Choosing a College or University

The United States has attracted millions of international students to its post-secondary universities and colleges because the U.S.A. offers so many choices and some of the best facilities in the world. But because the choices are so varied, a decision of what program to attend is not an easy one.

This article can give you a better idea of how to determine what type of university is best for you. With more than 3,000 colleges and universities in the United States, the options are almost limitless and you will have to determine what your priorities are.

One of the best characteristics of the American higher education system is that there are good choices for just about 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. As an overseas applicant, you have a special challenge. Maybe you have never visited the U.S.A. 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.

Begin your search early-and consider your long-term goals

My first advice to you is to take plenty of time to study your potential choices. It takes a long time to identify what 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 United States). For many applicants, you also need to consider that you will need three to nine months at an English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) program to prepare for high-level academic work.

There are many questions you will have to ask yourself throughout the college/university decision-making process. What kind of education do I want? What are my career goals? Am I willing to move away from home and to a new country for four years or more? Have I considered the total cost (including living expenses) for this education? Have I determined what type of credentials my future career path requires? Does my home country impose any regulations with respect to studying in the U.S.A.? What type of student organizations am I interested in? Do I have any particular religious affiliation that needs to be considered? Are the American universities or career schools' degree programs recognized by the government of my country?

Where can you find information on American universities?

Educational Advisors Because there are so many choices, it helps to know where to find relevant information to help to narrow your search. Many students turn to educational advisors to help guide them through their search. "Educational advisor" is a broad term and different people and organizations can fill this role for you.

The United States government has advising centers, either sponsored through the Public Affairs Section of a consulate or embassy as well as Fulbright Commission offices throughout the world. Your country may co-sponsor a "bi-national center," together with the United States government, and there are not-for-profit organizations such as AMIDEAST and the Institute of International Education.

Many of these organizations do not charge a fee for advising but may charge for services such as photocopying or postage. Most of them have brochures and catalogs as well as internet access to research universities. They also have information on important examinations such as TOEFL, SAT, GRE and GMAT. It is common for them to hold group advising sessions in which students see videos about universities and life in at American colleges. After the videos, an advisor is then available for comments and questions. Some students choose to talk to family members or friends who have studied in the United States.

Since you know and trust them, you can ask them specific questions about institutions that they attended. Keep in mind, however, that these "informal educational advisors" may only have information on one or two institutions so it is not best to depend only on them. Many countries also have private educational advising agencies. These companies generally have more resources than the non-profit advising offices and also have direct relationships with many intensive English programs as well as universities. For a fee, they can help potential students make a decision on what schools interest them and help them through the application and visa process. Because many graduates of ELS Language Centers proceed to U.S. universities and colleges, we have developed a website, www.collegedirectory.els.com, with information on getting a college or university degree without a TOEFL score (via ELS Language Centers.).

Internet Of course, students today have access to much more information than was available one generation ago, through the internet. The challenge can be that there is TOO MUCH information so it is usually best to use the World Wide Web as a tool when you want to find information on specific institutions or majors. Many websites like www.StudyUSA.com have search engines that can help narrow your investigation. These sites can help narrow your investigation and provide valuable information about choosing a program, getting a visa and estimated costs of tuition. You can search in your own language, contact programs directly for more information and apply online.

A copy of Study in the U.S.A. Many excellent programs that welcome international students are listed in this publication.

Factors to consider

Because there are so many choices when considering post-secondary institutions in the United States, we have gathered some criteria to help you begin your search. All of these things can be important, but for each student, some criteria are more significant than others. Think about these factors to determine what your most important priorities are.

Academic Field-"Major" Unlike universities in most countries, in the U.S.A. you do not usually have to decide what your main field of study ("major") will be when you first enroll. However, if you know what you wish to study, make sure that each university where you choose to apply has an accredited program in this area.

Almost all colleges and universities offer popular majors such as Business and Information Technology but if your interest is in some more specialized field such as Marine Biology or Archaeology, it is important for you to check ahead. Aside from a few specialized institutions of higher learning, most colleges and universities in the U.S.A. offer a wide variety of subjects. It is nearly always possible to specialize in your major field and pursue other subjects at the same time. Traditional liberal arts colleges normally award bachelor's degrees in the sciences as well as in the arts and have the additional advantage of offering a close association with its professors and their research.

You might decide to attend a school that offers mainly courses in your field. There are U.S. colleges that specialize in business or engineering, for example. On the other hand, perhaps you would rather study at a school where a wider variety of subjects are taught. There, you could specialize in your field, but you would learn other subjects as well.

Degrees and Graduate Schools

Be sure in your research and application process that you are seeking information and applying for the correct degree program. If you have finished secondary (high) school or have some university studies without having finished a degree, you are applying for undergraduate studies (for a two-year Associate's degree or a four-year Bachelor's degree).

For most of these programs, you do not have to apply for a specific degree, just admission to the college or university. Master's and Doctoral degrees are considered graduate programs (sometimes referred to as "post-graduate") and it is very important to make sure that the school where you are applying has the appropriate graduate degree for you and that it is not merely an evening or weekend program that may not be intensive enough for you to maintain your status as a full-time student (Many MBA programs are evening and/or weekend programs).

The application is submitted directly to the department where you are applying, unlike undergraduate admissions. For most graduate degrees, you will have to submit standardized test scores such as the GMAT (for graduate business programs) and the GRE. To qualify for these degrees, you must have the equivalent of a four-year university degree.

Admission to some U.S. colleges and universities-particularly the most famous and prestigious ones-is highly competitive, especially for international students, and an educational advisor is useful in determining whether you have a realistic chance at being admitted.

For most students, it is more practical to find a quality institution where they will be academically challenged rather than insisting on attending one of the top 50 universities in the United States. Find out about each school's admission standards, and how your own record will measure up against them. Ask your counselor and teachers about your chances of being admitted to the schools of your choice. Keep in mind that most colleges and universities base their admissions decision on academic performance as well as extracurricular activities. Scores on standardized admissions tests are important, but your marks or grades in school are more important.

Location & Region

Due to the overwhelming number of choices that international students face, one approach is to consider what geographic region you would prefer, or at least which areas are acceptable to you. In total numbers, the majority of international students in the United States live on or near either the East or West Coasts.

Are you from a tropical climate? If so, you should consider whether you should go to New England, with world-class universities but with a cold climate. Another factor to consider is if you are interested in any specific type of cultural, sporting or recreational activity to practice outside of your class time. Some people are attracted to mountain areas such as Colorado or Vermont for skiing or ski-boarding while others wish to be on Florida's Atlantic Coast or Southern California for surfing. Theater fans are attracted to areas such as San Francisco or New York.

Some students prefer to be close to communities of their countrymen so places like New York and Los Angeles are popular. Other students choose to be somewhere in "Middle America" where they can have an almost complete cultural immersion. Keep in mind, also, that many of the United States' most important research universities are located in small cities or towns such as Lawrence, Kansas or Madison, Wisconsin which might not be famous in other countries but are well known "college towns" with relatively low cost of living but a high quality of life.

City, Suburb or Town?

The type of area can be as important as the region and you should keep in mind that the majority of universities are not located right in large cities such as New York, San Francisco or Chicago. As noted above, many of the great universities-that attract thousands of international students each year-are in small cities or even towns.

This can be a very big adjustment for students from huge cities so consider whether they are good options for you. But tens of thousands of students each year settle in to their studies in small cities or towns each year so most people can adapt to a new reality. One compromise can be the "suburb"-residential areas outside major cities-where there are many attractive colleges. These give the tranquility and space needed for world-class facilities within range of the excitement of large cities. Of course, there are also hundreds of choices for you in the heart of large American cities if you prefer.

Total Cost for Your Education

Try to calculate the TOTAL cost for your studies, including living expenses. You can often get this information on colleges' websites. Elite, private colleges and universities usually have higher tuition costs than public universities, though there are private institutions with very competitive costs compared to public universities.

Generally speaking, the areas away from the East and West Coasts have a lower cost of living, in some cases, considerably lower. California's two excellent university systems-University of California and California State University-have dozens of attractive locations with relatively inexpensive tuition, but the cost of living can often be twice that in other states so your total cost may be higher in California. Please be aware that costs increase every year.

Most international students enroll at large, research universities. Typically these are public universities-supported by the government of the state where they are located. These universities offer good "brand names"-overseas, schools like University of California-Berkeley and The Wichita State University-are well-known to families and future employers. But before you decide on these large schools, keep in mind that there are also hundreds of smaller universities and colleges that might be good options for you.

Small colleges generally offer a more "protected" environment and class sizes are smaller. They usually have better ratios of students to faculty and so an international student may receive more personal attention, which is helpful in educational and cultural terms. Integration into student life can be easier at a smaller college. Large, research-focused universities have more technical majors such as architecture and engineering and if they are public, often have lower tuition costs. They also have more international students so it is likely that many of your countrymen will be there, if this is a priority for you.

TOEFL requirements (or TOEFL waivers)

For most international students, the TOEFL examination is a source of anxiety but unless you have been educated in English, it is almost unavoidable. Each program sets its own requirements and, usually, the more prestigious the university, the higher the TOEFL score. Be sure to research what is required at the school or schools where you will be applying.

Some universities have what is called a TOEFL waiver option and this is very attractive to many international students. This generally involves studying at the university's Intensive English Program (or another affiliated English program) until completing the last level. Some private language schools like ELS Language Centers have agreements with many universities to enter without the TOEFL score.

Accreditation

Accreditation is the certification that a school or program meets a prescribed academic standard. It is very important to know that a college or university is accredited. If you attend a college or university that is not accredited, you will not be able to transfer your credits to an accredited college or university. Your home country may not recognize your degrees, and you may not be able to get the job you want.

There is no national government authority or Ministry of Education that sets higher education standards in the U.S.A. Some states authorize or approve schools, but this refers to financial and licensing requirements, not the quality of education there. Instead, colleges and universities have formed associations that set the standards themselves. These associations, called "accrediting bodies," evaluate each U.S. college and university.

If the college or university meets the accrediting body's minimum standards, it receives an acceptable rating and is therefore designated "accredited." This means it earns the right to be listed on the accrediting body's list of acceptable schools. A school must maintain these high standards in order to remain accredited.

Types of Accreditation

There are different types of accrediting bodies: institutional and professional. Your government may also require that you earn a degree from a school with both types of accreditation. Institutional accreditation is based upon the entire school. Professional accreditation is based on the standards kept by a particular school-for example, law, medicine, engineering, or business-and is determined by judges within those professions.

You can find out whether a college or university is accredited by checking the latest edition of a book published by the American Council on Education. This book, Accredited Institutions of Post-Secondary Education, should be available in your local school or educational advising center library.   The degree-granting colleges and universities named in this copy of Study in the USA are fully accredited. Accreditation for schools or programs that do not grant degrees, such as English language institutes, varies depending upon its professional affiliation.

Contacting Schools

When you have analyzed your list of colleges or universities, narrow your list to six or eight schools. Go to the Request Information link on StudyUSA.com to complete an online request. If you are interested in an English language or undergraduate program, send a request form to each school's Admissions Office. If you contact schools through email, please understand that it is important for them to know how you learned about their school, so please mention Study in the USA.

The schools will send you e-mail or brochures with descriptions of the academic programs and activities. Please be aware of the distinction between undergraduate and graduate programs. If you will be an undergraduate write only to the Undergraduate Admissions Office. If you will be a graduate student, be sure to write only to universities with graduate schools. In that case you would send each form to the chairperson of the department or to the Admissions Office of the graduate school where you would like to study. Please mention that you learned about the school by reading Study in the USA. So now you should be able to begin to choose your priorities and where to find information on American colleges and universities. The United States is a wonderful country to further your education and we look forward to welcoming you to our country.

More international students are attending community colleges, which offer a popular alternative for completing the first two years of a Bachelor’s degree. They see community college as a starting point in their effort to earn a four-year or graduate degree from a U.S. university. These first two years are designed to provide a strong foundation of general knowledge before a student begins concentrating on a major field of study.

Transfers and Training

In fact, many university advisors recommend that students attend community college “college transfer” programs first, then transfer to universities for the final two years. Students transfer or use their credits from community colleges to earn a four-year degree. In addition to college transfer programs, community colleges offer a wide range of vocational (job-training) programs. These train students in hundreds of careers from Business Administration and Computer Programming to Nursing, Fashion Design, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Secretarial, Commercial Photography, Engineering or Advertising Art. Students who complete these courses earn degrees or certificates.

Helping the Local Community

Community colleges meet the educational and vocational needs of local communities. Usually they are run by a state government. By maintaining an “open door policy” with low tuition costs and few entrance requirements, community colleges have offered many U.S. citizens a chance to get a college education. ** How does a Community College Differ from a Four-Year College or University?

Admission is easier.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores and academic requirements are usually lower for admission to community colleges than to four-year institutions. Many community colleges also offer ESL (English as a Second Language) programs for students whose TOEFL scores are too low. Costs are less. Tuition at community colleges can be as much as 20% to 80% less than at four-year colleges and universities, particularly if the four-year school is private. Student population is often smaller than four-year schools. Teachers and advisors are able to provide more one-on-one attention to students.

Many U.S. and international students say that attending smaller schools for the first two years helped them make a good transition into larger four-year schools for the final two years. Classroom environments are more supportive. In the U.S. educational system, students compete for good grades. International students who do not speak English fluently are at a disadvantage. Often, they do better and feel more comfortable in smaller classes where there is less competition. Adjusting is easier. Two years at a community college can help an international student improve language skills and grow accustomed to the U.S. educational system and way of life.

Transferring to a New University

One of the great strengths of American higher education is the ease with which students can transfer from one college or university to another. It is not unusual for a student from California, for example, to transfer to Michigan, or for someone attending a small private college to transfer to a large, comprehensive public university. Students who attend a community college to complete lower division general education requirements can transfer to a university where they can take upper division courses and thereby complete a bachelorís degree.

Importance of Accreditation

Transfer from or to institutions that are not regionally accredited is not recommended. If a student attends an institution that lacks regional accreditation, there is a risk that the courses completed will not transfer to an accredited institution.

Making Transfers Easy

Many colleges and universities have special arrangements known as "articulation agreements" with other institutions. Generally speaking, such agreements allow "seamless" transfer with little or no loss of credit and time. For example, engineering students may study for three years at the undergraduate level at one college, then transfer to another college for two more years and receive both a bachelorís and a masterís degree at the end of the five year program of study. Sometimes such arrangements are known as a "3+2" program because they are designed to be completed in a total of five years.

Community colleges often have articulation agreements with four-year colleges and universities. The ten Maricopa Community Colleges in the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area have worked very closely with the three public universities in Arizona to make sure that its courses will transfer to the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University.

All the 106 California community colleges have articulation agreements with the California State University system and the University of California system. This means that if a student successfully completes the general education requirements for CSU or UC at Santa Monica College, for example, he or she can transfer and complete the last two years for the bachelor's degree. Don't allow some of the drawbacks of transferring to deter you. If you plan ahead, a transfer can be an excellent way to accomplish your educational goals and enrich your experience with American higher education. Just as shifting gears in a car is a way to get more speed and power from the engine, transferring from one college or university to another can propel you to greater accomplishments.

Tips for Transfers

There is usually a maximum number of credits you can transfer towards a degree at a college or university. You should find out what that limit is well before transferring. Some colleges and universities offer special freshman or college English classes for students whose native language is not English. These special ESL classes may be accepted for transfer or they may not. Find out before you transfer. Credits transfer; grades do not.

There is usually a requirement to have a certain minimum grade point average (GPA) in order to transfer; however, the GPA earned at one institution does not affect the GPA at another. Colleges and universities usually have general education requirements. A course that is required at one institution may not be required at another. Such courses might transfer, but the credit earned is not necessarily going to apply to degree requirements. Finally and most important, always consult with an academic advisor and your international student advisor before undertaking a transfer. In addition to the transfer of credits, you also have to transfer your immigration status as a student to the new school.

Learning English

Nearly 100,000 students come to the United States to study English each year. Many come to prepare themselves to enter colleges and universities in the United States; others come to learn English while experiencing American life; still others come to improve their English, to qualify for a better job at home. Whatever their reasons, they come to learn, have an interesting cross-cultural experience, meet people from around the world, and have fun. Whatever your reason for coming to study English in the United States of America, it is important that you choose the right school for you. Here are some things to consider as you make this important decision:

College and University Programs

Many U.S. colleges and universities offer full-time intensive English programs. An intensive English program must meet a minimum of 18 hours per week for students to qualify for a student visa. Most intensive programs provide 20–25 hours per week of classroom instruction. Students usually enter these programs at the beginning of the academic semester (term or quarter). One advantage of these programs is that often English students live on campus and have full use of the college or university library, the recreation and sports areas, and other facilities. They can practice English with the university students they meet in their dorms and cafeterias.

In some schools, students in advanced levels of the English program may be permitted to take a few university courses while they are completing their language study. Another advantage of taking university-based ESL classes is that students on F-1 visas may work on campus up to 20 hours per week. Intensive English programs usually are not part of the college or university’s academic degree program. Students enrolled in the ESL institutes are not necessarily admitted to that college or university, and while some universities give academic credit which may count toward a degree, most colleges do not. Public colleges and universities and community colleges often cost less than private universities and colleges.

Proprietary English Language Programs

Some private English language schools also prepare students to enter U.S. colleges and universities. Many of these private schools are located on or near a college or university campus. Others are located in a downtown office building, hotel, or separate school building. Some schools provide housing; others do not. At private schools, schedules may be more flexible than at many colleges and universities.

New sessions may begin every few weeks. This can be an advantage to those students who are interested in short-term study, for example, a two- or three-week program. At some private ESL institutes, advanced-level students may take one or two academic courses at nearby colleges or universities. Proprietary schools also offer vacation ESL programs in which students learn English while traveling to interesting places or participating in activities such as skiing.

How Should I Choose An English Language School? Here are some things to consider as you choose the right program for you: Think about what kind of program you want to attend. Do you want a serious academic program or a casual vacation program? Do you really want to learn English, or do you want to experience American culture and have a vacation? Think about how much money you can spend on tuition, room, meals, activities, books, etc. Where do you want to go to school? In a large city, small town, in a suburb, near relatives, in a particular part of the country? Is the weather important to you? The U.S.A. is a big country with very different temperatures.

Make sure you know how many hours per week you will study in class. Find out if the teachers are professionally trained and experienced language instructors. Do they have a master’s degree (MATESOL) or a master’s degree in a related field? What is the average class size? Ideally, classes range between 10-15 students. What kind of program is it? Is it a serious, academically-oriented program which prepares students to enter a U.S. college or university? Is it an English Language and vacation school with emphasis on travel and cultural experiences? Is it a specialized program offering English for business or English for engineering? Does it offer TOEFL preparation? Make sure it has what you want. What are the dates when the program is offered? Do these dates match your schedule? What living accommodations does the program provide?

Does the program make all housing arrangements for you, or will they help you find housing? Where will you live? In a dormitory with Americans? In a homestay with a family? In a hotel? In an apartment? How far is your housing from the school? What transportation will you take to the school? How much will it cost, and how long is the commute? What arrangements are there for meals, and how much will they cost? What services will the school provide—airport pickup, foreign student advisors, orientation, banking, health care, counseling? What extra-curricular activities are there? Are there clubs or sport teams to join? Is there an exercise room, swimming pool, tennis courts, etc.?

Are these important to you? What is the environment? Is it a large or small school? What is the size/population of the campus? Does the school help students apply to colleges and universities to study? Does it permit advanced level students to take classes at the university or a nearby college? Is the school accredited? Many college and university ESL programs are accredited through their university or college. Private ESL programs may seek accreditation through special accrediting bodies.

Accreditation and Professional Organizations In addition to the regional accrediting agencies, there are two other accrediting bodies: The Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) is a specialized agency for the accreditation of English language programs and institutions in the United States. Accreditation by CEA means that an English language program has met the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions. You can find a list of the specific standards Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). ACCET accredits institutions providing non-collegiate continuing education and training programs.

There are also two important intensive English language program organizations which have established high membership standards; however, they do not accredit schools. Intensive English language programs administered by accredited colleges and universities may apply for membership to the Consortium of University and College Intensive English Programs (UCIEP). Only after passing a rigorous self-study and on-site visit can a school become a member. UCIEP conferences, workshops and regular program evaluations by the organizations help schools adhere to the highest college and university standards. 

Finding the Right Program for You

It is important to do your “homework” before choosing a school. That means thinking about the above questions, so you know what is important to you. As you look for a school, look at the schools listed in this copy of Study in the U.S.A., and visit schools’ websites. Some are in several languages. E-mail your questions to the schools directly. Go to your local educational advising center. They have many resources to help you identify schools of potential interest. Visit the UCIEP and AAIEP web sites listed above. They list pertinent information about all their members, including costs. You are embarking on an exciting and rewarding adventure. Choose carefully, and you will have a wonderful, rewarding experience. I know I speak for all IEP directors when I say we look forward to welcoming you to the United States of America.