals that let you apply to multiple schools in that province at once. In every other province, you apply to each university directly through its own website.

Can I apply to both US and Canadian schools at the same time?

Yes, and many athletes do. The two systems run separately, so you'll manage a US application (usually the Common App) and your Canadian applications (provincial portal or direct) on their own tracks. Keep a list of each school's method and deadline so nothing slips.

Do I need the SAT or ACT to apply?

For US schools, often yes, though many are now test-optional and you can apply without a score. Policies vary by school and some are bringing requirements back, so check each one. For Canadian schools, you generally do not need the SAT or ACT. Admission is based on your grades.

When should I start my applications?

Generally in the fall of your senior or Grade 12 year, with some US Early Decision and Early Action deadlines coming earlier. As an athlete, your recruiting timeline starts well before that, so getting your profile and target list in place early matters more than the application date itself.

Do I count as an international student?

If you're a Canadian applying to US schools, or an American applying to Canadian schools, then yes. That adds a few steps: a student visa (an F-1 visa for the US, a study permit for Canada), proof you can fund your studies, and sometimes an English proficiency test, though that's usually waived if you completed high school in English.

As an athlete, do I have to apply before a coach recruits me?

No. Coaches often know they want to recruit you before you apply, and they'll guide you through their school's admissions process. Your job is to be an athletic fit worth recruiting and to meet the school's academic admission bar. A complete Streamline Athletes profile gets you in front of the right coaches early.

We are here to help

We understand that taking this next step may be scary for you, but we are here to help every step of the way. There are many helpful resources available to you on the Streamline Athletes blog that will help guide you through the process. Make sure to sign up and utilize the platform tools to get in contact with coaches as well.

To get personal guidance and a step-by-step recruitment plan built for you, book a 60-minute online advising session with a Recruitment Expert today.