Getting from a classroom in Nairobi to a university campus in the United States takes around eighteen months of planning. The process can feel overwhelming because so many pieces run at once. Here is the full journey, step by step, in the order families need to tackle it.
Step 1: Start with a profile review (18 to 24 months before)
Before choosing any universities, take an honest look at where your child stands: grades, subjects, activities, interests and goals. This baseline shapes everything else, from which test to prepare for to which universities are realistic.
Step 2: Plan testing
A growing number of top US universities require or strongly value the SAT. Most students benefit from a first sitting in Year 12 and a second sitting after focused preparation. Starting early leaves room to retake without pressure.
Step 3: Build a balanced university list
A strong list usually has eight to twelve universities across reach, match and likely categories, chosen for fit in academics, cost and outcomes rather than rankings alone.
The school list is the single decision that most affects both where your child gets in and what it costs.
Step 4: Write and submit applications
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Most US universities use the Common App, which opens on 1 August.
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Early deadlines are usually 1 or 15 November; regular deadlines fall in early January.
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Each university may add its own supplementary essays.
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Counsellor and teacher recommendations and predicted grades come from your child’s school.
Step 5: Apply for scholarships and financial aid
Families who need support usually complete the CSS Profile and submit financial documents alongside the application. Many top universities offer generous need-based aid to international students, so it is worth applying even if the sticker price looks out of reach.
Step 6: Choose a university and get the I-20
Decisions arrive between December and April, and students usually confirm their choice by 1 May. The chosen university then issues the I-20, the document your child needs to apply for a student visa.
Step 7: Apply for the F-1 student visa
With the I-20, your child pays the SEVIS fee, completes the visa application form and attends an interview at the US Embassy in Nairobi. Booking the interview early matters, because appointment availability can be limited in peak months.
Step 8: Prepare to fly
Arrange accommodation, health insurance, banking and travel, and talk openly about the transition. The students who settle fastest are the ones who arrive prepared for everyday independence.
Every family’s timeline is different. Book a consultation with AFEX Hub and we will build a personal plan for your child’s 2027 application.
Connie Ndego
Chief Executive Officer
