Decision and Advice.

<p>Hi,
I am an 18 year old British student who is starting a 2 year course in September.
I was hoping that upon ending my course i would move to the US and study at an American university.
However with 4,000+ colleges in the USA i have no idea where to start.</p>

<p>I have taken the initiative to read up and understand the application process and how the American education system works. now i am at a point where i need to start looking at possible places to attend.</p>

<p>I am looking to major in something to do with film making as i would like to be a writer and director for movies. I have no preference as to where the college is located however i would like the fees to be the cheapest possible while still attending a good college.</p>

<p>If anybody has any advice or recommendations, at this point everything is welcomed.</p>

<p>I appreciate this information may be a bit early but this is a massive step and i want to be fully informed before making it.</p>

<p>Regards,
Michael Glynn</p>

<p>If you haven’t already done so, read through the information at [EducationUSA</a> | Study Abroad, Student Visa, University Fairs, College Applications and Study in the U.S. / America](<a href=“http://www.educationusa.state.gov/]EducationUSA”>http://www.educationusa.state.gov/) Then make an appointment with the counselors at the advising center closest to you. Here is the link to the one in the UK [EducationUSA</a> - Center Profile - US-UK Fulbright Commission - Fulbright Advisory Service](<a href=“http://www.educationusa.info/Fulbright-UK]EducationUSA”>http://www.educationusa.info/Fulbright-UK)</p>

<p>The counselors at this center can help you find a good place to study.</p>

<p>USC (University of Southern California), great film course there, and it’s extremely close to hollywood.</p>

<p>Californian universities near hollywood.</p>

<p>NYU, (Broadway :D)</p>

<p>but i recommend USC</p>

<p>You can get some good help here, at magoosh for your [GRE</a> Prep](<a href=“http://www.magoosh.com%5DGRE”>http://www.magoosh.com)</p>

<p>Sorry, OP, a little off topic, but just thought I’d let happymomof1 know that while it seems like a good recommendation to talk to the advisors at EducationUSA, I don’t think it’s such a good system as it seems on paper. I rang and e-mailed the relevant counsellor twice, and never heard anything back.</p>

<p>Unfortunately not all offices are as efficient as others. I used to work with these folks when I lived in Latin America, and the team at that office was excellent.</p>

<p>You might check to find out what their office hours are, and whether they have any general orientation sessions that you could attend. The person you were trying to reach could be on vacation out of town, and it’s possible no one is reading his/her email while he/she is away.</p>

<p>You didn’t mention specifically what your 2-year course is; it would be helpful if we knew if you will be a transfer student or a freshman when you start school in the US.</p>

<p>You mentioned that you would like the fees to be the cheapest possible while still attending a good college. Do note that sticker price of tuition at US colleges may not be the final price that you have to pay as your cost of study may be covered by need-based or merit-based financial aid or scholarship from the college.</p>

<p>If you will be a transfer student, EducationUSA has a great list of US colleges that give international transfer students financial aid.</p>

<p>If you will be a first-year undergraduate student, do check out:
[Top</a> 25 Financial Aid Colleges in US for International Students (Need-aware) - Desperate Guide: Tuition-Free Colleges, Financial Aid, Scholarships Around the World](<a href=“http://www.desperateguide.com/us/top-25-financial-aid-colleges-in-us-for-international-students-need-aware]Top”>http://www.desperateguide.com/us/top-25-financial-aid-colleges-in-us-for-international-students-need-aware)</p>

<p>It’s never too early to plan for college. You can always count on the collegeconfidential community to help you along :)</p>

<p>DGuide that list on that website seems deceptive - I know that at several of the schools listed the international students receiving significant aid are RECRUITED ATHLETES. The percentage of nonathlete international students on major scholarships/grants at these schools is miniscule.</p>

<p>katliamom, you’re a senior member of this forum so I do trust your judgement.</p>

<p>I don’t think the website, which uses data and statistics from colleges, is deceptive. That would mean that the colleges are deceptive, which I respectfully hope isn’t the case. Talented athletes are heavily sought after at many schools. It is no mystery that many colleges heavily recruit them, possibly with significant aid. As international students receiving financial aid, they are classified as such.</p>

<p>I know Michael Glynn is looking for colleges that give financial aid to international students. It does not mean that if he is not a recruited athlete, he will not receive significant aid from some of the schools you mentioned. Will he necessarily receive more aid from schools outside the list (those that may be less generous)?</p>

<p>Katliamom is right; it would be helpful to international students looking at schools to have that information. As it stands, colleges do not publish data on percentage of nonathlete international students who receive aid, and the amount of aid for nonathletes.</p>

<p>DGuide, very gracious reply. I do think that many smaller LACs and privates in general are – if not deceptive, exactly – then at least less than candid with the reality of their foreign student aid.</p>