US Universities - Basics

This informal CPD article ‘US Universities - Basics’ was provided by UES Education, specialists in international university and school admissions, working with top schools across the UK and Europe to provide a bespoke service for those who want the best possible application support in the UK.

America is a vast country, and its university offering reflects its size: there are around 1500 four-year, accredited US universities, offering a range of opportunities to students both in the classroom and outside it. Over the past few years, students have been applying to American universities in record numbers. US applications are a bit more complex than those to UK and other global universities, but with a bit of knowledge and planning, the process can be managed smoothly. What do schools and teachers need to know about US universities so they can give their applicants effective advice and support?

What’s different about US universities?

Unlike students at UK universities, students at US universities don’t specialise in their chosen course or subject immediately. Students apply to universities, not courses, and can apply either with a subject in mind, or not. US universities see themselves as places where students can discover the subject in which they eventually want to specialise, called their ‘major’; therefore, the US is a great study destination for those who are unsure about this.

Students at the majority of US colleges study what is called the liberal arts curriculum, in which they take classes from a wide range of subjects, including humanities subjects. US universities feel that students benefit from this broad base of knowledge, whatever their chosen career path. The exact curriculum can vary widely from college to college, so it’s important for applicants to research this to find a college that suits their academic needs.

To give students time to explore a range of subjects before specialising, US university degrees take four years, rather than three; students also spend more hours in class than UK students. US colleges see themselves as communities, not just academic centres, so campus life is very important.

Finally, US applications are ‘holistic’, meaning admissions officers look at more than applicants’ grades when admitting them. They also consider things like the applicant’s interest in their institution and involvement in activities, and other elements specific to US applications including essays, recommendations, and standardised test scores, addressed below.

What do students need to do to apply to the US?

To apply to US universities, students need to do a few extra things. First, they should prepare for and take US university entrance tests. Students can take either the SAT or the ACT to fulfil the testing requirement, but should not take both; they should take the test on which they are likely to get the best score, as colleges will accept either test. 

Many US universities are ‘test-optional,’ meaning these tests are not required, but good test scores benefit students’ applications even at test-optional colleges. Most students spend 20+ hours preparing for the tests (either on their own, in a group course, or private tuition), and take them two or three times.

Students will also write several personal essays as part of their applications, and get reference letters from teachers and a school counsellor. These references must be written in a much different style than UCAS references, so it’s important that teachers are aware of this and that applicants give them advance notice, so they have time to prepare a strong reference.

A key aspect of the US application process is choosing colleges. Many students in the UK plan to apply to a handful of familiar names, which they consider the ‘top’ US colleges. Applying to only these highly selective colleges is not advisable, as they have extremely low admission rates of around 3% (Oxford and Cambridge have admission rates of around 17.5% and 22%, respectively), and each university will be looking for a particular type of student, meaning they aren’t right for everyone. There are hundreds of excellent US colleges out there that will provide a similarly excellent education, so it’s important to research thoroughly by using online tools and attending university events online or in-person.

Finally, an aspect of applying to the US that mustn’t be neglected is considering finance. If students think they might need some financial help to attend a US university, it's important they think about this early on. The good news is there are lots of scholarships and need-based aid available for international students, but they normally need to apply early, and be open to applying to a range of universities.

Overall, applying to US universities can be more time-consuming than applying to universities elsewhere, but they offer great opportunities, adventure, and global experience. With a bit of forward planning, especially supported by their schools and teachers, UK students can make successful applications to US colleges, and a great investment in their futures.

We hope this article was helpful. For more information from UES Education, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.