Hi,
I am an international student applying to US Colleges and I would like to know about what you think is important to consider when choosing a college (aside from the obvious location, academics, sports etc.)
Thanks!
- Cost
- Cost
- Cost
You may be able to enhance the above advice by considering the broader concept of value.
https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-best-college-values-college-finder/index.php#Tile
Cost/affordability.
The details of the four year plan of study for your intended major at the schools you are considering. There can be great variety.
Details on declaring a major, if there is a transition to major process, and ease of changing major.
Strength of a school’s career outcomes and graduate placement.
Ease of transportation/proximity to major international airports.
What you can do with your US degree when you return to your home country after studying here.
International student percentage at that school and instate student percentage
Whether the school seems “friendly” to international students do they have study abroad program/ international student organizations/ international student special orientation
Crime rate of the area
Whether the campus is dominated by fraternities or sororities
National Party Ranking
Accessibility of transportation is big, both for getting to school and for let’s call it tourism. You could get calculus anywhere on earth but you’re choosing the US, so you need to be able to get off campus and see things.
I like looking at the ratings of colleges on Niche. For me, it weighs too much on Academics (you have a school that has an A+ in academics and has Bs in Cs in everything else and they still give it an A+), but otherwise it’s important when spending a lot of money to consider how good the dorms are, the value of the education, social life, diversity, sports, campus food and safety are.
College is as much about what you experience outside the class as it is inside the classroom.