An important indicator of the quality of any U.S. college or university is its accreditation status. Unlike many other countries, the United States does not have a central government office that approves educational institutions. Instead, it relies on a system of voluntary accreditation carried out by non-governmental accrediting bodies to ensure that schools meet standards.

While almost all U.S. colleges hold widely recognized forms of accreditation, it must be noted that accreditation in the United States is a complex area; there are different types of accreditation and a large number of accrediting bodies. There is also no legal requirement that degree-offering institutions be accredited or hold a particular form of accreditation. Because of this complexity, you should check carefully well in advance whether a degree from the institutions you are applying to will be recognized by your home country government and any relevant professional associations, ministries, or employers in your country. Also, talk to graduates who have returned to your country to see if they have been successful in applying degrees earned from such institutions to their chosen professions. If you think you might wish to transfer from one U.S. college to another during your undergraduate studies, or if you might want to pursue graduate study in the United States , you should also check whether other U.S. universities will recognize credits and degrees from the colleges you are considering.

Our EducationUSA advising center can advise you regarding recognition of U.S. degrees in your country and tell you whether a U.S. degree-offering institution is appropriately accredited. More detailed information on the topic of accreditation can be found in 'Short-Term Study.'

"Get to know the colleges you are really interested in. Some of the so-called big names have very strong departments ? but also some weak ones too."
? Politics and fine arts student from Finland

Your major is the field of study in which you plan to specialize. It is not essential to declare the major you plan to undertake when you enter a university. If you have a definite degree objective, however, you need to identify universities offering that field.

Some subjects are taught at many universities. Knowing which subject you wish to major in may help, but you could still be left with a long list of institutions to choose from. If there is a particular specialization within a field that interests you (for example, if you are interested in 20th-century history, or environmental geography, or painting within a fine arts degree), identifying which schools offer that specialization will also help you draw up a shortlist of institutions.

Most directories of U.S. universities list schools by the most commonly offered majors. Computer-based search packages available on the Web or at our EducationUSA advising center can also help you narrow down your choices. Make use of college catalogs and bulletins to check if your interests are offered and that the programs have the particular focus you want.

You should check to see how the university emphasizes its curriculum. Is the emphasis on professional education or liberal arts? Do undergraduate or graduate students dominate the campus? Many liberal arts colleges emphasize teaching and professor-student interaction, rather than research, so the teacher-to-student ratio is quite low. Some research-centered campuses are dominated by graduate students, but the facilities at these universities are often state-of-the-art and the professors world-renowned. However, at some of these campuses, first- and second-year classes may be taught by graduate students instead of professors.

You should study the course catalog and course descriptions for each institution. Many international students choose the U.S. system because it is flexible enough to allow them to choose courses according to their interests. However, degree programs in some subject areas are highly structured, and universities dictate exactly which courses a student must take and when they must take them in order to graduate with a major in that area. This type of prescribed coursework limits flexibility and, for example, does not allow student athletes to have a lighter workload during the playing season or permit motivated students to pursue a double major.

It is important to check the requirements of any majors you may wish to pursue. For example, if you want to major in engineering but also want to gain a strong academic background in business, be sure to check the requirements of the engineering degree ? are they too numerous to allow you to take additional business courses? Or is there a specific program for people who wish to combine engineering with a related subject?

There is also great variation between course requirements in liberal arts colleges. Some colleges require students to take a certain number of classes in each of the broad subject groups, while other liberal arts colleges have no such requirements, merely making "strong recommendation" that students complete a well-rounded education.

U.S. students begin higher education after 12 years of elementary and secondary education. Some U.S. universities award advanced credit to students from education systems with 13 years of elementary and secondary education or those who have taken the International Baccalaureate. Students who have undertaken postsecondary vocational and technical diplomas, certificates, or similar programs may also qualify for some credit toward their degree. Such students may not have to be enrolled for the full four years in the United States and may be able to enter the university with advanced standing. You should ask admissions officers about this possibility and read "Transferring to a U.S. University," for further details.

At large universities, undergraduate freshman and sophomore classes are usually large, and you are likely to be taught by graduate students rather than professors. At a college, where there are fewer graduate students, you are likely to be taught by a professor and will be required to make a greater contribution to the class from the start. A high student-to-teacher ratio indicates that classes will be large, reducing the amount of attention faculty can give to individual students.

Financing your education is a very important consideration, and you should read 'Financial Aid' for further details about calculating costs and the possibility of receiving financial aid. You should know what you can realistically afford. Carefully study the fee structure printed in most university catalogs, and incorporate into your calculations the cost of room, food, tuition, fees, travel, and other expenses for the full four years. You also need to consider that tuition costs may rise, as many universities increase their tuition every year. Also look at the payment plans of various institutions.

Since all colleges have different housing facilities and policies, find out if housing is available for all four years of enrollment or if students are required to find off-campus housing. Investigate the price difference between on-campus and off-campus housing. Check the living arrangements for on-campus housing; students living in dormitories may be required to share a room with one, two, or three other students. Yet living on campus, at least for the first year or two, may help you integrate into American university life more easily and quickly. It can also save you the additional expense of buying a car or paying for daily public transportation, as well as the time needed to travel back and forth to campus each day. By your junior year, however, you may wish to move off-campus into your own apartment. Be sure to find out the university's policy on such a move, and also the cost and availability of local housing.

Every region of the United States offers both urban and rural settings. City-based campuses offer a variety of eating, entertainment, cultural, and shopping facilities. A rural university may mean a quieter, more college-centered environment. Climate is another consideration. From the four seasons in the Northeast to the desert in Arizona and a sub-tropical climate in Florida , the variety is almost endless. Also keep in mind accessibility to local facilities and services that could be useful to you in your studies. For example, if you wish to major in art history, does the school offer programs that involve students with nearby museums and art galleries?

Student populations on U.S. campuses can range in size from 200 to 60,000 students. Some universities resemble small cities with their own post offices, grocery stores, and shopping centers. Other colleges may be in large, densely populated urban areas but have a very small enrollment. Depending on your personal lifestyle, you may enjoy the independence afforded by being part of a very large student population on your campus, or you may prefer the more personal touch a small college may be able to offer you. You should not make assumptions regarding social life or access to professors based on the size of an institution. Determine what opportunities are important to you and read the catalogs closely with these in mind.

Most U.S. colleges offer students a variety of social, cultural, and sports activities in addition to their academic programs. The level to which each is emphasized often determines the social environment on campus. You should also consider whether the majority of the students live on or off a university campus. At colleges referred to as commuter schools, most students live off campus and travel to classes from home each day. Potential undergraduates will want to know what the atmosphere is like during the weekends on campus ? do most students stay at the university take trips or return home to visit family every weekend? All of these factors will have an effect on the campus social life.

A unique feature of U.S. campus life is the Greek system, which offers students the choice of joining a fraternity or sorority. (The term "Greek" is used because the names of fraternities and sororities are composed of two or three Greek letters.) Fraternities (male) and sororities (female) can be the focus of undergraduate social life on many U.S. campuses. In addition to organizing social activities, fraternities and sororities often sponsor philanthropic events. Students with a strong preference for or against the Greek system need to find out whether the fraternities and sororities dominate the social life of a campus. If you do not wish to be part of Greek life, attending a university where the Greek scene is prevalent can be problematic, because the pressure to join may be high, and the social life options outside of the system may be limited.

The number of international students enrolled at a U.S. college ranges from less than 10 to over 3,000, and of course most fall somewhere in between. College directories often list exactly how many international students are enrolled alongside other data on each institution. EducationUSA information and advising centers usually have a variety of reference books with this type of information.

When considering these figures, think about your own needs. On campuses where there are few international students you may be considered a very special person to get to know. However, you may find that these schools provide fewer services for international students. Campuses with many international students may provide a built-in support group who can share your experiences, but it may require extra effort on your part to meet and interact with U.S. students as well as with students from other parts of the world.

All U.S. colleges will accept students of any race, color, or creed. Many universities or colleges, however, were founded with a certain mission, whether to provide a religious atmosphere on campus, a single-sex educational experience, or a majority ethnic student population. Read the school's mission statement carefully, and decide if your goals match the goals of the campus. Out of the 3,600 U.S. colleges and universities, there are about 600 to 700 affiliated with a specific church denomination or religious tradition. In addition to these, there are approximately 70 bible colleges, which are committed to helping students integrate faith and learning and preparing them to live out their faith in all areas of life. Based on current listings, 13 colleges are for men only, and there are around 65 women-only colleges. There are also some colleges that cater to African-American or Hispanic students.

U.S. universities offer many opportunities for students to develop skills through extracurricular activities such as sports teams, academic clubs, university newspapers, drama productions, and other rewarding programs. If you have a definite interest, make sure there is a student society that caters to it ? don't forget, though, that if there isn't, you can always start one. Also, looking through the various student organizations will give you an idea of the interests and concerns of the student body, and thus give another insight into student life at various colleges.

Although the Ivy League was originally a sports league for several East Coast colleges, the term has become associated with an exclusive, elite education. However, there are many other excellent institutions in the United States . Do not dismiss a university or college just because you or your family have not heard of it before; you should consider your own needs first. Don't confine yourself to "Ivies." Investigate all options carefully to make sure you give yourself the best chances to find institutions that suit your needs and interests.

There is no official list of the top 10, 20, 50, or even 100 universities in the United States . The U.S. government does not rank universities. Rankings that you come across are usually produced by journalists and are likely to be subjective. They are generally based on a wide range of criteria that do not necessarily include academic standards or general reputation as a primary factor. Be particularly wary of rankings that do not explain the criteria on which the ranking is based. The more established rankings may give you a starting point for your decision; however, the "best" college is the one that is right for you based on factors such as those suggested in this chapter.

U.S. universities offer students a variety of services such as international student advisers, campus orientation programs, counseling services, legal aid services, housing offices, varied meal plans, health centers, tutoring facilities, English as a Second Language programs, writing laboratories, career counseling, and more. Prospective undergraduates can compare facilities among universities to find services tailored to their specific needs.

Many U.S. universities have incorporated into their curriculum internship (voluntary or paid work placements) or overseas study ("study abroad") programs that may be of interest to you.

If you have special needs, make sure that the university you choose can accommodate you. Allow plenty of time to correspond with colleges. It is advisable to begin your inquiries at least two years before you plan to leave for the United States . When you write for information from universities, give brief details of your disability and request information about assistance they offer to students like yourself. You may also want to contact the office on campus that deals with the special needs of students with disabilities to find out more about the services they provide. This may be a specific office such as the Office of Disabled Student Services or the Office of Disability Services, or it may be housed within a general student services office on campus.

Some colleges offer comprehensive programs for students with learning disabilities, while others make a number of special services available to such students. You and your family should look at the services offered and compare them to your needs. Find out which services are provided automatically and free of charge, and which services need to be pre-arranged and incur a charge. When you apply you will need to supply evidence to support the existence of your disability. A campus visit is recommended. If possible, try to contact a student at the college who has a similar disability to yours so you can gain a more personal perspective. Students with disabilities can, with proper documentation, request special facilities or extended time to take the SAT and ACT undergraduate admissions tests and course examinations during the academic year.

Our center has a library with directories, university catalogs, introductory guides such as this one, handouts, and reference books to assist you in applying to study in the United States . We also have developed guides, videos, and websites specifically tailored to students applying from your country. In addition, we also have computer-based college search packages to help you choose the best colleges for you. Most important of all, we have trained staff who can answer your questions in person or by mail, by telephone, and, in most cases, by e-mail.

The United States leads the world in using the World Wide Web. Almost every U.S. university and college has a Web site that offers a wealth of information about degree programs, application procedures, academic departments, facilities on campus, and other topics. In many cases you will also find a copy of the college catalog, which you can study on-line or download to read later. Don't forget that many sites also give e-mail addresses for current students, including international students, who are often more than happy to answer your questions about applying to the school and about life on campus. Once you have narrowed down the colleges and universities you are interested in, you may wish to e-mail professors and admissions personnel to have specific questions answered before you finally decide where to apply.

If you cannot visit the United States , colleges may come to visit you. Your nearest U.S. educational information or advising center can tell you about any upcoming U.S. college fairs or other types of visits where you can have the opportunity to talk to admissions officers face-to-face. Many of these take place in the spring or fall of the year before you intend to start your studies, so it is important to start your research early.

If you are able to take a vacation to the United States before you go to college, this could be a great opportunity to visit the campuses you are considering. Many schools organize college tours that are led by current students; check with the undergraduate admissions office for further information. Visit the academic and housing facilities, the student union, and the library to get a good sense of the campus. Americans are famous for being friendly, so talk to the students to find out what college life is really like. Some private organizations offer tours of U.S. colleges to help prospective students see firsthand if these schools are right for them. Ask your information or advising center if they have further information about such organizations.

In South Korea, many private agents or agencies work to recruit international students into U.S. colleges. There are also private educational consultants who charge a fee for assisting you with the process of choosing U.S. colleges and putting together your applications. Often these educational consultants and private agents are graduates of U.S. colleges or people who are dedicated to promoting the benefits and advantages of the U.S. education system. However, sometimes they are not, and so it is important to check the credentials and past performance of educational consultants or agents before using their services.

If you have found a recruiting agent or consultant who is helpful, well informed, and dependable, she or he may be very useful in helping you to select and apply to a college in the United States . Be careful, however, to look for verifiable signs of the agent's or consultant's past success stories with students from your country. Ask for a list of names and addresses of students presently studying in the United States who are there because of the agent's or consultant's help. Write, e-mail, or telephone some of these students to get their firsthand opinion of the college where they study and the services they received from the agent or consultant. Such precautions are especially important if the agent or consultant is asking for expensive fees for his or her services. Lastly, always check with an unbiased source (such as our EducationUSA advising center) to ensure the legitimacy and accreditation status of the college being represented to you.

www.educationusa.state.gov/centers

U.S. Universities

National Association for College Admission Counseling
Site contains information about how to prepare, apply to, and select a college, with a focus on international students.

University of Texas
Directory of U.S. university/community college homepages updated weekly.

University of Florida
Directory of home pages of universities in the United States .

Hobson's U.S. Education Guides
Asia , Europe , Latin America and Worldwide editions.

Higher Education Institution Registry
Database with contact information to more than 7,000 higher education institutions in the U.S. and in other countries.

College Net - Internet Guide to Colleges and Universities
Allows college searches in the U.S., Canada and New Zealand by major, tuition, enrollment, and other factors. Provides links to school home pages and on-line application to a limited group of schools.

GradSchools.com
This Directory of graduate programs allows searches by subject of study. Includes institutions in and outside the US and linkages to homepages. Has also a section on Distance Learning.

College View
Search a database of 3,500 colleges and universities, take a virtual campus tour, complete or request applications on-line, or chat with other prospective students

My College Guide
Includes links to colleges and universities, searchable database, admissions advice, and college life information.

Council of Graduate Schools - Resources for Students
Provides information and links to sites on admissions, financial aid, and international student information.

International Education Service
Offers a free placement service to undergraduate, graduate and ESL programs and a list of links to ESL, colleges and vocational schools.

College Express
Search colleges by state, major and other factors. Take a virtual tour of some colleges and ask their experts questions about the college admission process. Check the special section entitled "Get Athletic Information at the College of your Choice", which provides information on athletic scholarships.

Cyprus Fulbright Commission
Online guide to selecting and applying to a U.S. university

College Search Engines

Peterson's Education Center
Graduate and Professional Study. Key word search engine of over 3000 degree programs.

College Board
Database of more than 3,500 colleges and universities. Site includes a "College Matchmaker" feature and links to the homepages of participating 3,500 institutions.

Peterson's
College Bound Home: Includes College Search feature.

College Source Online
Features over 10,900 college catalogs. Access to school profiles and web pages is free; license fee required to access full catalogs.

U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics
College Opportunities On-line (COOL): Database of two- and four- year colleges and universities searchable by several factors, including location, degree, field of study, size, cost, and availability of financial aid.

The Princeton Review
Explore Schools and Careers: Search engine for choosing an academic institution or career path.

US Journal
General information on U.S. study for international students in a number of languages. Includes a limited database with approximately 100 schools.

Black College Search - Historically Black Colleges: Free online HBCU resource for prospective African-American students. Information on black colleges, scholarships, financial aid and more.

Princeton Review B-Schools and Careers
Provides links to undergraduate, graduate, and executive business programs. Includes a compilation of various business school rankings.

Rankings

U.S. News and World Report America's Best Colleges Index
Provides descriptions, e-mail addresses and links to homepages of academic programs/institutions, plus unofficial rankings based on a variety of categories of self-reported data.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Education and Social Science Library
Web compilation of a variety of unofficial college rankings.

Information for Students With Disabilities

Mobility International
Includes information on study and exchange for students with disabilities.