English-USA
Resources for International Applicants
to U.S. Universities

Applying to American Universities

Choosing a university Unlike in most countries, the American university system is partly public and partly private, so there are many schools to choose from in any city. With so many choices, there are some useful services to help you make a selection. The best is Petersons.

If you are looking for a place to study English, there are also many choices... but the best is the Intensive English Program at the University of California, Davis, Extension Center.
Studying at the Extension Center is an excellent strategy for those intending to study in American universities, because as part of your ESL program you can take some regular courses at the university without having to apply successfully as a regular student. This is very good for building skills and confidence before starting an academic program at another university.
And, if you are thinking of applying to UC Davis, you have a chance to take a course with the same professors who would be teaching you later on. If you make a good impression, that may be enough to guarantee you admission to the program of your choice!

How to write your "Personal Statement" One of the most important parts of an application to an American university is the "Personal Statement." Read the inside advice offered by Dr. Seth Sicroff, who teaches English at the UC Davis Extension Center. His advice should be taken seriously: he was admitted to undergraduate and graduate programs at Cornell, Harvard, Wisconsin, Michigan, Yale, and UC Davis.

Surviving in the American academic system will probably mean changing many of the habits you have developed in your own system. The emphasis on class participation is particularly confusing. Again, Dr. Sicroff's advice on class participation is worth considering: he has not only studied in many top-level American universities, but he has also taught at Harvard and UC Davis.

If you would like to study at the Extension Center of the University of California at Davis, we can help you... free! Click for info.