Studying in the States

I call it a “quantum leap” to consider sending your high school graduate to university in the United States. It’s one matter to send your son or daughter to a university in Ontario or even elsewhere in Canada; it's another, more difficult choice to consider a different country.

The offer, however, of a sports scholarship, a substantial academic scholarship or even family, business or other significant reasons help us to stop and think about the possibilities.It’s natural to think that the years of athletic training and academic success could assist greatly with the financial demands of today’s tuition and housing fees even in another country. You may have heard about some U.S. universities offering “at par” tuition or incentives for Canadian students. The difficult part comes when you realize that you don’t have the details about what is involved in making such an important decision.

Ask questions
The first thing to do is relax! Many Canadian families have made this choice with confidence. Help is as close as the U.S. university's admissions and academic offices. Once your teen has made contact with a school, you will receive much attention with respect to all of the aspects of attending the university and the process that is involved.

Don’t be afraid to contact the international admissions offices at a school to inquire about the possibilities that exist for your teen. Your teen’s high school guidance office also will have information on a variety of U.S. universities, including the sports offered and academic programs. The Internet opportunities for finding out about the schools are unlimited. (Visit www.nextSTEPmag.com for profiles of U.S. and Canadian colleges and universities!)

Choose a program
Once you have made the decision to even consider the U.S. option, your family must acquaint itself with the common elements necessary to be educated about the process. Make sure that you select a school that is fully accredited and that your choice of school offers degree programs that are likely to be recognized both in the United States and internationally. Sports involvement is nice, but the end result should be an education that will be recognized and will allow your child to enjoy a successful career.

Immigration
Understand the requirements for any visas and entrance/exit cards needed to travel back and forth to school. When your teen applies to a school and has provided all necessary documentation, he or she will be issued an I-20 form. This information will be presented to U.S. immigration officials when your teen officially starts classes in the States.

Incentives
Ask each university admissions representative about the incentives to attend. Ask, “How much are you giving me to attract me as a Canadian?” and “How long is the money renewable?” Free room and board or significant scholarships may be great for the first year but will cause some financial hardship if they're not continued for the entire time your teen is in school.

Admission requirements
Inquire as to whether your teen, as a prospective international student, needs to write the SAT for admittance to the university. Even if the university does not require this common U.S. test for admittance, all athletic students are required to take the test to receive recognition by the NCAA and other university sports leagues to qualify for a sports scholarship. Guidance counsellors will know when and where the test can be written.

Ask about how to convert the percentage scores received in Canada to the Grade Point Average (GPA) used in the U.S. Canadian students with GPA’s above 3.0 or 3.5 can often apply for additional scholarships or be eligible to write tests to compete for additional money. Ask about other scholarships for which Canadians are eligible. Many academic program departments offer scholarships each year.

International offices also offer scholarship opportunities for Canadians on campus. Networking with other students from Canada provides your teen an opportunity to share experiences. Check out the requirements for applying for both academic and athletic scholarships. To obtain athletic money, you must provide proof of exceptional ability including participation in elite or provincial-level teams and a comprehensive outline of your personal and team accomplishments.

Providing your athletic résumé to a university coach is the first step in being recognized for your abilities. Use your admissions representative to assist you with getting your material to the sports office.

To apply to a U.S. university, you apply directly to the school and not through an application centre. Applications are usually accepted throughout the year, with May 1 being a traditional acceptance deadline.

My experience is that you will be treated with utmost respect when you apply or seek advice about U.S. universities. Best of luck, and don’t hesitate to ask questions!

Doug Beffort is the Canadian liaison at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich. E-mail him at

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