Hi
I’m in grade 10 and looking at beginning my research for US schools. What are the best sources for finding tier-2 US schools? What is the best source to find college fairs and meet the schools/admissions counselors? I am based in New Delhi.
Thanks
Vishal
Hi Vishal, I would probably send an e-mail to the American Embassy School in Delhi, (or other similar international school) and politely ask if they know of any persons who the school recommends to act as private college counselor to those in the Delhi area. Such a person could work with you to identify a list of schools. A private college counselor will charge money; I don’t know what the rate in Delhi would be for this service. You can also look yourself at online sites that rank schools and just do your own research. If you find schools you are interested in, you can then send a short e-mail to inquire if their institution will be participating in any college fairs in your area. There is a tremendous amount of information of each university website.
A couple of things you might consider as you think about US colleges/universities:
There are something like 3000 US universities, and they are quite varied. Among excellent ones, some are right in major cities (like NYU), some are practically in cornfields (Grinnell). Some LACs and others have approximately 2000 students; some state flagship public universities (Michigan, Texas) have more than 40,000 undergrads and many more grad students. Many are in “college towns” where the school is often the biggest economic engine in town. Generally speaking, LACs will provide smaller classes and closer interaction with professors. Large public universities and large privates will provide better research opportunities, although you can often do research at LACs and get to know your professors well at larger schools. But generally it’s more or less true.
Many great LACs are in New England where it can be extremely cold and icy. Some are in the South, which has nice weather during the school year, and some in the Southwest/Southern California where it is hot/warm and dry. Many large state schools, especially in the South are very focused on sports like football and Greek (fraternity/sorority) live, which some love and some don’t. So if you think about what type of place might appeal to you, it will help you create a list that is more manageable.
Also, US schools are public or private. Most of the Top 20 or so are private (Harvard, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, etc.) but beyond that both publics and privates can be outstanding, world-class schools. In-state students pay less at public schools because state taxes pay some of the costs of the public universities in a state. So, for example, a student in Virginia will pay less than an international student or a student from another state because their family has been living and paying taxes in Virginia. Private schools generally cost the same for all students, although they will often (not always) provide less financial aid to international students.
Which raises the issue of how much you can pay. That is very important for international students. If you can pay most or all of the published international student costs (tuition, room, board, other), your college search will be different than if you will require lots of financial aid. In the latter case, you will need to focus on schools where you will most likely receive aid, which is often schools where you are a very strong candidate relative to other applicants. And even then it will be difficult.
In terms of rankings, to get a general idea of tiers, world university rankings really rank US schools differently than US rankings. World ones focus more on research, so LACs that are often considered great (the best) schools in the US are ranked lowly because the professors focus more on teaching than research. If you are looking to live and work for India, then world rankings might be more important. If you are looking to stay in the US (if that works), or just want to look at it from a US perspective, you might check US News College Rankings. These are very dependent on the criteria, and remember there are about 3000 schools, so #200 is still a really good school.
So think about those things. They will help you narrow your search. The great news is that there are many outstanding schools where students can get a great education. It’s not just Harvard, Stanford, etc. Good luck!
You should read through everything at the EducationUSA website, then make an appointment with a counselor at the advising center closest to where you live. They will be able to help you with the entire process. EducationUSA is a not-for-profit organization that receives funding from the US government, and any fees you are charged will be minimal. When I lived in South America, our EducationUSA office coordinated the college fairs and recruiter visits. I expect it is that way in India too.
www.educationusa.state.gov
You also should read through the posts in the International Students forum. The folks there will have ideas for you.
First, have a serious talk with your parents to ascertain just how much money they are able/willing to pay.
Second, think about your major and, if possible, post-college plans (returning home to India, staying in the US, graduate school, industry you would like to work in etc…).
Once you have answers to those important questions, you can share those with us here on CC, and along with your academic and extra curricular credentials, we would be able to give you some effective guidance.
International students should plan to return home after graduation. It’s difficult to get a job in the US, so OP should consider that when weighing their options.
“some state flagship public universities (Michigan, Texas) have more than 40,000 undergrads and many more grad students.”
TTG, Michigan has 29,000 undergraduate students, not 40,000+.
“Most of the Top 20 or so are private (Harvard, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, etc.)”
It depends on whom you ask. There are not many in academe who would agree that Cal, Michigan, UCLA and UVa are not among the top 20 universities in the country.
Thanks all. In terms of visa, is F1 the most common route? Has anyone ever heard of EB-5, you pay US$500K or $1 million and in 5 years get green card? Is this maybe better option than F1?
Canada has those options. Not sure if US does.
The EB5 program isn’t quite as simple as writing a check for $500k; you have to invest in a US business and either create or preserve jobs. Not something to try to navigate on your own. Worth paying for legal help that has experience with EB5s. The plus side is that with the EB5, you would be on a path to permanent residency/citizenship if that’s what you’re interested in.
The F1 is a lot easier and less expensive to get if all you want to do is study in the US, but you won’t be on a path to permanent residency or citizenship if you go that route.
Do you have $500k?
Do you want to set up and run a business, and take a few classes part-time?
Do you want to spend five years worrying that your business might fai,l or you might slip up and make one tiny mistake on some government paperwork, or the rules might be changed on you before actually ending up with a green card?
That is what you would need to do if you had an EB visa.
If you have $500K you won’t have a problem getting into an American university nor with getting an F1 visa.
My friend in China did EB5. They don’t do companies they invested in real estate construction, apartment building in Los Angeles California USA. He said process is not too difficult and safer for green card. H1B from what my uncle in US is saying is getting harder to obtain, and getting perm green card very hard now in states. Does anyone know where I can learn more about EB5 or other visa options? Any companies that advise on US immigration for study in US?
Everything is right in the State Department and USCIS websites. Run a quick google, and make certain that the site is a .gov
Wikipedia also offers a great deal of info. on the EB5 that includes the swindle scandals.
Get a book called “Princeton review’s Best colleges”. You’ll find lots and lots of universities.