International Applicants: What Type of Institution is a Good Fit for You?

Applying to colleges in the U.S. as an international student can be daunting. This is the first in a series of posts that will guide you through what you need to know to be a successful international applicant. This first post will provide some general information on the types of institutions of higher education that are available in the U.S. and how to determine which type of school is a good fit for you and your background.
In the US, you can attend a community college, university, college or a technical/vocational school. Each of these institutions offers different programs and different types of degrees. Most international students will choose to study at a college or university in order to obtain a bachelor’s degree. However, if you feel you need to build up your English ability, a community college may be a good place to start.
Once you determine what type of institution will fit your needs and abilities, it is important to research schools that offer what you are looking for. Our next post will provide information on how to research institutions without actually visiting them, but here are some questions you should start thinking about:
• Do you want to attend a larger institution, smaller school or somewhere in between?
• Would you like a school that has other students from your home country?
• Are interested in attending a school that is located in or near a city or would you be more comfortable living in a more rural area?
• What do you think you may want to study? (We will have detailed information on how majors work at U.S. schools in a future post.)
We can help you assess your preparedness and create a plan for your path to studying in the U.S. As mentioned above, in the next installment, we’ll discuss ways to further research institutions in order to narrow down your college list.
Katherine Price
College Consultant
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