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Lifestyle Considerations
Cost | Housing
| Location | Size
"As a foreign student, I had to consider not only the
academic aspects of the school, but also things we might take
for granted such as the school's location, climate, and so
on."
— International studies and sociology student from Ghana
Cost
Financing your education is a very important consideration,
and you should read 'Financial Aid'
for further details about calculating costs and the possibility
of receiving financial aid. You should know what you can realistically
afford. Carefully study the fee structure printed in most
university catalogs, and incorporate into your calculations
the cost of room, food, tuition, fees, travel, and other expenses
for the full four years. You also need to consider that tuition
costs may rise, as many universities increase their tuition
every year. Also look at the payment plans of various institutions.
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Housing
Since all colleges have different housing facilities and policies,
find out if housing is available for all four years of enrollment
or if students are required to find off-campus housing. Investigate
the price difference between on-campus and off-campus housing.
Check the living arrangements for on-campus housing; students
living in dormitories may be required to share a room with
one, two, or three other students. Yet living on campus, at
least for the first year or two, may help you integrate into
American university life more easily and quickly. It can also
save you the additional expense of buying a car or paying
for daily public transportation, as well as the time needed
to travel back and forth to campus each day. By your junior
year, however, you may wish to move off-campus into your own
apartment. Be sure to find out the university's policy on
such a move, and also the cost and availability of local housing.
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Location
Every region of the United States offers both urban and rural
settings. City-based campuses offer a variety of eating, entertainment,
cultural, and shopping facilities. A rural university may
mean a quieter, more college-centered environment. Climate
is another 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. Also keep in mind accessibility
to local facilities and services that could be useful to you
in your studies. For example, if you wish to major in art
history, does the school offer programs that involve students
with nearby museums and art galleries?
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Size
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 colleges may be in large, densely populated
urban areas but have a very small enrollment. Depending on
your personal lifestyle, you may enjoy the independence afforded
by being part of a very large student population on your campus,
or you may prefer the more personal touch a small college
may be able to offer you. You should not make assumptions
regarding social life or access to professors based on the
size of an institution. Determine what opportunities are important
to you and read the catalogs closely with these in mind.
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