This post was written especially for College Essay Guy by
Rachel Ozer-Bearson, an Independent Educational Consultant with Mosaico Mentors in Mexico City
Kristen Karovic, Founder of College Bloom
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—Disclaimer: For the purposes of this article, an “international student” is a student who is a “nonresident alien”—not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or eligible non-resident, who has not passed the green card test or the substantial presence test—regardless of where the student completed his/her high school education. “College” and “university” are also used interchangeably.
How many universities in the world can you name? Twenty? Fifty? Maybe even a hundred? Did you know that there are actually over 17,000 accredited universities around the globe?
For students dreaming of studying abroad, the idea of learning about so many distinct educational systems and unique universities can be daunting.
So, where should you begin?
If you’re concentrating on creating a list with a handful of the 4,360 colleges and universities in the U.S. and can afford U.S. college price tags, this blog post—How to Choose a College: A Step-By-Step Guide—has wonderful suggestions.
However, a huge caveat for students on a budget is that being granted a generous to full financial aid packages in the U.S. to lower the total cost of attendance to below USD $20,000 is extremely competitive—so competitive that we dedicated on article to it (see: How Realistic is it to get a Full Scholarship in the USA for International Students).
… but fear not! Even with limited financial resources, you can create a list with wonderful schools and programs. And you may be surprised at how many great options there are; we ask that you keep an open mind as you move forward and to keep informing yourself. Education varies from institution to institution, country to country, and you need to keep research if the pedagogy, grading system, timeline for major choices, and more is truly the right fit for you.
So, if you’re interested in universities outside of the U.S., then this is the guide for you.
In this guide, we will:
Lead you through 10 questions to consider as you plan for college
Give tips on how to advocate for yourself and be proactive in this process
Recommend reflection exercises to help you gain clarity on what you’re looking for in your college experience
Reinforce the need to create a plan in your home country
Explain what to consider as you evaluate a Gap Year
First, let’s think about the big picture for a moment.
The more clarity you have about what you’re looking for in your education, the more likely you’ll find the best fit for you.
10 Sets of Questions to Ask Yourself as You Plan for College
Think of these questions less like an “interview” and more like a journaling exercise: we want you swirling with options for your future, especially if you haven’t given these responses your full attention before. Grab that favorite pen and a notebook, write out your thoughts, and discuss them with a trusted friend/mentor.
Why do you want to go to college outside of your home country? Will receiving a degree abroad, such as in medicine, be accepted in your home country? What are your options if you stay in your hometown or your country?
What’s your budget for higher education?
What do you want to study? Why? If you’re not sure what you want to study, how can you inform yourself better as you plan for college?
What’s important to you in your experience as you achieve your undergraduate degree? Which factors are must-haves and which factors can you negotiate?
Are you looking for a more structured degree (one focused on a specific career or future job) or a less structured degree (open to various majors with more flexibility to find what you’re most passionate about)?
In which countries are you open to studying abroad? How can you inform yourself better about these options? Would you consider English-language degrees in non-English speaking countries? Will an 8-hour plane ride away or a 22-hour plane ride away make a significant difference in your decision?
In what languages besides English would you feel comfortable studying? Does that shift the options you could consider?
Have you considered graduate school? Will your undergraduate studies support your graduate level studies?
Do you see yourself working in your home country as soon as you graduate, in 10 years, or do you not have plans to return? Do you want to work in the country where you attended university? What support will you have from the university to get a work-visa in the same country as you studied after you graduate?
Where do you see yourself five years after graduating from college? And in 10 years?
You need to think long and hard about your answers to these questions, especially in terms of the goals you have set for yourself, and how committed you are to them. We highly recommend you talk out your answers to someone you trust.
How do I advocate for myself in the college search process?
Is there a counselor or teacher at your high school who has supported students applying to international universities before? If not, is there a counselor or teacher who’d be willing to learn alongside you?
When applying, you’ll need to send certain documents from your high school, such as your transcripts and recommendation letters. It’s incredibly helpful to have someone who can support you in the process, from discussing your interests to researching schools to submitting the applications themselves.
EducationUSA has 400+ advising centers worldwide to assist you in accessing U.S. higher education opportunities. Most centers can connect you with university administrators, host college fairs, can speak to you in your native language, provide you with a computer with Internet access, advise you about financial aid, and more. There are free information sessions as well as advising available, sometimes for a small fee.
In addition, you can benefit from reaching out to a local college advising mentor. Many countries have volunteer organizations to guide you through the college planning and admissions process, and can even support you with plane tickets, test fee waivers, and more. For example, Education Matters supports Zimbabwean students and BRASA aids students in Brazil. Virtually, The Matchlighters Scholarship offers free college application counseling for high-achieving, low-income students from experienced college counselors to students from the U.S. Acceptance to these programs is competitive though, and it is always recommended that you begin early.
Has anyone from your school or community applied to college abroad? Ask around. Chat with that alum from your high school who studied in Belgium or your neighbor’s friend who spent a semester abroad in Japan. More often than not, you’ll be surprised by how eager people are to share their experiences and advice.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to a college’s admission office! Look to see who is in charge of international admission or admission in your region or country and reach out directly with questions. What countries are most of their international students from? Can they put you in touch with a current student studying Psychology (or your chosen major)? Building a relationship with the International admission officer is an invaluable way to learn more about a college and demonstrate interest.
Ask for fee waivers if you need them. If you demonstrate financial need, admission offices and testing offices can often waive the fees: however, this can be more common in applications to U.S. universities than non-U.S. universities. This can make the process itself of applying to college much more financially accessible.
What am I looking for in a college?
Do you love to be bicycling down the city street on your way to class in a city building—ready to watch your lecture in an auditorium with rows of students from all over campus? Or do you want to watch the sun set over the ocean on your way across the campus green to enjoy one-on-one conversations with a professor and a handful of classmates?
It’s time to dig into what you’re hoping to get out of your college experience. Dr. Steven Antonoff, an independent educational consultant who has worked with more than 3,800 students, has some great resources to guide you in this exciting, and sometimes challenging, reflection process. To learn more about yourself and your values, take a look at his activity guides. They’ll help you better understand yourself as a learner, pinpoint your values, and consider the different qualities that characterize colleges.
Thoughtfully working on these activities will bring you more clarity in your search. Keeping your answer in mind, let's check out how to create and use a college list.
How do I choose the right college for me?
Research is key! Before you even start researching, you want to set yourself up for success.
1. Download and make a copy of the College List Research Tracker.
This Research Tracker will help you stay organized as you research. Even if you think you’ll remember all the details about a particular school, chances are you won’t. Take detailed notes of what you like and dislike about each program. Trust your gut. You’ll learn a lot about yourself and what you’re looking for in a college in the process.
2. Begin to research colleges using the questions and resources below.
Remember to take a look at multiple sources and not to just jump at the highest ranked schools or the ones you’ve heard of. There are thousands of incredible schools out there. It’s impossible that you’ve heard of all of them.
3. Start adding schools to your list and take notes in your research tracker.
Just because you include a school on your list doesn’t mean you’ll definitely apply to it. Include 15-25 colleges on your initial list. You’ll narrow it down as you go.
For lots of specific resources to help you in your research process, take a look at How to Research Colleges Outside of the US.
And be sure to check out How much does it ACTUALLY cost to go to college? to better understand all the hidden costs that attending college implies.
If cost is a significant consideration for you and your family, it will be a central part of your research and application process from the beginning. Take a look at Schools that are actually cheap to learn more about five countries with programs that total under 10,000 USD/year, all costs included.
Should I develop a plan to attend college in my home country?
Deciding to study abroad is not always an easy choice. It is very important that you research and are aware of the opportunities available to you in your home country, especially in regard to what timelines you need to follow for their applications.
Even if you are decided on studying abroad, consider the option to take the exams offered in your country (if applicable) to enter into one of your local universities.
Refer back to what you’re looking for in a college and what you’re interested in studying. What options are available in your home country? Which colleges are the best fit for you?
International foundation years are another great option if you find you don’t meet enrollment requirements. They offer the opportunity to study an additional year and develop your English and study skills, and, provided you maintain high enough grades, often mean a direct pass to the university.
How many colleges should I apply to?
If college admissions is competitive, I might as well apply to 20 or 30 schools, right? Wrong. Applying to colleges takes time and energy, and it can be expensive. Most universities require application fees, which can sometimes go towards your enrollment fee, but also can quickly add up.
If the cost of the application is a barrier in your family’s financial situation, some universities will waive the application fee, even for international students. Students would want to reach out directly to admission officers to see if this is a possibility.
Concourse Global offers one flat fee of $75—paid by the student—to submit a single profile to dozens of universities. Fee waivers are also available, and students do not have to pay any other application fees. More details about Concourse are below.
It can be hard to pinpoint a specific number of schools that are ideal to apply to for all students, as it is a personal decision and there are so many factors that weigh in. For example: the multiple countries you are considering, if you can afford the total cost of attendance for the school, your dialogue with the admission officers before you apply, the availability or lack of availability of fee waivers … the list of personal examples that affect each student’s situation can go on and on.
What is fundamental to consider is:
You have created a balanced list. For example, you don’t want to apply only to eight schools that you have a very low chance of getting into. Financial, social, and academic are all very important to evaluate, as well as your long-term plans personally and professionally.
You are putting your full heart and energy into sending the best application possible.
It can be challenging to predict if you’ll get into a given school or not. But be honest with yourself. Do you meet the enrollment requirements? How strong are your grades?
UK colleges tend to publish their acceptance rates, but finding these stats can be tricky, depending on the country. If you can’t find admissions stats, rankings can give you some idea of how competitive a given college is.
How do I narrow down my school list?
Once you have an initial list of 15-25 colleges, you’ll want to begin narrowing it down. This is when you’ll want to take your research to the next level. Refer back to your notes. Look at the college’s website again, particularly at the courses they offer. Check out their YouTube channel (like this video about student organizations at the University of Auckland) to get a better sense of the school vibe.
Think about fit! Take time to listen to this podcast with Mark Moody about the Myth of Fit. Just because a college is a great school doesn’t mean it’s a great school for you. After all, what makes it a “great school”?
Above all, connect directly with the college. Most schools offer Open Days or Info Sessions, either in person or virtually. Check out the school website to see what they offer.
You can also reach out directly to the school’s admissions office, although this is only recommended if you have looked extensively at their page and still can’t find the answer to your question.
Beware though, as many institutions outside of the U.S. do not do as much hand holding as you might be accustomed to on U.S.-college websites and through correspondence with admissions officers at U.S. schools. However, don’t let this discourage you! Evaluate as part of your fit how you want to be supported through housing, extracurriculars, sports, and overall support.
Pro Tip: It’s incredibly important that you feel supported as an international student in your new home. Is there a designated office for international students? Are you comfortable finding housing and/or meals on your own? Does the university support you with activities so you can make friends outside of the classroom?
If you’re able to, visiting, particularly when classes are in session, is another incredible way to get a sense of a college. Attend info sessions, sit in on a few classes that interest you, talk with current students, and wander the surrounding community.
How can I know if I’ll be accepted?
You can’t: we’re not behind the doors listening in on the conversations admissions officers are having as they review your application. But you can get an idea about how in-depth your application review process is in this YouTube clip:
It is also important to note that the process of applying to universities outside of the U.S. can actually be more straightforward in many ways than that of applying to U.S. universities. Of course, it can depend on the institution, but, for example, for some universities, admissions can be less holistic and more focused purely on your transcript in conjunction with a placement test, followed by, for example, your CV, personal statement, and a letter of recommendation.
Looking at the enrollment requirements is essential! Be sure to look at the enrollment requirements particular to your home country or, if you received an international diploma such as the International Baccalaureate, that particular diploma.
If your country is not listed, we’d highly recommend reaching out to the admissions office directly. Do they accept your high school diploma? Are there any necessary intake exams? If so, how can you best prepare for them? Do they require SAT or SAT Subject Test scores?
If you don’t meet the requirements, many universities in the UK, Europe, and Australia (among other countries) offer the option of an international foundation year, a year-long course designed to complement your high school education in preparing you for academic success at university. This can be a great option to increase your chances of university admission and familiarize you with university life. But it’s also an additional cost.
In place of an international foundation year, many universities accept a year of university study in your home country. If you don’t meet the enrollment requirements but are really excited about a particular school, consider which of these routes would be the best fit for you. See our guide, Do I Need to Complete a Foundation Program?, for more details!
And what about the famous “Gap Year”?
Have you considered a gap year (taking a year off between high school and college)? Gap years can give you time to pursue your interests, take extra classes, work and save money, or volunteer abroad, strengthening your candidacy when you apply the following year.
If you are deciding on a gap year, remember to ask yourself what will change in your life and skillset as you wait to send in your application. Will you maintain the same college list, gain greater insight into colleges you hadn’t considered, or start your research during this gap year for the first time? Will your family’s financial situation change (for better or worse) or do you need to be more proactive in opening up yourself to universities that will fit you financially?
Be sure to talk out your options with a trusted mentor or friend before deciding on a gap year. A good paper and pencil and a pro con list can also help you articulate the many questions you will have as you move forward with your future plans.
What should I do now?
Take a deep breath. There is a lot to do, but with a healthy attitude and careful research, you can do it.
Remember that many universities around the world open applications and accept students on different schedules. It’s true that your friends might receive acceptances in March before they begin university in August or September, but there are other (non-U.S.) school systems that don’t even begin accepting students until August, and classes will also start in October of that same year. Other universities start in February/March and there are June/July intakes of students as well.
The moral of the story? You have your own timeline to work through this process, and there are universities accepting students over many different time periods over the year.
So, what happens next?
The process of developing an international college list may be challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. It’s time to reflect on yourself and your future and to get excited about what’s to come!
Here are some action items of the highlights of this article:
Start the invaluable reflection process! Think about what you’re looking for in a college, your budget, where you’re interested in studying, etc.
Set up your College List Research Tracker.
Research research research. Check out How to Research Colleges Outside of the U.S. for lots of resources to help you research colleges internationally. Keep an open mind and learn as much as you can about schools of interest to you. As you develop that initial list, be realistic! Don’t lose sight of your budget, the competitiveness of scholarships, and your chances of getting into each school.
Find a school in your home country that would be a great fit for you. Look into international foundation years. Or check out these Schools That are Actually Cheap: Affordable Options Under 10,000 USD/Year.
Additional CEG Resources for International Students
