Class of 2013 University Applications Handbook - UWC Maastricht

Office of Career Guidance & University Applications
What do you want in a university?
The variety of options available to international students planning to study at university can
be daunting. How can students decide between the various countries, types of degree, or
concentrations available at each institution? The key in this process is not only to research
what the “best” college is for a particular field of study, but what is the best fit for you as a
student. In order to find this out, students need to take time to reflect on their learning
preferences, goals for college and research the differences in what universities offer. This
requires MANY hours of research! Ready to get started? See:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges/how-find-your-college-fit (USA)
www.ukcoursefinder.com (UK)
Finding the “Right Fit”
There are many considerations a student must think about in finding the right college. It is
helpful for students to establish a list of criteria for their chosen college, and also to identify
things that they do NOT want in a college environment. Some factors that many influence
this decision include:
Location: Urban, suburban, or rural? Near or far from friends and family? Nearest airport?
Chances for summer employment or internships? Nightlife and cultural events? Cost of
living expenses?
Size: small, medium or large student body? Average class sizes?
Academic Environment: Do you want to be surrounded by academically focused students?
Do you want to be surrounded by students who find a balance between academics and cocurricular
activities?
Learning style: Do I want to talk individually with my professors? Do I enjoy small group
discussions? Do I prefer to sit in a large lecture hall and take notes? Do I want to measure
my learning in final exams, or have projects/final papers that assess my learning? Does the
university offer out of classroom learning experiences, like internships, chances for field
research, or service learning?
Curriculum: Do I want to focus on one subject only or do I like the idea of taking classes in a
variety of subjects? What are the core curriculum requirements at this school (mandatory
classes that every student must take)? Does this college have a strong program in my
desired field of study?
Student Population: What is the percentage of international students? What is the gender
ratio? Do I want to be in a women’s college, or at a school with a historical religious
association? Are students on this campus known to be politically active, sports enthusiasts,
diverse cultural backgrounds, artistically creative, etc.?
Extra-curricular opportunities: What does the college offer for student clubs, arts programs,
study abroad, internships, independent research, work-study, community service, volunteer
work, sports teams, etc.?
Financial Aid: Can I afford to attend? Do I qualify for scholarships that will allow me to
attend?
Statistics: How many students drop out after the first year at this school? How do students
rate their professors and classes? How is college ranked in various surveys (note: look
carefully at what is being measured in these rankings!)
Further Reading:
The Virgin Guide to British Universities, by Dudgeon
The Princeton Review: The Best 373 Colleges, by Franek
Fiske Guide to Getting Into the Right College, by Fiske & Hammond
Colleges that Change Lives, by Loren Pope (and website: http://www.ctcl.org/)
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