Selecting The Right College
The US has attracted millions of international students to its post-secondary universities and colleges because the US. offers wide variety choices and some of the best facilities in the world. But because the choices are so varied, a decision of which college to choose is not an easy one. The below mentioned article can give you a better idea of how to determine what type of college is best for you.
With more than 3,000 colleges and universities in the US, the options are almost endless but you will have to decide upon what your priorities are. One of the best characteristics of the US higher education system is that there are good choices available for everyone, from community colleges to career schools to private, liberal arts colleges to large, public universities. You must also consider factors such as the geographic location of a school, its size and the degree program it offers.
For undergraduate students, US education has compile section on Getting into College.
As an overseas applicant, you have a special challenge. Maybe you have never visited the US. or seen the campuses that interest you. It's important that you take extra care to find out about each school's location and about the kind of people who study and teach there. These considerations can be as important to you as the quality of the school's academic programs. All of these things can be important, but for each student, some criteria are more significant than others.
You should take into consideration the below mentioned factors to determine your most important priorities.
- Start your Search early
It takes a long time to identify which colleges might be appropriate for you, so it is important to begin this process 12 to 18 months before you wish to begin your studies (keep in mind that the school year begins in August or September in the US).
- Ask for information from 10 colleges
You should request information from at least 10 institutions. College admissions are competitive enough for international students that you need to apply to many institutions to have a reasonable possibility of being admitted to a few schools. Few international students apply to as many as 15 institutions, especially if they are in highly competitive fields like business, engineering, or computer science.
- Apply to fewer selective colleges also
At least one third of your applications should be to schools that are less selective. You can get a fair idea of a school's selectivity by the scores they require on academic admissions tests. Do not limit your selection to only the most famed internationally-known institutions. If you do, the probability of being admitted to even one school will be infinitesimally small.
- Apply only to recognized colleges
The US government does not scrutinize the quality of US colleges and universities, as does the ministry of education in other countries. Instead, the US Department of Education approves accrediting organizations. These accrediting organizations review a school's educational program for quality, and certify that the school meets a minimal set of standards. So it is imperative to be sure that the schools to which you are applying are accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, since schools without accreditation are probably to be of lesser quality.
- Limit your Search to one Region
Sometimes it beneficial to limit your search to one region of the US, such as the east or west coast, before looking for schools that match your other requirements. The most important factors in choosing a location are climate and cost of living. Costs are higher in large cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Boston. In contrast, costs are much lower in the South and in cities like Pittsburgh and Seattle. The most popular destinations in the US for international students are New York, Massachusetts, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Florida and Texas.
- Number of International students
Another key consideration is the number of international students on campus. If there are very many international students on campus, the school is more likely to be sensitive to the needs of students from other countries. On the other hand, you are less likely to obtain financial aid at such a school.
The states which are most popular among international students are New York, Massachusetts, California, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Texas, Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin, Vermont, Minnesota, Maryland, and Iowa
Do not rely on grading of institutions quality such as the Gorman Report or US News & World Report's annual college rankings. The methodology used to assemble these rankings is subjective, conflicting, and not based on any universal standard. The best school for you is the one that best meets your needs and interests and not somebody else's assessment of an institution's prestige.
|
