Don’t apply only to “famous” universities
Thursday, July 15th, 2010When students from Turkmenistan or other countries first think of applying to universities in the United States, they often think of a handful of “famous” universities: Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Duke, Stanford, NYU, Georgetown, MIT, and perhaps a few others. These universities are rightfully known throughout the world, and you can find their names at the top of almost every set of university rankings. International students understandably want to find the very best education available, and so they often decide, early in the application process, that they will go to one of those universities.
Of course, if it’s your dream to go to one of these elite universities, then you should apply to one of these universities. And if your application is good enough, you may be accepted. You might even get a wonderful scholarship offer. All of this is possible.
However, please do not apply only to that university. Do not ignore other universities that may be interested in you. Do not research only that university.
Why not? Because, to be perfectly honest, you probably won’t get in to one of those universities. This has nothing to do with whether you are a good candidate. These universities turn down thousands of great candidates every year. The fact is, the competition to get into these “famous” universities is so intense that even the greatest, most accomplished students have difficulty getting accepted.
Even if you do get in, these universities are extremely expensive. They do offer some scholarships, but again, the competition for those scholarships is intense.
So apply if you must, but do not build your plans around getting into one of these institutions.
That’s the bad news. But I have good news too. Really, really good news. The really, really good news is that there are hundreds of U.S. universities who are interested in you, who will accept you, and who might even offer you a big scholarship. And the really, incredibly, extremely good news is that these universities are often just as good as those famous universities we mentioned earlier.
Right now you’re thinking I’m crazy. “What? Just as good as Harvard? That can’t be possible!”
Education is an economic product just like anything else. Just like any other product, if you buy the famous, well-known brand, you’ll end up paying more, even if the quality is similar to other, lesser-known brands. Take shoes, for example: a genuine “Air Jordan” basketball shoe costs more than any other shoe. When you wear it, though, it doesn’t make you play like Michael Jordan. It’s a shoe just like any other. A similar situation exists with U.S. universities: every university has high-quality faculty. Every university has talented students. Every university has programs that are some of the best in the world. In fact, in many cases lesser-know universities offer a better education in some areas.
Don’t get me wrong – the “famous” universities are great schools. But the difference between them and other, lesser-known schools is not as great as you think. Remember, these famous schools spend millions every year in advertising. But if you do your research, you can find a U.S. university that is just as good a fit for you.
So, when you apply to schools, take the following approach:
- Apply to a “famous” university if you want. It can’t hurt and maybe you’ll get in.
- Research other universities, and find 3-6 that meet your needs. Apply to these as well.
- If you’re accepted to more than one university, compare their offers and take the one that is best for you.
One final word: remember that the most important part of your U.S. education is you. Whether your university is at the top of the rankings or at the bottom, you will get a quality education if you study hard and get involved in student life.
