According to comprehensive news from Worldway: Immigrating to the United States to allow children to enjoy a better educational environment is the wish of many investors. With numerous universities in the U.S., selecting a graduate school is often a prerequisite for success. Therefore, a comprehensive consideration of school rankings, study costs, geographic location, and admission requirements is the key to winning. Worldway U.S. immigration consultants have summarized seven key factors for selecting U.S. graduate schools in 2015 for your reference.
1. Program ranking is more important than overall ranking
When applying for U.S. graduate schools, if you are going abroad for an undergraduate degree, you should first consider the overall ranking. However, for a Master's or PHD, do not place too much emphasis on overall ranking. Because Master's level study is already a specialized stage, overall ranking is more relevant to undergraduate studies. Especially when you want to work in the U.S., no one will care about the overall reputation of your school; instead, they will ask what you learned during your Master's program? How deep was your study and how good were your professional mentors? There is a fundamental difference between good and mediocre professional mentors. Avoid choosing a school solely for its name while ignoring the program.
2.Tuition and living expenses
Many students primarily look at the cost of studying abroad when selecting U.S. graduate schools. In the U.S., tuition standards vary by program, school, and region, and living expenses also differ due to regional variations. Although U.S. university tuition has been rising year after year, the overall cost has relatively decreased due to the continuous depreciation of the U.S. dollar.
When applying for U.S. graduate schools, you should understand the costs. Generally, business schools, law schools, and medical schools have relatively higher costs, while science, liberal arts, and sports schools have lower tuition. Private schools are more expensive than public schools, living expenses in large cities are higher than in smaller cities, and schools on the U.S. East and West Coasts have higher tuition, while certain states like Alabama have lower costs.
3. Scholarship opportunities
U.S. institutions offer various forms of financial aid, with scholarships being a major highlight. High-value scholarships in the U.S. are mainly concentrated in undergraduate and doctoral programs. For graduate students, schools provide corresponding TA, RA, GA based on different programs and schools. The materials for scholarship applications differ from those for admission. Students should fully understand the forms of U.S. scholarships and which programs offer them. If a program focuses on engineering or biotechnology, the proportion of students receiving scholarships is relatively high; if it is a liberal arts or business-related program, there is basically no hope for scholarships. Another point to remember is that scholarship application deadlines are very early; basically, after January 2nd, students have little hope of receiving a scholarship.
4. Analyze the admission requirements of top U.S. schools
School admissions committees set admission standards based on their own circumstances. Each school has its own evaluation criteria, such as hard score requirements for GPA, IBT, GRE/GMAT, etc., as well as requirements for personal statements. Worldway U.S. immigration experts note that school websites will publish the current year's admission standards and previous years' admission data, but these usually change annually and are based on merit. For example, some schools require a subject GRE score; if you have not taken the subject test, you will be at a disadvantage when applying for U.S. graduate schools. It is recommended that students refer to the admission conditions on the school's official website when selecting U.S. graduate schools, and on this basis, strive to improve themselves to enhance their competitiveness.
5.Academic system and duration
The U.S. academic system is mainly divided into the semester system (two terms per year plus summer vacation) and the quarter system (four quarters per year). Students who wish to graduate early or have rich work experience and do not mind intensive study may consider universities with a quarter system. Generally, semester-system universities start at the end of August, while quarter-system ones start at the end of September. Graduate schools at U.S. universities also have different academic duration requirements for the same program. You must choose an academic system that suits you.
6.Combine geographic location with school selection
Geographic location is still very important for students. Generally speaking, for Chinese students going to the U.S. to study, they gain more than just a degree; they gain much more, such as experiences and insights. In cities with good locations, such as New York, Chicago, and also Los Angeles in the West, the business atmosphere is very developed, and there are many companies. Their operational models and company management processes are very mature. If our students can integrate into this and learn, it will be very beneficial.
7.Internship opportunities
U.S. universities arrange corresponding internship opportunities for students upon graduation. Some schools have courses that establish cooperative education with local industrial and commercial institutions. For example, Saint Louis University, ranked 82 in the U.S. overall rankings, has a partnership with Estée Lauder, and students can go to these institutions for undergraduate internships. The University of Delaware, ranked 71 in the U.S. overall rankings, has a strong program in chemical engineering, and students intern at the nearby DuPont company. Students can learn by balancing theory and practice, which is a very good opportunity.
Worldway Editor
