University Education in the United States

U . S . U N I V E R S I T I E S• Quality of education overall:

Figure dominantly among the highest ranked universities in the world

• Top quality public and private universities, liberal arts colleges and specialized schools throughout the 50 U.S. states

• Wide-choice: over 2,000 recognized higher education learning institutions

• Students generally take a variety of classes before deciding on a major

• Possibility for broad liberal arts education and/or pre-professional specialities; most are 4-year undergraduate programs

• Focus on the whole person, with many artistic, athletic, pre-professional and service extracurricular activities offered

U . S . U N I V E R S I T I E S• Offers for admission based on a variety of factors, depending

upon the school

• Different types of campuses in many settings (for example):

• Urban Setting: New York University

• Suburban Setting: Tufts University

• Rural Setting: Middlebury College

• Small School: Pomona College

• Medium-sized School: Yale University

• Large School: University of California at Berkeley

New York University

Imperial College London

Undergraduate Study and Degrees

D E G R E E S – U . S . • Bachelor level BS : Bachelor of Science, BA : Bachelor of Arts,

In general, 4 years of study

Some universities may give advanced standing for high results on the OIB

• Specific courses in certain areas – Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Architecture may be 5-year programs

• Some professional studies are done AFTER the Bachelors degree: medicine, law

• Joint courses & Major-Minor courses

Student will choose a major and minor; some schools also require taking classes in a variety of subjects (“distribution requirements”) or specific classes (“core curriculum”);

Student generally has until the end of the second year to declare a major

• Options to go Abroad

• Study-abroad programs for one semester or one year, generally in the 3rd year

UNDERGRADUATE UNIVERSITY COSTS – U.S.

• General Costs:

• Tuition Fees : Base prices may range from $20,000 to $48,000 per year; wide range between public and private universities

• Room and Board Fees : approximately $15,000 per year

• This is just an indication: students may receive financial aid or merit scholarships which can reduce the overall cost a little or significantly

Application Process

A P P LY I N G – U . S . • Generally through the Common Application - https://www.commonapp.org

- Over 500 schools use the Common App; there is sometimes an extra supplement to complete for an individual university

• Some universities have their own application and do not use the Common App

• APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT:

- All trimester grades from 3eme through 1T Terminale

- Standardized tests (many schools): SAT or ACT, SAT subject tests, 1ere Bac score

- Description of extracurricular activities and accomplishments

- Essays – Common app questions and/or university supplemental questions

- 2 Teacher and 1 College Counselor recommendations

- Extra materials for specific courses of study (music, art…)

How do U.S. universities evaluate applications?

H O W U . S . U N I V E R S I T I E S E VA L U AT E A P P L I C AT I O N S

1) Lycée academic results (GPA) - vary according to the universities; Schools want to see that you have stayed strong or improved over your high school career

2) In general, the highest-ranked schools are looking for high SAT/ACT scores (unless they are test-optional); Your results will improve with practice. Some schools do not require SATs from internationals

3) Extracurricular activities that show sustained effort and “passion”; academic, sports, arts, community service; national or international level activities/competitions

4) Nationality/diversity – schools are looking for students from many states, countries, ethnicities

5) Essays that have been carefully composed and convey an interesting detail about you, your life or your personality

6) Teacher recommendations that show that you have made an effort in that teacher’s class.

7) Evidence that you have researched the university and are clear about why you want to attend it. If you are sure you’d like to attend a particular university, consider applying Early Decision.

8) Other – art portfolio, music video, legacy, recruited athletes, development, 1st generation

W H AT T O T H I N K A B O U T I N S E C O N D E – U . S .

• Decide if you want to do a major in university that might benefit from a particular Bac filière

• Continue to work hard at school – these grades count for university applications; make sure your grades are consistent with your goals; schools review all trimester grades from 3ème to 1T Terminale

• Think about your extracurricular activities – you don’t need to do many, but it is important to have some interests and activities outside of classes

• Plan your summer after Seconde – enrichment programs, local community service, paid jobs; some programs require applications during the winter or spring of Seconde

• SAT review:

KHAN ACADEMY: https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat/sat-math-practice/sat-math-level-1

COLLEGE BOARD: http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice

• Start looking into Universities if you will be visiting the U.S. during the spring or summer

• Plan Campus visits, meet alumni, ask yourself where you would like to live (city or countryside, town or campus, old or new environment…)

T I P S F O R L I F E I N T H E U . S .

• Be open to meeting American students and internationals from all different backgrounds; give yourself time to adjust

• Try new subjects before deciding on your major; there are many subjects you will not have studied at the Lycée

• Discover new activities or continue with the ones you know and love

• Allow enough time to do all the reading/papers; don’t leave things for the last minute

• Remember to get your sleep

• It will be a great experience!

ENJOY IT ALL!