Applying to US Universities

California is culturally and racially the most diverse state in the U.S. and perhaps in the world. It is amazing to note that banks and government departments offer services in Spanish, Mandarin, Tagalog and Vietnamese and more. Telugu speakers can be found everywhere. Diversity is good for everyone more so for international students and new immigrants. More diversity leads to high acceptability of people from outside and better chances of getting jobs. It also means that you have a vibrant workplace where you have co workers from different cultures. For food connoisseurs, there are a variety of eating joints where you can get food from all parts of the world. California is by far the leading state in the number of international students studying in any state - 77,987 in 2006-07.

Even geographically it is an amazing place. Within 2 hours of the Silicon Valley, you can reach plains, Bays, Ocean, Deserts, Forests, Snow-clad mountains and large lakes. The weather in the most urban areas is pleasant throughout the year.

So what is the down side? The living cost is higher. But that is compensated by the numerous advantages. While Applying to US Universities be sure to include a few from California. When you have multiple admission offers, read this blog before you take a decision!

Top 5 institutions in California in the number of international student enrolment:

• University of Southern California
• University of California, Los Angeles
• Stanford University
• University of California, Berkeley
• Santa Monica College

Ref: Open Doors Report, U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

Having received multiple admission offers is a very happy yet confusing situation in the process of applying to US Universities. Ideally one should be able to decide easily on the basis of academic ranking and reputation. But along with academics, fees and funding become a crucial factor in decision making. There is always a dilemma to select a better ranked University or decide in favor of a lower ranked University from where you have got an assistantship. If you have not got any funding from any University, then also there could be a significant difference in the fee.

Every situation is unique and there cannot be a thumb rule or algorithm for decision making. Academic reputation should be the main criteria, because that translates into better job prospects and a better future. After you graduate with a degree, you will carry that degree and the privileges associated with it throughout your life. Nobody cares whether you got an assistantship or were self funded. If you can manage the financial situation with the help of loans, we encourage you to go for the better degree program. Sometimes the location factor becomes significant.

You should refer to as many sources as possible, because you will live with decision forever, and this may be the most important decision in your life so far. Try to talk to some current student, send a few emails. Do not overdo it, students are busy people. If you need help, come visit our forum at www.app2us.com and we will help you take an informed decision. All services at app2us.com are free.

A Ph.D. in Pharmacy degree will help you pursue a research career in either an academic or pharmaceutical industry setting. Other degrees in Pharmacy include the professional Pharm.D. degree, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in the areas of Medicinal Chemistry , Pharmaceutics , Pharmacology & Toxicology, Pharmacotherapy, Pharmacy Administration and Pharmacy Practice. Very few Universities, for example the Ohio State University offer a B.S. program in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

At Oregon State University, students can start out as pre-pharmacy majors through the College of Science, or they can apply to the Early Admission Program, which admits high school seniors or college freshmen to both the pre-pharmacy and Pharm.D. programs. If you have a three year B.Sc. degree in Biology or Chemistry, check with your target Universities, you may be eligible for admission to a Pharm.D. program.

Links to some reputable Pharmacy programs:

• University of Texas at Austin
• The Ohio State University
• University of Utah
• University of Pittsburgh
• Oregon State University

• Cornell University
• Texas A&M University
• New York University
• UT Arlington
• University of Cincinnati

We offer free and frank advice on University selection at www.app2us.com

US News 2008 College rankings are now available here

US News is one of the reputable rankings. Full rankings can be seen on a payment basis. Rankings often help in benchmarking when you are trying to figure out where to apply. It may be a good investment in your long process of applying to US Universities. Our view on the imporatance of rankings was posted here.

Source: www.usnews.com

• George Washington University
• Penn State University
• Princeton University
• Rochester Institute of Technology
• Texas A&M University
• University of Arizona
• University of Florida
• University of Houston
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• University of Kansas
• University of Utah
• Virginia Tech
• Washington University in St. Louis

Here are the advantages of public Universities, in terms of funding. Application fee is lower and we know that application cost itself is a big factor for international students. If you are not funded initially, lower tuition helps. Public Universities are typically large, so the chances of getting funded later are brighter. Also many public Universities have a concept of in-state-tuition.

Harvard, Carnegie Mellon and Stanford Universities are private Universities and are among the best in the world. However if you are not exactly the next Einstein and are planning to apply to low ranked Universities, then going for public Universities is a risk free option. In lower end of the spectrum a private University may not have even basic facilities or accreditation and it is difficult to find out because all Universities have awesome websites. If you are admitted to a lower ranked state University, the chances of extreme disappointment is lower and the degree is likely to carry some value compared to that of an unknown private University.

Academic quality, research interests and your admissibility should be the main criteria for University selection, but it is good to know the public private concept for a better decision-making.

How to find out: As a rule of thumb, public Universities include the name of the state. But if the name of a state comes with a “direction”, then the University is not necessarily public. Example: University of Southern California is a private University - a very reputable one.