If you want to go to uni in the USA, look beyond the ?brand name? universities, advises Ed Smallwood
In the 1990s, as a student at a British independent school, I made a decision that has had a profoundly positive impact on the rest of my life: I decided to apply to universities in the United States. While I was not the only pupil at my school to do so, we were certainly a very small group. During four fantastic years at Harvard I was able to study subjects ranging from astronomy to opera to South American literature, to become a more confident person and to build lasting friendships with some remarkable individuals from all around the world. These days more than 5,000 UK students a year are opting to study at a US university, and while it is not for everyone, it is a move I recommend for motivated students keen to expand their horizons.
Try routes less travelled
There are more than 4,500 US universities offering undergraduate degrees, so selecting the right one for you can be daunting ? you may not have even heard of some of the top universities in your field. The most frequent mistake we encounter from international students who express an interest in an American undergraduate degree is that they want to target only the ?brand name? universities. If students focus on the perceived reputation of a university rather than looking for the best-fit institution, they may miss out on finding the place where they will really excel. It is critical to thoroughly resea...