People often refer to the United States as the “land of infinite possibilities.” Reading this content indicates that you agree with this description.There are more than 4,500 colleges and universities in the United States that offer undergraduate degrees.The difficulty of having an unlimited number of choices is that at some point, you need to decide which one to pursue.

Every day, international students from other countries dream of entering famous universities such as Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT and California Institute of Technology.These are just some famous names.Suppose you are one of them and finally decide to turn your ambitions into reality.There are so many excellent universities to choose from in the United States. How do you choose the best university?

Make sure you have determined your passion
Don’t underestimate the importance of your intuition!In the next three to six years, you will spend time studying your subject, so you must make sure your mind and heart are on the same page.

This is true, even if you have been taught that this choice should be based on rational analysis.You may eventually work in the industry you decide to major in, so your best choice is to zero in a field that excites you, and then figure out how to adapt the rest of your education to it.

You need to be honest with yourself and ask yourself if you can really imagine yourself receiving an education in the field of your choice and achieving a successful career.If your answer to any of these questions is yes, then you have completed the most important step.

Shortlisted for the best American university in your subject
Now that you have decided on the field of study you want to study in the United States, it is time to start looking for a school in the United States.Rankings of universities and specific disciplines may be a useful way to find a school that suits you in the United States.

You should also remember that in order for a college or university in the United States to be allowed to recruit international students, it must first obtain certification from the Student and exchange visitor program.Create a priority list of educational institutions you are interested in, and then investigate each one in detail.

Check the website of the educational institution you are interested in participating in for official information, course brochures, and even student forums for more “insider” suggestions.If possible, try to get in touch with previous students.Their anecdotes are of great significance because they may give you an in-depth understanding of your possible future results.

You can also use many social media networks to connect with universities and current and former students.Check the university’s interaction with students and the type of information they provide by visiting their Facebook profile or following them on Twitter.A university website on LinkedIn may also be helpful, because you can conduct research for international students and graduates there to see what kind of work they continue to do.

Even if there is no guide for everyone, you can use any of these resources to find the most important institutions in the United States.

Access course content
Many future international students have made the mistake of not studying the courses of their chosen major before applying to a college or university.As a result, they were not satisfied after registration.

Even if you plan to attend that particular school, you should study the available major and minor courses to make sure they provide what you are looking for.

If you have any questions or concerns about the materials found online, or you just want more information, you can contact the school at any time.

After all, you spend most of your time in class, so it seems reasonable for you to want to study topics that interest you for two reasons: first, because it will make your time there more enjoyable, and second, let you graduate with honors.

Consider the financial aspects
Do your research to see if studying in the United States is within your financial ability.The American University Council estimates that the average cost of a public university education for students outside the United States is $22,958.

There is a significant difference between this and the average annual cost of a private non-profit university of  $31,231.Additional expenditures such as travel, accommodation and food will need to be added to this total.

However, just because you understand that some U.S. universities you are considering are beyond your price range does not mean that you must completely exclude them from consideration.If you are well prepared and do not miss the deadline, you are eligible for financial assistance from one of the many agencies in the United States.

You can also find and apply for one of the many available study abroad scholarships in the United States.Another option is to take out a loan or work part-time to make a living.You just need to seize the opportunity and do your homework to make the most of the available opportunities.

View student accommodation offered by American universities
For international students from other countries, the prospect of studying in a new country is both exciting and terrifying.This is why it is so important to take the lead in your studies and collect all the data you need to feel comfortable throughout the university period.Most U.S. institutions provide on-campus accommodation.

This is great because you may live close to other international students and have more opportunities to get to know and understand them in the kitchen.Before submitting your application to any university, if you want to apply, please make sure you have carefully checked all the above information.

Decide where you want to study in the United States
When choosing a college or university in the United States, location is also one of the most important considerations.You are eager to go to school in the United States, but each state and city in the country has its own unique character, as well as its own culture, climate, economy and history.Some states attract international students from foreign countries more than others.

Get information at university expositions, online events, and information conferences
If you have privileges, you can visit the United States and study at a university you are interested in.You can also participate in university expositions in nearby cities and talk to the admissions officer in person.Online communication forms may be beneficial to students studying abroad.

You can talk face-to-face with university officials and students by participating in virtual university expositions or online information conferences (such as QS World University Tour #Study in the USA Virtual Expositions) without leaving home.

Academic field (major)
In the United States, undergraduates do not need to choose a major (main field of study) when they first enter a university.However, regardless of whether you have a specific major or not, you should check whether any school you are applying to offers a degree in that field.Standard business courses and IT can be found in almost any university.However, if marine biology or archaeology is your area of interest, you should plan ahead.

Although some American colleges and universities focus on specific research areas, the vast majority offer teaching in various disciplines.Almost always, you can pursue your major while pursuing other interests.

You may attend a school that specializes in your field of interest. Under normal circumstances, traditional liberal arts colleges will award bachelor’s degrees in arts and sciences. These institutions also provide a unique opportunity to work closely with teachers and their research.

Degree and graduate school
When collecting information and submitting applications, please carefully check whether you are targeting the appropriate degree program. If you have completed your secondary education (high school) or have taken some university courses but have not yet obtained a degree, you are applying for undergraduate studies.

This may be a degree that only takes two years or up to four years. In addition to the general university admission requirements, most of these courses of study do not require further application.

Postgraduate courses include courses to obtain a master’s degree or a doctorate degree, and are often referred to as “postgraduate”. You must verify the postgraduate degree requirements of the institution you are interested in.

If the degree program you are enrolled in only meets on weekends or in the evening, you may not be able to meet the needs of full-time study.(Most MBA programs offer evening and weekend courses.）

Standardized test scores for GMAT (graduate school of Business) or GRE (other graduate programs) are usually required to enter graduate school. You need to have the educational equivalent of a bachelor’s degree to be eligible for these awards. In addition, unlike undergraduate admissions, your application must be sent directly to the department of the institution you are applying for.

Academic standards and reputation
When applying to the most famous schools in the United States, the competition for international students is very fierce. An admissions consultant can help you determine whether you have a chance to enter.

Instead of insisting on entering one of the top 50 colleges in the United States, most international students should look for a reputable school where they will be intellectually challenged and thus get better services. Understand the requirements for entering each school and your performance. Ask your counselor and current tutor about your opportunities to enter the school of your choice.

Keep in mind that academic achievement is the main factor in the admission process of most institutions. Standardized test scores are taken into account, but academic performance is more valued. Your participation in external activities will also be taken into account.

Location and region
Location and geography can have a significant impact. You can spend most of your life in the United States at your place of study, so it is important to carefully consider your choice.Take the time to consider your preferences or at least the features you can use. In terms of quantity, the East and west coasts of the United States are the most concentrated places for international students.

Do you come from a place where the climate continues to be warm and humid? If so, you can consider moving to New England, where there are several well-known educational institutions despite the cold temperatures. Consider not only the area, but also entertainment opportunities.

Do you want to engage in a specific extracurricular cultural, sports or entertainment activity? Tourists visiting mountainous areas such as Colorado and Vermont may be interested in snow sports such as skiing and snowboarding. Others want to be close to the waves on the Atlantic coast of southern California or Florida. San Francisco and New York City are popular destinations for theater audiences.

Places like New York and Los Angeles are very popular among international students because they are close to where their nationality is concentrated. Some international students want to enter “Central America”, where they may experience almost complete cultural changes.

Some of the best research institutions in the United States are located in unexpected places, such as Madison, Kansas and Wisconsin. These cities have become famous “university cities” because of their low cost of living and excellent quality of life. However, they may not be prominent in other countries.

City, suburb or town?
When narrowing down the scope of location issues, the type of area may be as important as the area itself. Keep in mind that most universities are not located in the heart of major cities such as New York, San Francisco, or Chicago.

Every year, thousands of international students from other countries study in the world’s top universities, many of whom are distributed in surprisingly small communities.People from large urban centers may find this a challenging transition.

Although tens of thousands of international students choose to go to university in the local community every year. The vast majority of people can adapt to the new environment.Suburbs are residential areas located outside large cities and may be a good middle ground because they are home to many ideal universities.

The suburbs provide the peace and tranquility needed for top-of-the-line amenities, while facilitating activities in major city centers. Hundreds of educational institutions are located in the heart of metropolises and big city centers, so if city life is essential to you, you can find the right one.

Total cost of your education
Tuition fees in well-known private institutions are usually more expensive than public universities. Estimate the total cost of your education as comprehensively as possible, which should include living expenses. Most universities now have websites where such data can be found.

Compared with public universities, several private schools offer affordable tuition. In places far from the east and west coasts, the cost of living is usually lower and usually much cheaper.

The University of California and the California State University System are the two best systems in the world. They all have a variety of campuses in beautiful environments across the state, offering affordable tuition. Although California may not be more expensive overall, the cost of living there may be twice that of other states. You must be aware that costs will rise during the year.

Is it a big university or a small college?
Large elite research institutions are the first choice for international students. They are state-funded public universities. These may be considered valuable “brand names” on the resume. Institutions such as Yale University and the University of California, Berkeley are well-known around the world.

However, keep in mind that in addition to these large institutions, you can also visit hundreds of smaller universities and colleges.

Most international students feel safer and more comfortable in the private environment and smaller class sizes provided by smaller universities. There are usually fewer international students registered there than teachers, which means more one-on-one time with your professor.

Larger research colleges offer more technical fields, such as architecture and engineering. This helps bridge the cultural and academic gap. In a smaller university, the culture shock may be smaller.

If they are public, you might expect to pay less for their education. These institutions will attract more international students and increase your likelihood of meeting people from your own country in the student population.

TOEFL requirements (or TOEFL exemption)
Taking the English as a Foreign Language test (TOEFL) is a cause of stress for most international students studying abroad. However, if you have not received an English education, it cannot be avoided. Curriculum requirements vary from institution to institution, and more prominent schools require higher TOEFL scores.

Before applying to a college or university, please make sure you meet all prerequisites. Many future international students are attracted by schools that offer TOEFL exemptions-studying in the university’s strict English courses (or related English courses) until the final level is usually required. However, several institutions have made exceptions for international students attending private language schools such as ELS Language Center.

certification
It is essential to recognize whether a school has been officially recognized because it meets specific standards. Certification is a seal of approval that proves that a particular educational institution or course meets the standards. Credits earned in an unrecognized school cannot be transferred to an accredited school.

Your home country may not accept your certificate, making it difficult to get the job you want. In the United States, higher education is not regulated by any central agency or the Ministry of Education.

Some jurisdictions provide authorization or approval to educational institutions; however, this is usually related to administrative matters such as funding and licensing, not to the quality of teaching provided. Instead, higher education institutions joined forces to create groups to determine their requirements.

Every college and university in the United States is graded by a group of experts called “certification bodies.”

Percentage of graduates admitted to top graduate schools
When choosing a university, you must ensure that you will receive the highest level of education and have a variety of career opportunities after graduation.

Studying the admission rate of graduates is something you should consider doing, even if you are not sure whether you will go to graduate school in the future.You will find that it is beneficial to have confidence that there will be choices after graduation.

Special sports or extracurricular activities
It is essential to research the availability of extracurricular activities on any university campus you are considering participating in, regardless of whether you have already participated and want to continue doing so or want to try new things.

Do you know if there is an intramural sports team in the school? Barber shop quartet? A group of belly dancers? Carefully consider whether the university you are considering offers courses that allow you to pursue a specific field of interest.

Retention and 4-year graduation rate
Consider the proportion of first-year students returning in the second year and the percentage of students graduating from the institution. The high proportion of students leaving the university may indicate that it has failed to meet the requirements of a considerable part of the students.

You can also ask how many students have completed their degrees in four years, as this may vary from institution to institution. Consider whether you are ready to put extra effort and expense into obtaining a degree.

safe
One of the most important considerations is one’s safety. Even on university campuses, the number of crimes that have occurred in the past few years has increased. When choosing a university, it is necessary to investigate the criminal activity records in the area and determine what measures the school takes to protect the well-being of students.

conclusion
As mentioned in this article, studying in the United States is of great interest to international students. If you follow the steps explained, you can choose the best university.