With over 4000 universities and colleges available for you to choose from in the US, making the right choice is no easy feat. There are many factors that you need to consider before you can find the right fit and to help you make this crucial decision, we’ve included information that will provide you with a better understanding of the higher education system in the US.
Types of Universities/Colleges
First and foremost, getting to know the type of courses that are being offered in the universities is of utmost importance to your choice. Each university offers a variety of different courses and programs which might suit your career goals and future pathways. However, if you are not decided on a major yet, don’t worry. Most universities in the US do not require you to state your major when you first enroll. The higher education system is flexible such that you can switch majors or take up double degree programs based on your needs.
With that being said, it is still a wise move to research and prepare beforehand on the universities that might offer courses on your preferred area of study. You need to make sure that the university has an accredited program in the area of your choice. It doesn’t have to be a specific major but knowing the field of study that you are most likely to be interested in such as the arts and social science, business, computer science etc. will go a long way in shaping your future. If you are intent on taking up specialized, technical courses such as aviation, marine biology etc. it is all the more important that you look up on which particular university offer these courses as not all institutions have the liberty of providing them. Typically, popular courses such as the humanities subjects, business or science courses will be offered by most universities. Hence, try to prioritize the academic field that you are interested in and that will be your first significant milestone in deciding the right university for you.
There are also many types of different universities in the US. They include the distinction between public and private universities. Public universities are funded by the state government and they usually occupy a vast amount of space. International students would have to pay out-of-state tuition fee which is often higher than locals but is relatively cheaper than private universities. Some of the best public universities in the US include University of California at Berkeley (UC Berkeley), University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Georgia Institute of Technology.
Meanwhile, private universities are funded by independent institutions. They have a smaller student body and community with facilities that are comparatively better. The tuition fee is higher for international students but there are more scholarships set aside to aid the need-based students. The best private universities include those in the Ivy League which are Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Cornell and more. Both private and public universities have their set of advantages and ultimately, it is dependant on what kind of experience you wish to get out of your stay there.
If you know what you want to study and are focused on enrolling in that one academic field that you are truly interested in, then the specialist institutions should be your top choice. They provide in-depth specialized courses in various fields that might not be offered in other universities. Some of the best specialist institutions include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), California Institute of Technology, Juilliard which specializes in performing art and Rhode Island School of Design focusing on visual and applied arts.
Additionally, you will need to consider whether large universities or small universities suit you best. Public universities are typically large in size and offer many research facilities that will enhance your study there. They are also well-known to families and future employers as they have a ‘brand’ name associated to their prestige. You will most likely find more international students as well which could make your transition to the life there easier. Smaller universities, on the other hand, provide a close-knit community and comfortable class sizes. The ratio of students to faculty is also lower in number which means that more attention can be given to each and every student. Hence, depending on the kind of environment that you wish to be in, the choice of a large or small university is definitely important to ensure that you do not feel out of place.
Finally, you can also opt for liberal arts program in universities to kick start your tertiary education period. Liberal arts program offer a wide variety of choices in broad, diverse fields such as philosophy, music, literature and history. By engaging in different disciplines, you will get to explore different sides of yourself and ultimately, discover where your sense of passion and talent lies. A liberal arts education is meant to develop you holistically as a person and it not only equips you with communication and critical thinking skills but also cultivates appreciation towards the nuances of humanity. Hence, liberal arts education is by no means subpar compared to professional courses such as law, medicine or architecture. The best liberal arts college in the US include Pomona College, Swarthmore College, Amherst College and Bowdoin College.
Campus Life
Throughout your tertiary education period, you will not just be studying all the time. You will also need to engage in co-curricular activities or student bodies that will enrich you in many different ways. As such, identifying the kind of campus life that the university would most likely offer you is of utmost importance as well. In this case, you need to decide on whether you would like to be in an academically-rigorous university that emphasizes on educational challenges or an institution that provides a balance between academic and extracurricular activities. Checking out on the kinds of clubs, societies or community services that are prominent in the university is necessary to ensure that you can expand on your skills, talents and aptitudes. For example, if you are an active, sportsperson that would like to indulge in a variety of sports-based activities, institutions such as the University of Michigan, University of Florida and Ohio State University offer some of the best sports programs. If you are interested in chess, the University of Texas at Dallas has a comprehensive chess society that is well-renowned throughout the nation. All in all, a holistic education experience will prove to be most beneficial to you and thus, the choice of campus life that you wish to be in should definitely be considered as well.
Location and Region
The US is a large country and the different geographical locations are highly important in affecting your educational experience there. The weather or climate and the terrain of the surroundings could be influential to your studies. Thus, the location and region in which the university is located should be considered as a significant factor in your choice. It all boils down to the kind of experience that you relish for your stay there. Are you a person who likes to be in the outskirts of the city, away from the bustling city and crowd of people? Then the South and Midwest regions could be suitable for you as the atmosphere in these locations are serene and tranquil coupled with friendly communities and a more slow-paced lifestyle. If you like the excitement of a city life, then places such as New York and Los Angeles would be the obvious choice.
Your tolerance to a certain climate is detrimental to your lifestyle there. The South is typically hot and humid with mild winters while regions such as New England are cold and snowy. The Mid-Atlantic states have a diverse ethnic community with four distinct seasons. If you’re looking for a total cultural immersion in the US, then the ‘Middle America’ should be your choice. Remember to take into consideration these climatic changes for the university of your choice since there is no point going to a world-class university in a cold region if you can’t stand it which will affect not only your health but your motivation as well.
You will be surprised that some of the most prestigious, important research universities are located in the rural areas such as Kansas, Madison and Wisconsin. These places often offer a higher quality of lifestyle and a lower cost of living. However, if you cannot bear the thought of being stripped away from the many facilities and places available in a large city, you should definitely reconsider your choice. Another aspect to take note of is the kind of public amenities and transportation available. An urban setting will provide you with numerous public transportation and it is more likely to be located closer to international airports as well. If you are one who wants to travel while studying there, a rural setting might halt or limit your experience there.
Ultimately, the choice of a city, town or suburb again depends on the kind of person you are and the expectation you wish to gain during your period in the US. You are not just there for a short holiday but rather, you will most likely be spending a couple of years before your education is completed. It is necessary for you to consider how well you can adapt to the new setting and transition to the lifestyle there. If you are not able to adjust to the environment, your stay there would most probably be unfruitful as well and we certainly do not want such a factor to put a stop to your ambition and dreams.
Costs and Financial Aids
A main concern that might come to your mind while deciding on your choice of university in the US could be the affordability of the cost of the tuition fee or the cost of living. In this case, you will need to prioritize the kind of university or setting in which you will go into. Typically, public universities incur a relatively cheaper tuition fee compared to private or specialist institutions and hence, do consider public universities to minimize the fee charged. Alternatively, you could choose to go to a university in the rural area such as the South or Midwest where the cost of living is much lower compared to large cities.
Many universities offer a large amount of need-based financial aid and you should always look out for such funding should it be available. For instance, prestigious universities such as Harvard or MIT offer a generous amount of scholarships that will completely cover your cost of studies. Recently, a number of universities have also reduced or eliminated loans in their financial aid package such as Princeton, Stanford and Chicago. Yes, these are competitive universities but if you have done your preparation and you are confident in your capabilities, you can definitely land a spot in these universities without the burden of a heavy cost. Furthermore, there are many merit-based scholarships and bursaries available as well and if you know you’ve done well in your academic tests, go ahead and apply for them. International students have as much opportunity as the local residents in attaining these funding and aids. All it takes is your determination, preparation and willpower to succeed!
