Steps to Choosing the Right University for International Students
Deciding where to go to university is one of the first and most important decisions a student makes in their lifetime. Universities are not only places of education but a gateway into adulthood. It’s where students often challenge, build, and rebuild the foundation of their beliefs, make friends for a lifetime, and hone life skills that help them transition into their lifelong careers. Making the decision on where to go therefore cannot be an easy one for any student, irrespective of where they choose to go. For international students, there is an added layer of making this decision long distance. In the past, when international students picked which American university they wanted to go to, the choices came out of American University rankings or a long university list. While students had curriculum-related information about universities, very little was made available about the different aspects of campus life before they arrived in a completely new country. This, however, is fast-changing. With college virtual tours gaining popularity over the years, there are a few interesting things and steps international students can now take when choosing the best university and evaluating what they have to offer them.
Identify your priorities.
One of the first steps is taking a close look at the university rankings and categorizing them based on your preference. Now, you need to remember that each of the American university list colleges will have their focus areas, their pros and cons, and the values each of them encourages through the time you spend with them. Knowing what your priorities are for going to university will help you make the right choice for the university that’s best for you.
Compile a list of potential colleges.
The next step in any international student’s process for choosing the right university for them should be to shortlist a list of colleges they would like to attend. This should include a range from highly academic schools to culturally valuable faculty expertise and facility offerings, each of which may differ from student to student. Curate a list that is deeply meaningful for you, and not simply those on the best university lists.
Explore Virtual Tours
Now this is where the game-changer in the university selection process really kicks in. Your next step will be to start taking virtual tours of colleges. Now this may also be applicable for students who reside within the US and are unable to visit the college in a different state, but taking virtual college tours for the schools you’ve shortlisted will help you get your feet into the campus from the comfort of your home. Through these tours, you have the opportunity to really explore the college and its facilities, interact with faculty members at your own pace, and gather insights on the experiences you may have, even before you arrive on campus. Picking a university without ever visiting it may seem really daunting, and this is where you will make it easier on yourself by taking the virtual tours colleges will have available for you. This step is perhaps the most important one for international students to consider and engage with actively.
Evaluate Campus Culture and Environment
Lastly, remember to take virtual college tours as a window into your future. It has the power to help you gauge the on-site reality of the colleges on your shortlist and give you a chance to better experience the culture and environment you’ll spend the next few years of your life. Leverage these virtual campus tours to help bridge the gap between expectations and the reality of your university experience.
