EducationUSA information and advising centers can be found in almost
every country around the world, and they are the ideal starting
point for your research. Centers usually have a library with
directories, university catalogs, introductory guides such as this
one, handouts, and reference books to assist you in applying to
study in the United States. Many centers have developed guides,
videos, and websites specifically tailored to students applying from
your country. Many also have computer-based college search packages
to help you choose the best colleges for you. Most important of all,
they have trained staff who can answer your questions in person or
by mail, by telephone, and, in most cases, by e-mail.
"E-mail students of your nationality who are at a particular school
and find out about their experiences."
— Computer science student from Ghana
The United States leads the world in using the World Wide Web.
Almost every U.S. university and college has a Web site that offers
a wealth of information about degree programs, application
procedures, academic departments, facilities on campus, and other
topics. In many cases you will also find a copy of the college
catalog, which you can study on-line or download to read later.
Don't forget that many sites also give e-mail addresses for current
students, including international students, who are often more than
happy to answer your questions about applying to the school and
about life on campus. Once you have narrowed down the colleges and
universities you are interested in, you may wish to e-mail
professors and admissions personnel to have specific questions
answered before you finally decide where to apply.
Some Web sites are independent of colleges and universities and
allow you to search for institutions by the subject you are
interested in studying, by geographic preference, or by a range of
other criteria that you specify. This website provides links to a
number of different college search engines such as Peterson's, The
College Board, U.S. News, The Princeton Review, and many others
found in our Related Links page.
If you cannot visit the United States, colleges may come to visit
you. Your nearest U.S. educational information or advising center
can tell you about any upcoming U.S. college fairs or other types of
visits where you can have the opportunity to talk to admissions
officers face-to-face. Many of these take place in the spring or
fall of the year before you intend to start your studies, so it is
important to start your research early.
"A visit to the school you are considering helps a lot — whether
during an exchange year, a vacation trip, or a sports contest."
— Theater performance student from Finland
If you are able to take a vacation to the United States before you
go to college, this could be a great opportunity to visit the
campuses you are considering. Many schools organize college tours
that are led by current students; check with the undergraduate
admissions office for further information. Visit the academic and
housing facilities, the student union, and the library to get a good
sense of the campus. Americans are famous for being friendly, so
talk to the students to find out what college life is really like.
Some private organizations offer tours of U.S. colleges to help
prospective students see firsthand if these schools are right for
them. Ask your information or advising center if they have further
information about such organizations.
In many parts of the world, private agents or agencies work to
recruit international students into U.S. colleges. There are also
private educational consultants who charge a fee for assisting you
with the process of choosing U.S. colleges and putting together your
applications. Often these educational consultants and private agents
are graduates of U.S. colleges or people who are dedicated to
promoting the benefits and advantages of the U.S. education system.
However, sometimes they are not, and so it is important to check the
credentials and past performance of educational consultants or
agents before using their services.
If you have found a recruiting agent or consultant who is helpful,
well informed, and dependable, she or he may be very useful in
helping you to select and apply to a college in the United States.
Be careful, however, to look for verifiable signs of the agent's or
consultant's past success stories with students from your country.
Ask for a list of names and addresses of students presently studying
in the United States who are there because of the agent's or
consultant's help. Write, e-mail, or telephone some of these
students to get their firsthand opinion of the college where they
study and the services they received from the agent or consultant.
Such precautions are especially important if the agent or consultant
is asking for expensive fees for his or her services. Lastly, always
check with an unbiased source (such as a U.S. educational
information or advising center) to ensure the legitimacy and
accreditation status of the college being represented to you. |
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