When
choosing a school in the United States, student's personal
preferences are important. Student needs to find an
atmosphere that will afford him/her the greatest comfort
level. If the student feels comfortable, he/she will
be better able to concentrate on his/her studies.
The atmosphere at a college or
university and its location often make one school
seem quite different from another. International students
would do well considering the following questions--which
are similar to those questions American students ask
when choosing a school. The Indus Foundation requires
answers to the following questions from the students
in order to facilitate admission in suitable schools.
-
Do I want
to be located in or near a big city, in the suburbs,
in a small town, or in the country? Is it important
for me to be around other people from my country
or region of the world?
-
What kind
of campus am I looking for? Do I want to be at a
residential campus where most students live in dormitories
on campus or do I prefer a commuter campus where
I have my own apartment and drive to school in my
own car or take public transportation?
-
Do I prefer
a large campus with many students from all around
the world or a small campus where I can get to know
teachers and other students more easily? Is it important
for me to have many people from my country at my
school?
How much help and support will I need? Should I
pick a campus that has a very well-developed foreign
student office or do I prefer to independently make
my own decisions?
-
Does this
school offer the exact degree program that I am
interested in? If I am not sure what I want to major
in, does this school offer enough broadly-defined
degrees that I can change my mind once I have been
admitted?
-
Can I make
use of my degree at home? If I am studying engineering
or business, is it the type of information that
can be used at home?
-
What are
other students like at this institution? Will I
be able to compete academically with them?
-
Are weather
conditions important to me? Do I need to be in a
warm climate? A cold one? In the mountains? By the
sea? Would I like to experience four distinct seasons
during the year? How cold does it get? How hot does
it get?
-
How much
does it cost? Can I afford it? Is there financial
aid available? (Remember, for undergraduate study
in the U.S. financial aid is scarce). Is my English
level high enough? (Remember that even in an engineering
or other technical field of study, the ability to
analytically read and write English and speak clearly
is mandatory. Students are expected to actively
participate in class. All degree programs have general
education requirements.)
