How to Choose the Right College - A Complete Guide on University Selection

University selection and application is a long process. The key here is to "Plan Ahead & Apply Early." A minimum time-period of 15 to 18 months is required to complete the process.

It includes:

• Taking necessary admission tests viz. TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, SAT etc.

• Shortlisting and selecting right universities

• Applying to the selected universities

• Receiving an admission letter from the university you have applied to Know more about University Admission Counselling And Visa Assistance

• Visa Processing                          

Book an a Appointment Today!

We suggest you to consider the following factors while selecting the right college/university:

1.Type:

US Universities have two major categories: Public & Private. Funding is directly related to the tuition fees structure of any university. State governments pay for most of the operating and administrative costs of public universities. Money raised from tuition is not used to cover major expenses, such as payments to faculty. Private colleges solely rely on tuition fees as they don’t receive funds from state legislatures. Hence, the fees are high.

2. Tuition fees:

The tuition & fees for a state university may cost anywhere between $ 5,000 to $ 15,000 & for a private institution it may cost as low as $10,000 and as high as $ 30,000 per year.

3. Size:

Make sure if it is a Community college, a Liberal Arts college or a University. Universities are larger institutions having several other colleges of various streams on their campus. A college with limited resources would be better in terms of offering personal attention to students. In reputed universities where intake is high, students might lose out on individual mentoring. There is a possibility of students being distracted from studies because of various non-academic activities going around the campus.

However, It is advisable in the best interest of students to join a reputed university because of the flexibility and variety they offer, in terms of majors, courses, facilities and placements.

4. Location:

One of the most crucial factors while selecting a good university is its geographical location. The cost of living mainly depends upon the location of the university / college you opt for. The living expenses are very high in metro cities like New York, Los Angeles, Washington, San Francisco, Boston. A University may have more than one campus at different locations in the United States. The climate in that particular region should also suit one’s physical structure. Health issues not only affect academic performance but one should know that the medical expenses in developed countries are very high.

5. Living expenses:

As mentioned earlier, cost of living is very high in big cities. The living expenses include room rent, cost of books and study material, health insurance, travelling & food and daily expenses which can be anywhere between $ 6,000 to $ 10,000.

6. Scholarship & Financial Aid:

As compared to the US citizens, very few scholarships and financial assistance programs are available to the International students. Before selecting a university, make sure that the university has scholarships / aid programs for 'International Students'. Now-a-days earning a scholarship right from the start of the program is difficult. Students might obtain financial assistance in the second semester of the program, depending on academic progress or achievements in sports or extra-curricular activities. A very few need-based financial aid is also available at few universities. However, there are limited number of Research / Teaching assistant ships available, depending upon the academic qualification of the student. Most of the times the amount from these assistant-ship programs is not sufficient to carry out all expenses. International students are also not eligible for the US Government financial assistance programs like Stafford Loan, Perkins Loan, PLUS Loan, Federal Work-Study programs etc. Hence, it is advisable that before applying to any University, students pursuing education abroad should thoroughly check the college-cost structure, availability of Scholarships / Aid programs, and evaluate their own financial resources accordingly.

7. Students / International Students:

Before applying, please check for the number of International students studying on-campus. The Scholarship or Financial assistance programs for International students also depends upon the number of International students on the campus. If there are many International Students on the campus, then the situation becomes tough because of heavy competition.

8. Majors & Academic Programs:

Check the " Course Content " of the academic program you are planning to apply for. The course content of the academic programs is different for every university. Few courses may require you to take GMAT instead of GRE. Also many universities have a minimum TOEFL score requirement and will not accept or process your application if you do not meet the minimum requirement. Some universities may ask you to take some additional ' bridge-courses ' depending upon the course you are applying for & your previous academic qualifications. This can be used to satisfy pre-requisites for admission to the graduate program. Often, students assume that if the university does not need GRE score, they are eligible for the course without having a GRE score. Well, they may get admission into a " School of their own Choice ", but definitely not the Visa!

9. Faculties:

The reputation of any institution mainly depends on the faculties they have and the research work conducted by them. At many universities, faculties for latest & emerging technologies (for e.g. Computer Science or Telecommunications) are the prominent researchers from the industry. Mostly university faculties get heavy funding from government or corporate sponsorship to conduct research work. Many universities and colleges have internationally recognised experts in their respective fields possess considerable experience. Before applying check the number of regular full time faculties available for the major/ program you choose. Check if there are any additional research & visiting faculties and adjunct faculties from the industry, for your desired program of study. 10. Housing: Check out whether on-campus housing facilities are available to International students. The quality and cost structure of the hostel facilities are different for every university. It is always advisable to stay on-campus, as the students can always stay minutes away from the college, library and other campus facilities like health clinic, club house, recreation center, cafeteria, laundry facilities etc. Many Institutions offer Hostel facilities to International students on " First Come-First Serve " basis.

We at Grad-Dreams, with our experience and expertise can assist you in selecting the right university and college for you.