Go for community colleges
PRISCILLA JEBARAJ
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Sixteen second-tier educational institutions want Indian students to consider them for higher education in the U.S.
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— Photo: R. Ragu
CLEARING MISCONCEPTIONS: At the education fair organised by the Institute of International Education and the United States-India Educational Foundation in Chennai.
Have you ever heard of the Lone Star College, the Savannah College of Art and Design or the Indiana State University? They certainly do not have the same name recognition as Stanford, Harvard or Yale, but they are among the second-tier institutions that make up the bulk of the U.S. higher education system. And they are now trying to attract Indian students in the same way that their better-known counterparts have always done.
Sixteen such institutions visited Chennai as part of an education fair organised by the Institute of International Education and the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF). “There are 4,000 plus institutions in the U.S., including a large number of community colleges, where most American students actually study. But apart from the top 50 or so, most of the others are not visible in India. They are not as highly rated, even though they may have specific departments which are good,” says C. Vijayalakshmi, an educational advising services associate with the USIEF.
Biggest strengths
Will Barratt, a professor at Indiana State University, agrees. “Our biggest strengths are technology and education departments. In many ways, you will find some of the best departments at these smaller schools like ours,” he says. “If you look at the nationwide accounting exam, the top-ranked student has come from our university for the last few years, not from Harvard or Yale.”
He feels that publicly-funded universities such as his should be able to attract Indian students because of the lower cost factor. Not only are fees less, but the location in smaller towns also makes for lower living expenses. “Our university is in a town of just 70,000 people. Small towns are safer and friendlier. But we’re still close enough to the big cities to give students a taste of that,” he says.
Second-tier institutions often have smaller classes, of just 15 students or so, ensuring more personal attention. The personal touch also comes in handy in international recruitments. “About 80 per cent of our Indian students come through word-of-mouth. We have a large number from the Hyderabad area,” he says, adding that the fair could be a way of diversifying their base.
The community college system in the U.S. is starting to attract Indian students, although a lot of misconceptions remain.
“About 50 per cent of all American students start their higher education in a community college. It’s a statement that anyone can get a college education, not just the elite,” says Nithy S.R., a representative of the Lone Star College.
The costs
Community colleges offer two-year programmes. The student can then choose to go on to a university, carrying over the credits to complete a four-year degree programme.
“The tuition cost for one year, for 30 credits, is just $5,200. The classes are small, below 35 students,” says Mr. Nithy, listing the advantages of a community college education. “All professors must have a master’s degree and 18 credits of teaching experience, unlike the large universities, where it is graduate students who teach undergraduates most of the time. It also gives international students the chance to adjust to a smaller environment before going on to a bigger place.”
“For more niche and emerging areas, international students are willing to look for options beyond the Ivy League and big names because they know that it is expertise in the specific field that counts,” says Vladimir Neykov of the Savannah College of Art and Design, which is fast expanding its international presence with campuses in France and Hong Kong. Good faculty and industry connections are more important than overall rankings, he feels.
“Ranking has more to do with money — the schools with the most endowments, the richest students — than actual quality, most of the time,” agrees Mr. Barratt. One of the B.E. students at the fair, Niranjani, wasn’t so sure. “Rankings matter, because brand name matters. We go all the way from India, so we must be sure it is a good institution.” Ms. Vijayalakshmi offers her and other students some advice. “Don’t just look at the best university (according to rankings), but the best for you, in your specific field.”
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