Since it can take around 2 years to get your application ready, starting early is a great first step. There are several personal factors to consider as you prepare to research colleges and universities in the United States. Finding the perfect match is not difficult once you decide how much your family can afford, what you want to study, which state or location you like, the housing choice you prefer, social options you would the school to offer, and career placement assistance needs.
Determining your preferences now will make it a lot easier to target the perfect place to earn your undergraduate or graduate degree.
Personal Factors to Consider
Cost
Getting a degree in the United States is expensive. Although many students are able to find one or two scholarships to help offset the cost, keep in mind that finding a full scholarship is not a common occurrence. This means you will need to explore all possible funding options. If money is not a factor, that’s great! However, regardless of your situation, you should know what the financial aid policy is for the colleges on your final list. Life circumstances can change suddenly, and you don’t want all your hard work to be for nothing. It’s always better to have as much knowledge as possible about your preferred colleges.
Tuition, room and board (food), books, supplies, and travel should be calculated when figuring the total cost of attendance. For tuition alone costs can range from $4,000 to $40,000 per year. Some colleges and universities offer merit aid, but some only offer need-based aid. So, what are your potential funding options?
- Family Assistance: A majority of international students fund their education through personal and family funding. Establish early on how much of your education you or your family members will be paying. Keep in mind that as an international student you can’t rely on working in the US to fund your education. Working in the US comes with limitations including how many hours per week you can work and will not be enough to fund your education.
- Home Country Funding: Many countries are encouraging of their citizens earning an education and new skill set in the US that they can bring home with them. Because of this, some countries will even help you pay for your degree. Contact your embassy or ministry of education to see what type of aid is available.
- International Scholarships: Scholarships are a great way to help pay for your education. Keep in mind that scholarships are essentially free money and can be very competitive. App
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