College Admissions Trends: What Students Need to Know

While more and more international students are studying in the U.S. every year, a number of students are also looking to the U.K. for university options. The U.S. and U.K. university systems are dramatically different, however, and many international students struggle with determining which would be the best fit for their learning styles, goals, and interests. With these two admissions systems and processes differing so significantly, it’s important to understand the nuances of U.S. vs. U.K. admissions and how to apply to each.

A constant concern of universities, and many college-bound families is the next list of college rankings. Where will an institution land on a list with other “top” colleges, and which schools will be a surprise top 5? But do rankings really matter? The short answer is: no!

It’s only natural for teens to feel pressure when navigating the college admissions process — it is, after all, one of the biggest decisions many teens will have made up until this point. In the January newsletter we covered how to manage test anxiety, which is common among many teens taking the ACT or SAT in hopes of getting into their dream school. While testing anxiety can be crippling, the college preparation process extends beyond one Saturday morning test. Many students can feel overwhelmed going into the process, and the stress can cause problems with grades, family, friends, health, and more.

With more than 3,000 four-year colleges and universities in the U.S., it can be difficult to nail down exactly how many colleges you should apply to. As juniors embark on the college admissions process (and visit schools over spring break), now is a great time to make a preliminary college list.