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Study in the U.S.

How to Find a College

A four-year bachelor’s degree from an American college or an American university is one and the same.  The only difference in these institutions is that universities have doctorate programs and colleges do not.  Some colleges offer master’s degrees, while some do not.  Generally, universities tend to be larger with more students and a slightly older population, mostly because they offer graduate programs.

There are nearly 5,000 institutions of higher learning in the United States.  Choosing the right one for you may be an arduous task, but if you put in the time, it is very rewarding. When looking for a college, you will need to define your own criteria.  Some things to ask include:

  • Is my field of study available at an American college or university?  Which ones?
  • Do I want to go to school in a particular part of America?
  • How much does the school cost?
  • Do the schools I’m applying to offer very much financial aid to international students?
  • Do I want to study in a rural or urban setting?
  • How many students attend the school?
  • What is the average class size?
  • How much financial aid does the school typically offer students?

How do I find Information about US Schools? 
One obvious answer is to visit a bookstore or library, to assess their resources.  Another way to learn about applying to college in the US is to attend an information session conducted every third Thursday of each month at the American Center (off Cairo Road on Ben Bella, in the COMESA Building), from 15:00 to 16:00 hours.  These sessions cover the basic steps for applying to American colleges and universities for a bachelor’s degree (1st degree).  During these sessions, the U.S. system of higher education is explained and information is presented on how to choose a university and apply for acceptance and financial aid.  (Those scholars interested in learning about graduate school and the process to apply are also welcome and encouraged to attend.)

Once you attend a third Thursday advising session, you may schedule an appointment with the embassy’s education advisor.  The education advisor can help you refine your search and point you in the right direction in terms of where you may wish to focus, and how.

Another source of information is the American Center itself: it houses a library of educational advising materials that serve as resources.  The American Center also makes available computers with internet access; these are a great tool for “google-ing” schools that might be of interest.  For every book or brochure you find, the internet will expose you to a hundred more options.

The American Center has many books dedicated to searching for colleges and specific programs.  You may also take advantage of the college search functions on these helpful websites: