If you find yourself reading this article, then the chances are that you are now seriously considering the possibility of studying in America. A chain of events you cannot exactly describe changed your path towards international education. All of a sudden, you arrived to the conclusion that studying in your own country did not seem challenging enough, and you are telling yourself you need more. You know for a fact that there are excellent universities in your homeland but you still want something different. Moreover, you ask yourself: how did I arrive to a decision to study in a foreign land and how am I going to go about it?.
Some
of the answers are very simple: for example, you know that you have the
"foreign studies bug", and there is not much in terms of a cure.
Second, you know that it feels like a major turning point in your life.
Third, you are determined to be an International Student in the United
States, even if you know little about how to get there. Corroborating
these feelings, your heart has been telling you that:... "you have
what it takes to succeed". If this is how you feel about yourself,
let me welcome you to the challenging world of Higher Education in the
United States.
This unscientific way of discovery occurs more frequently than you might think and is an excellent beginning. In short, you have decided all by yourself that you have the intelligence and drive to succeed. It is a fact that intelligence and drive are the most important factors that will bring home a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral Degree when you return from the United States. It is also a fact, that money alone will not buy either, and if you are convinced that you have both, it is likely that you will succeed. At this point, I would suggest: to go back to square one, and seriously re-formulate the same questions. If you can come up with the same answers and are still determined to start the long journey of studying abroad, then you are ready. Now your work begins in full, and a good dose of honesty is needed to move forward with real answers.
If
English is your second language
In searching for the truth you need to ask yourself the following questions:
First: Am I a good reader, listener and writer of English?. In reality,
where do I stand in each of those areas?. If I were to sit in a classroom
at an American University how would I perform?. The bottom line is; you
need to find out if you can follow a lecture on an academic topic at university
level. This should include the necessary give and take to answer questions,
participate in class discussion, and produce original papers. If you have
not done so, you need to take a TOEFL test as soon as possible to have
a first unbiased measure of your ability. The test will also serve as
a measure of future progress.
As a norm, I would seriously recommend to view a TOEFL score of 660 as a mark that will guarantee some degree of confidence on the ability to keep up with the daily demands of university studies. Many Colleges such as Endicott College, in Beverly, Massachusetts accept students with TOEFL scores around the 600 mark, requiring participation in their English as a Second Language Program, as a precondition for admission. This important step allows students to combine ESL instruction with academic courses. The obvious advantage is that it does not delay admission to a program of study leading towards a Bachelor's Degree.
In deciding course selection for the first semester, the College's guiding principle is to protect your chances for success. We all know that nobody wins, if a student fails academically. It is your job as an applicant, to find out if your level of English matches your aspirations, and the admission guidelines of the Colleges you are applying to. Suffice to say here that a great number of Colleges and Universities alsd require the SAT test from Secondary School graduates. As a general rule, it is better to prepare yourself for a while taking intensive English courses, than to risk a denial letter from the College you are seeking admission to.
Can I afford it?
The second question
in order of importance is: Can I afford the College of my choice in the
United States?. The truth is, unless you have a demonstrated ability and
a steady "star student" record, it is unlikely that you will
obtain a grant covering all your expenses at some of your preferred Colleges.
By law, Federal (government) money is not accessible to International students, unless they also hold a U.S. citizenship or a U.S~ resident card. Many good candidates will be denied financial aid assistance for this reason. Or they will receive an offer from the College to take their own "Grant" (gift) money, that in reality is still short of the amount the student really needs. Again, check your past academic achievements, and type of funds you can realistically obtain from your favorite College. Sometimes, you will need to make adjustments looking for institutions that better match your ability to pay. Don't count on universities largesse, count on your own resources and your ability to pay. If some money comes along the way as a gift, see it as an added benefit.
For the most part American Universities can only give their "own money", not government money, to International students and they will decide to whom and how much there is to give. Confronting reality early is a great time saving device, when searching for the right College. The good news is that there are a wide range of institutions available, both academically viable and affordable. Look for what you can afford. For example, Endicott College decided to reduce tuition as a way to evenly benefit a wide range of International and Domestic applicants. As a result, their tuition compares most favorably with other Boston area Colleges, averaging savings of eight thousand dollars per year. When we multiply by four years, it represents some serious savings for an international student.
Use the resources
available
If you pass the "Motivation" test, the "English" test,
and the "Reality" test, and you can show a reasonable academic
record, you are on your way to finding a good match at a U.S. College.
The next steps will become a little easier. Having a good idea of what
your academic interests are, you can now move along rather fast. Word
of mouth advice from alumni/e, advice from USIS and Fulbright Commission
representatives in your country, and advice from counselors at International
Schools are still paramount and irreplaceable in a search for the perfect
College.
Make use of these resources, that for the most part are free. For example, you can contact the Education section of the U.S. Embassy, the offices of AMIDEAST in the Middle East, the Institute of International Education, the Fulbright Commission, and International Schools in your area.
Also International College Fairs in your area should be common occurrence. In addition, Asian, South American, European and Middle Eastern countries are frequently visited by College's International recruiters. You should call the College of your choice, to find out when their International recruiter will be visiting your City.
The
application process
Presenting your application to any College or University should be a serious
affair. Please do not take it lightly, as this is the biggest mistake
many applicants make. Remember that admissions counselors only see essays
and grades and do not have the opportunity to interact with international
applicants when they are processing their applications. If you are tired
or busy, continue to complete your application or finish your essay the
next day. Type and correct everything. Do not act on impulse, anything
that you mail is impossible to retrieve, and it will reach the admission
office even if you change your mind. Be obsessive, use the best available
paper, avoid wrinkles, triple check your grammar, margins, etc.
After all is said and done, what you write will be your best or worst credential. Your essays are extremely important. Think what you write. Show a logical progression. With the English language -at least in America-, "more is less", meaning that less clutter and making a point while being grammatically correct is highly valued. Essays are a good opportunity to explain unforeseen events that have occurred in your life, and they can influence a reader towards a positive decision on your application. Do not lie, report facts and circumstances that have affected you, or major accomplishments worth noting. Universities always check, and lies are hard to keep up with.
After you are accepted Finally, remember that U.S. Colleges and Universities are "writing intensive". You will write many papers during your stay. Ask native speakers to correct and edit every paper you send out. Make it a habit. Also research your papers yourself at the library. It is much easier to defend your point if you have done your own research. And besides, it is the right thing to do. In the end you will remember more for your final examinations and you will get your money 5 worth. It will also build confidence for the next step, be it a Master's or Doctoral Degree or your first well remunerated job. The more you learn about Americans, and can communicate by writing, the better off you will be. It is a fact that most of us after College, will have sooner rather than later a manager regularly reading our reports.
Lastly, beware of plagiarism. In America it represents a serious breaking of academic rules, and can lead to very uncomfortable situations, and in some cases to dismissal from courses and even the University itself.
In the end, the reward for your journey will be your effort, sense of personal accomplishment, mastery of a foreign language and culture, memories and friends left behind. But still the most valued reward will be, the diploma that you will see hanging behind you in your office and the thought..." I did take the challenge all by myself and for now, nothing seems impossible".
Going back to the very beginning, my best advice remains: set your course and stay at the helm for the duration of your journey. It certainly will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. I can only wish the best of luck to you, and all those daring students making plans to come to the United States, one step at a time. Don't give up and follow your plan to the end.
The Author:
Carlos M. Rivero - Associate Director for International Admissions, Endicott College
Carlos M. Rivero is a native of Argentina who came to the United States driven by his interest for sailboat racing. Soon thereafter a passion for education took over, completing over the years a Bachelor's Degree at Salem State College, a Master's Degree at Harvard University, and a Doctorate in Higher Education at Vanderbilt University.
For the past ten years International Admissions has been a lifestyle and vocation. Dr. Rivero travels extensively through the Middle East, Asia, South America and Europe visiting and recruiting students at International Schools. He works as Associate Director for Intemational Admissions at Endicott College, a four year private institution in the Northeast located in Beverly, Massachusetts, within the Boston area.
E-mail address: crivero@endicott.edu
