With thousands of academic programmes, world-class institutions and unmatched flexibility, the USA offers a breadth of higher education opportunities you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
Narrowing these institutions down can be an exciting and surprising process. Many students find their perfect match at a university or location they’d not previously thought of.
Follow our three-step process for choosing the best university for you!
Speak to those closest to you and prioritise the most important factors for your US university experience. The below list is not exhaustive, but lays out some things you might consider:
You should also speak to:
Once you know what’s important to you, it’s time to do some research and put together a list of 10-20 universities that meet most or all of your criteria.
The following resources let you search for universities using many of the factors above:
Some of these resources include university rankings, but rankings in the USA are not the same as in UK. Some don’t rate the quality of teaching or graduate prospects, and some give weight to how much money a university has, or invite universities to peer rank themselves.
Rankings can be useful tools, but shouldn’t be the only method you use to choose a university. Use these search functions to look for universities that meet the factors that are important to you.
Once you have 10-20 universities that meet your criteria, you should narrow this list down to the ones to which you will apply. Think strategically, and spread your chances of admission.
We recommend you apply to 6-10 US universities with a good spread of competitiveness in order to maximise your chances:
If you require university funding, consider applying to more safety and match schools than reach institutions. Wherever your academic profile is higher than a university’s average, you will be a very competitive applicant and will stand a greater chance of gaining merit-based scholarships if they are available.
You do not need to visit a US university before you apply.
Campuses are usually open for self-guided tours throughout the year, except federal holidays and winter closures. Please contact each university to find out their specific arrangements, and when guided tours are available.
If you can’t visit a university, consider the following:
"The generous financial aid offered to me as a low-income student, along with the freedom to chose your own courses and map out your own degree, and the exciting research opportunities available to undergraduates offered by US universities were the major factors in my decision to study in the USA."
Allie Hexley, Sutton Trust US Programme, Massachusetts Institute of Technology class of 2017
"Coming from a state-school in Cornwall, it is not common for students to attend University outside of the South-West. I wanted a new experience that I could be telling friends and family about for years."
Leo Mackenzie, Sutton Trust US Programme, Lafayette College class of 2018
"I can study precisely what I am passionate about when it suits me, without conventional financial burdens, but with almost unlimited opportunities in a university that matches my personality and admitted me for more than my grades."
James Bedford, Sutton Trust US Programme, Harvard College class of 2020
"I was attracted to the school spirit, to college sports, to the liberal arts style of education, the vast range of extracurricular pursuits and the wonderfully generous financial aid packages."
Harry Edwards, Sutton Trust US Programme, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill class of 2017
"The opportunities available to me at CMC through on-campus resources and financial support have far surpassed any of my expectations. I know I will graduate ready to enter the world of work with the necessary skills and experience to succeed."
James Shelley, Sutton Trust US Programme, Claremont McKenna College class of 2019
"I chose to study at an American college because of the vast array of opportunities available to me compared to if I chose to study in the UK. Through my research, I knew that the opportunities for leadership and internships in and out of college were amazing and that the international exposure I would receive would really put me a step up when I graduate."
Firas Ashraf, Sutton Trust US Programme, NYU Abu Dhabi class of 2019
"I am a much more independent person now, I have made better friends and feel happier because of that. My capacity for professionalism has been advanced by the opportunities given to me by my scholarship programme."
Billy Plummer, Sutton Trust US Programme, Georgia Institute of Technology class of 2020
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