Going abroad to study in America for a short-term exchange or even for a whole degree is becoming more and more popular. Last year alone, close to one million international students attended American universities and nearly 11,000 of these came from the UK. If you’re one of the many students looking to make the jump across the pond, here are a few tips to help you on your way.
Narrow it down
There are more American universities on The Times Higher Education World University Rankings than any other country in the world. So needless to say, you’ll be spoilt for choice. With so many options the first step must be to decide what’s important to you. Big or small? Public or private? East coast, west coast or somewhere in-between? What’s your budget? And of course, what subject do you want to study? Once you have these basic details decided you can use a comparison site, such as colleges.startclass.com to sort by criteria and narrow down your list.
The early bird gets the worm
The application process can be lengthy so you’ll need to get started around 12-18 months in advance. The US-UK Fulbright Commission recommends sending a maximum of six applications, emphasising a focus on quality over quantity. Each application will likely require a personal statement, letters of recommendation, exam scores (SAT or ACT, tests which can be taken around the UK) and an application fee of $50-$100. Don’t forget, once you’re confirmed your acceptance you’ll also need to apply for a F-1 student visa. For all the details you will need, visit: US Department of State: student visas.
Making ends meet
The recent rise in UK tuition fees has inspired more students to look abroad. While US universities are not exactly known for being the most affordable, it’s not all bad news. As a foreign student you can apply for financial aid and even scholarships alongside your application to attend. Don’t forget, the cost of living varies across the country so choose wisely. And, by using an international currency expert like WorldFirst to access a great exchange rate you could make serious savings on your tuition fees compared with just using a bank.
What can you expect?
Besides extreme school spirit, fraternities and roommates there are a few important differences between UK and US universities. First, make sure you’re ready to put in the extra time; US courses generally run one year longer than their UK equivalents. Not only that, but at many American universities you don’t have to declare your major until after you finish two full years of general liberal arts education. This means you’ll focus more on a breadth of topics with less of a focus on one specific subject area. The grading and structure of classes is also different. Expect your marks to be made up of more, smaller assignments. Believe it or not, sometimes you even get a mark for participation.
Above all, once you’ve dotted your i’s and crossed your t’s on your application forms, get ready for the experience of a lifetime.
SOURCE: US-UK FULLBRIGHT COMMISSION (www.fulbright.org.uk)
For more information on studying internationally, check out our ‘Back To School’ special of Transfer magazine. Otherwise, if you’re already made the leap and need to transfer your school fees, get in touch. We’d be happy to help and could help save you money whilst doing so.