Choosing a North American University

The universe of higher education in North America is both expansive and fairly diverse. There are over 2,600 four-year institutions in the US with the majority being private, not-for-profit. However, student enrollment at government institutions (all of which are controlled and funded by the respective states in which they are located) exceeds that of the private sector.

Canada, for its part, also has a wide selection of institutions the majority of which are public with overall regulation of both public and private universities residing at the provincial level. Both countries are geographically large with significant internal regional differences that can be factors in the decision making process.

For a transfer student, the detailed evaluation of options relative to choosing their university in North America should begin as soon as they begin their studies at a transfer college - or even sooner. Knowing the prospective universities one is interested in attending has the added value of allowing the student to take subjects that are certain to transfer based on commonality with the full four-year degree curriculum.

If a student begins the second year of study and is still unclear about the choice of majors and universities for subsequent transfer, then it’s time to engage college and career counselors for a detailed assessment of the student’s capabilities, potential and personal attributes as they relate to their potential path forward. Attending a transfer institution can delay this day of reckoning through the first year of post-secondary studies - but ultimately, a point of decision must be reached.

With the myriad of institutional choices available, let’s review the relevant criteria that can help a student make the right decision about which university in North America to attend: 

Location preferences

Both tuition and cost of living expenses can vary significantly based on the location of the university. Climate preferences (particularly in the USA which has various extremes on offer) can be included as well as an assessment of the overall type of environment (urban, rural, ‘college town’, etc.) in which the institution is located. 

Campus size

Many US universities in particular have enrollments in the tens of thousands and are thus easy places to get ‘lost in the crowd’. Self confident and well-motivated students will have no problem with such an environment. However, students who are not particularly assertive and are intimidated by new and crowded situations should look for a smaller, more personalised setting. 

Ranking/Other Third Party reviews:

Reviews and rankings are helpful as inputs…but should certainly not represent the final word in terms of one’s decision making. US News and World Report is the best known and helpfully includes its assessment of various categories of institutions. However, not all the factors that form the basis for the ranking are necessarily important to all individuals. Good resource – but use in a discriminating fashion. 

Foreign student focus

Most North American universities want to attract foreign students. However, not all are particularly adept at supporting those students once they arrive on campus. Investigate in detail how one’s candidate universities support their foreign students. Look at both small things (airport pick up?) and big ones (is there a dedicated foreign student support office?). 

The actual studies

Get a detailed look at the department or ‘school’ within the university in which the student will be enrolled. Are the courses taught by actual professors or is there a reliance on graduate assistants? Are professors available during office hours to provide additional clarification? What are the class sizes within the department? 

Post-graduation job placement

This is a critical and often overlooked factor that is really the ultimate question to be answered. In addition to the placement rate, what are the average starting salaries? What sort of firms are employing the graduates and are they getting placed in positions that are appropriate to their educational attainment? Should the US complete a planned reform of its immigration system – there may be increased opportunities for graduates to obtain employment in the USA - hence the metric of employment success is one which warrants particular attention. 

Post graduate educational opportunities

While not always applicable in all disciplines, but for those areas where post-graduate education is the norm (MBA, clinical programs, etc.) it is important to get a clear picture of the acceptance rates experienced by a university’s graduates. This particular aspect is of increased importance given that a post-graduate qualification is now a necessity in many popular career fields. 

Financial considerations

For student visa purposes, it is important for a family to show the financial wherewithal to meet the published amounts required to support their charges education in the US or Canada. That said, most families will appreciate the opportunity to lower the price tag. In that regard, look for universities that reward good foreign students with various concessions that are sometimes available after some period of time after initial enrollment.

For example, some US state universities will reward good foreign students by allowing them to pay the in-state tuition, which can reduce tuition charges by more than 50% in certain cases. Canadian institutions often have provisions that allow for student employment which is in itself a nice financial plus – and also helps teach work-place responsibility. 

Important note: Deadlines matter. Applications and all required supporting documentation must be received no later than the dates published by the receiving institution.

Expect little flexibility in this regard (particularly at universities where applicants significantly outnumber available enrollments). For overseas students, it’s a good idea to build in a time cushion for document submittal, particularly if documents are being sent via non-electronic means.

Transfer students must also take the initiative to order and submit their academic records from the college they initially attend. A transferring student should ensure that he or she gets a clear determination of what previously earned credits are being accepted by the various universities to which they are applying. A transfer student should not under any circumstances make a final commitment to a university until such time as a formal acceptance of previously earned credits has been communicated.

Deciding to attend university in North America represents a major commitment of time and resources - - but the ultimate payoff in terms of future career prospects usually makes the effort worthwhile. The decision process is certainly complex – but by approaching it an systematic manner students and their families can most certainly develop the optimum solution for their individual situation. 

The author is the President of the American College of Dubai.