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Preparation materials and precautions for studying in the United States
1. Preparation Materials for Studying in the United States
- 1. Transcripts: Usually, American universities require all international students to provide high school transcripts and university transcripts. All documents must be official documents, either original or certified by the examination institution. All documents must be in the original language. If it is not in English, an English translation is required.
- 2. Language proficiency: International students whose native language is not English must submit proof of English proficiency. U.S. citizens and permanent residents do not need to provide proof of English language proficiency.
- 3. Standardized tests (for high school students): SAT or ACT. Usually, if you meet certain SAT or ACT score requirements, you can be exempted from the language test requirement. Whether to take the writing part of the test depends on the requirements of the university.
- 4. Statement of Purpose: A description of your relevant experience, interests, and areas of desired research. Here you can demonstrate your love for the major, your learning goals, and how it will help your future career.
- 5. Resume: Introduce your educational background, work experience, awards, honors and publications. You can also introduce your interests and hobbies. This is an opportunity to show your personality. American universities pay more attention to the personality development of students, not blindly pursuing students who study rigidly.
- 6. Three letters of recommendation: Usually American universities need three letters of recommendation. The recommender should be someone who is very familiar with your academic and professional abilities and can be very convincing to the examiner. Provide the recommender's name and contact information in the application.
II. Things to note when applying to study in the United States
1. Don’t panic
Your child will definitely be admitted to an American university. Because in terms of the practice of studying abroad, it is now very different from the past. In the past, it was difficult to go to the United States, but now it is no problem to study in the United States. The key is to "find" a good school that suits you. The previous concept of "taking an exam" to go to university, especially the idea of "getting admitted" to an American university, should be changed. To borrow a jingle: "Chinese universities are taken by exams, American universities are found", it may ease the students' nervousness.
2. Believe in your own strength
Whether students or parents, before applying to American universities, they have completed a lot of "homework" about American universities, including browsing school websites, visiting American universities, seeking advice from senior students, and guidance from admissions counselors. They must fully believe in their "research results" and apply these results in their own actual practice.
3. Avoid stupid mistakes
It is very common to make the stupidest mistakes in the final stage of college application. For example, since American universities use the common application form, some students write to Smith College and send the application letter to Wellesley College to save trouble. Such stupid mistakes caused by carelessness must be paid special attention and resolutely avoided.
4. Control the number of applications
When applying to American universities, you usually choose three types of schools: dream schools, target schools, and backup schools. It is advisable to apply to no more than 3 schools in each category, and no more than 10 schools in total. In the past, the media reported that a student was admitted to 17 American universities. In fact, from the application results, the more you apply, the greater your chance of being admitted. On the contrary, applying to too many schools will waste too much energy, which will weaken your goal and success.
Further reading: What are the advantages of studying in the United States?
Advantage 1: Top education level and flexible learning system
The high level of education in the United States is well known to the world. Whether in terms of faculty, teaching methods, teaching equipment, teaching conditions, etc., the United States is ahead of other countries, and even in terms of educational environment, it ranks among the top in the world. Not only that, the learning system of American colleges and universities is also very flexible. For example, as long as students have completed the credits required by the college, they can complete their university studies in advance (for example, if they have completed all the credits in their junior year, they do not have to wait until their senior year to graduate). Unlike other countries, they must reach a fixed time to graduate.
Advantage 2: Good scholarship policy, focusing on the development of students' individual potential
The United States attaches great importance to education. Therefore, colleges and universities and the country have established many types of scholarships, and the opportunities to obtain them are very fair. As long as the students meet the requirements, they will not be denied scholarships just because they are foreigners. Some scholarships are very personalized and are set up to develop students' individual potential. Not only that, American colleges and universities are also very inclined to develop students' individual advantages in teaching methods and systems.
Advantage 3: Provide students with multicultural experience and allow them to freely choose their majors
Because of the developed economy, politics and culture of the United States, many people from other countries choose to immigrate to the United States to live or study, because the United States can be said to be a gathering of people from all over the world, and the cultural types and exchanges are very diverse. Moreover, studying in the United States is not like in other countries, with cross-disciplinary restrictions (must choose a major related to the major you are studying). Students can freely choose the major they like to study, which also reflects that the American education system is very flexible.
Advantage 4: Many work-study opportunities and a wide range of employment options
Because one of the characteristics of American education is to focus on children's independence and personality, basically all American colleges and universities support students to work and study, whether it is for American or foreign students, the treatment and benefits are the same. Generally speaking, students are allowed to work 15 hours a week. And there are many types of part-time jobs for students, and the employment direction is very wide.
Advantage 5: High degree of diploma recognition, no need to worry about employment after returning to China
It goes without saying that American diplomas are recognized, and their recognition is very high even in the world. Whether you stay in the United States, return to China, or go to other countries, the employment rate and diploma recognition are extremely high.
Further reading: American dining table culture
- 1. Americans are more concerned about the order of priority at the table. You should take your seat after the host and hostess. When dining with many people, such as a banquet or family dinner, Westerners have the habit of passing the plates of food on the table in turn, using a fork or spoon to take the food into your own plate and eat it. When you have finished your own food and the food you want to eat is in front of others, you should not take it without permission, but ask others to pass the plate to you before you take the food.
- 2. Many people know that the main tableware of Americans is knife and fork. No matter what they eat, they cannot do without fork. "Left fork and right knife" is the way to hold knife and fork in Western cuisine. Generally, they believe that holding a knife in the right hand for more than a few seconds is contrary to table manners. When using a knife, do not point the blade outward. Do not use a knife to put food into your mouth. When cutting meat, avoid making a sound when the knife cuts on the porcelain plate. When eating noodles, you can roll them up with a fork and do not pick them up. When putting down the knife and fork in the middle of a meal, you should place them on the plate in an "eight" shape. If you put the knife and fork together, it means that the meal is over.
- 3. Americans are very particular about their sitting posture when dining. They are required to sit upright, not leaning forward or backward too much, swaying left or right, or placing their arms horizontally on the table to avoid bumping into people next to them. Don't habitually put the dishes in your pocket when dining, which is an extremely indecent behavior in the United States. When drinking soup, you can tilt the plate and then use a spoon to take food. When drinking soup, you should extend the spoon from the side of the inner wall of the soup bowl close to your body to the opposite side, and then scoop up the soup and put it into your mouth. Don't put the spoon in the cup of tea or coffee.
- 4. The placement of napkins is the most etiquette-reflecting behavior. Larger napkins can be folded and placed on the knees, while smaller napkins can be fully unfolded and placed. Although you can also wrap the napkin around your neck or tie it in front of your chest, it is not generous and should not be done. During the meal, you can use a corner of the napkin to wipe the oil stains on your mouth or fingers, but it is forbidden to use the napkin to wipe the tableware.
- 5. After the meal, you should not leave the table alone without permission. It is impolite to leave the table in the middle of the meal or before the meal is finished. As a guest, you should wait for the host, especially the hostess, to stand up before leaving the table. After standing up, the gentleman should help the lady put the chair back in place and put the napkin on the table. Do not fold it as it is, unless you are sure that the host wants you to stay for the next meal.
Summary of preparation materials and matters needing attention for studying in the United States
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