Are you thinking of applying to colleges and universities in the U.S.? Do you feel overwhelmed by how many choices there are? Confused about how to choose the right college? You are not alone. The United States boasts the largest and most diverse higher education system in the world, with more than 4,000 colleges and universities. Deciding where to apply can be a complex task; however, the more organized your search, the more effective it will be.
Before applying, you should determine your personal criteria for a U.S. college or university. The following are examples of things you might consider, but you should add criteria of your own. Every student’s search is different and should reflect those criteria that are most important to the student individually.
Academic Factors
What do you wish to study? Liberal arts? Sciences? Business? Engineering? A specific trade or technical area? Determining your program of study is a good way to start identifying universities. It is OK if you are undecided; many U.S. schools will let you enter as such, allowing you to choose your major field of study later on.
Are there any “core” or distribution requirements for graduation? Discover what classes or subject areas (if any) the university requires of all undergraduates; then determine if these classes are ones that you are both willing and able to complete.
Are there opportunities to conduct research? To pursue more than one major? To study abroad? Consider the particular academic opportunities that you would like to have and search for schools that offer them.
What is the quality of the institution? Some factors that can help you determine quality include: student–faculty ratio; average class size; percentage of faculty who teach; percentage of classes that are professor taught (versus those that are taught by graduate students or teaching assistants).
Finally, be sure that both the institution and the academic program you are considering are accredited. U.S. universities are accredited by one of six recognized regional organizations, while academic programs are accredited by one of 60 programmatic accrediting organizations. For more information on accreditation, visit the Web site of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Size
Would you like to go to school with 30,000 students or 3,000? The largest U.S. universities have tens of thousands of students on a single campus; the smallest have fewer than 1,000. Determine which campus environment feels most comfortable to you and select schools based on your ideal size.
Location
Do you wish to go to school in a particular geographic region? Would you like to be in an urban area or somewhere more rural? Many U.S. institutions are located in or near cities; however, many more are located in small towns and other settings. Determine what type of location will contribute to and enrich your life as a student.
Extracurricular Factors
What else do you wish to be involved in besides your studies? Are you an artist, an athlete, a musician, a poet? Would you like there to be an international student association on your campus or a specific cultural or religious group to which you can belong? U.S. colleges and universities offer extensive clubs, organizations, and activities to students. Find those that are right for you.
Financial Factors
What are the annual costs for attending the college or university of your choice? You must consider tuition, room and board (the cost to stay in the dormitories and to eat in the dining halls), books, fees, and personal expenses. If you know that you will need financial assistance to attend an institution in the United States, look for schools that offer scholarships or financial aid specifically for international students.
These are just a few of the areas that you should consider as you look for colleges and universities in the United States. Remember that institutions vary in their selectivity as much as they vary in other areas. Therefore, as you search, be sure you include some options where your chances of admission seem likely based on the admissions data that the institution provides. Rest assured, however, that with more than 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States, there is a right place for you.