myUface Blog

Give then we just celebrated July 4th, Independence Day here in the U.S., I thought I’d take a break from discussing the ins and outs of financial aid to talk for a moment about something which U.S. universities value very highly:  independence.

In most countries around the globe, the university system has some type of formalized relationship with the central government.  Often, this takes the form of a Ministry of Education providing funding (and rules) for the national system.  Thus, in many countries, if the president or prime minister says, “You know, I really think our universities should do X,” there is at least a good chance those universities will be required to do so . . . by law.

U.S. universities, in contrast, are by and large completely independent from the central government.  They often receive funding of some sort for ongoing research, and so they are beholden to government support in that respect; but there’s no sense in which they are in the chain of command of the political leadership.

Although the U.S. is in now way unique in this regard, I would suggest that, for historical reasons, universities in the U.S. are perhaps more protective of their independence than universities in most countries.  And this in turn leads to the incredible diversity of educational institutions and programs you see in the U.S.  When there isn’t a central bureaucracy controlling the curriculum, individual schools are free to to determine their own path.

This is somethign to keep in mind as you look for universities and programs in the United States.  Don’t assume that one particular university – Harvard for example – is superior to other universities in every regard, as might be the case in a more centrally-controlled system.  Instead, remember that each university will establish programs based upon the needs of whatever it considers to be its “community,” and with funds that are secured from a variety of sources – not only the government.   This gives you the opportunity to look closely for a particular university to suit your needs – thereby exercising your own “independence.”

I want to apologize breifly for not posting the past few days.  I did a complete renovation of the office in my home, and while the renovation was ongoing my computer was sitting under a sheet to protect it from dust, debris, children’s toys, etc.  The room is more or less done, however, and I am returning to daily posting.