Overview

Character of higher education in the U.S.
Higher education in America is a foundation of the nation's ideal as a "land of opportunity." It is characterized by three major ideas:

• An education should be of the highest quality. America is the recognized world leader in education.
• Choice. Students at American colleges and universities have complete freedom to select their field of study.
  
• The student/faculty relationship. This relationship is one of collaboration, mutual respect, classroom discussion and mentoring.
• Guided by these beliefs, U.S. higher education reflects essential elements of the American character:  independence, ambition, inclusiveness, competitiveness, and limits on government control.

 

Overview of higher education in the U.S.
There are more than 4,000 public and private colleges and universities in the United States.
Diversity of U.S. higher education provides many outstanding choices for Chinese students.

• Size (500 to over 50,000 students)
• Location (any part of the country)
• Academic focus and strengths:
• Science and technology
• Engineering
• Business
• Education
• Social Science and humanities
• Arts
• Women only
• Etc.

Some universities are best known for excellence in graduate education at the Master's and Doctorate level and do not focus on Baccalaureate level education. At many universities, some programs that may be of interest to Chinese students are only available at the graduate level.  For example, at some universities business degrees are only offered at the graduate level.  At others, they are offered at both levels.  This is true for programs in many fields, so students have to be careful as they consider what they want to study and its availability at the undergraduate and graduate level at each American college and university.

 

Undergraduate Study in the U.S.
Generally, the first two years of undergraduate study encourage exploration and experimentation to learn new fields, study new things, and understand important issues and questions. Students select courses from the Sciences, Mathematics, Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts. Requirements are very broad and generally very flexible.

In last two years students concentrate their studies in a "major" for focused study in the field important to them and their post-college degree, professional, and career plans.  Students may change their major if their interests and goals change and keep most of the credits they have earned toward a degree. However, some fields, such as Engineering, require focused study from the start through all four years of undergraduate education.

 

Teaching methods
Most American colleges and universities follow a Socratic approach to teaching and learning. This emphasizes discussion between students and teachers, critical thinking, and openness to new ideas. Students are encouraged to challenge each other as well as the ideas of faculty and contribute their own ideas. In many cases, classes consist of both large lecture-type presentations by faculty combined with smaller class discussion groups that encourage dialogue between students and teachers.

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University/College Types

Overview
College and universities in the United States fall into three basic categories, with outstanding, high quality choices in each:

• Comprehensive research universities:  Offer undergraduate (BA and BS), graduate (MA, MS, and PhD, and professional degrees) in a wide variety of fields including Science, Engineering, Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts, Law, Medicine, Business, and the Arts.  Many have separate schools in these fields.
• Masters'level:  Offer program and degrees at the undergraduate and master's level in a wide variety of fields.
• Baccalaureate:  Concentrate their offerings at the undergraduate level.

 

Basic differences between public and private colleges and universities
In general, there are a number of differences between private and public colleges and universities in the U.S. including:

• About 80 percent of American students are enrolled in public universities, 20 percent in private.
• Public universities tend to be larger, with more academic choices, higher enrollment, and a greater variety of experiences.
• Private colleges and universities tend to be smaller, which means that more attention tends to be given to students'individual needs and interests.

 

Overview of public universities
Here is some general information about public universities, state-supported institutions, in the U.S.:

• Each of the 50 states in the U.S. has a public or state university system consisting of several/many campuses.
• "Multi-campus" universities: The best-known and most prestigious public universities in the state, for example the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor or the University of Maryland, College Park.
• Some states have several "flagship" universities. For example, the State of Virginia has William & Mary, the University of Virginia, and Virginia Tech.
• The other universities in each state provide many good choices, for example regional comprehensive universities, science and technology-focused universities, business schools, and normal schools focused on educating teachers.

Overview of private colleges and universities
There is a very wide variation in size, the nature of the community, its location, and the range of academic offerings provided by private colleges and universities. Other qualities that characterize private institutions in the U.S.:

• They range in size from comprehensive research universities to small colleges.
• Depending on the individual college or university, these institutions offer degree programs from Baccalaureate to Master's and Doctorate in nearly all fields of study.
• Enrollments vary from 500 to more than 25,000 students.

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Cost and Scholarships

The cost for Chinese students of undergraduate study in the United States will range from $25,000 to over $50,000 depending on the specific college or university at student chooses. This cost includes living expenses for housing and food, but does not include travel to and from the United States. Other important information about cost and scholarships:

• While public universities tend to be less expensive, Chinese students will be charged tuition and fees for "out-of state" students, which are higher than those for students who live in the state in which the university is located.
• Scholarships may be available for Chinese students at many colleges and universities.  The better the student the more likely she or he will receive a scholarship, which are provided in various amounts.

 

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Culture and Social Life

The U.S. college experience is strongly influenced by a residential tradition, and most colleges and universities provide housing for students during the academic year. American colleges and universities have a very welcoming, open, and friendly culture for all students. Other qualities that characterize the culture and social life found at U.S. colleges and universities:

• Most colleges and universities offer a very active student life with many opportunities for participation in clubs and activities covering:
• Sports at all levels, including intense competition between colleges and universities as well as club sports for fun
• Music and the arts, including symphony orchestras, singing groups of all kinds, and jazz and rock bands
• Special clubs for students with specific interests, such as language, cuisine, business, the arts, literature, leadership and the like
• Student government
• Many support services are provided to students, including personal counseling, recreation and physical fitness, transportation, health care, and tutoring. English language training (ESL) programs are provided at many colleges and universities for international students. 
• Many colleges and universities have international centers on campus where Chinese students can find assistance with travel, visa requirements, tutoring, and organized activities such as Chinese New Year celebrations.

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Jobs and Careers

American colleges and universities provide many career planning and job placement services for students, including:

• Career planning and advising
• Job search and placement training and advice covering such things as resume preparation, interviewing techniques, and job search skills.
• Interviews with companies and other organizations seeking to employ college graduates.
• Opportunities for paid and unpaid job experience through internships and work assignments in many fields ranging from business and law to medicine and high technology.

Following graduation, Chinese students may take advantage of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program whereby you may remain in America for up to twelve months working in a job related to your field of study.

 

Opportunities in China for students who studied in the U.S.
Chinese students who have studied in the United States and earn an undergraduate degree from an American college or university have many advantages for employment in China after they return home:

• Strong English language skills, which are increasing in importance as China becomes a great economic and political power in the world
• Advanced, up-to-date knowledge in specific fields of study
• Knowledge of and experience with American culture
• Creative thinking and problem-solving skills, which are increasingly important to employers in China and all over the world
• Specialized training and skills not available anywhere else in the world in new and innovative fields