|
STEP 3 Develop a Short
List of Programs
Deciding which institutions to apply to is one of the most
important decisions you will make. It requires serious consideration.
Since there is a great deal of diversity in graduate programs,
it is especially important to clearly articulate what it is
you wish to accomplish and find out which institutions offer
the kind of program you are seeking.
Identify Universities
That Offer Your Field of Study
Your first and most important step is to identify institutions
that offer your subject area and any specializations you wish
to pursue within that subject area. Finding the right academic
"match" between you, the department, and its faculty
by using the various human, electronic, and printed resources
below can be the key to a successful graduate experience in
the United States.
Printed Directories: There are several general directories
that list institutions by degree program and include helpful
articles on graduate study (see the bibliography).
Professional associations for different subject areas also
publish directories of university departments in the United
States, including information on different specializations
and faculty research interests. University catalogs provide
the most specific information about the institutions and their
programs. You will find many of these directories and catalogs
at U.S. educational information and advising centers and in
some university libraries.
Contacts: Discuss your plans with faculty members
at your institution and with students who have studied in
the United States. They are likely to have their own contacts
in the United States and suggestions of universities to consider.
Also, do not be afraid to contact universities in the United
States directly with questions about their programs or to
communicate with other international students in the department
you're interested in.
"Talk to someone who has gone through the process. They
can provide you with information you won't find in any school
brochure."
— Medical student from Ghana
College Web Sites and E-Mail: The United States leads
the world in using the World Wide Web. Almost every U.S. university
and college has a Web site that offers information about degree
programs, application procedures, academic departments, faculty
members, facilities on campus, and other topics. In many cases,
you will also find a copy of the college catalog that you
can study online or download to read later. Don't forget that
many sites also give e-mail addresses for current students,
including international students, who often are happy to answer
your questions about applying to the school and about campus
life. Once you have narrowed down the colleges and universities
you are interested in, you may wish to e-mail professors and
admissions personnel to have specific questions answered before
you finally decide where to apply.
College Searches on the Web: Some Web sites are independent
of colleges and universities and allow you to search for institutions
by the subject you are interested in studying, by geographic
preference, or by a range of other criteria that you can specify.
See 'Related Links' for Web
sites offering university searches. Staff at U.S. educational
information and advising centers can assist you in the use
of search sites on the Internet and offer suggestions for
locating information on specific programs.
"Contact universities so that you can be sure the program
you are considering is exactly what you wish it to be."
— Logistics student from Portugal
Three additional sources of information are:
U.S. University Fairs and Visits: Representatives
of U.S. universities may come to visit your country. Your
information or advising center can tell you about upcoming
U.S. university fairs or other types of visits where you can
talk to admissions officers or faculty members face-to-face.
Since many fairs and tours will take place in the spring or
the fall of the year before you intend to start your studies,
it is important to start your research early.
Visiting Campuses: If you are able to take a vacation
to the United States, this could be a great opportunity to
visit campuses that interest you. Many universities organize
campus tours that are led by current students; check with
the admissions office for further information. Visit the academic
and housing facilities, the student union, and the library
to get a good sense of the campus. Americans are famous for
being friendly, so talk to the students to find out what U.S.
university life is really like.
Educational Consultants and Recruiting Agents: In
many parts of the world, private agents or agencies work to
recruit international students into U.S. colleges. There are
also private educational consultants who charge a fee for
assisting you with the process of choosing U.S. universities
and putting together your applications. Often these educational
consultants and private agents are graduates of U.S. colleges
or people who are dedicated to promoting the benefits and
advantages of the U.S. education system. However, sometimes
they are not, so it is important to check the credentials
and past performance of educational consultants or agents
before using their services.
If you have found a recruiting agent or a consultant who
is helpful, well informed, and dependable, she or he may be
very useful in helping you to select and apply to a university
in the United States. Be careful, however, to look for verifiable
signs of the agent or consultant's past success stories with
students from your country. Ask the agent or consultant for
a list of names and addresses of students presently studying
in the United States who are there because of his or her help.
Write, e-mail, or telephone some of these students to get
their firsthand opinion of the college where they study and
the services they received from the agent or consultant. Such
precautions are especially important if the agent or consultant
is asking for expensive fees for his or her services. Lastly,
always check with an unbiased source (such as a U.S. educational
information or advising center) to ensure the legitimacy and
accreditation status of the university being represented to
you.
"The Web is a vital tool as the USA is moving more and
more across to this as their primary communication method."
— MBA student from Great Britain
Check Accreditation
Status
One of the major indicators of the quality of any U.S. college
or university is its accreditation status. It is important
to check that all institutions you are considering are appropriately
accredited. Unlike many other countries, the United States
does not have a central governmental body that approves educational
institutions. Instead, it relies on a system of voluntary
accreditation carried out by nongovernmental accrediting bodies
to ensure that schools meet standards.
While almost all U.S. universities hold widely recognized
forms of accreditation, it must be noted that accreditation
in the United States is a complex area; there are different
types of accreditation (institutional and programmatic) and
a large number of accrediting bodies. There is also no legal
requirement that degree-offering institutions be accredited
or hold a particular form of accreditation. Because of this
complexity, you should check carefully whether a degree from
the institutions you are applying to will be recognized by
your homecountry government and by any relevant professional
associations, ministries, and employers. Also talk to graduates
who have returned to your country to see if they have been
successful in applying degrees earned from such institutions
to their chosen professions.
U.S. educational information and advising centers can advise
you regarding recognition of U.S. degrees in your country
and tell you whether a particular U.S. degreeoffering institution
is appropriately accredited. For more detailed information
on the topic of accreditation see Short-term
Study.
Other Considerations
Rankings: There is no official list of the top 10,
20, 50, or even 100 universities in the United States. The
U.S. government does not rank universities. Rankings that
you may come across are usually produced by journalists and
are likely to be subjective. They generally are based on a
wide range of criteria that do not necessarily include academic
standards or general reputation as a primary factor. Be particularly
wary of rankings that do not explain the criteria on which
the ranking is based. The more established rankings may give
you a starting point for your decision; however, the "best"
college is the one that is right for you based on factors
such as those suggested in this chapter.
Internship or Overseas Study Programs: Many U.S. universities
have incorporated into their curriculum internship (voluntary
or paid work placements) or overseas study ("study abroad")
programs that may be of interest to you, particularly if you
are undertaking a professional master's degree program.
Size: Some institutions are small and offer degrees
in one or two fields of study; some are very large and offer
degrees in many fields. When choosing where to apply, you
should consider the size of the institution, as well as the
size of the department and degree program. A large institution
may offer better academic facilities, while a small institution
may offer more personal services. The same is true of the
size of the degree program. A large program that has many
students may not provide the individual attention you need;
however, there may be more diversity within the faculty and
student body, and more assistance may be available from other
students. A small degree program may not expose you to as
wide a range of views in your chosen field.
Student populations on U.S. campuses can range in size from
200 to 60,000 students. Some universities resemble small cities
with their own post offices, grocery stores, and shopping
centers. Other institutions may be in large, densely populated
urban areas but have a very small enrollment. Determine what
opportunities are important to you, and read the university
catalogs closely with these in mind.
Location: Universities are located in all parts of
the United States, from major cities where many institutions
may exist, to rural areas where one institution serves a large
area. Urban campuses offer a variety of eating, entertainment,
cultural, and shopping facilities. Cities are usually more
diverse in their populations than rural areas and may have
a significant number of residents from particular countries.
However, cities may also be more expensive. A rural university
may mean a quieter, more college-centered environment. Climate
is another possible consideration. From the four seasons in
the Northeast to the desert in Arizona and a sub-tropical
climate in Florida, the variety is almost endless.
Student Services: U.S. universities offer students
a varietyof services such as international student advisers,campus
orientation programs, counseling services, legalaid services,
housing offices, day care facilities for studentswith families,
varied meal plans, health centers,tutoring facilities, English
as a Second Language programs,writing laboratories, career
counseling, and more. Prospective students can compare facilities
among universities to find services tailored to their specific
needs.
Services for Students With Disabilities: If you have
special needs, make sure that the university you choose can
accommodate you. Allow plenty of time to correspond with colleges.
It is advisable to begin your inquiries at least two years
before you plan to leave for the United States. When you write
for information from universities, give brief details of your
disability and request information about assistance they offer
to students like yourself. You may also want to contact the
office on campus that deals with the special needs of students
with disabilities to find out more about the services they
provide. This may be a specific office, such as the Office
of Disabled Student Services or the Office of Disability Services,
or services may be housed within a general student services
office on campus.
Some universities offer comprehensive programs for students
with disabilities, while others make a number of special services
available to such students. You should look at the services
offered and compare them to your needs. Find out which services
are provided automatically and free of charge and which services
need to be prearranged and incur a charge. When you apply
you will need to supply evidence to support the existence
of your disability. A campus visit is recommended. If possible,
try to contact a student at the college who has a similar
disability to yours so you can gain a more personal perspective.
Students with disabilities can, with proper documentation,
request special facilities or extended time to take the graduate
school admissions tests and any examinations during the academic
year.
Back to the top
|
