Why apply to US universities?
- Flexibility of the liberal arts curriculum
- Excellent academic reputation
- Fantastic faculty support
- Undergraduate research opportunities
- Study abroad & internship programs
- State-of-the-art facilities
- Generous funding for extracurricular pursuits
- World-leading professors
P.S - Top university alumni often 'recruit from within,’ meaning they actively recruit soon-to-be graduates from their former universities to employ at their current workplace. Facebook, Google, IBM, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Bloomberg and Amazon all actively recruit from top university campuses.
Top 20 US Universities
| University | General Admissions Rate |
|---|---|
| Harvard University | 3.2% |
| Princeton University | 4% |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 4% |
| Harvard University | 3.19% |
| Stanford University | 4.0% |
| Yale University | 4.4% |
| University of Chicago | 6.2% |
| Johns Hopkins University | 6.5% |
| University of Pennsylvania | 4.7% |
| California Institute of Technology | 6.7% |
| Duke University | 6.2% |
| Northwestern University | 7% |
| Dartmouth College | 6.2% |
| Brown University | 5.5% |
| Vanderbilt University | 11.6% |
| Rice University | 10.9% |
| Washington University in St. Louis | 16% |
| Cornell University | 8.7% |
| Columbia University | 3.7% |
| University of Notre Dame | 19% |
| University of California, Berkeley | 17.5% |
US News 2023 National Rankings
Key differences between US and UK universities
The US and UK offer a variety of options when it comes to studying at some of the finest institutions around the world. Here are some highlights of each education system to help you decide which path is best for you:
US vs UK University System
| US Education System | UK Education System | Both |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility due to a unique liberal arts education | A focused and in-depth approach to learning | Unrivalled resources and professions at top universities |
| A wide range of clubs, activities, and extracurriculars | Financial assistance less significant due to lower costs | Global reputation and recognition as leaders in higher education |
| Various scholarships and financial aid opportunities | Shorter path to some professions (e.g. law, medicine) | Access to elite graduate and internship opportunities |
| Ability to compete athletically at an elite level with recruitment & scholarships | The tutorial system at top UK universities such as Oxford and Cambridge | Extensive alumni network and low student-faculty ratio |
What kind of students are US universities looking for?
US universities look for all-rounder applications and value your extracurriculars and essays more when compared to UK universities.
If you want to study in the USA from the UK, here is what top American colleges require:
How to apply to US universities
There are a few different application systems in the US. Many universities use the Common Application or the Coalition Application, but a few require you to apply directly to the school.
You can apply to lots of universities in the US: the Common App allows you to apply to up to 20 colleges and you can submit multiple other applications through different portals or directly to some schools. We, however, recommend you apply to 5-8 universities; a mixture of reach, target and safety schools.
US Application Systems
| Application System | Universities |
|---|---|
| Common App | Accepted by 900+ universities (Ivy League and many top public and private colleges) |
| Coalition App | Accepted by 150 universities |
| University of California Application | All UC Schools |
| MyMIT | MIT |
Application Requirements
The US application process can be complicated, and some universities have unique requirements beyond the general application. Universities will go into detail about their requirements on their websites. Carefully read through all of the application requirements before you get started.
Tuition for international students
It’s no secret that US universities are expensive: on average they can cost around $55,000 a year. There are 6 universities in the US that are need-blind for international students; Harvard, MIT, Yale, Princeton, Amherst & Dartmouth. These universities will not take your financial need into consideration when reviewing your application and will meet 100% of your financial aid need if you’re admitted.
A few other universities offer need-based scholarships but they will take your financial situation into consideration when reviewing your application so you’ll have to work even harder to stand out.
Applying for scholarships at US universities
UK students are eligible to apply for scholarships offered through their chosen university. Some scholarships have specific requirements, so it’s important to check with the university to find out the details.
The types of scholarships international students can apply for include:
- University scholarships
- Financial scholarships
- Merit scholarships
- Country-based scholarships
- Government-funded scholarships
- Privately-funded scholarships
Key application stages & deadlines for US universities
Many students find the US application process complicated. By breaking down the steps into manageable pieces, you will find the process much less daunting and straightforward. Check out the chart for a complete US admission preparation timeline.
Some helpful extras
- Use our US University Admissions Calculator to generate a list of schools that match your academic profile and interests
- Check out our University Profiles page or YouTube Channel to learn more about US universities
Get a free consultation today
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