Nowadays, more and more students are going abroad to study. If Chinese students choose to go abroad directly after the college entrance examination,Studying in the U.S.Things you need to know about this road.

What is Foundation Year?

First, let's clarify what preparatory courses are:Foundation Year, also known as the university foundation year or bridge program (Bridge Program / Pathway Program), is a preparatory education before university. Generally, overseas high school graduates are required to take a foundation year or so to adapt to the American learning style.Preparatory courses for studying abroad are a type of advanced non-academic courses. They are the prerequisite preparation stage for studying academic courses and are also an insurmountable stage. Universities in the United States generally have preparatory courses or designated colleges to teach preparatory courses. After completing one year of preparatory courses, international students can decide whether to enter the originally selected college based on their grades, or transfer to other better universities based on their grades.

Why do you need to study preparatory courses when studying in the United States?

First of all, the curriculum in the United States and other overseas regions is different from that in my country. Elementary school to high school is generally a 12 or 13-year system, and undergraduate studies are generally a three-year system. Students go directly to professional courses in college without taking basic courses. So,If international students go to the United States to study, there will be a gap in course connection. The preparatory course is a bridge course connecting domestic high schools and Commonwealth universities. Therefore, for international students going to study in Commonwealth countries, the preparatory course is a required course.

The United States usually has a four-year undergraduate program and a two-year graduate program. Some schools do not require any language scores, but students still need to take preparatory courses after they enter. Whether it is the preparatory courses of various universities or the preparatory courses of language centers, they are mainly based on language and general subjects.

What is the difference between study abroad preparatory courses and language training?

The purpose of taking language training courses is to make up for the lack of English proficiency.And improve the scores of language tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, etc. to a certain level to meet the admission requirements of foreign universities.

The preparatory courses are provided by universities in the UK, Australia, the US and other countries to help students who do not meet the direct admission requirements to study courses that combine academic and language. Improving English proficiency is only one of the learning goals.The real goal of preparatory courses is to enable domestic students to prepare themselves in terms of language, academics, life, etc. before going abroad, so that they can smoothly connect to the study abroad courses and successfully complete their overseas studies.

Categories of American Preparatory Courses

The concept of preparatory courses first came from the UK. It is a transitional course designed to help international students better adapt to foreign education systems and learning methods. It is an important part of the Western education system and belongs to the category of higher education in foreign education systems.

In fact, preparatory courses are mainly aimed at Commonwealth countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. Their curriculum settings are somewhat different from those in my country. Elementary school to high school is generally a 12 or 13-year system, and undergraduate courses are generally a 3-year system. Students go directly to professional courses in college without taking basic courses. So, if international students go to study in these countries, there will be a gap in the course connection, and preparatory courses are a bridge course connecting domestic high schools and foreign universities. Therefore, for international students studying abroad, preparatory courses are a necessary course. Depending on the basic differences of international students, the duration of preparatory courses is generally from a few months to about a year.Preparatory courses are mainly divided into university (undergraduate) preparatory courses and postgraduate (master's and doctoral) preparatory courses.

Foundation Year

Preparatory courses are preparatory education for international students before they go abroad to study undergraduate or other courses. Schools in the United States generally have two types of preparatory courses, namely undergraduate and graduate preparatory courses.

Undergraduate Foundation

The purpose of setting up a preparatory course at the undergraduate level is to help students whose academic qualifications or language skills are not up to the standards of the schools they want to study at.For these international students, preparatory courses are also a shortcut to undergraduate studies. They actually play a bridging role, filling the gaps in the students' existing studies, or allowing them to acquire some basic knowledge before studying their majors. They can also help them improve their language skills and adapt more easily to the upcoming undergraduate courses.

Postgraduate Foundation

Postgraduate FoundationAlthough they have the same purpose, there are still some differences. These courses are generally offered by the school and managed by the school.It is to enable international students to be successfully enrolled in certain degree courses.In fact, it can be regarded as a course that connects to graduate school, allowing international students to master some basic courses in this area before studying. Those who come to study here are generally those international students who have not yet fully met the requirements for graduate students in the United States. These courses can not only prepare international students for graduate school, but also allow them to quickly adapt to a new learning method, and then smoothly transition to graduate courses. Graduate preparatory courses are mainly for those international students who have completed junior college or undergraduate studies but do not have a degree, or those who simply want to strengthen themselves.

What is the difference between studying preparatory courses in China and in the United States?

There are four differences between studying preparatory courses in China and in the United States that need to be noted:

Different connection paths

1 year of domestic preparatory course + 3-4 years of undergraduate course in the United States, while 1 year of American preparatory course + 3-4 years of undergraduate course.

Different language requirements

No TOEFL scores are required in China, which is suitable for international students with relatively weak English foundation. A certain TOEFL score is usually required to study preparatory courses in the United States.

The cost is different

The domestic consumption level is low, tuition fees are cheap, and expenses are more economical. The high consumption level, high prices and high tuition fees in the United States increase the cost of studying abroad.

Studying at different locations

There is no need to go to overseas preparatory bases in China. In the United States, it is generally in public universities or private colleges.

What are the models of American preparatory courses?

Direct Preparatory Course

This type of preparatory course is managed by the university system and can enjoy all the university's teacher resources and academic facilities. The university where it is opened is highly ranked and has strong teaching staff. The opening of the preparatory course is mainly for admission to the school, and the course setting is very targeted. After completing the preparatory course, as long as you meet the school's admission score requirements, you can enter the school's undergraduate stage. The school's admission rate is very high. It is suitable for international students who are very purposeful and only want to enroll in the school's undergraduate program.It is also generally referred to as "directed" preparatory course.

General Preparatory Course

The main body of this type of preparatory course is the university, and it is also run by the university. This type of school does not have the problem of the admission rate of the school itself, but mainly looks at the overall admission rate. Because the main purpose of international students is to enter the top 10 universities. Of course, some of them enter the school itself. Therefore,It can be called a "non-directional" preparatory course.

Group Foundation

These preparatory courses are run by private institutions in partnership with universities.The school mainly accepts students from the school, and the teaching venue is also in the university. These education groups cooperate with many universities and generally have many years of training experience, so they are more professional in running schools. The more well-known groups include: KAPLAN Education Group, INTO Education Group, Study Group Group, Cambridge Education Group, ELS, the largest language training institution for international students in the United States, etc.

Independent Foundation

Independent preparatory schools mainly include preparatory schools opened by universities and international schools.Usually they have cooperative relationships with many universities, both public and private. They are mainly responsible for the preparatory education of international students. Some are even designated by many universities and enjoy certain preferential policies and have a bias in admissions policies.

What courses are required for foundation studies?

Regardless of the type of preparatory course you are studying, there are three main types of preparatory courses that are generally accepted and recognized by various countries:

A-Level Courses

It is applicable to Commonwealth countries led by the United Kingdom (also recognized by some North American universities). It is a required course for entering university. International students must obtain an A-level course certificate before applying for university professional courses.

Language courses + some university credit courses

The form of AP/IB is the Bridge Program or Pathway Program, which is mainly applicable to North American countries (IB curriculum is used worldwide). Specific requirements and admission conditions need to be consulted and inquired with each university.

Professional Courses

Many universities set up specific preparatory program courses based on their own professional courses, which are highly specified. International students need to selectively enroll according to their professional interests or inclinations. In this case, as long as international students pass the exam, they can be guaranteed to enter the undergraduate course of the major in the school.

What should I pay attention to when I want to study preparatory courses in the United States?

After knowing the general classification and course content of American preparatory courses, you can choose a preparatory school that suits you according to your actual situation.You need to examine the school from many aspects, such as whether the school's location is convenient, whether the environment is safe, whether the tuition is within your personal budget, etc.In addition, the following points should be noted during the selection process:

Understand the school's qualifications and quality of education

Everyone should start from their own specific situation and not blindly follow the crowd. It is best to make a careful decision after consulting relevant professional study abroad institutions and senior educators.

When choosing a foundation program, be sure to check multiple sources andIt is advisable to choose preparatory schools that have been in operation for a long time, have a good reputation, and have connecting courses with many overseas universities.

Pay attention to the way of further study

The purpose of studying a foundation course is to enter an ideal university, but there are risks in studying a foundation course. If you fail to meet the school's requirements after completing the foundation course, you may fail to study abroad. Therefore, when choosing a foundation school, you must verify the connection between its foundation courses and university institutions.

For example, after completing the relevant preparatory courses and passing the examinations, can you directly enter the university to study?Whether it involves changes in visas, etc.

at the same time,You also need to find out the examination format and graduation score requirements for each subject in the preparatory course.Before applying, you need to consult more and check the information to find out the admission rate of this preparatory course over the years.

The requirements for preparatory applicants vary from country to country and even from school to school.Please refer to the admission requirements of each school.

Focus on professional choice

The preparatory stage mainly provides basic transition courses.International students do not need to decide on a specific major during the preparatory period.You only need to determine the direction of study. Generally, universities have their own strong majors, and international students can choose according to the major they want to study.

However, the preparatory stage must provide a considerable number of hours of related professional foundation courses. This limits the opening of many highly professional preparatory courses. Therefore, to judge the strength of a college that provides preparatory courses, we must first look at the number of courses it offers: if a college can provide a wide range of majors to choose from, it means that the college is strong.

realFormal preparatory schools will infiltrate a lot of computer, mathematics or business knowledge that will be touched upon in the future undergraduate course.Lay a solid foundation for your overseas undergraduate studies.

Learning Resources

If you care more about teaching resources, you hope that the courses are designed and assessed by the university, and the professional courses areUniversity teacher professor,And it can be on the university campusStudy, accommodation,Share everything with other undergraduatesLearning resources, such as libraries and computer labsWait, then you need to examine more when choosing.

Because some institutions, although claiming to be university preparatory courses, are not located on university campuses at all, and only have cooperative relationships with universities. For such preparatory courses, you must carefully understand the teaching quality and other aspects and choose carefully.

The relative advantages of studying in the US preparatory class

• TOEFL waiver
• localization
• Generally speaking, taking a preparatory class can basically guarantee a successful application for university with 100%.
• Foreign teachers
• High visa approval rate
• Authentic local American education
• Intimate guidance from famous teachers at home and abroad
• Adapting to low insurance

What are the disadvantages of studying a preparatory course?

• The living and language environment is inferior to that of the United States
• High financial guarantee amount
• Some majors are not available
• Some schools in the United States only accept high school graduates

How to apply for American preparatory courses?

ApplyPreparatory courses are divided into different colleges and universities. Different colleges and universities have different application requirements.Some require IELTS or TOEFL, while others require internal testing.

When applying for a preparatory course, you generally need to prepare the following materials:

• Application form and transcripts in Chinese and English (school stamp required)
• English proficiency certificate (IELTS/TOEFL score report)
• Proof of enrollment or graduation certificate (English translation required)
• Some schools require you to submit a personal statement and a letter of recommendation from a teacher.

In addition, most preparatory courses require high school graduates to apply, and a few preparatory courses accept direct applications from high school sophomores. For high school students and high school graduates applying for preparatory courses, the minimum IELTS score is 5.0, and it is generally recommended to have a score of 5.5 or 6.0; the minimum TOEFL score is 64, and it is generally recommended to have a score of 69 or 75. The average score requirements for preparatory courses offered by education groups are relatively lower.

List of essential items for studying preparatory courses in the United States

Before going overseas, please be sure to understand the local situation and prepare the necessary packing list based on the specific information.The following is a minimalist packing list for everyone, hoping to help you use the lightest luggage and ensure the most comfortable life.

Documentation

Passport, I-20, medical certificate, school offer, graduation certificate, academic certificate, language test transcript (TOEFL/IELTS/GREPlease carry the originals of all the above documents with you.

Electrical accessories

Cell phoneIt is a must.KettleYou can bring one.laptopYou can bring it or not. You don’t have to bring any kitchen appliances at all as you may not need them when you get there.

Daily medicines

Although the medical conditions abroad are good, the price is also very expensive. Therefore, in order to deal with daily minor illnesses, you need to bring enough common medicines. For example:Cold medicine, heat-clearing and detoxifying medicine (Fengyoujing/Xiguashuang), anti-inflammatory medicine, dermatitis medicine, sprain medicine (Yunnan Baiyao)In view of the epidemic, you should make sure to carry someMasks, alcohol spray, disinfectant wipes, medical thermometerwait.

Chinese style gifts

When you are out and about, if you have someSmall Chinese gifts,Can help you quickly build relationships with new friends.

Home Clothing

Before going to the United States, prepare in advanceLocal seasonal clothing,You don't need a lot, 1-2 sets to change into and an extra set of formal clothes will be enough.

Repatriation VPN

Living in the United States, overseas students often encounter content that is restricted in mainland China when connecting to the domestic network.QuickFox repatriation VPNA must-have APP for studying abroad.

Preparatory Class Summary

If you want to study in the United States, preparatory courses are actually quite troublesome, because you have to be familiar with the local language, culture and living environment.Requires strong self-reliance and willpower.In China, you may say that life and study pressure are great, but when you go abroad, this pressure will turn into other mental pressures. You must spur yourself on in time. Most teachers treat teaching as a profession and have no sense of responsibility. Therefore, you must study hard on your own, and you may have to put in two to three times the effort of studying in China. In the end, you will be lonely. If you don’t speak the language in the early stage, you can basically not make friends (unless you are Chinese), so language ability is actually the most important. It is best to practice your oral English before going abroad.

And alsoUndergraduate preparatory courses are requiredAh, then you can go to undergraduate. If you study undergraduate preparatory courses,You must study a general preparatory course or a preparatory course run by the school.The former include UCL, KCL, SOAS, QM, Warwick, Bristol, Edinburgh, and the latter include Leeds, Birmingham, Reading, Cardiff, St Andrews, Southampton, etc.You must think carefully before going to the group preparatory course!