Making the decision to study in the United States can be quite complex and confusing. When to study? Where to study? What to ask?
Also, deciding to continue to study in the United States is an equally daunting task. I hope that the information contained in the following pages will help ease the process for you.
If you are beginning to think about coming to the United States to study, the information in Beginning Your Search section should help you.
If you are preparing to transfer, the information in the Transfer section should help you to make the right decision.
Enjoy Your Search and feel free to e-mail with any questions you may have! Beginning Your Search Are you thinking about attending a college, university, or vocational school in the United States? Are you wondering about where and how to begin. You will find on this page a series of questions to ask yourself and some good sites to help you answer those questions.
Step One: What type of school do you wish to attend? You must first decide whether you would like to go to a university, college (2 or 4 year), community college, or vocational school. To understand the distinctions please check the information at the following site: Study in the U.S.A.
Step Two: Decide how much you can afford to spend. The price of an education in the United States varies greatly from institution to institution. It is important for you to search for a school that you can afford. Although there are some scholarships and financial assistance for international students, they are very limited. When you find a college that provides financial aid, make sure that foreign students are eligible to apply. Most financial aid is for local or resident students. Some schools have special scholarships and financial incentives earmarked for international students. Some will provide opportunities for students to work a limited number of hours on campus. If you need to have financial help to support your stay in the United States, you will have to spend quite of bit of time to research the possibilities. Do not assume that you will be able to work off campus. You will need to apply to the Immigration and Naturalization Service for special permission after you have spent one year in the U. S.
Step Three: Decide on the location of the school. How much do you know about the United States? The United States is a very large country whose climate and geography vary greatly. You should decide on a region of the country before you begin your search. Do you want to study in a warm climate? Do you want to study in an urban area? Do you want to study in a very peaceful region? To learn more about U.S. Geography, you should review the information at the 50 States website.
Step Four: Select a School. Now it is time to select a school. There are hundreds of schools to choose from. The colleges and universities listed at the following two sites will give you a lot to study and to think about.
Step Five: Check the Course Offerings Make sure that the school that you have selected has your desired program of study. Not every college or university has every program. Even if the colleges have the same program of study, the required courses for those programs may vary greatly. Check both the program and the course listings.
Step Six: Check the Student Profile Each college bulletin should contain a description of its student population. You should find the percentage of in-state students, out-of-state students, international students, and minorities. After reading this description, you will be able to determine whether or not you would be comfortable in that environment.
Step Seven: Check the Admissions Requirements Make sure to check the admissions requirements. Does the school require proof of English language proficiency through a specified TOEFL score? Does the school require students to take the ACT or the SAT Exam. If so, you will have to make arrangements to take these tests well in advance of the admission to the college.
Step Eight: Check the Special Services for International Students The services offered to international students vary widely from institution to institution. You should check to see if the school offers an English as a Second Language Program, special advising and counseling services, assistance in housing, social clubs, etc. The experience of living in another country is exciting and challenging. You may need assistance in getting settled and help in getting adjusted. Make sure that the institution provides the support that you will need.
Step Nine: Make Contact Once you have found a few schools that meet all of your personal requirements, you need to contact the college by phone, fax, letter, or e-mail. Ask for additional information and ask for the name of a person with whom you may correspond. This contact person will get to know you and your case. Address all of your correspondence to this person if possible. Paperwork can get lost easily in big institutions, so save copies of any letters that you send and answers that you receive.
Step Ten: Get an Application Read over the application form very carefully. Make sure that you understand all that is required. Fill out the application form accurately and thoroughly. Check to see if you need to write a biographical sketch or a statement of your academic goals. You will probably have to have copies of your previous school's transcripts (course records) translated into English. You will need to fill out financial affidavits and send application fees. Do not skip any requirement. You application for admission will generally not be considered until it is complete.
Step Eleven: Send the Application Make sure to check the application deadlines and submit your paperwork in a timely manner. Schools have deadlines for fall, spring, and summer admissions. Don't be excluded due to late paperwork! You will probably receive a card in the mail that acknowledges receipt of your application. If you don't hear from the school in a timely manner, feel free to call to check on the status of your application.
Words to the Wise The process of researching colleges and universities in the U.S. is long and involved. You need to start your work early, do extensive research, and pay close attention to the requirements of the application. Please don't assume that you can omit steps--do what is asked, when it is asked.
Also, think carefully about how this investment in time and money really fits into your life. Think about how/if your studies in the United States will help you improve the quality of your life when you return to your home country. What will you be able to do when you return home?
You will go through an adjustment process. The article Culture Shock will give you an idea of the type of adjustment you will face both when you are in the U.S. and when you return.
Transferring Transferring to another college takes time. Students must begin to prepare for the transfer as soon as they enroll in their two-year institution because this decision will affect many of the other decisions that they will make while at the two-year college. Which courses should I take? How many credits do I need before I transfer? When should I begin the application process?
At Black Hawk College we have many resources that will help you to transfer intelligently and efficiently. Located in the lower level in Building 1, both the Transfer Center and The Career Resource Center have experienced advisors and up-to-date materials to guide students in this process.
Before you begin, it is important to remember:
While searching for transfer colleges, take general education requirements at your two-year institution. Get a strong foundation in the basics - foreign language, math, and English.
When you have selected several possible transfer schools, check regularly with them to see if they will accept those credits from your two-year institution. Remember it is the four-year institution that determines which classes and how many credits they will accept in transfer.
Step One: Have you chosen a major yet? Before you can select your four-year institution, you need to decide what you would like to study. If you are undecided, take a wide variety of courses during your first year. Choose courses from different areas in the core curriculum. Visit the professors during office hours and discuss the career opportunities open to those who pursue a major in the professor's field. Visit the Career Resource Center and take advantage of the career search programs available. Take the personality inventories available there. By the end of the first year, you should have a good idea of your course of study.
Step Two: Now you are ready to explore colleges. Think about the part of the country that you would like to live in and about the amount of money that you are able to spend. Go to the Transfer Center and look in the Peterson's Guide or explore the World Wide Web:
Make sure that the college has your major listed. Compare this college's course listings with some other colleges--make sure that the college has a comprehensive program. Ask one of your professors to look over the major program for you.
Step Three: Contact the college by phone, by e-mail, or by mail. Ask for an application form for international students, transfer information, and departmental requirements. Get the name of an advisor in the admissions office and in your major department. Since these advisors will get to know you well, you will save time and be sure not to miss any important steps or deadlines. If you are able, you should plan to visit the college. Walking around the campus and talking to other students will give you a true feeling for the college. If you are not able to visit the college, ask for the names and contact information of students in the major department. Talk with them about the classes, the professors, and the general feel of the college and its community. Make sure to prepare a list of questions ahead of time.
Step Four: Once you receive the materials, look them over thoroughly. Make notes of the required documents and the deadlines for submission. Remember: Most colleges adhere strictly to the stated deadlines. Make sure to send all materials before the deadlines. If you have any questions about how to fill in the application, call your contact person and ask specific questions. Don't try to guess what you need to do.
Do you have to take any pre-admission tests--ex. the TOEFL, the SAT, etc.? Find out when and where the tests are offered and how to apply for them. Go to the ETS (Educational Testing Service) test site to get all the necessary information about testing.
Step Five: After you have submitted your application or applications to the transfer institutions, find out when they will make their decisions. Mark your calendar, so you will remember when you should receive a response. Once you have received acceptances, you must notify each institution of your decision to attend or not to attend.
Remember:If you start early and work steadily and carefully, you will make a good decision for yourself. If you rush in an effort to save time and money, you will loose both.
