Uni in the USA: What's Available?

Having seen some incredible universities in the States, I would argue to almost anyone making university choices that America is a better option than the UK.

But that does not mean I would say that any US university is better than any UK university. You have to choose carefully.

While I have been in agonies because each university seems so nice that I would joyfully spend four years studying there, and I find it impossible to write a negative review of any of them, I do feel that it is important to note that there are a variety of pluses and minuses at each. UK students have been looking ever-more westwards for their education due largely to the massive overcrowding of universities in Great Britain. One complaint that is being ever more loudly expressed in Britain is that, because of this, the amount of contact you actually have with teachers is shrinking disastrously.

In America, meanwhile, the economic downturn has meant that few people can afford the top colleges, and universities like Harvard are having to dig unprecedentedly deeply into their waiting lists to fill spaces. This means that there has never been a better time to apply in the US as a Brit, especially since the distance between trans-Atlantic prices is also shrinking. But it doesn’t mean that things like student-to-teacher ratios are getting better. At school after school, the students I talk to mention the impact of budget cuts. The worst hit universities are the state schools, where state funding is being rapidly rolled back and large lay-offs of professors have become necessary.

So if you want to be able to have good contact with your teachers, where do you go?

Well, unsurprisingly, I would say you still go to America. There still exist a plethora of other (smaller) schools which offer excellent levels of teacher contact. But you can’t pick any American university and hope it’s good; you obviously have to give as much detailed attention to your choices as you would in the UK. If you go to a big state school, you’ll need to be prepared for lectures with hundreds of anonymous students who barely know the professor’s name, at least for some of the lower level classes. But you get other things in return – like incredible campus life, a wealth of friendly and diverse students and top-notch facilities.

To help make sense of this and many other confusing aspects of American universities, I’ve created a highly unofficial summary of what I consider the four main types of schooling available in American universities. But be warned, even within each category there can be serious fluctuation.

1. The Big Famous School
Generalisation: This is probably the category that most people think of when they imagine American universities, but in truth it’s probably the smallest of the four. Big Famous Schools are where everyone would love to go – in their dreams. Due to huge endowments and high fees, these behemoths of US education can afford the best students, the best professors, the best facilities…the best everything really. Although there is a danger of institutional elitism at some of them, and perhaps a lack of diversity or imagination among the student body, generally these schools are large enough and take enough students on financial aid that everyone can have a good time here, as well as a world-famous quality of teaching. Note also that some public schools can be Big and Famous too.

Money: These schools are seriously expensive, but they want the best students at all costs, so financial aid and scholarships abound.

Uni in the USA picks: Harvard, Yale, University of Virginia, MIT

2. The Big Public School
Generalisation: The classic American education, Big Public Schools are essentially just that: extremely big, and financed by the state. The best thing about these universities is that they are normally so big (expect 50,000 students at times) that you can do quite literally anything. You will always find like-minded souls there, if you look hard enough. The range of courses available is stunning, though the quality of classes will range as well: it’s important to make good picks for your course choices (ask around to see which professors and which curricula are best). Normally Big Public Schools are one of the favourite haunts of fraternities and sororities, which have a tangible impact on the already extremely vibrant campus life: expect parties that will make American Pie seem dull. Sports and facilities are also fantastic at most of these schools, and extreme university spirit is compulsory.

Money: These schools are designed to be very cheap for students from their own states, but this is little comfort to international students, who have to pay higher fees, and normally are ineligible for financial aid (unless you fancy living in that state for a year prior to application). Still, by US standards, they’re probably the cheapest option available.

Uni in the USA picks: University of Texas, University of California (Berkeley and LA), University of North Carolina, University of Washington

3. The Medium-Sized (Private) Research University
Generalisation: These schools can be extremely desirable, and normally have excellent reputations. This category is perhaps more open to variance from school to school than the others, but normally these universities have first-class academics and great social lives. They might have some of the aspects of the Big Famous Schools, but also some of the Small Liberal Arts Colleges, meaning that facilities are normally superb, faculty is incredible, and there’s a lot to do on your time off. They will generally be harder working than the larger Big Public Schools, but are big enough so that you don’t feel trapped. Though these schools are normally private, one or two have public funding too.

Money: Expensive, with some scholarships on offer.

Uni in the USA picks: Tulane, NYU, Rice, University of Chicago

4. The Small Liberal Arts College
Generalisation: These schools are normally less famous but they have a lot going for them. With only a small number of students, teaching can be intense but very fulfilling. You’ll get unmatched levels of contact with professors. The Liberal Arts curriculum means you get to explore a big range of subjects and get a very well rounded education, and your contact with professors is normally very high. Plus there are no grad students so you don’t have to worry about your professors’ time being taken up by research and being taught by boring post-grads. The community will be very tight, and in some places you’ll get to know almost everyone in your university. Facilities might not be that great, but some Liberal Arts Colleges are affiliated with bigger schools (e.g. Barnard or the Clairmont Consortium) and benefit from it. Though students love their school, they might not have as intense a spirit as some of the big schools, and social life might be quieter, though usually there’s plenty to do for everyone.

Money: These schools maintain their awesome student-to-faculty ratios by charging a lot, but some are open to the idea of financial aid for international applicants.

Uni in the USA picks: Reed, Pomona, Amherst, Barnard