It can be difficult to choose between so many institutions, therefore, there are some elements that you should consider before thinking about applying to a university or college in the United States.
The relationship between a student and the university to which he/she is applying must be reciprocal. That is, you must want to study at the university and the university must realize that you are the candidate they are looking for. In the United States, institutions of higher education value their applicants as individuals, and take note of their different motivations. That is why it is very important to define your reasons for choosing that college.
Define your priorities
It is advisable to begin the application process at least 12 to 18 months before the academic year of the college or university you wish to apply to begins. As a starting point, you can answer these basic questions to get a clearer picture of your motivations:
- Why do you want to study in the United States?
- Where would you best fit in?
- Which colleges or universities will meet your needs?
- Will you need financial aid?
- What are the application and financial aid deadlines you need?
- Where do you want to live in the United States?
Finding the institution that’s right for you
“You shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket,” is an Anglo-Saxon saying that should apply to your search process. This means that you can’t bet on just one college; you need to have several options available to you. You can divide all your options into three categories: Dream school, Target school and Safety school.
Dream schools are the most prestigious schools, as they are very selective and there is a lot of interest in applying to them, so it is very difficult to be accepted. It is the “ideal” for the area of study you are interested in. Their admitted students, on average, have high test scores and outstanding GPAs.Target schools offer a better chance of being admitted, because their selectivity level is in line with your academic qualifications. They may also be more in line with your budget. They are the most balanced options.
Safety schools are not your first priority, but they give you the best chance of being admitted, either because your grades are higher than the average admitted student or they are at the top of the college's admissibility list. This should be an institution you'd still be happy to attend.It can be overwhelming to search through the more than 4,700 institutions in the United States, but you can use several tools to narrow your search. On the following websites you can find quizzes with general questions that can help you find some colleges that match your interests. Remember that the pages are a first approach that can be taken as a general reference, but regardless of the test results, the most important thing is that you like the institution.
