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With over 3,500 accredited institutions
in the United States, there is much to consider.
Some particularly important factors include—
- Accreditation/recognition.
Be sure the institution is accredited
by a body recognized by the Council on
Higher Education Accreditation and/or
the U.S. Department of Education. Also
be aware that some countries and employers
have additional expectations; for instance,
some do not yet accept degrees earned
through distance education.
- Areas of study. Even
the biggest schools do not prepare students
for every career—be sure the types
of programs that you are interested in
are offered by the schools that you are
considering.
- Cost. Tuition and
fees can differ a lot between one U.S.
university and another. Living costs will
also vary depending on location. Look
not only at costs but also at how much
financial aid may be available—in
some cases expensive schools may be able
to offer good financial aid.
- Location. Variations
in climate and landscape are large in
the United States. Consider also whether
you would prefer a campus located in an
urban, suburban, or rural setting.
- Type of institution. Institutions
may be public, private, or religiously
affiliated. They may be large or small,
have many international students or only
a few.
- Qualifications and research
interests of faculty. A match
with faculty interests is particularly
important for graduate students.
- Facilities and special resources
or programs. For instance, if
you are not fluent in English, you may
want to look for a school that has an
English language program on campus.
- Admissions standards. How
closely do your qualifications match those
of students accepted to the school? This
can give you an idea how likely you are
to be accepted.
The United States does not publish any
official list of best universities. Some
private organizations compile "best"
lists that have been created based on such
factors as research funds or the opinions
of professionals in a given field. These
lists vary considerably in their conclusions,
which is not surprising given that over
3,500 accredited U.S. universities and colleges
currently operate, each with its own goals
and strengths.
Often the most famous universities are
also the most expensive and the most difficult
to enter. The "best" university
is going to be the one that is right for
you—one that offers your field of
study and meets other criteria important
to you such as location, financing, housing,
and facilities for international students.
See the page in this section on Funding
U.S. Study as well as this Web site’s
more detailed Financial
Aid section for information on costs
and financing strategies.
The diversity of U.S. education means that
requirements vary significantly from one
university to another; some institutions
are very selective while others accept most
applicants. To enter a selective undergraduate
program, you will need at least a B average
in secondary school, equivalent to placing
in the top 20 percent of your class. The
most difficult universities are likely to
require placement at least in the top 10
percent of your class. Some institutions
have less demanding requirements or even
“open enrollment” programs that
require only secondary school completion
or other basic prerequisites in order to
start degrees (there may be additional requirements
for international students; for instance,
English language proficiency is generally
required to begin any degree-awarding program)—just
be sure you’re prepared to succeed
in university-level course work; open enrollment
academic programs can be just as challenging
as those of more selective institutions.
Students entering graduate school are
generally reviewed with an emphasis placed
on the final sixty units of undergraduate
study. Eligibility requirements vary from
department to department, with admission
typically more selective than at the undergraduate
level.
If possible, begin at least one to two
years before you plan to start your program.
The U.S. academic year begins around the
end of August and ends in May. Mid-year
admission (to begin classes in January or
February) may also be possible, but not
in all cases. Application deadlines may
fall as early as the end of November at
some schools. You will also need time to
register for, take, and wait for scores
from standardized tests. Some of these tests
are offered only once or twice each year.
Have you gotten a late start? Some schools
offer more flexible “rolling”
admissions and will accept applications
at any time. In the United States, you also
aren’t required to begin an undergraduate
program immediately after secondary school
graduation—if you need to wait a year
because the deadline of the school in which
you’re interested in has passed, you
can. At graduate schools, older students
are even more common and some universities
even offer programs specifically intended
for “mid-career” individuals
with substantial work experience. Still,
starting early allows you the broadest range
of choices and the best chances at financial
aid without having to rush or wait.
See the page on U.S.
Admissions: Testing in this section
as well as the more detailed section on
Testing
in this Web site for answers to this and
other testing questions.
Application procedures will vary slightly
from one university to another. Here are
the common steps:
- Check scheduled dates for the TOEFL
or any other exam required for your field
and level of study. Register at least
two months before the date you wish to
take these exams.
- Take the time to research which universities
have programs and professors that are
strong in the specializations on which
you plan to focus. Departmental Web sites
often provide helpful detail and you can
research leaders in the field by looking
at who is presenting at professional conferences,
who is writing articles in professional
periodicals, and so forth. If possible,
make a connection with professors and/or
departments where you plan to study, perhaps
by sending an e-mail to professors of
interest introducing yourself and briefly
explaining your goals and qualifications.
- After research, make a list of schools
that seem to match your needs and preferences.
Send e-mails or letters to each requesting
information and application forms.
- When you receive the application forms,
complete one form for each of the three
to seven universities that best meet your
needs and send each one, along with the
application fee, to the university. Your
academic documents and test scores may
be sent later, although applications received
without the application fee will be returned.
Test scores must be sent directly from
the testing agency. Copies are not acceptable.
- Ask schools that you have attended
to submit official transcripts showing
the courses you took. If you took a school-leaving
examination, also send a copy of these
results. Most U.S. colleges and universities
also ask for recommendations to be sent
directly by teachers, employers, or others
aware of your strengths. Documents not
in English must be accompanied by an English
translation. If your school will not provide original copies, explain this to admissions offices; they may accept a certified true copy stamped by AMIDEAST.
Use the same spelling of your name on all
application forms, test applications, and
so forth. Use the spelling that is on your
passport if you have one. Differences in
spelling from one document to another can
cause problems.
Type rather than handwrite materials
whenever possible, or print very neatly
if you need to handwrite pieces.
Usually applicants to selective institutions
are asked to write an essay, personal statement,
or statement of purpose. Specific guidelines
may be provided by the institution but these
essays usually serve the following purposes:
- Graduate programs are most interested
in learning details about the applicant's
desired area of study, their career goals,
and how the program being applied for
meets the applicant's specific academic
needs.
- At the undergraduate level, the essay
allows the admissions staff to gain a
better feel for the applicant's individual
personality and background. How are you
different from other applicants? The essay
may also provide a good place to discuss
your interests and skills that are not
fully described in other parts of the
application.
If you intend to major in performing arts
areas such as music or dance, you may have
to provide a videotape or an audiotape of
a performance. Artists may be required to
provide a portfolio or slides of their work.
Use airmail/courier for all materials sent
from outside the United States or apply
on-line if possible. Keep a copy of everything
you send to institutions.
There will probably be items on the application
that do not fit international students (such
as Social Security number, zip code, and
so forth). You can leave these blank—
you may attach a cover letter explaining
why certain items have been left unanswered
if you feel anything might be confusing.
Visit the sections of this Web site focusing
on Undergraduate
Admissions and Graduate
Admissions, as well as on Fields
of Study.
If you still have questions not answered
on our site, you are welcome to contact
us.
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