Home to vibrant cities, awe-inspiring landscapes and some of the world’s finest universities, the United States continues to attract growing numbers of international students to its shores. But beginning the journey to study abroad can be daunting – with different application requirements, new testing approaches and competition for top colleges becoming tougher than ever.
At Figtree, we have a long track record guiding students from around the world into the most sought after institutions across the US.
US colleges versus UK universities
With over half of the world’s top universities located in the US, students can expect an excellent education. But how will it differ to studying here in the UK?
Degrees in the US tend to last longer, with a bachelor’s degree stretching over four years, providing plenty of opportunity to take additional classes beyond your chosen major. Here, it’s really about breadth – whereas UK degrees are more focused on depth – so the US may best suit those still keen to explore their options.
Similarly, US students can expect smaller, more regular assignments throughout each term, as opposed to the assessments in the UK that centre around larger pieces of coursework, or end-of-year exams. It’s important to bear these nuances in mind when deciding whether or not a US education is the right choice.
What does the application process involve?
Many US colleges follow their own application processes and timelines, so it’s critical to get a shortlist of institutions down, and to research their exact requirements. As a rough guide, early applications tend to go in at the beginning of November, with decisions received in December. It’s getting easier with the growth of the Common App, which allows students to apply to multiple colleges at the same time. It runs in a similar way to UCAS here in the UK, and can really help to streamline the process.
Although many institutions are making these increasingly optional, students will generally sit either the SAT or ACT standardised tests. Colleges don’t tend to have a preference, so students can choose whichever assessment suits them best. The key differences to note are that the ACT is slightly longer, has a science section and optional essay. Whereas the SAT is a computer-based test that only covers reading, writing and maths.
Students may also need to take language tests to prove their proficiency in English. As tests can be taken multiple times, it pays to begin this process early – in order to select and submit the best possible score.
Alongside test scores and interviews, many US colleges ask for a statement of purpose – which is similar to our personal statement here in the UK – and letters of recommendation. These can come from teachers, or other suitably qualified professionals, and they carry great weight with admissions committees.
How can Figtree help?
With so many options on the table – and often, limited opportunities to visit in person – we draw on our expertise and wide network to identify and recommend the right courses and colleges. This is a highly strategic process, designed to maximise the chances of success for each student.
We have a dedicated US college advisory team to help with this research, and we’ll outline all the various entrance requirements, to help our students reach an informed decision. We’ll make recommendations for application-boosting extracurricular activities, and work through plenty of examples for the common application essay, as well as any other college-specific essays needed.
The SAT/ACT tests demand rigorous preparation, which we’ll usually begin with an informal, timed diagnostic test, to ascertain the best way forward for each student. Following this, we’ll work up a detailed roadmap to hone skills and achieve the best result, whilst supporting students with the logistics of finding and booking testing slots.
An end-to-end service
With all the i’s dotted and t’s crossed, we oversee the final submission of each application, and advise our students on their next steps when offers come in. As a truly international team, we see our role as much more than navigating paperwork and getting candidates through the door. We want every student to flourish, so our support begins at the earliest stage, and continues well beyond the first semester. Whether we’re providing occasional mentorship or a full relocation service, we help smooth the journey to a fulfilling education stateside.
Get in touch with the team at [email protected] and we’ll begin to design a bespoke proposal, just for you.
