How to Select the Best Colleges and Universities for You
With over 4,100 colleges and universities to choose from in the U.S., the task of selecting where to apply for your degree can be daunting. There are several factors that need to be considered carefully before choosing to which universities to apply. We recommend developing a list of criteria you want to use to evaluate and sort through all of the options.
Following's a list of common criteria:
- degrees offered
- majors/minors
- location (rural or urban setting, climate, proximity to an airport)
- size of the student population (from small at 1,000 to large at 35,000+)
- public vs. private
- cost (tuition, room and board, etc.)
- financial assistance packages and employment options for international students
- campus resources (labs, libraries, computer access, etc.)
- graduation rate/time
- placement success/internship and co-op programs
- accreditation status
- class size
- faculty reputation
- faculty contact/classes taught by full-time qualified faculty
- quality/reputation/ranking
- degree of pressure to excel
- safety (campus, community)
- student body (thnic and racial diversity, international representation, gender, etc.)
- social life (Greek organizations, clubs, sports, school spirit, etc.)
- religious affiliation
- housing options (dorms, apartments, off-campus options)
Admissions Requirements
After you've considered these above criteria, it's time to look at your list and then choose the institutions where you can have realistic entry expectations based on student profiles available for admitted candidates. It's always a good idea to apply to at least three institutions: one "reach" school, where you may not exactly fit the admissions qualifications but you would love to attend; one school where you would like to go and feel that you have a good chance of admission; and one "safety" school, where you meet or exceed the admissions requirements and can count on receiving an acceptance.
Keep in mind that each college or university has its own requirements for admission, and this can vary institution-to-institution, as well as department-to-department within the same institution. In addition, do note that the college admission review process in the U.S. is much more holistic than in other countries. (For example, a student with a poor undergraduate record but significant professional or research experience is often considered a good addition to an academic cohort in some fields.)
Of course, admissions committees are looking for hard-working, intelligent students but other qualifications are also important, such as geographic diversity, professional and/or research experience, foreign language proficiency, leadership skills, commitment to one's community or social service, etc. While colleges may list required minimum GPAs and test scores, this is often more flexible than it appears, especially if the student has other qualifications that differentiate him/her from other applicants.
Do a self-assessment or set up an appointment with a Bharatstudent study abroad counselor to discuss the following requirements and how to put together the best application that will highlight your special talents and skills, and your personality.
Standardized Tests
Be sure to check the schools admissions requirements and if available, a profile of the typical candidate that is offered admission. Often this information is available on the school's website.
Most schools will require that you take either the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System Exam (IELTS) to access your level of written, reading comprehension and listening skills in English. Some schools will list a required minimum score, and others will leave this more open. At the undergraduate level most schools require a minimum TOEFL score of 550/213/80 or an IELTS score of at least 6; at the graduate level, these score requirements are usually a bit higher. Keep in mind that TOEFL/IELTS score requirements can vary department to department; in programs that demand more writing skills, the minimum scores will likely be higher.
Undergraduate programs may also require the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and graduate programs may require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or for MBA admission, the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).
Grades / Academic Records
Some programs will have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement for admission. As the Indian grading system is quite different than the U.S. grading system, it's best not to try to convert your grades from India, but instead to include your academic records and if possible, an explanation from your secondary school or university about the grading system. Most institutions are familiar with the Indian system and understand that there is no direct equivalency.
A note on the 3 year Indian degree for graduate-level admissions
More and more graduate level programs are considering accepting the Indian three year degree, due to changes that have come about due to the Bologna Process. Even if it is not posted on the school's website, it's always a good idea to ask as some schools will admit students on a probationary status for their first term.
Professional Experience
Certain graduate level programs, mostly in Business. Management or other professional fields, like to see evidence of professional work experience in a field related to the field of study. Check the program's website to see about these requirements.
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