US colleges have been navigating a turbulent economic and political climate of late, and the impact on current and prospective students is being felt around the world. In particular, there have been concerning reports about visa cancellations – generally targeting Master’s and PhD students, although some undergraduate students have also had their visas revoked across the country.
The good news is that colleges have been able to successfully challenge a number of these decisions, and the administration has restored the legal status for many international students over the last few weeks. So, while it’s impossible to predict future policy changes, those working in US higher education are feeling cautiously optimistic.
With over 5,000 colleges and universities to choose from, the opportunities for higher education here remain vast, and exciting. With the right research, guidance and planning, there are still plenty of reasons to pursue a degree stateside. Here’s our guide to getting started.
Course over college
College students in the US typically take a variety of courses alongside their chosen major – particularly in the first year or two. This is a great advantage for those seeking breadth over depth, or for those unsure of their final course of study. Students have the chance to explore new subjects, broaden career options and enhance their knowledge through complementary topics. Plus, with many institutions offering the chance to change minors, and even switch majors, it’s a great way to test the waters early on.
However, while it’s not always required for students to state their major on college applications, we always recommend having a chosen subject in mind – and including it as part of the admissions process. But where to start, especially when there’s such a wide array of options on offer?
For us, a love of learning always comes first. So, while there will of course be career aspirations that demand a particular course of study, keeping passion front of mind can be a helpful way to narrow things down. Use this handy checklist to create a subject shortlist:
Which subjects do I enjoy the most?
What do I talk about in my spare time?
What’s my preferred learning style? Do I prefer structure or flexibility?
What are my strengths and talents?
Where do I see myself in five years? Would this subject help me get there?
Are there particular industries or job sectors that excite me?
With a subject in mind, students are far better placed to weigh up the merits of each course, faculty and approach offered by their chosen colleges. We’ve found this is a much more effective way to approach the admissions process, helping bring some much-needed structure to the search.
What does the application process involve?
Most US colleges follow a standardised admissions process, which includes a common application, grades to date, SAT or ACT scores, an essay or personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Some colleges or courses will have additional requirements, for example, an interview or the need to submit a portfolio of work.
While a college may state that the SAT/ACT is optional, we recommend students work under the assumption that SAT/ACT scores will benefit their application. This is particularly important for those who aren’t taking standard examinations at school – for example, IGCSEs, the French Baccalaureate and International Baccalaureate – or those attending a school without existing relationships with US colleges.
We’re often asked what constitutes a good score. Of course, the answer depends on each college, but we suggest looking at SAT/ACT averages from 2019 – before the pandemic forced colleges to make tests optional. Securing this average, or higher, will only help a student’s application.
Something else to bear in mind is the submission deadline, which can vary – with some colleges offering rolling admissions, whereas others work to strict timelines. There are also early action and early decision routes to consider. The key takeaway? There’s a huge amount of preparation and research needed to ensure you meet the requirements of each college, at the right time.
Expert US college consultancy
With a dedicated US college consultancy team, we’re well-equipped to help students at every stage of their application journey, and our support has seen Figtree alumni go on to leading colleges including Harvard, Columbia, NYU and UCLA.
Early planning is key, which is why we develop a robust strategy that examines each student’s needs and aspirations, spanning course to campus, location to learning style. Highly targeted SAT and ACT preparation forms a big part of our approach, alongside personalised interview preparation and support with personal statement and essay writing.
Our US college application services include:
• Detailed discovery to build a comprehensive application strategy
• Support with course and college selection, with insights from our wide US alumni network
• Tailored advice to navigate early action versus early decision applications
• A full SAT or ACT tuition programme from a specialist tutor, with plenty of diagnostic testing and mock exams
• Interview preparation and practice
• Support with drafting personal statements and essays, as required by each college
• Help throughout the application process, from navigating forms to accepting offers
Staying one step ahead
In a fast-moving landscape, working with an experienced consultant will be key. We have a network of specialist advisors, including immigration and visa experts, on hand to explore your options. While our college contacts recommend applying for an F-1 visa as soon as possible, the outlook is increasingly positive and there’s a feel of hopeful optimism returning across the sector.
We’ll be hosting a dedicated webinar in the coming weeks, where Figtree’s US college counselling team will discuss these issues and more. Do keep an eye out for more information, coming soon, or get in touch with the team for more information on how we can help.
