College admissions consulting without borders
International admissions runs in two directions, and Decision Drop works in both.
For international students applying to U.S. universities, the process carries a distinct set of complexities — from understanding how American admissions offices evaluate transcripts from foreign curricula, to navigating standardized testing requirements, visa considerations, financial aid limitations for non-citizens, and the cultural nuances of crafting a compelling personal essay for a U.S. audience. Decision Drop brings real-world experience to every one of those layers.
Josh served as Director of College Counseling at Awty International School in Houston, one of the most globally diverse secondary schools in the United States, with more than 1,800 students from over 50 countries, where guiding students through both U.S. and international university applications was woven into the daily work. That means years of firsthand experience helping students educated under the IB, A-Level, and other international frameworks successfully navigate the American college application process, including selective U.S. universities that actively recruit global talent.
Together, Lisa and Josh have personally visited universities across Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Korea, and beyond, giving them the kind of firsthand campus knowledge that makes a real difference when helping a family evaluate options they've never seen in person.
The approach is fully virtual, built around your time zone, and the same expert two-counselor model applies, whether your student is a U.S. family exploring universities abroad, or an international student working toward admission to colleges and universities in the United States.
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For international students applying to U.S. universities
Translating the holistic admissions process. U.S. universities evaluate the whole applicant (essays, activities, recommendations, and academic record together). We help international students present their background in a way American admissions readers understand and value, without losing what makes their story their own.
Common App guidance for international applicants. We help students navigate the sections specific to non-U.S. applicants, including transcript conversion, secondary school report formatting, and counselor recommendation requirements.
Standardized testing and English proficiency. We advise on SAT/ACT requirements, test-optional policies as they apply to international students, and TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo English Test expectations, PLUS how to build a testing timeline around international test center availability.
Financial aid and the visa process. We help families understand need-blind vs. need-aware admissions for international applicants, what the CSS Profile requires, and what to expect after admission regarding the I-20 and F-1 student visa process. (For visa-specific legal questions, we recommend the university's international student office or a qualified immigration attorney.)
A college list built for realistic international fit. International admit rates and aid availability vary far more than rankings suggest. We build a balanced list across reach, match, and likely schools with genuine financial fit not just name recognition.
For U.S. students applying to universities abroad
Understanding how international applications differ. Universities in the UK, Ireland, France, Korea, and elsewhere use separate platforms, earlier deadlines, and evaluation criteria that weight academic focus and subject-specific preparation differently than U.S. holistic admissions. We help students understand those structural differences before they become costly surprises.
UK and UCAS guidance. Applying through UCAS requires declaring a single subject area (there's no "undecided" option.) The UK personal statement is written for a specific subject and evaluated by faculty, not generalist admissions officers. A Common App essay will not translate directly, and we help students write materials tailored to each system.
Firsthand knowledge of international campuses. Lisa and Josh have personally visited universities across England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and Korea — among others — so recommendations about campus culture, academic environment, and fit come from experience, not just rankings.
Financial context for studying abroad. International tuition for U.S. students can be significantly lower than comparable U.S. private universities. We help families understand true cost of attendance, including living costs, currency considerations, and whether U.S. federal financial aid applies.
Virtual-first, any time zone. Meetings are scheduled around your schedule, not ours-whether you're in Houston, Seoul, or London.