Choosing the Right U.S. Institution: More than Academics

If you are looking a college or university in the United States solely based on the academic program you've been accepted to, you might want to reconsider your thought process. It's important to remember that there is more to life at a U.S. university besides writing papers and putting your nose to the book. Feeling comfortable on campus, international student support programs, and extracurricular activities should all factor in on your decision.
The Prestigious Program
Perhaps you have been accepted to the top business school or the top journalism program in the state, or even the country. Congratulations! But have you considered the time you will be devoting to that program verses the time you will want to devote to learning and growing as an individual?
Time spent away from your family in a foreign country can be a scary thing, and it's important that you build a support network of new friends, counselors, advisors, and professors while you are away. In order to do this, you'll need to take a step away from your textbooks.
Outside the Classroom
College is known as the center of culture and new ideas and thousands of students from around the world attend. It is easy to feel lost or overwhelmed, especially if it's a completely new culture to you.
That's why probably the biggest single thing to make you feel connected to your college or university is to get involved in extracurricular activities and international organizations to build friendships outside the classroom. Research shows that students who get involved are more likely to succeed academically and earn a degree—so if you think staying in your dorm room each night reading and working on projects is the only way to be successful, you are wrong!
Campus Environment
If you are selecting a school simply based on your application letter alone, you might be in for a big surprise when you arrive on campus. Perhaps you thought the school was in the middle of a city when in reality it's an hour from one? Or perhaps you thought you'd be in a quiet setting and you are next door to a subway station or airport?
It's important to remember that enjoying your environment and actually liking where you will be spending the next semester or year, or even four, is a huge factor in your happiness. If you aren't happy in your environment it will be difficult to stay focused on your studies and might ultimately make you regret choosing the institution based on your program alone.
While academics and getting your degree should be one of the most important things to you, as this is technically the goal of college, remember to have a little fun along the way and not to get swamped with the scholastic side of things. College goes by pretty fast. If you don't stop and enjoy some it once in a while, you could miss it.