Different
Options
The United States is the home for many of the best colleges in the world. This is the reason why this is the country with the largest population of international students. Besides the excellent quality of education, American colleges are constantly trying to expand their international student body. This is due to the multiple benefits of international students for American institutions. Because of that, international students have many options when picking their educational path in America. Some of them are:
TRaditional Universities
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Four-year institutions.
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Bachelor's degree possible.
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Specialized in research and in more specific areas of study (majors).
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Most famous educational institutions are part of this category, such as Harvard, Yale, MIT, and UCLA.
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Not only elite universities.
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There are private and state universities.
State
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Receive funds from the state.
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Lower tuition rate for in-state students.
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Usually do not provide scholarships for international students.
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More likely to accept transfer students.
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UCalifornia system is part of this category.
Private
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Same tuition cost for all students.
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Are usually wealthier than state universities.
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Provide more scholarships for international students.
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Less likely to accept transfer students.
(But still possible).
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Ivy League universities are part of this category.
Liberal Arts Colleges
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Four-yeat Institutions.
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Bachelor's degree possible.
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Focus on well-rounded education and on undergraduate education.
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Medium enrollment size.
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The areas of study (or degrees) are more expansive than traditional universities.
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While liberal art colleges would have one degree, in traditional universities that degree would be broken down in various degrees.
Some benefits of this kind of institution are that leadership positions are usually less competitive and, due to the smaller enrollment size, classes have a smaller number of students more interaction with professors.
Community Colleges
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Associate's degree possible.
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Much smaller enrollment size.
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100% admission rate once you fulfill the requirements.
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Much cheaper tuition cost.
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Option of ESL classes before starting a program.
2+2 System
This system allows students to start their higher education in a technical college and then transfer to a 4-year university to earn their bachelor's degree.
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Many universities have a higher admission rate for transfer students than for first-year students. (But not all of them).
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Sometimes, requirements such as ACT or SAT scores become optional materials (after an specific number of years).
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Some technical colleges even have agreements with certain universities in order to guarantee admission to students under certain requirements.
