Although the Ivy League was originally a sports league for several
East Coast colleges, the term has become associated with an
exclusive, elite education. However, there are many other excellent
institutions in the United States. Do not dismiss a university or
college just because you or your family have not heard of it before;
you should consider your own needs first. Don't confine yourself to
"Ivies." Investigate all options carefully to make sure you give
yourself the best chances to find institutions that suit your needs
and interests.
There is no official list of the top 10, 20, 50, or even 100
universities in the United States. The U.S. government does not rank
universities. Rankings that you come across are usually produced by
journalists and are likely to be subjective. They are generally
based on a wide range of criteria that do not necessarily include
academic standards or general reputation as a primary factor. Be
particularly wary of rankings that do not explain the criteria on
which the ranking is based. The more established rankings may give
you a starting point for your decision; however, the "best" college
is the one that is right for you based on factors such as those
suggested in this chapter.
U.S. universities offer students a variety of services such as
international student advisers, campus orientation programs,
counseling services, legal aid services, housing offices, varied
meal plans, health centers, tutoring facilities, English as a Second
Language programs, writing laboratories, career counseling, and
more. Prospective undergraduates can compare facilities among
universities to find services tailored to their specific needs.
Many U.S. universities have incorporated into their curriculum
internship (voluntary or paid work placements) or overseas study
("study abroad") programs that may be of interest to you.
If you have special needs, make sure that the university you choose
can accommodate you. Allow plenty of time to correspond with
colleges. It is advisable to begin your inquiries at least two years
before you plan to leave for the United States. When you write for
information from universities, give brief details of your disability
and request information about assistance they offer to students like
yourself. You may also want to contact the office on campus that
deals with the special needs of students with disabilities to find
out more about the services they provide. This may be a specific
office such as the Office of Disabled Student Services or the Office
of Disability Services, or it may be housed within a general student
services office on campus.
Some colleges offer comprehensive programs for students with
learning disabilities, while others make a number of special
services available to such students. You and your family should look
at the services offered and compare them to your needs. Find out
which services are provided automatically and free of charge, and
which services need to be pre-arranged and incur a charge. When you
apply you will need to supply evidence to support the existence of
your disability. A campus visit is recommended. If possible, try to
contact a student at the college who has a similar disability to
yours so you can gain a more personal perspective. Students with
disabilities can, with proper documentation, request special
facilities or extended time to take the SAT and ACT undergraduate
admissions tests and course examinations during the academic year. |
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