07 Dec Higher Education In The United States: All You Need To Know
So, you’re thinking of pursuing higher education in the United States? Well, first of all, congratulate yourself on making an excellent choice of country.
The United States of America is a really great place to get yourself a solid education, one that will undoubtedly help lay the foundation of your career in the time to come. That being said, securing education in the United States is a matter of pride, a dream for many people out there.
However, you do need to know that there are a lot of others like you, and that getting in a good university might not be a walk in the park.
Here’s a list of all the things you need to consider, when you are looking to go to the United States to pursue higher studies.
You Don’t Have To Decide What To Study, Right Away
One of the best things about studying in the US, is you don’t have to make a decision pertaining to your major, right in the beginning.
One of the best things about studying in the US, is you don’t have to make a decision pertaining to your major, right in the beginning. You get to study five subjects per semester, and in the end you can make a calculated decision as to what your major should be.
This is really nice, as you get to have the feel of what you are studying first, before you get to decide if it is right for you or not. For instance, you could be majoring in something like robotics, and simultaneously pursue a minor course in English Literature, on the side.
Textbooks Are Very Expensive
You have been warned. Those textbooks of yours are not going to come all that cheap. The good news, though, is that there are plenty of social media websites out there that are dedicated to helping you find second hand textbooks at a really great price.
The Grading Is Not Laid-Back
Make sure that you double-check all your work before sending it.
You might think that life in an American college is laid back. You’ve seen it in the movies, and now that you are there yourself, you might get that feeling that if the lectures are so relaxed, the grading must be, too.
This is a misconception. If you make even a slight error with those citations or even the structure of your essays, you will fail. Therefore, make sure that you double-check all your work before sending it.
It Is Really Not All That Expensive As You Might Think
This is a slice of really god news, isn’t it? The first thing that comes to mind when you think of U.S. colleges is that they must be very expensive.
That’s not really true. In fact, the cost of the college covers a lot more than it does in other countries.
Therefore, you will find that the price is inclusive of things like medical insurance, accommodation and so much more. Besides, there is plenty of financial aid that you might be eligible for, and it is worth checking out the same. There are also plenty of great scholarships that you could apply for.
Sports Really Matter
This one’s a bonus for those of you who are sportspeople.
This one’s a bonus for those of you who are sportspeople. If you come from a place like Europe or just about anywhere else in the world, playing on your school’s team is nowhere nearly as important as it is in the United States.
Here, you will find that college sports are a huge deal. If you are lucky enough to get onto your school team, you will see that you are actually expected to support your school teams, go to school matches and even stay updated on the game results. Also, it’s really great fun, to boot.
It Is Essential To Know The Hierarchy And Structure Of The University
When you need to talk to someone in the University, it needs to be the right person. So, do your research and find out who the registrar and resident director of the University are, so you can approach them relating to issues that they will be able to handle.
Ensure that you remember the names of all the faculty members, their titles and their office locations as well as working hours.
It helps to be in good touch with your teacher, where it comes to getting those grades.
Learn To Network Well
In all probability there will be a full list of student organizations on your university website/
While in the beginning it might seem nice to stay close to other international students like yourself, you have to learn to branch out and start mixing with the local students. So, try and attend as many events as you possibly can with American students.
In all probability there will be a full list of student organizations on your university website. Don’t be worried about how you are going to break the ice with an American student. Remember that you, too, are uniquely different, and they might be thinking the same about you.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help
The last thing you want to do is to think that you need to know it all. Sometimes, you might waste a lot of time finding out things that could have easily been found out, simply by asking someone for their help.
Remember that there are many other students out there, including American students, who are in the dark where it comes t several things, and all you need to do is to ask someone you believe can help you, in order to get the answer you are looking for.
There Are More To U.S. Colleges Than Merely The Ivy League
That highly touted ‘Ivy League’ experience might be something you are after but remember that if you don’t get into an Ivy League School, it’s not the end of the world.
Now, depending on what sort of curse you are in pursuit of, it might be well worth your while looking into any one of the other 4000 universities in the United States, where you might be able to find something that is better suited to you, and save a whole lot of money too.