What happens on the programme?
Explore US universities
Learn about the US admissions process at residentials in the spring and summer
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 2026 Programme
Applicants will be expected to participate in all elements of Part 1 of the programme.
Part 1: Explore
Late Autumn 2025 – January 2026
Applications for the 2026 programme are now closed.
Late February 2026
You will be notified of the outcome of your application at the end of February.
31 March – 2 April 2026
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 field.
6 June 2026
You’ll sit the SAT admissions exam at a testing centre. Students will be expected to study on their own for the SAT, however, you will receive support both at the April residential and online in the run up to the exam.
5 – 7 June 2026
You will begin to work on elements of the US admissions application, such as essays and the extracurricular list.
May, June and July 2026
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.
21 July – 4 August 2026
At the summer residential, you will spend time learning more about the US admissions process, deepen your understanding of what it is like to study at US universities by meeting programme alumni who are studying at US universities, and connect with US university admissions representatives.
During this residential, you will start to decide if studying in the US is the right choice for you.
The summer residential will take place at a UK university.
Please note that, while we work to confirm the dates for this residential, you should be available for this entire period.
August 2026
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
September 2026
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.
September 2026 – January 2027
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.
December 2026
At this one day event, you will prepare for the early application results and work on your regular round applications.
July 2027
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.
All US Programme students will be invited to join the Sutton Trust alumni community. Now 50,000+ 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.
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 50,000 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 75 years, Fulbright has helped thousands of UK students apply to hundreds of US universities.
Thanks
The Sutton Trust Fulbright US programme is made possible through generous support from our donors.
