Explore your possibilities

Finding a suitable education in the United States is an exciting, fun and often surprising process. With about 1,000 community colleges, there are many options in the US, but not every community college is equally experienced with hosting international students. Doing good research takes some time, but will help you ensure that you find the right college for you.

Types of education

First, list exactly what you want to get out of your time in America. Based on that, determine which education is best for you. Not all educational institutions offer the same types of courses and study experiences. There are lots of different institutions and degree options. For example, if you want to move on to a bachelor’s degree after your associate’s degree, you’ll want to find out in advance what transfer agreements a community college has.

In addition, the content of an education at a community college may differ from that of an education in the Netherlands, which does not always guarantee that your diploma will allow you to work in the Netherlands. Consider carefully what kind of education you would like to do, what it is equivalent to in the Netherlands, and what the best way to go about studying in the US is for you.

Types of colleges

You can attend either a private or public college in the United States. Public colleges are funded by the city, region, or state in which they are located. Students from these areas pay little tuition because they have paid local taxes for years. Students from other regions have not paid local taxes, so their tuition is higher, and this also applies to foreign students. Private colleges are usually more expensive than public colleges, but sometimes give scholarships.

Also pay attention to housing. A public community college often does not have a campus, while a private community college more often does. Often, private colleges are more experienced in accommodating international students, so you may prefer a private college.

What should you keep in mind?

Exactly what criteria your education should meet are personal for everyone. It is useful to find out for yourself what the most important criteria are. In addition, remember that each university also has its own selection criteria for admitting students. A suitable college would be one where you meet the college’s academic requirements, you can afford the tuition, and that offers the facilities you are looking for. Read more below.

Academic profile

The admission requirements may vary from college to college. Therefore, it is important to find a college that matches your needs and qualities academically. Conversely, you should realistically look at colleges where your academic profile meets admission requirements.

Preferences

Of course, you should also feel at home on campus. Studying for two years, or maybe even longer, in another country is not something to take lightly, so it is also important to think carefully about what you want to get out of your studies and what kind of environment you will feel most at home in.

Cost

Your budget is one of the most important criteria when choosing a college. It is important to familiarize yourself with the college’s costs and any scholarship opportunities, and to recognize that scholarship opportunities from outside organizations are scarce. Read on to learn more about funding options and types of scholarships.

ESL course

Would you like to improve your English language skills before college? Many community colleges offer shorter English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. You can take these prior to college or during the summer. You can find programs at https://www.summerstudyinusa.org/

Facilities

It is important to think about your housing options and other facilities. Unlike four-year colleges where you are pursuing an undergraduate degree, community colleges do not always allow you to live on campus. Therefore, you must think carefully about whether you want to live on campus or off campus. In addition, colleges have various study facilities, clubs, and sports on campus.

Accreditation

Once you have found some colleges, it is important to check if the college(s) you have your eye on are accredited — that way, you can be sure your degree will soon be worth something. Read on to learn more about accrediting organizations in the US, how to verify accreditation, and how to evaluate your degree in the Netherlands.

Shortlisting

Before you shortlist universities you want to apply to, you need to start researching what their requirements are, what opportunities you have with your academic profile and test scores, and whether there are scholarships for you. Then, you can compile a list of suitable colleges.

For more information about the application process, check out Step 3, “Prepare Your Application”.