Knowing the higher education system in a country is important if you are planning to study there. The work culture and academics are different in every country and demand a different skill set from the workers. Before you make any decision, it is important to know whether the investment will be worth it. Awareness and thorough research of all the options is important so that you don’t have any regrets.
If you do not have any guidance about the process, this article will help you make a viable plan to move smoothly through the process.
Table of Contents
Exploring Degree Programs and College Majors
One-third or half of your courses in your degree will be related to the field of your major so choosing to study something in depth is a big decision. US universities give you the option to explore first and give you time till the end of your sophomore year. Some of the most trending majors in the US are currently Computer Science, Communications, Political science, Business, Economics, English language and literature, Psychology, Nursing, Chemical Engineering and Biology. However, you can not choose something just because it is trending. Keep the following things in mind when you are making your decision:
- The major should align with your strengths and preferences
- Earning potential of the degree in the coming years. Check this link here to find out
- You can also go into a multidisciplinary field if you like more than one subject
- If you plan on going into the research of that field, find out about the research funding it receives
Navigating the College Fairs and Open Houses
If you are living in the US and get a chance to visit the college fairs and open houses, it will be a great option to see if the campus life is a good fit. For these kinds of events, it is important to mark your calendars and stay up to date about the upcoming open house dates but in case you miss them, universities do give you the option to schedule a visit to the college campus.
Understanding College Accreditation and Rankings
Different international ranking systems use different criterias to gauge the quality of education in universities in the US. Some take into account the amount of research papers published, some look at the number of award-winning academics and some examine the quality of teaching. When you are browsing through the rankings, keep this in mind and do not base your decision entirely on ratings. The most popular authorities for this are:
Evaluating and Selecting a College
College selection can be incredibly hard, which is why a lot of students seek the help of mentors and sort out their preferences through their guidance. You can shortlist soe universities based on the following standards:
- Does it offer the major you have selected?
- If you are planning to go for research, does it have the right facilities and funding for it?
- Is it affordable to attend? Does it offer good financial aid packages?
- The location should not cost you too much
- Is the weather in the area comfortable for you?
- Does the university offer career services like internships or job placements?
Staying On Track with Application Deadlines
You can mark your calendar for all the deadlines of the universities you are applying to and keep reminders for everything important related to the process. You will have aptitude tests and visa processes that will require you to properly schedule and plan your application. Don’t leave anything for the last minute.
IFTTT (If This Then That) is an app that connects to other apps and lets you plan your time.
Understanding the College Application Process
When applying for colleges in the US, it is important to be careful about the timing of starting your admission process. There are two kinds of semesters- one in Spring and the other in Fall. The admission process for these semesters starts ten months prior to the start of the academic year. Start early and you can catch up with all the application related processes.
Universities charge an application fee (75 to100 USD) to apply online either on their website or on the Common App website. Along with filling the admission form, you will be required to write a personal essay, submit recommendation letters and take the admission tests. For these, you also need to do some prior planning.
Meeting Admissions Requirements
- You need to meet the minimum English language requirements to get admission into your program- PTE, IELTS or TOEFL, etc.
- Submission of all the required documents- academic records, resume (if applying for postgraduate), test scores, motivation letter and passport picture
- Spend enough time on completing the essay and have it proofread and edited by a professional who knows the admission requirements of the university you are applying to
- Meet the minimum required score for aptitude tests in the university you are applying to
Preparing for Standardised Tests (ACT/SAT)
To measure the aptitude of students, standardised tests like SAT or ACT tests are taken. You can register for the SAT here and for the ACT here. The examination board asks you to mention the names of the universities you are applying to and your scores will be sent directly to the institutes. Here are some tips to ace your tests:
- Take as many timed practice tests at home as you can
- Start studying early- either study with a tutor or join a study group to keep a check on your progress
- Set a target score and aim for that (the requirement of the colleges you are applying to should guide you regarding this)
Managing the Costs of Higher Education
Universities in the US can cost a lot. Public universities cost around 10,000 USD and private ones can cost up to 40,000 USD. But don’t get disheartened, you can still apply for financial aid and cover for the tuition costs.
Finding and Applying for Financial Aid and Scholarships
Check the university’s website to see if they offer any merit or need based scholarships. Apart from this, there are also scholarships awarded by your own country or different international organisations. Even if these options don’t work, you can still apply for student loans in your own country. Learn more about scholarships for Pakistani students here.
Understanding Student Loans and Repayment Options
If you have opted for any student loans, the grace period of the loans end after a few months of graduation and then you enter the repayment phase of your loans. Here is how you can repay the loans:
- The Standard repayment option allows students to pay it off within 10 years
- The Graduated repayment option slowly increases the loan payment and starts small. This is also paid off completely within 10 years
- Pay as You Earn plan takes a fixed percentage of your income every month but this amount does not exceed the Standard payment
Dealing with College Acceptance and Enrollment
After getting the acceptance letter from the university, you will have to take care of the following tasks:
- Pay any enrollment fees that the college requires
- Apply for either the F1 student visa or the M1 student visa
- Once you get the visa, book your flight tickets
- Start looking for accommodation while you are in the home country
- Respond to the college by submitting an acceptance letter of their offer, the deposit fee, separate acceptance letter for financial aid (if required) and any other documents that the college requires
Meeting Graduation Requirements and Completing Your Degree
When you are studying your degree, it is essential to know the minimum requirements to get the degree. These requirements can include the following:
- Complete the minimum number of credit hours required
- Minimum attendance requirement should be fulfilled
- Not violate any academic or country laws
- Maintain the minimum required Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Get the minimum grade for each course
- Complete all the coursework of every course
Handling College Credit and Transfer
If you are having trouble meeting your graduation requirements, considering a switch in your major or facing any financial problems, you can actually transfer credits to another university. This is possible if you fulfil the following:
- The university you are transferring to should be accredited
- Do you meet the minimum grade requirements for the courses?
- The content of the course in the university you are transferring to should align with the one you have studied
If you fulfil these requirements, you can submit all the transcripts and apply for the transfer process. Remember to choose a transfer-friendly program and then you just have to wait for the assessment.
Key takeaways
Trust yourself and trust the process. If you begin at the right time, you can complete all of these processes before the deadline and get scores you need for admission. Going abroad to another country can be a big decision so you have to start writing the necessary essays and collecting documents at the right time. Our expert writers can help you with all kinds of admission essays.
