Studying at a global university can bring an impressive array of benefits: low or free tuition, language fluency, cultural exchange and an impressive resume boost for a 21st century career. Gaining entrance to and maximizing your experience at an international university, however, can be difficult for U.S. students who are unfamiliar with other education systems.
Here are three common mistakes U.S. students make when applying to global universities and how to avoid them.
1. Lacking some admissions requirements:
The admissions requirements at many international universities will vary from the American model. Peking University in Beijing, for example, is rigorous even by Ivy League standards.
Non-Chinese applicants are required to show proof of proficiency in Mandarin or sit for a Chinese entrance exam. Beyond the language proficiency, Peking requires high SAT scores and a minimum of three SAT subject tests.
While official transcripts and proof of a high school diploma are required, specific coursework is often secondary to test results. A personal interview is also required – one step that is rarely essential at U.S. schools.
In France, by contrast, your coursework will play a key role. And while there are many bilingual or English-language degrees available at French universities, elite schools like Université Paris-Sorbonne require proof of French language proficiency.
Students may also be surprised to learn that they must submit applications via the Campus France website, rather than directly to individual schools, which is a common practice in other countries as well.
Countries have different methods of processing international student applications, and you should understand each process before applying. And be sure to take note of deadlines as early as possible and allow for ample time to complete each application.
Finally, realize that admission to an international university is contingent upon receiving your student visa. Even countries that allow tourists to visit with a simple passport stamp will require a student visa for a prolonged stay.
The visa application process is typically separate from your college application, and it can take significantly longer. Do not neglect this vital part of the process.
2. Assuming international degrees translate perfectly:
International degrees are not automatically equivalent to U.S. degrees. Universities in France offer a licence, which is similar to a bachelor's degree in the U.S. The licence, however, requires only three years of study and is generally more narrowly focused.
This distinction may become more apparent if you pursue a graduate degree in the U.S. While a bachelor's degree from a U.S. university is sufficient for most graduate programs, international degrees may be evaluated differently from school to school, with some universities requiring you to complete additional coursework.
International universities can also vary tremendously in how much access students have to independent study or undergraduate research. As is true in the U.S. higher education system, not all universities overseas are research-oriented.
For U.S. graduate programs in the sciences, research experience is essential unless your grades and test scores are nearly perfect. And for arts and humanities, you may find that graduate programs have a difficult time evaluating your credentials if most of your college-level writing is in a language other than English.
Don't be discouraged by these differences, but do ensure that you thoroughly research the effects that an international degree will have on your future prospects. For example, look for international science programs that include a research component.
3. Failing to thoroughly research each school:
Don't choose an international school based solely on its location, affordable tuition or impressive website.
Consider, for example, where you would live. Dorms are rare outside the U.S., and there is no equivalent of the Greek system anywhere else in the world. Most universities in Europe are in urban settings, and the standard city dangers can be compounded for students who are unfamiliar with local customs.
Tuition may seem cheap in many European countries, but how much will you pay for an apartment in Paris? How safe are the neighborhoods near the school? How internationally well-known is the institution, and is the university a legitimate institute of higher learning?
Consider, too, the opportunities for extracurricular activities and cultural engagement. Sports are typically much less important, and many schools may have no organized athletic programs at all.
Think, too, about how intensely you are willing to study. Students at the most competitive science programs in France, for instance, are deeply buried in their coursework for two to three years.
Earning an international diploma can be an amazing experience, but do not focus solely on the low tuition and exciting environment. Be thorough in evaluating the challenges and opportunities that await.