When deciding to continue your studies abroad, there may be two things you consider. You might already have a dream country you want to visit, or you might have a dream school that makes that country a destination. Which one are you?
However, regardless of which you are, this article will help you determine your dream school.
When choosing a dream university, there are several determining factors, including university rankings, available majors, tuition and living costs, scholarships, and the benefits you’ll gain.
Especially for you, we’ve compiled information about the ten best universities in America. Check this out!
10 Best Universities in America
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private higher education institution in Cambridge. MIT’s mission is to advance knowledge focusing on science, technology, and other fields of study that are considered capable of making the world a better place.
Based on this mission, MIT opens 5 schools majors in Architecture & Planning, Engineering, Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Management, and Science, and one Computing campus.
MIT is known to have made significant contributions to the development of artificial intelligence, climate change adaptation, HIV, cancer, and poverty alleviation. In the past, MIT researchers also contributed to triggering scientific breakthroughs such as radar development and the concept of an expanding universe.
If you’re someone interested in modern science and technology and have a high research interest, MIT is worth considering. You can find the application process for international students below.
2. Harvard University
Like MIT, Harvard is also located in Cambridge. Harvard is one of the oldest and most prestigious higher education institutions in America. Harvard has 10 schools that award specific degrees, such as Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School, and Harvard Business School. Additionally, Harvard also has The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, which provides a platform for interdisciplinary research.
Here are the undergraduate and graduate programs available at Harvard:
| Undergraduate Program | Graduate Program |
| Arts and Humanities At Harvard, students are given the flexibility to arrange their curriculum according to their academic interests and goals. There are at least 49 majors offered by Harvard. However, outside of these majors, Harvard requires undergraduate students to take courses in eight general categories, including: – Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding, – Culture and Belief, – Empirical and Mathematical Reasoning, Ethical Reasoning, – Science of Living Systems, – Science of the Physical Universe, – Societies of the World, and – United States in the World. |
Arts and Humanities – Creative Writing & Literature – Digital Media Design – Dramatic Arts – English – History – Museum Studies Business and Management – Finance – Management Engineering and Technology – Bioengineering & Nanotechnology – Biotechnology – Software Engineering Life Sciences and Medicine – Anthropology & Archaeology – Biology – Industrial-Organizational Psychology – Psychology Natural Sciences – Sustainability Social Sciences and Management – Data Science – Global Development Practice – Government – Information Management System – International Relations – Journalism – Mathematics for Teaching – Religion |
The flexibility provided by Harvard is attractive, especially for those interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree.
3. Stanford University
Stanford University is a prestigious private research university in California. This university is known for its academic excellence, world-class research in various fields, and consistently high rankings among the world’s best universities.
Stanford offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs in seven schools of study: Earth Sciences, Engineering, Education, Humanities and Sciences, Law, Medicine, and Business. This diversity ensures students can pursue their academic interests in a supportive environment.
Beyond academics, Stanford also has a dynamic campus life with many extracurricular activities. The university is proud of its network of successful alumni in various fields such as technology, sports, and astronomy. Notable alumni such as the founders of Google and athlete Tiger Woods are Stanford graduates.
4. California Institute of Technology
California Institute of Technology or Caltech is a top private research university in Pasadena, California. This educational institution is known for its focus on science and engineering through a collaborative and innovative academic environment.
Caltech offers a rigorous curriculum focused on science and technology, with six academic divisions: Biology and Biological Engineering, Engineering and Applied Science, Geological and Planetary Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy. Research at Caltech is highly regarded with significant contributions in various fields such as astrophysics and materials science.
Its academic reputation is brilliant, always listed as one of the best universities in the world. Caltech alumni are also very influential, such as the creator of Linux, the founder of Intel, and a Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry.
5. University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania (Penn) is a prestigious private Ivy League research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Like Harvard, Penn is also one of the oldest campuses in the United States.
Penn offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs in twelve schools, including the Wharton School (business), School of Engineering and Applied Science, Perelman School of Medicine, and College of Arts and Sciences.
Penn is known as a leading research center in fields such as medicine, engineering, AI, and social sciences with adequate research facilities. Penn also has a significant focus on cross-interest learning, so they offer double degree programs.
6. University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) is one of the state research universities located in Berkeley, California. UCB is the first campus of the University of California system.
UC Berkeley excels in academics with a comprehensive curriculum in 10 faculties/schools. Law, engineering, computer science, and humanities programs are ranked among the best in the world. Although a public university, UC Berkeley provides an Ivy League equivalent experience with high academic standards, diverse students, and a dynamic campus.
7. Cornell University
Cornell University is a prestigious private Ivy League research university in New York. As a land-grant university, Cornell receives federal funding to support agriculture and life sciences.
Cornell offers diverse academic experiences through 8 undergraduate faculties. Each has its own strengths and specific requirements, allowing students to tailor their education to specific interests such as in the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Engineering, or Industrial and Labor Relations.
Like other Ivy League schools, Cornell is also a research beacon with faculty and students collaborating on groundbreaking discoveries from engineering to environmental science. Comprehensive laboratories and research centers foster an innovative environment.
8. University of Chicago
University of Chicago (UChicago), known as U of C or Chicago Booth for its business school, is a prestigious private research university in Chicago, Illinois. UChicago prioritizes intellectual freedom and fosters a rigorous academic environment. Lecturers are encouraged to pursue groundbreaking research, students are challenged to think critically and creatively.
The university is home to Nobel laureates and groundbreaking discoveries in various fields such as economics, physics, medicine. UChicago offers undergraduate-graduate programs in the undergraduate college, 4 graduate research divisions, 8 professional schools such as business (Booth), medicine (Pritzker), law (Law School).
Although academically intensive, UChicago has a dynamic campus life. The Hyde Park area provides access to culture, restaurants, cafes. 400+ student organizations provide opportunities for interest exploration and community service.
9. Princeton University
Princeton University is an Ivy League private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey. It is the fourth oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Princeton is rich in history, with a beautiful campus in Collegiate Gothic architectural style.
Princeton offers undergraduate education in humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Unlike other universities that focus on graduate studies, Princeton prioritizes undergraduate education. This means smaller classes, more faculty interaction, and more personal learning.
Princeton gives great flexibility to students in designing their academic path. The “open curriculum” encourages exploration across interests before students focus on a specific field.
10. Yale University
Yale University is a leading Ivy League campus in New Haven, Connecticut. Yale is also one of the oldest campuses in the United States. Like other campuses, Yale also has a rich history.
Yale offers an education that challenges its students, but to build each individual. Fields known to be challenging at Yale include: humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering.
Yale emphasizes liberal arts education that shapes maturity of thinking. Students are encouraged to explore many fields before focusing on one major later. Although undergraduate education is a priority, research is also Yale’s mainstay.
How to Apply to Universities in America
If you have chosen a university, the next step is to register yourself at the relevant university.
In general, the registration process for local students and international students does not have significant differences. The overall process is almost the same, but specifically for international students, they need to include proof of English language proficiency.
For more details, here are the stages and requirements for registering at universities in America:
Filling out and Submitting Application Forms
Application forms for each university can usually be obtained through their official website. Universities in America have two registration paths with different registration deadlines, namely early action and regular action.
Early action usually opens from mid-August and closes on November 1. While regular action opens from mid-August and closes on January 1.
In terms of submitting application documents, American campuses also have two types of applications, namely common application and coalition application.
The most fundamental difference is that common applications must submit the application form before supporting documents are sent. So, the campus will not accept supporting documents if the application form has not been received.
While coalition application, in full, prospective students must submit the application form along with the existing supporting documents.
Completing Supporting Documents
In the application process at American universities, it is usually necessary to attach several supporting documents. Here are the supporting documents that are usually required:
- Standardized Test Scores
Universities in America usually require prospective students to take standardized tests, such as SAT or ACT. When applying, prospective students need to attach the results of the standardized test. - School Report Cards and Academic Transcripts
The students are usually required to send school report cards and transcripts. Report cards can be sent directly by the school to the intended university, along with transcripts, recommendation letters, and school profiles.
In certain cases, usually, the report cards sent do not include the student’s final year grades. Therefore, schools usually send mid-year report cards separately. - English Proficiency Scores
Proficiency in English is key to studying in America. Therefore, each university requires prospective students to submit test results that show their level of English proficiency. Usually each university only accepts test results issued by certain institutions. This information is usually provided through the university’s official website. - Additional Documents
Additional documents in this case are documents that can help the university make decisions. Prospective students can send additional documents such as essays, portfolios, or achievement certificates that match the student’s interests.
Deciding which university you want to visit or completing application documents can indeed be a challenge. You can contact AtAmerica advisers to help you prepare a successful undergraduate or graduate application for free.
Come on, make your dreams come true with @america! We are ready to accompany you every step towards success in the United States.
