7 minute read
Studying in the U.S
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594
Harvard University
257
Columbia University
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Duke University
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Trinity College
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Amherst College
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U.S . PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES VS U.S. PUBLIC (STATE) UNIVERSITIES
US Private Universities
Funded through fees, grants, donations, alumni
Generally higher tuition fees (Average: $35k)
US Public (State) Universities
Mainly funded or subsidised by the state & fees
Generally lower tuition fees (Average: $23k)
More demographically & geographically diverse with more national/international students
Top ones generally higher ranked, but not all of them
Generally smaller class sizes & enrolments Narrower range of subjects, academic focussed
Closer relationships with professors Less demographically or geographically diverse (in-state students)
Mixed rankings, some higher some lower
Average class sizes and enrolments larger Wider range of subjects
Less close student-lecturer relationships
Factors to consider when making applications to U.S universities • Type, size and location of university • Affordability or chances of getting full funding • Colleges that you have a perfect cultural match with • Degree of selectivity • Subject areas (It is very possible that when you apply to American colleges, you may end up not studying one degree discipline/ area of study)
Funding & Tuition
Quite a lot of students are able to fund their studies through scholarships or financial aid from the US universities them- selves or from external fund- ing bodies. More than 600 US universities offer international student scholarships worth $20,000+, with over 250 institu- tions having opportunities for ‘full ride’ scholarships. Tuition Fees Tuition fees in America vary significantly, ranging from the most expensive private university such as the Ivy league Universities, which charge up- wards of $50k, to low cost state universities, which may charge as low as $5k per year. Inter- national students tend to pay higher ‘out-of-state’ fees and are not eligible for the US Federal Student Aid, neither are they eligible for UK’s student loans
and grants. However, international students can apply for highly competitive scholarships or university funding packages. Other costs such accommodation and living expenses often range be- tween $15k and $20k. Scholarships & Financial Aid International students may con- sider applying for financial aid by completing the CSS (College Scholarship Service) Profile, which enable then to be considered for a limited range of aid based on their family income and assets. ‘Need-aware’ universities consider a student’s financial situation when making admission deci- sions. Some ‘need-blind’ universi- ties (such as Harvard, MIT, Princ- eton and Yale) do not consider a student’s financial situation when making admission decisions but may also meet the full financial needs for international students.
CONSIDER
character, leadership and assertiveness. - Some competency-based scholarships also consider art portfolios, video/ live auditions or essays. - First Year Abroad Programs – selected universities allowed students who have completed their first year to pay significantly lower in-state tuition (e.g. Florida State University). - Liberal Arts, Southern and Midwest colleges are generally more generous and are keener on attracting international students. (Please see table on previous page)
Scholarship assessments are generally not based on the student’s family financial situation and affordability. Scholarship opportunities include: - University/College specific means-tested (needbased) scholarships – limited and very competitive for inter- national students - Merit-based University/ College Scholarships – awarded for academically or extra-curricular talented students. Extra curriculars range from art to drama, music and dance - Sports Scholarships – mostly governed by bodies such as NCAA, NAIA or NJCAA - External Scholarships - based on specific criterial that may include religion, ethnicity, character, discipline or talent. - Attribute based scholarship such as the UNC’s Morehead-Cain Scholarship consider
Work-Study Options - F1 Visa
- Only awarded to students who can demonstrate full financial support. Employment income is classified as supplementary income and cannot be used as annual proof of financial resources. - Employment limited to 20 hours per week on campus during term-time and full-time during holidays, for first year students. Off-campus employ- ment allowed for second year onwards. - Optional Practical Train- ing (OPT) - allows you to work off-campus after one year enrolment. - Curricular Practical Training (CPT) – allows working with a job offer for major-related work necessary for your de- gree/academic credit, after one year of study. - Major-related work for State approved International Organisations such as WHO, WTO, UN, Red Cross.
Fulbright Commission- Offer programmes, events and advice for UK students, academics and professionals interested in studying, researching or teaching at accredited higher education institutions in the USA.
Sutton Trust US Programme - supports high achieving state school students from across the UK to explore US study and access leading universities. The Sutton Trust US Programme is a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore what studying in the US is like. It will give you a taste of what it’s like being an international student in the US and help you see if it could be the right fit for you. It’s a fully-funded programme so they will cover all costs, including travel, residential events, accommodation and food. https://us.suttontrust.com/
IEFA - The premier resource for international scholarship and grant information for students. You’ll find the most comprehensive listing of scholarships for international students. https://www.iefa.org/ IIE-Funding for U.S. study - Funding for US Study Online is an extensive database of scholarships, fellowships and grants organized and maintained by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Funding for US Study includes all types of funding programs, for all levels of post-secondary study, across the full range of academic areas. https://www.fundingusstudy.org/
Edupass - The International Student Guide to Studying in the USA. This site provides information for international students who are thinking about pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or professional education in the USA. It also contains material of interest to international students who are already in the USA. There is also some information for international students who are interested in studying in countries other than the US, but the main focus is on higher education in the US. https://www.edupass.org/
International Scholarships - the premier financial aid, college scholarship and international scholarship resource for students wishing to study abroad. At this site, you will find the most comprehensive listing of grants, scholarships, loan programs, and other information to assist college and university students in their pursuit to study abroad. https://www.internationalscholarships.com/
ScholarshipPortal - scholarship website for international students looking to meet their financial needs.
Find and Compare University Scholarships, grants, fellowships and other student funding. Comprehensive scholarship lists available for a wide variety of destinations abroad. https://www.scholarshipportal.com/
Education USA- a U.S. Department of State network of over 430 international student advising centres in 178 countries and territories. The network promotes U.S. higher education to students around the world by offering accurate, comprehensive, and current information about opportunities to study at accredited postsecondary institutions in the United States. https://educationusa.state.gov/
The College Board- a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity as well as promoting excellence and equity in education. Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success — including the SAT and the Advanced Placement Program, grants, scholarships, fellowships and financial aid. https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/
UES (University Entrance Skills) - Provides high quality, personal support to students entering Higher Education in the US. They have an end-to-end service that includes help with standardised test tutoring, building the right extracurricular profile, choosing colleges, writing college essays and personal statements, and completing applications. https://www.ueseducation.com/
NCAA- The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a member-led organization dedicated to providing a pathway to opportunity for college athletes. http://www.ncaa.org/
NAIA - The official clearinghouse for NAIA eligibility. Every student-athlete must register with the NAIA Eligibility Center to play sports at an NAIA college or university. https://www.naia.org/student-athletes/future-student-athletes/index
NJCAA - The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) is committed to providing quality athletic opportunities to enhance the entire collegiate learning experience for its students. https://www.njcaa.org/eligibility/Pros-SA-Guide
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