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02-21-2008, 10:55 AM
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#1 | | Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Threads: 89
Posts: 944
| How do International students go about choosing the right school ?
I really had a hard time deciding my college list, but this decision seems a lot harder to make!
Contrary to what most of my friends are doing, I just CANNOT pick a school based solely upon its USNWR Ranking, yet I can't exactly visit any of the schools I've applied to either. 
So was just wondering what my primary criteria for selection should be once I have all my offers?
PS: I can see that sticky-ed poll, but this is slightly different.
Cheers. | 
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02-21-2008, 12:18 PM
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#2 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Threads: 0
Posts: 221
| My son wants to major in Computer Science. While we have not visited any campus yet, I am able to pick 20 schools from safety to super reach after I checked out about 150 school websites.
You can find out the information about faculty and courses from the websites. If you like what you see, write down the name of the school. After you visit 200 schools, you could get some ideas where you want to apply to.
Hope this will help.  | |
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02-21-2008, 12:20 PM
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#3 | | Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Threads: 89
Posts: 944
| Thanks, but I think you misunderstood me.
I've starting getting my admission decisions, and was wondering how I'm supposed to go about things hereafter... | |
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02-21-2008, 12:29 PM
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#4 | | Member
Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Threads: 12
Posts: 384
| i have been wondering too about how to pick schools (hopefully i will have the luxury to pick!). i think that different people go about the process differently as every one has a different set of priorities. for me finances are an important issue . it has been a big factor in shaping the list of colleges i have applied to and it will be a major factor when i decide where to go. | |
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02-21-2008, 12:33 PM
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#5 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Threads: 0
Posts: 221
| Well, personally I will decide based on what the departments have to offer. For example, if my son is interested on robotics, I will see if the department offers the courses and whether the professors are doing research in the field.
As an international student, I think you should see if you get any financial aids unless money is not an issue. In fact I would decide to go the best affordable one. The private schools cost 45K per year now. It is a lot of money for many families.
Of course, this is just my humble opinion. | |
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02-21-2008, 04:20 PM
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#6 | | Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Threads: 89
Posts: 944
| Bumpity Bump. | |
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02-21-2008, 06:32 PM
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#7 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Threads: 8
Posts: 179
| I haven't gotten most of my decisions back, but, assuming I have a number of schools to choose from (the most optimistic assumption I have made so far this year, heehee), I'll try to contact a couple of current students and/or maybe an alum from my country, to hear of their own experiences and opinions. If I can find any, that is; if not, I have to at least talk to an international student and/or a student majoring in my current academic interests. Then I'll do some more research (online, guidebooks, the usual) to figure out which one is the best "fit". I know we've all done truckloads of research on our schools before applying, but honestly, I've forgotten much of what I've read about six months ago--wow, that much time has passed--so I'll have to do a bit once again before making any decisions. | |
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02-21-2008, 06:45 PM
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#8 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Threads: 68
Posts: 2,331
| Read campus reviews; find out which schools would be the best fits.
Decide what part of the country you want to be in.
Look at strengths of majors, etc.
Really, there is no right or wrong answer. Just do what feels right for you. | |
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02-21-2008, 11:16 PM
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#9 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oberlin, OH Gender: Female
Threads: 50
Posts: 2,051
| go to Oberlin!  | |
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02-21-2008, 11:41 PM
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#10 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In a bubble Gender: Female
Threads: 57
Posts: 3,737
| Haha, someone's biased.
But seriously, to get back on topic, talk to current students at the various school, look at the strength in your department, talk to professors...the internet is your friend. | |
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02-21-2008, 11:42 PM
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#11 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: new joisy Gender: Unsure
Threads: 132
Posts: 3,027
| lol wouldn't life be so simple, we just pick the highest-ranking school. if only they were all exactly the same in every little thing besides rank. communism of colleges | 
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02-22-2008, 01:04 AM
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#12 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Colgate '12 Gender: Male
Threads: 323
Posts: 4,256
| I would see look at every aspect of the college including social life, dorms and other infrastructure. Afterall, you are going to spend the most important 4 years of life there. A school without a decent social life can be quite cumbersome later. And college is a journey during which you make loads of friends. In the end it comes down to what YOU expect from your college experience. If 'Prestige' is what you want, go for it with the Rankings and stuff. If 'experience' is what you want, find a match for your interests.
Good Luck, 20LEGEND.
CHEERS! | |
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02-22-2008, 04:00 AM
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#13 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007 Gender: Male
Threads: 140
Posts: 1,190
| prestige: you can tell by the ranking.
experience: you really can't tell from the outside. If you don't enjoy that school, either transfer or just adapt to it. | |
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02-22-2008, 04:52 AM
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#14 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Threads: 10
Posts: 181
| I just went through some of the reviews at **************.com and through the campus visit reports and made my choices. I guess thats the best internationals can do. | |
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02-22-2008, 04:54 AM
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#15 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Threads: 10
Posts: 181
| ^^^ why is "s t u de nts revi ew. c om" censored? :O | |
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