To keep this short, if I don’t choose to apply to American universities I’ll be going to either Melbourne/Monash University which are ranked well in to the top 100 universities. With that being said, should I still apply for american universities?
This questions been nagging me from the start of the year which I want to to get answered then just do what needs to be done. I’m leaning towards just staying in Australia as it might be more beneficial for me.
I reckon that depends what your goals are and how qualified you feel you are. For example, if your goal is to live/work in the US then making the effort to go over for undergraduate studies might be worth it for you personally. In terms of just pure academics, paying the extra money and going the extra mile to study in the United States would probably only be worth taking over Melbourne if you get into say, a top 15-20 school in the US. Once it falls past UC Berkeley/University of Michigan standard (great schools and still better than Melbourne mind you), the cost and effort simply isn’t worth it. If you think you have a shot at the Ivies, MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley etc. then just apply and see what happens, you won’t have an opportunity at attending these top institutions if you never try. I also think you shouldn’t overly analyze the rankings, which are quite arbitrary IMO. Even upper mid level schools (not quite as prestigious as the forefront mentioned schools) like USC are harder to get into compared to Melbourne, although I’m not sure how indicative that is of the student bodies at the respective universities. Less competition for everything in Australia compared to US so you may be better off staying in Australia career wise.
Thanks for the reply.
I thought about working in the US after studying there but I’ve found that it would be difficult to obtain a visa that would allow me to work there for long periods of time.
Studying postgrad might be a better option for me.
I am also worried about that issue myself, but I think I have posted in another one of your threads regarding the E3 visa for Australian citizens only? It seems much easier to obtain compared to the H1B but we’ll gonna need to explain that to the companies. Just as anecdotal evidence, an acquaintance of mine who graduated from Yale last year said that his friend (who’s from Sydney) is working in the US after graduation and seemed to have no difficulties staying. Then again, it’s Yale. Post graduate studies is probably how most Aussies go over to the US by, and it’s only two years so less money involved. I agree that it’s an attractive alternative 
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-3_visa
However, a 1-2 year Masters program will almost certainly be cheaper than 4 years of undergrad (unless you are fairly poor and get in to one of those few schools with generous fin aid). You can also go on exchange to the US for a year.
American colleges and universities offer a lot more flexibility in undergrad, however.
Curious: what major and career goals?
@PurpleTitan, I plan on studying civil engineering and commerce. I’m undecided if I should go to Monsh or Melbourne university since their degree models are different. I’d hope to work my way up an engineering company and work in management moreso than the technical jobs.
At Monash, I’ll be study B.Eng (Honours) + B.Commerce double. This will take me 5 years and I won’t need to get a postgrad degree unless I want to specialise even more.
At Melbourne, its like the American model where I’ll take a B.Com majoring in accounting(or finance) and civil engineering which takes 3 years then I’ll need to complete my postgrad to be qualified as an engineer.
For studying abroad, I’m not if it would be worth it since I could spend that time networking with my professors and what not. However, Melbourne offers a more ‘prestigious’ range of study abroad opportunities such as all the campuses in the UC system - most notably Berkeley. Opposed to Monash where they don’t have programs with world-class universities but are still good.
I’m not sure if I’m treating study abroad programs correctly, should I be studying abroad to experience another culture? If so, then I don’t think I’d be too interested - however travelling around Europe and North America is something I’d like to do. Would it be possible if I study abroad at like Berkeley and network with the professors over there?
Well, how much can you afford per year?
What will networking with professors get you?
I can afford 10k AUD per annum.
I’d hope networking with professors would be able to help me land a postgrad position with a highly regarded university.
Letters of recommendation matter some for PhD programs, but I’m still a little confused: Is the ultimate end goal to get a PhD? Work in academia? Work in industry?
The main goal for me is to work in the industry and to work in to a senior management position.
How much does your family make? Cal (Berkeley) or any other public in the US is likely out of the question for undergrad without a massive merit scholarship. Likely most privates as well.
BTW, most engineering and business majors in the US go straight to work after undergrad. Most US-educated engineers don’t see a need to get a grad degree in engineering. Some pick up an MBA later, but that’s after they have started working and amassed some savings to pay for the MBA (or they go part-time).