When it comes to the prospect of studying overseas, many high school graduates have their hopes set on being admitted into an American college or university. After all, American schools have long dominated the world’s most well-known university rankings lists, such as the Times Higher Education list and the Quacquarelli Symonds or QS World University Rankings. In addition, college life in the US is widely glamorized in the media and in popular culture. There’s a whole generation of international students who are quite excited to spread their wings and achieve their dreams of excellence and independence in the United States.
Getting Ready for College Education in the US Photo credit: https://www.sais.edu.sg/
Are you one such student in Singapore who intends to apply to an American college or university, or are you a parent who’s preparing themselves to see their child off in the US? If you’re in either situation, below are six helpful tips to go about the challenge of getting ready for a US college education. From the student’s last years in high school to their final moments at home before their departure, these tips should cover all aspects of this exciting new journey.
Have the Student Warm Up to American Education in Their High School Years
For an international student to have the best possible chances of succeeding in a US college or university, it would be good for them to acclimatize to the American educational system in advance. One way for parents to get their children closer to this future is to enroll them in an American school in Singapore. This should help the student get a feel of how American educational pedagogy is administered and how the American grading system works. Attending a school with an American-oriented education program will also allow the student to practice skills that are necessary for admission into a top-ranked American tertiary education institution, such as English language skills.
Compare Degree Programs and Other Aspects of Student Life for Different Schools in the US
Once a student has decided that they want to study in the US, their next step is to narrow down their options and settle on the best school. Parents and students can arrive at this decision together by comparing degree programs across universities, going through school websites, and joining events like forums or virtual open houses. It’s also a good idea for either the parents or the student themselves to contact authorized representatives from the student’s desired college or university and to ask questions about the nature of the program, plus what they can expect campus life to be like. Doing a close comparison will help a student figure out which school is the best school for them, and it will also help parents imagine the life their child will lead when they leave the nest.
Study the Visa Requirements and Allot Enough Time for Compilation and Processing of Documents
When the application process begins in earnest, both the student and their parents should know what’s required by each US school and when each of the requirements is due. It will help to make a checklist or a submission schedule for visa applications, completion of school application forms, requests for the student’s transcript of records, payment of application fees per school, and final reservation of the student’s slot, to name a few. It’s important to allot enough time to request particular documents and to wait for them to be processed, as some documents can take weeks or even months to compile.
Get to Know the Neighborhoods Where the Colleges or Universities Are Located
As soon as the student arrives at their top few choices, it will be time for the family to learn about the neighborhoods and communities that house the student’s desired schools. Among the best things to know are the transport options available, where the nearest groceries and hospitals are, and whether the student will have any family or friends in the area. This will definitely help the student familiarize themselves with their future academic environment and adjust to it as soon as it becomes their home for the next few years. Having this information on hand will also appease a parent’s worries about how their child will navigate their new community.
Talk about “Adulting” Concerns Like Cooking, Cleaning, and Budgeting Money
Going to college in the US may also mean that the child will go through the major milestones of living away from home for the first time and taking care of themselves on their own. In the time leading up to the student’s departure, they should learn how to be self-reliant and how to address all their basic needs while living in an apartment or dormitory. Parents can help their college-ready kids practice the important life skills they’ll need in college, like cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry. The future college student should also be advised on how to draw up a basic household budget and how to spend their allowance or stipend responsibly.
Discuss Harder Topics Like Homesickness and Fitting In
In the wake of all the excitement about leaving for college, both parents and their college-aged children may forget to talk about the harder aspects of this phase in their lives. On the part of the student, these typically involve being homesick, having difficulty navigating a foreign culture, and trying to blend in with other smart and ambitious individuals in their college or university. These issues shouldn’t be taken for granted, as they may cause stress, isolation, feelings of depression and anxiety, and other physical or emotional problems if they aren’t addressed. That’s why it’s especially important for high schoolers and their parents to communicate often and to have a support system that can take them through the challenges of college life.
Final Words
Don’t hesitate to look for additional resources on how to prepare for college life in the USA, as well as how to secure financial aid for studies and how to find good student accommodation. What matters is that the whole family is involved in preparing a student for this new juncture in their lives, as family involvement often makes the experience all the more joyful.
[…] If your child is attending a traditional school, then working in hand with whoever is providing their education is going to play an invaluable role. Aside from checking up on their day-to-day progress, the teacher might share some insights about how your child engages with their education that can help you improve how homework and studying are done at home. This stays important right up through high school, as working with their teachers can be vital in helping kids prepare for college. […]