The Sutton Trust US Programme is a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore what studying in the US is like. It will give you a taste of what it's like being an international student in the US and help you see if it could be the right fit for you. It's a fully-funded programme so we'll cover all costs, including travel, residential events, accommodation and food.

EXPLORE US UNIVERSITIES ON A WEEK LONG TRIP TO THE US

LEARN ABOUT THE US ADMISSIONS PROCESS AT TWO RESIDENTIALS IN THE SPRING

Support from expert advisers throughout the process

In-depth admissions test preparation

Guidance for parents and teachers

Make friends with young people from across the UK

Format and key dates for 2025 programme

Applicants will be expected to participate in all elements of Part 1 of the programme.

Part 1: Explore

Oval icon Arrow right icon
Apply icon

Apply

Late Autumn 2025 - January 2025

Find out more

Apply

Late Autumn 2025 - January 2025

Applications for the 2025 programme will open later in the Autumn.

To be notified when applications reopen, register your details here.

 

Oval icon Arrow right icon
Application Decisions Released icon

Application Decisions Released

Early March 2025

Find out more

Application Decisions Released

Early March 2025

You will be notified of the outcome of your application by early March.

Oval icon Arrow right icon
April residential icon

April residential

April 2025

Find out more

April residential

April 2025

At the April residential you’ll meet your cohort from across the UK. This action-packed residential will allow you to hear from current students, alumni of American universities and experts in the admissions and test prep field. We will also spend time preparing for the ACT test in June.

Oval icon Arrow right icon
June residential icon

June residential

June 2025

Find out more

June residential

June 2025

You will spend time preparing to go on your US week and begin to work on elements of the US admissions application, such as essays and the extracurricular list.

Oval icon Arrow right icon
Foundations of a US application icon

Foundations of a US application

May, June and July 2025

Find out more

Foundations of a US application

May, June and July 2025

Working through our bespoke modular course, you will learn how to write about yourself, your world view and your achievements. These will form the building blocks of a US application in the autumn.

Oval icon Arrow right icon
US week icon

US week

July - August 2025

Find out more

US week

July - August 2025

The programme includes a weeklong residential in the United States. You will stay in university dorms and take part in campus tours, information sessions and cultural activities. You will also take part in a university fair, where students will meet with university representatives from all over the US. During this week, you will start to decide if studying in the US is the right choice for you.

The weeklong visit to the US will be held between late July and early August at a leading US university. Until we confirm dates and campuses, students should be available for this entire period.

Oval icon Arrow right icon
Apply to Part 2 icon

Apply to Part 2

August 2025

Find out more

Apply to Part 2

August 2025

If you decide you would like to apply to US universities during Year 13, you can apply to join the second part of the programme.

Part 2: Apply

Oval icon Arrow right icon
Attend USA College Day icon

Attend USA College Day

September 2025

Find out more

Attend USA College Day

September 2025

Fulbright’s USA College Day is the largest US college fair in Europe. You’ll receive a VIP pass to access the admissions officers at the fair before anyone else.

Oval icon Arrow right icon
Apply to US Universities icon

Apply to US Universities

September 2025 - January 2026

Find out more

Apply to US Universities

September 2025 - January 2026

At this point you’ll submit your application to your university choices. The application process has multiple stages and deadlines. The Fulbright advisors will guide you through this process, including how to apply for financial aid.

Oval icon Arrow right icon
December event icon

December event

December 2025

Find out more

December event

December 2025

At this one day event, you will prepare for the early application results and work on your regular round applications.

Oval icon Arrow right icon
Pre-Departure Event icon

Pre-Departure Event

July 2026

Find out more

Pre-Departure Event

July 2026

In July we celebrate all the students on the programme at our pre-departure event hosted in London. You’ll be joined by the rest of your cohort, parents, staff members, donors and programme alumni to celebrate your achievements.

Oval icon Arrow right icon
Join the Sutton Trust alumni community icon

Join the Sutton Trust alumni community

Find out more

Join the Sutton Trust alumni community

All Sutton Trust US Programme students will be invited to join the Sutton Trust alumni community. Now 30,000+ strong, you’ll gain access to suttontrustalumni.com, the online platform that offers careers support, exclusive events and the chance to connect with other alumni.

Information for teachers column icon

Information for teachers

Find out more
Funding US study column icon

Funding US study

Find out more
Applications column icon

Applications

Apply

Since 2012, we have given hundreds of incredible state school students from across the UK the chance to change their lives by studying in the States. They benefit from a broad and varied curriculum, exciting enrichment opportunities, as well as funding for both tuition and living costs. I'm constantly impressed by their achievements. They are proof that background is no obstacle to studying in the US.

Sir Peter Lampl | Founder and Chairman of the Sutton Trust

Created with Sketch.

About the Sutton Trust

The Sutton Trust is committed to improving social mobility from birth to the workplace. Founded by Sir Peter Lampl in 1997, the Trust has supported over 30,000 young people through evidence-led programmes and published over 200 pieces of agenda-setting research, many of which have influenced government policy.

About the Fulbright Commission

The US-UK Fulbright Commission advances knowledge, promotes civic engagement and develops compassionate leaders through educational exchange between the peoples of the US and UK. Fulbright is part of the EducationUSA network, which is the official source of advice for UK students applying to US universities. Over the last 70 years, Fulbright has helped thousands of UK students apply to hundreds of US universities.

Thanks

The Sutton Trust US programme is made possible through generous support from our donors.

Find out if the Sutton Trust US Programme is right for you