1. U.S. Fulbright Guest Lecture Ann L. Silverberg, Visiting Senior Research Scholar, China Conservatory, Beijing Taiyuan University of Technology Friday, June 17, 2016

2. A Brief Introduction to the American Higher Education System 美国高级教育系统介绍

3. There are approximately 4,000 universities, colleges, community colleges, institutes, and specialized post-secondary schools in the United States.

4. All of these schools need two things in order to exist: students and money. Many of them are hoping Chinese students will apply and attend! 在美国有四千左右高级大学， 学院，社区大 学和专业学校。 它们都要录取高中毕业新生。

5. There are many types of American higher education schools : old, new; public, private; Public: receive state government money Private: do not receive state government money

6. Private Schools some private schools are affiliated with religious groups (including Christian churches), most colleges and universities do not have a religious affiliation; (public schools cannot have a religious affiliation) most private schools are non-profit (schools with religious affiliations are non-profit) Some private schools are for-profit, run as a business to make money; some of these have poor reputations

7. Size and student demographics small to large: 500 students to 50,000+ students (and all sizes in-between); some were created educate a specific demographic (population): women’s colleges, historically Black (African-American) colleges and universities.

8. Classifying Schools How are American schools mainly organized and classified? 1. By their funding (how they get the money to pay expenses). 2. By the type of degrees they award and the type of work they do (doctoral to associate degrees, research-intensive to teaching).

9. Classifying Schools Funding Public universities and colleges: receive money directly from state government each year (America has no national universities) Private universities and colleges: do not receive money directly from the state (but many American students do pay for school with federal government grants or loans)

10. Classifying Schools Type of degree and work: Doctoral/Research Intensive: Often large, (20,000 or more students), many graduate programs; often has medical school, law school, graduate business schools, etc. (These may be public or private.)

11. Research-Intensive Some of our most famous research-intensive universities are private, highly competitive in admissions, and rich. Examples: Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Cornell, Columbia, Dartmouth, Brown, Stanford, Rice, Duke, Vanderbilt, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Chicago

12. Research-Intensive, Public But there are many less famous research-intensive schools, and they are often public. They are sometimes called “flagship” universities and get more public funding than other types of state schools. They are often the biggest public school in the state. For example: The Ohio State University, University of California, University of Texas, Florida State University, University of Illinois, University of Tennessee

13. State Colleges (teaching + research) Another type of public school is something like China’s 师范大学： these often educate teachers and do not commonly have doctoral programs; they focus less on research and more on teaching. May have 10,000+ students. Examples: Illinois State University, Austin Peay State University, Fitchburg State University, Frostburg State University

14. Colleges (almost all are private) America is also home to hundreds of small private colleges, which may have 5,000 or fewer students. Some of these are elite, highly competitive, and rich. Typically, they offer Bachelor’s degree programs. Examples: Amherst, Williams, Grinnell, Rhodes, Davidson, Beloit, Middlebury, Vassar, Swarthmore, Kenyon

15. Community Colleges Offer Associate’s Degrees, almost all are public Involved with job training skills: automobile repair, culinary skills, etc.

16. Studying in America Three points: 1. There are many schools to choose from, and it’s smart to research them and apply to several. 2.It’s expensive just to get the plane ticket (round trip to the US might cost $2K USD = 12,500 RMB)! 3. The earlier you start the process, the better.

17. What do American schools look for in an applicant? 1.Intelligence and knowledge, shown by good grades, especially in the major area study, the documents submitted (such as an essay) and letters of recommendation 2.Activity in something other than academic schoolwork: work experience, volunteering, travel, athletics, clubs, extra-curricular participation

18. 3.Good, verifiable English skills (shown by tests scores—TOEFL), writing, and perhaps by an interview Faking the TOEFL: a very bad idea 4. Ability to cope: that is: flexibility and grit (something like 吃苦 )

19. Consider English skills If you are lacking in English listening skills, taking notes in class will be very hard If you required to take English classes before enrolling in your degree program, it may be expensive and will take time.

20. Where should you apply? To schools which offer the kind of program you seek, the experience you need “safety” “likely” “stretch”

21. Where should you go to school? Preferably where they both 1. accept you and 2. give you money (scholarship or assistantship). Scholarship: no work, just money Assistantship: work for money (and tuition waiver) What is a tuition waiver?

22. So: Research which schools are best for you List application requirements for each school and prepare carefully Apply to several schools (“safety,” “likely,” and “stretch” types) and await results Decide which school to attend, notify the school, and proceed to apply for a student visa!

23. U.S. Student Visa Requirements There is a list of schools accepted by the US Department of State for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, so your school must be among these. Be sure to check this before wasting time and money applying to a school you won’t be able to attend because of visa requirements.

24. THANK YOU! 谢谢大家！

25. QUESTIONS?