Legendary for its renowned universities, some of which rank among the world’s best, such as the famous Harvard University and MIT, Boston is the metropolitan and artistic capital of Massachusetts. If you are an international student and are considering coming to study in Boston, here you’ll find everything you need to know.
International Students in Boston
Did you know that of the 20 million students enrolled in U.S. universities, over 1 million are international students? Out of that 1 million, about 900,000 are enrolled in universities across the country, and around 175,000 are doing their OPT post-graduation. That’s pretty impressive. But guess what, Massachusetts ranks #4 for most international students by state. Out of Boston 5 million population, students account for 250,000 of it representing over 50 colleges and universities. 150,000 alone are international!
Top Universities
Harvard University
Founded in 1636, Harvard University is the oldest higher education institution in the United States. It is part of the eight Ivy League School, which is one of the most selective, and it has the most significant enrollment rate with 20,500 students at the beginning of 2017. Also, one out of five students is international and welcomed almost 5,000 international students for the 2016–2017 academic year.
MIT
Located outside of Boston in Cambridge, Massachusetts, MIT was founded in 1861, and it focuses on scientific and technological research divided into five different schools. Although it is one of the most selective schools in the U.S., with only an 8% annual intake, in 2016, out of nearly 150,000 students enrolled, 3,700 were international.
Boston University
Boston University’s main campus is located just alongside the Charles River in the Fenway-Kenmore area while the medical school is in South End, Boston. It offers 17 general courses and specializes in management, medicine, law, engineering, and education. BU accepts almost 8,500 international students from 130 different countries, and it was one of the first universities to create study abroad programs. Currently, they sponsor over 90 international programs. Pretty impressive, right?
Enrollment Process
The American college application process may seem intimidating, especially as an international student doing it for the first time and not familiarized with it. Every university has its admission standards and decides who meets those standards. So, you must apply to your choices separately! American universities encourage prospective international students to get in touch with the admissions office at least 1-year before starting planning the enter given the school.
Here are some steps to do:
- Contact several schools — Ask as many questions as you need!
- Send application forms — Make sure you have collected all necessary documents in advance and DON’T forget to write an AWESOME essay. Register for admissions tests — TOEFL, SAT, ACT, GRE or GMAT — as soon as possible
- Get acceptance letters
- Pay college deposit
Here’s a tip!! for international students, most universities ask for similar application materials: application, fee, official transcripts, bank statement, copy of passport, essay.
Student Accommodation in Boston
After receiving an acceptance letter from the university, you are all set to start finding a place to stay! Most students prefer living off-campus; however, some universities require students to live on campus during their freshman year (BU is one of them).
There are multiple like individual apartments available all around the city, but this is also the most expensive option. Nowadays, students prefer living with roommates to save money and maintain a higher living standard. How can you find roommates while abroad? Don’t worry!! The new co-living concept, an-all-inclusive shared living experience, means an improved quality of life for its consumers.
Co-living is not only cost-effective but also convenient. With co-living, you only need to bring yourself and your luggage! For one price, you’ll get a fully equipped room, common areas, and a kitchen with everything you’ll need as well as utilities, internet, and cleaning services. No more of having to go through all the hassle of moving cities involves.
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Posted by Ornella Ramirez | 10/24/2019
