Over one million students in the United States use Cappex.com to select universities. This website has collected data on high school students' university choices, revealing trends among students in grades 9-12. Freshmen tend to favor prestigious institutions, while seniors make more practical choices, considering factors such as acceptance rates and geographical location.
Top 20 universities considered by 9th grade students in the United States:
Stanford, Harvard, UCLA, Yale, NYU, UC Berkeley, Duke, Princeton, Columbia University, MIT, Cornell, University of Florida, University of Southern California, Florida State University, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Brown University, University of Pennsylvania, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Texas at Austin, Ohio State University
Top 20 universities considered by 12th grade students in the United States:
UCLA, UC Berkeley, Stanford, NYU, Harvard, University of Southern California, University of Texas at Austin, Columbia University, Cornell, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, University of Florida, Duke, University of Pennsylvania, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Boston University, Yale University, University of California San Diego, University of California Davis, University of California Irvine, Texas A&M University
Analysis of university choice changes from grades 9-12:
1. Older students tend to consider acceptance rates more, leading to a decline in the rankings of prestigious schools;
2. Older students are more inclined to choose in-state universities. The proportion of 9th grade students selecting in-state universities is 34%, which rises to 47% by 12th grade;
3. Older students tend to prefer public universities, with 5 out of the top 20 being part of the UC system. Harvard dropped from second to fifth, Yale from fourth to sixth, and Princeton did not make the top 20 at all;
4. The US News rankings have a greater impact on 9th grade students' university choices than on 11th and 12th grade students (American seniors are more rational in their university selections compared to domestic students going abroad).
Of course, the choice of school should not be based solely on others' opinions; one must also consider personal factors to select a suitable school and major. So, what do you need to do before choosing a university?
1. Weighing Factors
Language and standardized test scores
GPA: A low GPA significantly impacts applications
Extracurricular activities: Students who only study are not favored
Other advantages: Special skills; unique backgrounds, etc.
Financial conditions: Can you afford expensive tuition and living expenses?
2. Understanding Your Inner Needs
List two columns on paper, with the left side for your strengths. For example, traits, character, abilities, good habits, desires, talents, etc., that showcase your positive aspects and will help you in your future work.
In the other column, write down your possible weaknesses—these may be the things that trouble you. Perhaps you dislike cold weather, small towns, etc.
3. Understanding the Subjective and Objective Factors in University Selection
Subjective factors: Understanding the university goes beyond obtaining information from the official website; you can also learn about the school through books, campus visits, summer programs, admissions fairs, discussions with alumni, video tours, and even contacting the school via email.
Objective factors: University rankings, future prospects, scholarship requirements, geographical environment, application structure (phases), alumni outcomes, safety, international student ratios, climate conditions, school size, academic characteristics, tuition, and living expenses.