Common myths about studying in the US

Common myths about studying in the US

Many people think that you have to be very rich to study in the US and students here just like to party, but admissions experts reject this view.

You have to be very rich to be able to study in the US

Pamela Rambo, founder of Rambo Research and Consulting in the field of education, said tuition fees in the US vary widely. Tuition and fees at universities range from 24,000-35,000 USD a year (about 550-810 million VND), the top schools are over 55,000-80,000 USD.

To reduce costs, students can look to the school's scholarships. Many institutions will automatically review the criteria and award scholarships from funds for international students without requiring an application or proof of funds. Not to mention, students can access the school's international loan program to solve difficulties.

Regarding the cost of living, Rambo says international students can save as low as $10,000-18,000 per year. She advises international student families to strike a balance between tuition fees and the quality of the schools' education. Some universities have good quality, moderate tuition such as Florida State, Missouri, Virginia Tech...

It is almost impossible to get a US student visa

Covid-19 has temporarily closed many embassies and consulates, and the visa application process may be delayed. However, experts say that if they have been accepted by at least one US university, international students will not have many difficulties when applying for a visa.

Eric Welsh, an immigration attorney, said international student offices at universities will support and guide international students through the visa application process. Currently, the process is not too much trouble, and it is even possible to do and interview online.

The University of Michigan in Ann Arbo, USA, where the acceptance rate of candidates from the waitlist was only 1.8% in the fall of 2019. Photo: Shutterstock

The University of Michigan in Ann Arbo, USA, where the acceptance rate of candidates from the waitlist was only 1.8% in the fall of 2019. Photo: Shutterstock

Universities are located in big cities and are not safe

Currently, the US has nearly 4,000 universities and colleges. Schools are located in a wide variety, not only in the city but also in the countryside and small towns.

To determine how safe a campus is through crime metrics, families can visit the Campus Safety and Security website. In addition, many universities like Mexico often work closely with the police to solve law violations occurring on campus, and organize educational programs on skills to ensure personal safety.

Students at American universities just love to party

In many Hollywood movies, American students are shown to enjoy partying, have fun and rarely pay attention to their studies. But this is not true, especially at the top universities.

Nicole Tami, Executive Director of the Global Education Initiative at the University of Mexico, said that American universities often organize extracurricular and recreational activities to provide opportunities for exchange and balance with the academic schedule for students. However, this does not mean that schools go easy on partying.

Most American universities issue regulations regarding the use of alcohol, beer, and drugs at school and during adolescence. Violent behavior is generally prohibited.