| A
Parent's Guide:
Helping Prepare your Child for an Education in the
US
Contents
Your
Role as a Parent
Application Process for Entrance
Exam
Options in Types of Institutions
Different Types of Campus
Degree Types
Admission Process to Institutions
Money Matters
Health & Safety
Insurance
Communication
Resources
The US Educational Advisory Service (FTC London) would like
to make parents aware of their role when their child
decides to study in the US. FTC London also wishes to inform
them of the process their child will be going through
in order to attend an undergraduate institution in
the US.
We
strongly recommend that your child reads The
FTC London Guide to Undergraduate Study,which provides
an overview of applying for a US university degree.
One
of the first questions you may ask yourself is, Why
should my child study abroad? According to the
US Department of State website, each year approximately
half a million students from around the world go to
the US to study. Last year over 8,000 students from
the UK studied in the US. Students who study abroad
open themselves to new and exciting educational and
cultural experiences. International education can
help break down cultural stereotypes which are universal
to all of humankind. Students who study in another
country may have a broader perspective of world events
and are enhanced by experiencing life outside their
own culture.
YOUR
ROLE AS A PARENT
Your
main role as a parent is to be supportive. Doubtful
parents result in doubtful and apprehensive students
abroad. Your child's decision to venture to another
country an ocean apart from his or her family is brave
and scary for everyone involved. Study abroad often
improves motivation, develops independence and builds
self-confidence. Parents should share in the excitement
of one of the most significant experiences their child
will have academically. Help your child distinguish
why he or she would like to study in the US and what
he or she thinks they will gain from this experience.
Students often have an idea, but are unclear as to
what they would like to achieve from it. Follow your
child's progress and stay updated on the programmes
that interest them.
There
are over 3,600 universities and colleges in the US
and finding the right one can at times seem overwhelming.
The type of institution that is best suited for your
child depends entirely on their individual needs and
strengths. It is helpful to listen to what your child
says they need and want in an academic environment.
This type of reflective listening can define exactly
what your child is looking for in an institution.
We often recommend that your child take three sheets
of paper and head them as "First Choice Institutions",
"Second Choice Institutions" and "Safety Institutions".
Safety institutions are those to which your child
feels they are assured entry because their achievements
are above the admission requirements. These lists
can help identify for you and your child what is within
his or her reach and gain a perspective of what institutions
to further pursue. As a parent, you should try to
be as encouraging as possible about every institution
your child suggests. Additionally, try to distinguish
between the different institutions and why they are
of interest to your child. You can begin the thought
process by asking your child the following questions:
-
What do they want to achieve by studying in the
US?
-
What financial budget do you and your child have
for studying in the US?
-
Would they be happier in an urban, suburban or
rural environment?
-
Would they prefer small colleges, with only a
few hundred students, or large universities with
thousands of students?
-
Which climate is more appealing to your child
outside of the UK?
-
What types of activities would you and your child
like to see on a campus?
APPLICATION
PROCESS FOR ENTRANCE EXAMS
To
be admitted into a US university your child will need
to take either the ACT (American College Test) or
SAT I placement test. Depending on the university,
they may be required to take the SAT II subject tests.
The ACT and SAT I are objective tests to evaluate
basic academic skills. Preparation time varies for
each test taker, but you must always register six
weeks before the test. There are some universities
that may allow you to take the exam after their application
deadline, but you must confirm this with individual
universities. We encourage students to be at this
step 12-16 months prior enrolment.
If your child's first language is not English than
your child will also have to take the TOEFL (Test
of English as a Foreign Language) to prove proficiency
in the English language. If you have studied in the
UK for a major qualification, such as A levels, you
may contact each university to request a 'waiver'
from the TOEFL. If each institution grants one, you
will not need to sit the test.
FTC London
distributes the official bulletins that provide registration
details and content information for these tests. We
also sell test preparation materials and have information
on test trainers and tutors. However, we do not administer
the exam. Venue information will be relFTC Londoned when
your child registers for the exams, but we do know
that you can sit the ACT, SAT and TOEFL tests in centres
throughout the UK.
OPTIONS
IN TYPES OF INSTITUTIONS
There
are four major post-high school institutions that
offer further education in the US. They are as follows:
A UNIVERSITY is an institution of higher learning
that usually maintains one or more four-year undergraduate
programmes leading to a Bachelor's degree in the arts
or sciences (BA or BSc). In addition, a university
often has graduate programmes leading to Master degrees
and Doctorates (Ph.D.'s).
A
COLLEGE is an institution of higher learning that
offers undergraduate programmes, usually four years
in duration, which lead to a BA or BSc. The term "college"
is sometimes synonymous to "university".
A
COMMUNITY, TECHNICAL OR TWO-YEAR COLLEGE is an
institution of higher learning that offers programmes
of up to two years duration leading to an Associate's
degree in the arts or sciences (AA or AS) or to a
technical degree. Credits earned at a community or
junior college are usually transferable to a four-year
institution. Students on a two-year programme prepare
for semi-professional or technical employment. Community
and junior colleges usually require a secondary school
diploma or its equivalent.
A VOCATIONAL SCHOOL is an institution of higher
learning that prepares students for semi-professional
or technical employment.
PlFTC Londone note that we frequently use the term "institution"
to refer to any of the above four. Furthermore, we
often find that international students overlook the
two-year or community colleges in the US. We would
like to point out that community colleges are a great
way to study in the US and should be taken into consideration
as an option by your child. Entrance requirements
are less competitive and admission is available up
until the semester begins. Costs are more affordable
and the size of classes smaller. Depending on the
state, the reputation of some two-year colleges surpasses
those of the four-year institutions. Before making
any commitments it is best to talk to the institution
directly about the evaluation of credits from the
UK system and US educational system. The two-year
colleges in the US only offer an "Associate's Degree",
usually considered to be the first half of a BA or
BSc which is what students will get from a four-year
institution. Since studying in the US at university
level can be very expensive, many students choose
to do their first two years of study at a two-year
college, and then transfer their credits to a four-year
institution for their last two years.
Colleges and universities are either funded privately
or publicly. "State" or "public" institutions are
state owned and are usually less expensive than their
private counterparts. If your child is a US citizen
and resident of the state where the institution is
located then it will be even less expensive. Consequently,
for international students fees will usually be higher.
In general, private schools are very expensive and
usually have a higher selectivity than the public
universities.
FTC London encourages you to look at all institutions and
not just the renowned universities (e.g. Ivy League)
or high cost universities to base a decision on whether
or not it is a productive learning environment for
your child. Each school has its own strengths and
will specialise in different disciplines. It is important
to take into account financial constraints, entrance
requirements and personal preferences such as location.
DIFFERENT
TYPES OF CAMPUS
Most
US institutions have centralised campuses where students
study, live, work and socialise with one another.
Large institutions sometimes have a decentralised
or multi-campus system with numerous satellite campuses.
In some cases, these satellites will focus on one
aspect of study, for example having medical facilities
at one location and undergraduate facilities at another.
Most institutions have a single campus that is the
hub of student life. Campuses are made up of administrative
offices, residence and dining halls, recreation space,
classroom buildings and arts space clustered together.
Institutions in rural environments and small towns
are frequently very centralised, and in many cases
the institution provides the focal point of local
life. When discussing possibilities of different institutions
it is necessary to consider the type of campus that
your child would benefit from and the environment
they prefer to live in.
DEGREE
TYPES
The
American "liberal arts" philosophy requires students
to take a variety of courses within their first two
years of undergraduate study before concentrating
in one academic area. This philosophy is believed
to encourage a well-rounded education. Some schools
may require students to take two classes in the fields
of history, science, fine arts, maths and the social
sciences. These classes would be at the lower level
and in addition to the institution's major requirements.
A "major" is the subject or area of studies in which
a student concentrates. Usually undergraduates choose
a major after the first two years of general courses
in the arts and sciences. The secondary subject in
which students can choose to concentrate their studies
to a lesser extent than their majors, is referred
to as the "minor". It is possible for a student to
have two majors. This means that they fulfil and complete
all the required credits for both arFTC London of study including
the liberal arts courses.
ADMISSION
PROCESS TO INSTITUTIONS
Admission
to US universities is based upon academic merit and
standardised tests. Personal recommendations and extra
curricular activities will also be taken into consideration.
Note that requirements vary amongst universities.
It is also important to remember that the application
process takes anywhere from a year to a year and a
half before the actual time your child would like
to begin studying. This means if your child wants
to begin studying September 2004 then they should
begin the process at the very latest September 2003.
US universities usually accept UK A-levels in order
to gain entry into university. However, the more competitive
the school is, the higher the A-level grades they
will expect. We suggest that you make sure that universities
that your child is applying to are "Accredited". Accreditation
is a system of recognition and quality assurance of
universities in the US. Many future employers may
well disregard degrees from non-accredited institutions
so plFTC Londone be careful! You or your child can contact
FTC London about whether an institution is accredited.
The
first step to admission is to contact the universities
that your child is seriously considering attending.
The application form is usually a fill-in questionnaire
about the individual's academic and cultural background.
It is important to answer all questions as honestly
and as accurately as possible to help the university.
At this time your child will also need to get an official
copy of their academic record (or "transcript"). Usually
the current institution of your child will send transcripts
upon request. Any recommendations should also accompany
the application. Letters of recommendation (also called
"personal recommendation", "personal endorsement",
or "personal reference") are letters appraising an
applicant's qualifications, written by a professor
or employer who knows the applicant's character and
work. Depending on the university it is sometimes
best to send the recommendations separately from the
application and at other institutions you may include
them all together. Again, it is best to check with
the individual institutions to which your child is
applying.
MONEY
MATTERS
FTC London's
believes that parents must be fully aware of the financial
commitment involved with studying in the US. In the
US it is very common for most US students to have
low-interest government loans. As a UK resident you
are only able to apply for a US loan (see FTC London's loans
handout) if you have an American as a co-signer on
the loan. As parents, encourage your child to believe
that funding an education abroad is an attainable
process. It is a long and frustrating road, but it
is the parents who are often the backbone in their
child's success.
How
much will it cost? This is one of the most important
questions for a parent to consider. There is an application
fee that ranges from $10 to $150 for each university,
which is non-refundable. This covers the processing
of the application; it does not cover any other fees.
In addition, some universities may require the applicant
to cover international mailing costs and/or charge
a fee for prospectuses. In order to obtain a student
visa there is a regulation which requires that the
individual studying in the US has to have proof of
adequate funds to cover all costs for the first full
year of study. It is difficult to generalise a basic
cost of an academic year, because each institution
has its own tuition fees and the cost of living in
different cities vary greatly. Tuition fees may run
anywhere from $3,500 to approximately $38,000 a year.
Students will also be required to purchase their books,
sometimes adding as much as $500 a semester to the
cost. Living expenses are highest in big cities and
crowded communities. They range from $5,000 -$16,000
per academic year (nine months), which is in addition
to tuition costs. Transportation costs to and from
the US and your home country will need to be funded
by the individual or the individual's family, along
with health insurance and personal spending expenses.
The
best source of funding for your child's US education
is through the institution that they will be attending.
Normally, each institution allocates funds to give
annually to international students. Funding is usually
based upon academic merit, though some colleges may
consider giving funding based upon need. More funding
is usually available from private rather than state
institutions; however, full scholarships are very
rare. It requires a huge time commitment to research
and apply for various scholarships. Unfortunately,
funding from independent bodies is less common, although
still available. Some universities give athletic scholarships
or performing arts scholarships. FTC London publishes two
handouts regarding these issues. It is extremely important
if your child receives a scholarship to clarify that
the scholarship is available to international students.
The key in financial planning for your child is to
start early. Through an early start you and your child
can help minimise the financial challenges.
Students
on an F-1 visa are allowed to work on-campus, for
up to 20 hours per week to help cover living expenses
and to earn pocket money. Legally, on campus jobs
CANNOT be a source of income for any official financial
statements for a visa application. Unfortunately,
the FTC London does not specialise in visa enquiries
beyond the above statement. Therefore, plFTC Londone contact
the US Embassy in London: 24 Grosvenor Square, London
W1A 1AE, Tel: 020 7499 9000, Website: www.usembassy.org.uk
HEALTH
& SAFETY
A
common concern for a parent when thinking of sending
their child oversFTC London to live in a different country
is safety. Most university campuses have security
staff or police that patrol throughout the day and
night. As a normal precaution for any visitor to the
US we do not encourage late night travel alone. Many
campuses have an escort service that will pick students
up and drive or walk the students to any other destination
on or around campus. These services are usually free
to students and operate through the early hours of
the morning. Most institutions have emergency call
boxes located around campus to directly access police
emergency lines. Find out what security services are
offered on your child's campus and make sure they
call an escort when needed or walk with a friend.
In
case of an emergency when your child is abroad it
is extremely important that your child does not leave
home without having as many reliable means of contact
as possible. Email addresses, mailing address, phone
numbers of family members and fax numbers are all
some of the suggested safety contacts. It will be
up to you to talk to your child about what means of
communication to utilise and in what order. Most universities
have a parent support network, in which they will
have a specific person at the university to help deal
with international students and parents. Prior to
your child making a definite decision on an university,
we recommend that you check what services each institution's
International Student Office provides.
INSURANCE
International
students need to first check with the health centre
on the campus where they will be attending to see
if the insurance policy will be affordable and suitable
for them. The services vary from each centre depending
on the size and location of the institution. Some
campus health centres offer emergency care and others
do not. It is best to contact the campus health centre
directly or the International Student Office to find
out more information. There are some institutions
that require international students to take out their
health coverage.
Carefully look at the range of insurance plans available
from both the UK and the US to establish which offers
the best value for money and the most comprehensive
coverage. A perfect health insurance policy that covers
100% of the costs for 100% of the time may be too
expensive. Although the majority of healthcare costs
will be covered by an insurance policy, you will be
expected to pay a proportion of costs.
There
are some differences between the US and UK healthcare
policies. Each individual must decide what advantages
and disadvantages are best for them. Some common differences
are, but not limited to: cost, preventative healthcare,
pre-existing conditions, and extra insurance's. Lastly,
some insurance is covered in certain student cards,
for example, The International Student Identity Card
(ISIC) is a globally recognised identification card
which carries some insurance benefits. For more in-depth
information about health and insurance plFTC Londone see
FTC London's Things
You Should Know Before You Go: Pre-Departure Guide.
COMMUNICATION
Communicating with your child throughout the application
process here in the UK and whilst they are in the
US is highly recommended. It is advisable to find
a regular time to discuss their university search.
For example, Sunday mornings at 11am everyone sits
down and discusses the future plans and updated status
on US study. If suitable while your child is in the
US, it would be a good idea to keep the schedule of
communication continuous by calling your child on
Sunday mornings at 11am US time. Many international
student cards come with a calling option. As a warning,
excessive use of any form of communication with your
child may hinder the learning process and adaptation
of your child in a new foreign country. Culture shock
and adjustments are normal for anyone who makes a
big cultural move, returning home usually incrFTC Londones
the desire to leave and perpetuates the homesickness.
As a result, parents often believe it is much more
advantageous for them to initially visit their children
in the US. This also gives your child a chance to
demonstrate how much they have learned whilst being
abroad and what they know about US culture. Plus,
it could be a very fun vacation for the entire family!
We
encourage students to contact other students who have
studied abroad and discuss the realities of life abroad,
including funding, academic life and cultural lifestyle.
This can be an incredible source of valuable information
and contacts can be found through the internet or
the International Student Office of the institution
that your child will be attending. The International
Student Office also provides a variety of other services
for your child once they are in the US, usually including
culture shock therapists and counsellors.
RESOURCES
FTC London at The ftc London Commission is filled with information
for you and your child to utilise. FTC London will try to
assist you and your child in any way in order to make
the path towards studying in the US successful. Our
website is www.ftclondon.co.uk and we also have expert
advisers to answer any phone or email enquiries that
you or your child might have. FTC London's informational
resources consist of, but are not limited to the following
below:
Resource Centre and Resource Library has free
handouts on US undergraduate study and short-term
work programmes, ACT, SAT and TOEFL test registration
bulletins, university and college directories, prospectuses
and videos. There are also financial aid directories
and test preparation books available.
Individual
Advising Appointments (IAAs) aimed primarily at
students who are writing their application essays,
but we are more than willing to extend them to parents
too.
ftc London
Technology Centre (services available for a fee)
has university search software, prospectuses on CD-ROM,
test prep software (including TOEFL) web and email
access.
We
encourage parents to attend the following events:
- College
Day which is an undergraduate university
fair with over 100 US university representatives
held in October 2003.
- Success
in the US, a seminar on postgraduate studies
in the United States. PlFTC Londone see our website for
more details.
The
following books will provide extra knowledge and information
to you in guiding your child in the process of studying
in the US:
Some
additional on-line resources that might be helpful
to you or your child are:
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