Applying to US Universities Briefing: March 2005 Gareth Rees

Types of American University Liberal Arts Colleges (75% of Colleges) Ivy League Big and Powerful State Universities (75% of US Students) Community Colleges

Liberal Arts Colleges e.g. Swarthmore, Amherst, Williams, Pomona, Macalester, Hamilton, Colby, Middlebury etc Most natural for UWC ex- students Small – usually about 1500 students No graduate study Professors teach undergraduates (well) Sometimes rich, with full financial aid packages Balanced programmes Major declared after sophomore year Normally about 5% international students Often remote but beautiful campuses Good student support services Strong traditions, e.g. fraternities, honor codes Many deans visit AC Room and time to adjust your programme Not much applied science

Ivy League Universities Only 8: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Cornell, UPenn, Dartmouth, Columbia Quite small and very competitive entry International reputation Large graduate schools Generous aid packages Some urban, some remote Full range of disciplines Some liberal arts approach All East Coast Teaching variable

Big and Powerful/State Universities Big & Powerful, e.g. Stanford, MIT, Caltech, Chicago Variable financial aid Will not visit AC or RCN! Complete range of majors Very prestigious and as good as Ivies Not much financial aid Local universities for Americans Some academically outstanding Huge (30,000+ in some cases)

Paying for University Total costs up to $200,000 over 4 years Financial aid is need based not merit based, so you have to fill financial aid forms. You are less likely to get it if from a rich country The Davis 5….+ 60! Princeton, Wellesley, Middlebury, Colby, College of the Atlantic: Acceptance criteria remain unchanged at most. From 2004, 60 more with up to $10K grant aid Financial Aid packages – Grant – Work Study – Loans

Financial Aid Deadlines are real: do them early and honestly Do research on aid, e.g. in 2003 Harvard Kenyon College Costs $39,300 $34,900 Int. Students Aided Int. St Average Aid $28,700 $31,500 Chicago admitted 204 international students, only 19 received aid!

What and How do I Study? A Major is normally four years, 3 with credits Credit/Semester system Flexibility: greatest in Liberal Arts Colleges, least in the big and powerful Law and medicine – expensive graduate studies. Law takes 7 years and costs up to $50k a year for the last 3!

An Application consists of Standardised Test results 2 (normally) teacher recommendations A transcript with predicted grades A College reference/testimonial A two year record from your previous school Specific tasks including written ones Supporting evidence Application and financial aid forms Interview records

What do I need to do Get details of your parents’ finances: on the form enclosed with your report Bring enough money for SATs and applications Fee waivers Stick to deadlines Get a transcript from your previous school See me for an interview Think who will write your recommendations Identify six universities, realistically Get good monthly grades

When do I apply Early Decision – by November, decision in December. Only for Americans and people who know where they are going. Must disclose. Regular Decision – by the end of November, but much earlier is better. Each university does not need to know where else you apply.

Some downsides Not all universities offer all courses Better to go as a graduate student if you are from a rich country High Living Costs Your degree may not be recognised in your own country Culture shock Only half those who apply get in