Skip to main content

4 Ways International Students Can Weigh Potential Majors

By U.S. News & World Report

Every year, there is a great number of incoming international students in U.S. colleges who have not yet figured out what they want to study over the course of four years. If you are one of those, please do not feel too nervous or stressed out. I have seen many people switch their majors after two years.

This includes those students going to top-notch schools in the U.S. News rankings. Therefore, I want to help you make a more informed and wiser decision by laying out a few steps new international students can take to choose a major.

1. Ask yourself if you want to stay in the U.S. after graduation: This question is perhaps the most essential that every international student has to consider. A lot of students want to stay in the U.S. to work and pay off the money that their parents have spent to get them into college, or because they simply think that staying will be more beneficial than going back. These students will usually major in the science, technology, engineering and math fields, since many companies in the U.S. are looking for workers with these skills.

If you aspire to work in the U.S. after graduation, yet choose a liberal arts degree or one that is not in demand, your chances of fulfilling your ambition may be significantly lower.

[Find out how different U.S. college majors can enhance job prospects.]

2. Review SAT scores and transcripts to determine your academic capabilities: Although these may not be the most reflective tools to evaluate your intellectual capacity, they can be informative. A strong SAT chemistry or biology score suggests that you will be well prepared to take on a premed major. If you are wondering whether you will make a good CPA, your SAT critical reading and math scores may be a telling sign.

A lot of people make a mistake in choosing their major by not looking back at their academic performance, yet still go on and choose a difficult major. I have seen a friend who got a B-plus in her Honors Biology class in high school, and had to drop out of Biology 101 in college. Thus, it is extremely crucial that you know where you stand and what you are good at before making this big decision.

[Understand how multiple majors work at U.S. colleges.]

3. Listen to your parents: Some international students may disagree, arguing that their parents do not know what the U.S. educational system is like, or that they don’t know as much about the U.S. as their children.

But parents are usually the ones who know you the best, perhaps even better than you know yourself. Many parents also went to college, so they experienced a similar process. I have had many academic advisers in college, yet I have not found a better mentor than my father, who always gave me deliberate opinions on what I should do to prepare for my future.

You may feel the urge to follow your heart or want to act on the saying, “Do what you like, and you won’t work a day in your life,” but sometimes, those sparks of interest will be short-lived or not beneficial to your long-term future. Therefore, it is critical that you stay rational, and ask the right people for advice.

[Know what steps to take to declare a major at a U.S. college.]

4. Talk to other international students: Spend time talking with other, senior international students, since they have been where you are, done what you are doing and perhaps have valuable experience that you may benefit from. It is helpful if these students attend your school, because they will know the curriculum well enough to give you insightful reviews of each major.

Before I declared as an accounting major, I did not know that my school had a strong accounting program. This was because it had spent more time promoting its liberal arts curriculum. Yet after talking to a senior international student, who recently got her internship at one of the largest accounting firms in the country, I knew that switching to this major will give me a better career prospect.

More from U.S. News

College Application Must-Knows for International High School Students

5 Upsides to Studying Abroad as an International Student at a U.S. College

4 Reasons for International Students to Start at a U.S. Community College

4 Ways International Students Can Weigh Potential Majors originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

What DC-area photographers who usually cover concerts, theater and events are doing for you now

Three popular restaurant chains post layoff notices for nearly 3,000 in Maryland

Weather service confirms that tornado hit Caroline County, Md.