It is also renowned for its world-class research environment, student diversity on campus, and career-oriented academic programs.
So, it's no wonder why over a million young people from all over the world come to the United States to study. Moreover, about a fifth of them are Indians!
From the moment you are reading this, you dream of becoming one of them. But you should first decide which college or university you want to study. Only then can you start worrying about your student visa or hiring one essay writer on Essaypro to help you with homework. The university you apply to has issues with your chances of being accepted and your tuition fees, after all.
But there are hundreds of US educational institutions! How are you supposed to make your choice? So, why not start with these eight colleges and universities that are popular with students from India?
Northeastern University
● Location: Boston, Massachusetts
● Acceptance rate: 20%
● International student body: 15.2% (undergraduate), 54.4% (graduate), as of fall 2021
Let's kick things off with this Boston-based university. Northeastern University boasts nine interdisciplinary research institutes and a large network of corporate partners (2,900+). In terms of academics, it is among the best criminal justice, planning, business and communications programs in the US.
But that is not all. Northeastern prides itself on its diversity on campus, and for good reason. About a third of all students come from abroad – mainly from China, India and Taiwan. Thus, the university has a large support network for non-US citizens.
University of Southern California
● Location: Los Angeles, California
● Acceptance rate: 16%
● International student body: 23.8%, as of fall 2021
Next up is USC. Located in the heart of the City of Angels, it is home to 49,500 undergraduate and graduate students and 22 academic schools and units. It manages to combine strong arts, international business and technological programs. This makes it a great destination for you if you are interested in one or more of these fields.
USC's student body isn't just large – nearly a quarter of it is made up of young people from 135 countries. USC does everything it can to make their stay enjoyable: for example, it offers financial aid based on need and merit. Plus, you can expect a bustling student life on USC's campus, thanks to its 1,000+ organizations!
New York University
● Location: New York, New York
● Acceptance rate: 21%
● International student body: 24%
Do you dream of living in the Big Apple itself? Then this is one of the schools you should consider. Along with a captivating location, it boasts strong arts, music, film and photography programs. You can find NYU alumni among Emmy Award, Pulitzer Prize, and Nobel Prize winners. It is possible business and financial programsvery.
NYU prides itself on being a top school for international students, and rightfully so. It has more international students on its campus than any other college or university in the US. In addition, NYU's Office of Global Services is there for you every step of the way in visa and immigration processes.
Carnegie University Future
● Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
● Acceptance rate: 17%
● International student body: 21% (undergraduate), 59% (graduate), from 2022
Carnegie Mellon University may not boast centuries of history, but that doesn't mean you should exclude it from your must-consider list. It was created to be the birthplace of innovation, and that's exactly what it is today. It is the #1 university in computer science and #6 in engineering (US News & World Report 2021).
Both undergraduate and graduate students from abroad are welcome on the Carnegie Mellon University campus. There are over twenty international student organizations present on campus, including the Indian one.
Columbia University
● Location: New York, New York
● Acceptance rate: 7%
● International student body: 18% (undergraduate), 47% (graduate), as of fall 2020
This is the most selective university on the list, but not without reason. Columbia University is regularly ranked in the top three schools with the best professors, for example. In addition, English, philosophy, history, public policy, world studies and interior design programs they are the best of the best in the country.
The Columbia University admissions staff is no stranger to applications from foreign countries. So you won't have to worry about any possible misunderstandings. In addition, the school covers everyone's financial needs in the same way, regardless of nationality. So you can count on a need-based scholarship just like any US citizen.
Illinois Institute of Technology
● Location: Chicago, Illinois
● Acceptance rate: 61%
● International student body: 16% (undergraduate), 52% (graduate)
If your dream is to go to MIT, but you know it's not a realistic goal for any reason, Illinois Institute of Technology is your best option. It's relatively inexpensive, has a high acceptance rate – and offers strong STEM academic programs on top of that.
Illinois Tech does its best to attract international students by offering all kinds of financial aid and meeting their various needs. Regarding India, two Illinois Tech policies deserve your attention. First, there is a special India Online scholarship for those who want to study remotely. Second, Illinois Tech recognizes three-year degrees from 65 Indian institutions.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
● Location: Champaign, Illinois
● Acceptance rate: 63%
● International student body: 13.5% (undergraduate), 12,454 (total), as of Fall 2018
If you're planning to attend a public college with a strong international student body, the U of I at Urbana-Champaign may be just what you've been looking for. It offers quality education in business, finance, physical therapy and engineering to name a few.
At U of I, you won't have to worry about being left to deal with everything on your own. The university's International Student and Scholar Services are there to help you navigate your life as an international student. In addition, there are some bursaries available to fund your studies, along with the option of receiving an emergency lump sum if needed.
Cornell University
● Location: Ithaca, New York
● Acceptance rate: 11%
● International student body: 10% (undergraduate), 50% (graduate), from autumn 2021
Last but not least, there is Cornell University, which is among the most famous on this list. Cornell's architecture, agriculture, information technology, business, and communications programs stand out as superior among their counterparts at other schools.
You can expect to follow much the same admissions process as US citizens, except for the English proficiency certificate and formal recognition of credentials. You can also rely on the financial aid available to prospective and current international students at Cornell to finance your studies.
in conclusion
As you can see, MIT or Harvard are not included in the above list. The thing is, while it is the cream of the crop in terms of academics and research, it is not the best option for you if you are from India.
First, such educational institutions are highly selective and expensive. So, it's hard to get into them. There are usually fewer funding options (grants and scholarships) for people coming from outside the US. At the same time, their campuses are not as diverse as those of the colleges and universities on this list.
So, here's a tip: prioritize less prestigious but more diverse colleges and universities to get a quality education. They will probably cost you less in the long run!
