NAFSA (National Association of Foreign Student Advisors) recently released it's annual economic impact statement on the financial contributions that international students in USA make to the American economy - by their estimates, a staggering $18.8 BILLION dollars! The real number is probably far greater once "mulitpliers" are factored in. Click on this link to read NAFSA's 2009-2010 economic impact statement: http://www.nafsa.org/_/File/_/eis2010/usa.pdf
The NAFSA report provides schools struggling with ever-shrinking budgets with a reminder that their international student programs, from a purely financial perspective, should remain an important and well-funded part of their overall operating expenditures. Schools should also keep in mind that international students' financial contributions extend throughout the surrounding communities. At the very minimum, they fill vacant residential spaces and buy local goods and services, help create jobs, and increase spending power within the communities they live in.
For schools that are seeking to increase their international student enrollment in 2011 or merely to explore more cost-effective recruiting strategies, American Education Partners (AEP) can provide a variety of solutions. Contact AEP's School Outreach Team at: info@americanedpartners.com for more information.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Choosing Where To Attend School in the USA
Dear students planning to study in the USA in 2011:
The process of trying to choose which of the USA's 4000+ colleges and universities is the right one for you can be a long and exhausting experience. As you compare school facts and figures, be sure to learn all that you can about the school's location. The best school is one that is also in a location that you will like and be comfortable living in. You will spend a lot of your time at school, but you will probably be spending even more time outside of school so your school's location and what it has to offer should also be a very important factor when making your school decision.
If you have never lived outside of your home country or have never visited the USA, you may not realize how important living in a comfortable place that fits your lifestyle is. Studies show that happiness with your living environment is directly linked to school success. If you are happy where you are living, other aspects of your experience, including your studies will be positively affected. If you are not happy where you are living, your experience and studies will be negatively affected.
When you are going through the process of choosing the best college or university, also carefully consider the types of weather you like, what hobbies you have, and what kind of local attractions and activities you would like to experience after school and on holidays.
Most school websites help you learn about the local area by including information or links that describe the climate, local area events and attractions, and how to get to them the school.
For example, if you want to study business, get a personalized education experience, have the opportunity to participate in a post-studies work program, like to live in warm weather, play outdoor sports and have a lot of different cultural and social experiences, you may want to select a small, private university that's located in or near a large city in California, Texas, or Florida. If you have different goals and preferences, you may want to consider different places.
With so many schools to choose from in so many different types of locations, the perfect combination of school and location can be found for just about any student.
If you need assistance in starting or completing the process of finding the school that's right for YOU, contact one of American Education Partners' school placement advisors at: info@americanedpartners.com
The process of trying to choose which of the USA's 4000+ colleges and universities is the right one for you can be a long and exhausting experience. As you compare school facts and figures, be sure to learn all that you can about the school's location. The best school is one that is also in a location that you will like and be comfortable living in. You will spend a lot of your time at school, but you will probably be spending even more time outside of school so your school's location and what it has to offer should also be a very important factor when making your school decision.
If you have never lived outside of your home country or have never visited the USA, you may not realize how important living in a comfortable place that fits your lifestyle is. Studies show that happiness with your living environment is directly linked to school success. If you are happy where you are living, other aspects of your experience, including your studies will be positively affected. If you are not happy where you are living, your experience and studies will be negatively affected.
When you are going through the process of choosing the best college or university, also carefully consider the types of weather you like, what hobbies you have, and what kind of local attractions and activities you would like to experience after school and on holidays.
Most school websites help you learn about the local area by including information or links that describe the climate, local area events and attractions, and how to get to them the school.
For example, if you want to study business, get a personalized education experience, have the opportunity to participate in a post-studies work program, like to live in warm weather, play outdoor sports and have a lot of different cultural and social experiences, you may want to select a small, private university that's located in or near a large city in California, Texas, or Florida. If you have different goals and preferences, you may want to consider different places.
With so many schools to choose from in so many different types of locations, the perfect combination of school and location can be found for just about any student.
If you need assistance in starting or completing the process of finding the school that's right for YOU, contact one of American Education Partners' school placement advisors at: info@americanedpartners.com
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Conditional Admission Pathways to Great Universities Throughout the USA
American Education Partners enables academically- and financially-qualified international students who need to improve their English skills to get conditional admission to great colleges and universities throughout the USA. Students who successfully complete approved Intensive English Programs do not need to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam to gain full admission to these schools' bachelors or select masters degree programs.
Our conditional admission partner schools include the following:
Top 100 National Universities - 8 schools
Top 200 National Universities - 17 schools
Top 300 National Universities - 7 schools
Top 100 Liberal Arts Colleges - 5 schools
Top 200 Liberal Arts Colleges - 15 schools
Top 100 Midwestern Universities - 32 schools
Top 200 Midwestern Universities - 6 schools
Top 100 Northern Universities - 15 schools
Top 200 Northern Universities - 14 schools
Top 100 Southern Universities - 25 schools
Top 200 Southern Universities - 4 schools
Top 100 Western Universities - 19 schools
Top 200 Western Universities - 8 schools
To learn more about how American Education Partners can help provide a conditional admission pathway to great colleges and universities throughout the USA, email our school placement advisors at: info@americanedpartners.com
Our conditional admission partner schools include the following:
Top 100 National Universities - 8 schools
Top 200 National Universities - 17 schools
Top 300 National Universities - 7 schools
Top 100 Liberal Arts Colleges - 5 schools
Top 200 Liberal Arts Colleges - 15 schools
Top 100 Midwestern Universities - 32 schools
Top 200 Midwestern Universities - 6 schools
Top 100 Northern Universities - 15 schools
Top 200 Northern Universities - 14 schools
Top 100 Southern Universities - 25 schools
Top 200 Southern Universities - 4 schools
Top 100 Western Universities - 19 schools
Top 200 Western Universities - 8 schools
To learn more about how American Education Partners can help provide a conditional admission pathway to great colleges and universities throughout the USA, email our school placement advisors at: info@americanedpartners.com
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Meeting the English Proficiency Requirement - Standardized English Test or Intensive English Program?
Before being fully accepted to an American associate, bachelor, or masters degree program, international students must demonstrate that they have the necessary English proficiency skills needed to succeed. Most colleges and universities give students the option of demonstrating their English skills by either taking a standardized English test like the TOEFL or IELTS exams or successfully completing an Intensive English Program.
Which option is best?
Depending on your current English skills, your budget, and how much time before you want to begin your degree program, one option may be better than another. If you decide to take the TOEFL or IELTS Exam, you will have to make an appointment at an approved test center, pay for the test fee, take the 3-hour test, and wait a couple of weeks to receive your official score. Many students who take these tests spend a month or more beforehand studying in a test preparation course or studying on their own with test preparation books. If you do not get the minimum test score needed for full admission to your chosen degree program, you will need to re-take the test again until you do. Each re-test requires making an additional test appointment, paying an additional test fee, and spending additional time preparing for the test.
Although the TOEFL and IELTS exams are relatively inexpensive to study for and take, there are a couple things to be aware of. First, they do not determine how well you understand American culture or are able to effectively function in different living and social situations outside of school. Second, a great TOEFL or IELTS score does not guarantee that you will not have to take additional English classes at your college or university. Before you can register for classes at your new college or university, you must take their own English placement test. The score you receive on the English placement test, not your TOEFL or IELTS exam score, determines whether you will need additional English classes before enrolling in classes for your degree program.
The other option, Intensive English Programs, are offered by most colleges and universities. These programs are designed by the school's professors to help students learn the English skills needed to succeed in their degree programs as well as learn about American culture and functioning confidently in everyday situations outside of school. They also help you become familiar with the school that you will be spending the next few years studying at.
A significant benefit that many Intensive English Programs offer students is "CONDITIONAL ADMISSION" to their degree programs. With conditional admission, the Intensive English Program helps you apply to the degree program and get an acceptance letter that states you will be fully accepted once you successfully complete the Intensive English Program. Students who successfully complete the Intensive English Program usually do not need to take the TOEFL or IELTS exams to get accepted to the college's/ university's associate or bachelor degree (and some masters degree) programs. Conditional admission letters give you the assurance that you will be accepted to the school of your choice as soon as you complete the Intensive English Program. Showing a conditional admission letter during your student visa interview demonstrates that you are a serious student and have a definite long-term plan to study in the USA.
If you enroll in an Intensive English Program you will usually study in class for 4-5 hours a day and have many opportunities to further improve your English skills outside of class. Depending on how much time is required to meet the English proficiency requirements of the college or university you are planning to attend, studying in an Intensive English Program may be more expensive than preparing for and taking the TOEFL or IELTS exams, but students you will generally be better-prepared for success in your degree program.
American Education Partners (http://www.americanedpartneers.com/) works closely with many Intensive English Programs at great colleges and universities throughout the USA that can offer conditional admission to academically and financially-qualified students. If you are considering enrolling in an Intensive English Program before starting your associate, bachelor or masters degree program, contact our school placement advisors at: info@americanedpartners.com for personalized assistance.
Which option is best?
Depending on your current English skills, your budget, and how much time before you want to begin your degree program, one option may be better than another. If you decide to take the TOEFL or IELTS Exam, you will have to make an appointment at an approved test center, pay for the test fee, take the 3-hour test, and wait a couple of weeks to receive your official score. Many students who take these tests spend a month or more beforehand studying in a test preparation course or studying on their own with test preparation books. If you do not get the minimum test score needed for full admission to your chosen degree program, you will need to re-take the test again until you do. Each re-test requires making an additional test appointment, paying an additional test fee, and spending additional time preparing for the test.
Although the TOEFL and IELTS exams are relatively inexpensive to study for and take, there are a couple things to be aware of. First, they do not determine how well you understand American culture or are able to effectively function in different living and social situations outside of school. Second, a great TOEFL or IELTS score does not guarantee that you will not have to take additional English classes at your college or university. Before you can register for classes at your new college or university, you must take their own English placement test. The score you receive on the English placement test, not your TOEFL or IELTS exam score, determines whether you will need additional English classes before enrolling in classes for your degree program.
The other option, Intensive English Programs, are offered by most colleges and universities. These programs are designed by the school's professors to help students learn the English skills needed to succeed in their degree programs as well as learn about American culture and functioning confidently in everyday situations outside of school. They also help you become familiar with the school that you will be spending the next few years studying at.
A significant benefit that many Intensive English Programs offer students is "CONDITIONAL ADMISSION" to their degree programs. With conditional admission, the Intensive English Program helps you apply to the degree program and get an acceptance letter that states you will be fully accepted once you successfully complete the Intensive English Program. Students who successfully complete the Intensive English Program usually do not need to take the TOEFL or IELTS exams to get accepted to the college's/ university's associate or bachelor degree (and some masters degree) programs. Conditional admission letters give you the assurance that you will be accepted to the school of your choice as soon as you complete the Intensive English Program. Showing a conditional admission letter during your student visa interview demonstrates that you are a serious student and have a definite long-term plan to study in the USA.
If you enroll in an Intensive English Program you will usually study in class for 4-5 hours a day and have many opportunities to further improve your English skills outside of class. Depending on how much time is required to meet the English proficiency requirements of the college or university you are planning to attend, studying in an Intensive English Program may be more expensive than preparing for and taking the TOEFL or IELTS exams, but students you will generally be better-prepared for success in your degree program.
American Education Partners (http://www.americanedpartneers.com/) works closely with many Intensive English Programs at great colleges and universities throughout the USA that can offer conditional admission to academically and financially-qualified students. If you are considering enrolling in an Intensive English Program before starting your associate, bachelor or masters degree program, contact our school placement advisors at: info@americanedpartners.com for personalized assistance.
Monday, November 22, 2010
New Programs and Services Coming in 2011
In an ongoing effort to provide international students with the most comprehensive set of services and program choices, American Education Partners (AEP) will be adding several new highly-regarded high schools and universities and introducing some exciting new services.
New Schools:
AEP is partnering with several new public and private high schools, colleges, and universities in safe locations throughout the USA. Most of our new partner universities have earned top tier-rankings on a national or regional level.
New Services:
Getting into the most competitive universities requires expert advice and personalized support. Beginning in January 2011, AEP will begin offering the "Ivy League Pathway Service". This service matches current international high school students with mentoring services from experienced Ivy League graduates who design customized plans to help each student succeed on the SAT and ACT tests as well as prepare successsful applications to Ivy League schools. Short-term aand long-term plans can be created for each student, depending on their needs and college preparation timeframe.
Look for more details on AEP's new schools and services in the coming weeks.
New Schools:
AEP is partnering with several new public and private high schools, colleges, and universities in safe locations throughout the USA. Most of our new partner universities have earned top tier-rankings on a national or regional level.
New Services:
Getting into the most competitive universities requires expert advice and personalized support. Beginning in January 2011, AEP will begin offering the "Ivy League Pathway Service". This service matches current international high school students with mentoring services from experienced Ivy League graduates who design customized plans to help each student succeed on the SAT and ACT tests as well as prepare successsful applications to Ivy League schools. Short-term aand long-term plans can be created for each student, depending on their needs and college preparation timeframe.
Look for more details on AEP's new schools and services in the coming weeks.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Begin The New Year At An American College or University!
Colleges and universities across the USA are getting ready to welcome a new group of international students beginning in early 2011. If you were not able to begin your studies in the USA in the Fall, no problem. Classes that started in the Fall will end in December and brand new classes will start in January.
Beginning your American college or university program in the Winter or Spring has at least a couple of advantages over starting in the Fall. First, there are fewer new students starting in the Winter and Spring than in the Fall. This makes it faster and easier to get through the orientation, placement testing and class registration process. Second, you will be starting your program with more experienced international students who have already been through at least one term at the school. Their experience and knowledge about the school and its facilities and services will help you get adjusted and comfortable with your new environment more quickly and easily.
Depending on how prepared you are for your studies in America, there are many options available to you. If you still need to improve your English, there are many good Intensive English Programs that provide the kind of training needed to succeed in your academic studies and can secure your "conditional admission" to the college/ university before you arrive in the USA. If you successfully complete these Intensive English Programs, you may not need to take the TOEFL or IELTS exams.
If you are not ready to begin your program in January when most new school terms begin, there are many schools that offer later starting dates in March and April.
American Education Partners has successfully helped students from around the world find the American education programs that best meet their educational goals. We work on a personal level with each student and also work closely with each school to make sure the admission process goes quickly and smoothly.
If you are considering an American college or university program in early 2011, there is still time to apply to many schools. Contact our school placement team today to learn how we can help at: info@americanedpartners.com
Beginning your American college or university program in the Winter or Spring has at least a couple of advantages over starting in the Fall. First, there are fewer new students starting in the Winter and Spring than in the Fall. This makes it faster and easier to get through the orientation, placement testing and class registration process. Second, you will be starting your program with more experienced international students who have already been through at least one term at the school. Their experience and knowledge about the school and its facilities and services will help you get adjusted and comfortable with your new environment more quickly and easily.
Depending on how prepared you are for your studies in America, there are many options available to you. If you still need to improve your English, there are many good Intensive English Programs that provide the kind of training needed to succeed in your academic studies and can secure your "conditional admission" to the college/ university before you arrive in the USA. If you successfully complete these Intensive English Programs, you may not need to take the TOEFL or IELTS exams.
If you are not ready to begin your program in January when most new school terms begin, there are many schools that offer later starting dates in March and April.
American Education Partners has successfully helped students from around the world find the American education programs that best meet their educational goals. We work on a personal level with each student and also work closely with each school to make sure the admission process goes quickly and smoothly.
If you are considering an American college or university program in early 2011, there is still time to apply to many schools. Contact our school placement team today to learn how we can help at: info@americanedpartners.com
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Choosing The Right American School - What Are The Real Students Saying?
American schools spend a TREMENDOUS amount of money each year to create and maintain the image that they offer potential students a great place to live and study. To accomplish this, most hire professional marketing consultants, photographers, graphic designers to create professional, attractive-looking brochures and websites.
There's nothing wrong in doing this, but if you are an international student living thousands of miles away and have never visited the school, how can you find out if the schools claims are true and if it is really the right school for you? One good way is to find out what actual students say about their experience.
A good website to read about what real students have to say about their schools - both good and bad - is http://www.unigo.com/.* This website provides student comments about hundreds of colleges and universities throughout the USA. You can search student comments by school name, number of comments per school, or popularity. Students provide comments on such things as the school's academic and social life, and what they consider to be the best and worst things about the school.
The good thing about these comments are that they are made independently of the school. Students are not paid to post their comments and they are not edited by the school's public relations department. The bad thing is that these comments do not necessarily reflect a true overall representation of all of student opinions from the school - just the ones who felt strongly enough to post good or bad reviews. Keeping these things in mind, it is important for any international student reading the comments to keep them in the proper perspective and to not rely upon them too heavily in your overall decision of which school to apply to in the USA.
Another thing to keep in mind is that most of the comments on the Unigo website are made by American students, rather than international students. Their experiences and opinions may differ from those of international students. If you attended an American college or university as an international student, adding your comments on this website will help future international students gain a better perspective about what they can expect to experience at your school.
American Education Partners makes a special effort to visit schools throughout the USA each year to gain a first-hand perspective from an international student's point of view. During AEP schools visits, we look at the facilities, programs, and international student support services they have to offer. Once we are satisfied that the school meets all of our high standards, they become a "Partner School" and are recommended to future students. To learn which schools might be a good match for your education goals and needs, contact the AEP School Placement Team today at: info@americanedpartners.com
*NOTE TO READERS: American Education Partners has no affiliation with the organization(s) behind the Unigo.com website. We provide the information about this website simply to inform future students about an information resource they can use in their school planning research.
There's nothing wrong in doing this, but if you are an international student living thousands of miles away and have never visited the school, how can you find out if the schools claims are true and if it is really the right school for you? One good way is to find out what actual students say about their experience.
A good website to read about what real students have to say about their schools - both good and bad - is http://www.unigo.com/.* This website provides student comments about hundreds of colleges and universities throughout the USA. You can search student comments by school name, number of comments per school, or popularity. Students provide comments on such things as the school's academic and social life, and what they consider to be the best and worst things about the school.
The good thing about these comments are that they are made independently of the school. Students are not paid to post their comments and they are not edited by the school's public relations department. The bad thing is that these comments do not necessarily reflect a true overall representation of all of student opinions from the school - just the ones who felt strongly enough to post good or bad reviews. Keeping these things in mind, it is important for any international student reading the comments to keep them in the proper perspective and to not rely upon them too heavily in your overall decision of which school to apply to in the USA.
Another thing to keep in mind is that most of the comments on the Unigo website are made by American students, rather than international students. Their experiences and opinions may differ from those of international students. If you attended an American college or university as an international student, adding your comments on this website will help future international students gain a better perspective about what they can expect to experience at your school.
American Education Partners makes a special effort to visit schools throughout the USA each year to gain a first-hand perspective from an international student's point of view. During AEP schools visits, we look at the facilities, programs, and international student support services they have to offer. Once we are satisfied that the school meets all of our high standards, they become a "Partner School" and are recommended to future students. To learn which schools might be a good match for your education goals and needs, contact the AEP School Placement Team today at: info@americanedpartners.com
*NOTE TO READERS: American Education Partners has no affiliation with the organization(s) behind the Unigo.com website. We provide the information about this website simply to inform future students about an information resource they can use in their school planning research.
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