The U.S. postgraduate advantage

“As knowledge increases, wonder deepens.” – Charles Morgan

Getting an undergraduate degree paves the way to a brighter future. This is no secret, and it’s probably something your parents and teachers have told you your whole life. During our student years, we figure out who we really are and what we want to do with our lives, whether we choose to refine a passion we’ve had for years, or otherwise to act on a newly-discovered talent – there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to the motivations behind submitting our university application.

Building on an undergraduate qualification through postgraduate study only opens more doors for your future. You’ll become a Master of your subject, participating in research opportunities that have the potential to revolutionize your field. You’ll develop a deeper level of commitment for your passion and boost your employability, on top of giving your earnings a more than significant hike.

Not only will you learn more about your subject, you’ll also learn more yourself – your capabilities, limits, strengths, and your weaknesses. You’ll learn that, yes, you can finish that thesis running on three hours’ sleep. Yes, you can juggle classes, extracurriculars, work, and a social life. Yes, you can contribute to meaningful research and projects that will change the world. You’ll discover that you can achieve anything you put your mind to.

Equally, you will uncover that you could go wherever you want. While many undergraduate students stay close to home, postgraduate students often seek to further their education across international borders. Combining adventure and education makes for a more exciting postgraduate experience.

The U.S. is one of the most popular destinations for international postgraduate study, which comes as no surprise its high-quality education systems. So if you’re hungry for adventure and a rigorous academic experience, postgraduate study in the States could be the perfect choice for you.

GRADUATE COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT – NEW ENGLAND

Image courtesy of the University of Vermont

If you’re looking for a small school with mighty impact, look no further than UVM. At the University of Vermont, ranked in the US News and World Report’s top 50 public universities, you’re guaranteed to fit in at the Graduate College, with its diverse yet tight-knit community of 1,500 postgraduate students. UVM has more than 50 graduate programs and 643 teaching staff, which means you’ll receive individual attention and a personalized academic experience.  Plus, approximately 150 of UVM’s graduate students are international, making it the ideal place to make new friends and learn about different cultures. Situated between stunning Lake Champlain and Vermont’s Green Mountains, and just 150 km from Montreal, UVM’s home town of Burlington is well –known as a wonderful place to live.

Postgraduate students and graduate faculty at UVM pursue important research, with a focus on the environment and health. The interdisciplinary Gund Institute for Ecological Economics seeks to create a sustainable future by supporting studies that combine natural and social sciences to understand and improve the interactions between people and nature. The National Institutes of Health has recently launched an in-depth study of the adolescent mind, and UVM’s very own Dr. Hugh Garavan is one of the co-directors of the project. To read more about the study, and to find out more about postgraduate study at UVM, check out their Graduate College Report and Viewbook.

You can find a full list of postgraduate programs at UVM here. Want to find out more? Get in touch via email today at graduate.admissions@uvm.edu.

GRADUATE SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME – INDIANA

Image courtesy of the University of Notre Dame

If you’re looking for a university that consistently ranks in the top 20 national universities, look no further than the University of Notre Dame (UND) – a school with a history of excellence so expansive, people have legitimately written books about it. UND has been awarding graduate degrees for more than a century, when its initial postgraduate catalogue included just three areas of study. Today, UND offers over 40 postgraduate courses.

And UND postgraduate students never cite concerns regarding employability either, because UND’s Graduate Career Service aims to support all postgraduate students with their job search, assisting with everything from crafting CVs to teaching interview etiquette.

Want to find out more? Get in touch via email at GradSch@nd.edu.

GRADUATE SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT – CONNECTICUT

Image courtesy of the University of Connecticut

If you’re looking for a busier campus, you’ll find it at the University of Connecticut (UConn), where more than 7,000 award-winning students have decided to take the plunge and pursue postgraduate study. Each and every one of UConn’s postgrad students receives customized advice and support from the Graduate School throughout their degree program, giving them the chance to evaluate their degree progress with an experienced advisor, and granting them much more control over their world-class postgraduate experience.

At UConn, you can choose from over 100 unique postgraduate courses; from Biostatistics to Clinical Translational Research, and everything in between. And UConn believes social life is just as important as a rigorous educational experience. After a hard day of studying, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in local history and culture, with landmarks like the Connecticut Museum of Natural History and the Ballard Puppetry Museum located nearby. Upon graduation, you’ll join UConn’s impressive list of alumni, which includes Nobel Prize winner David Lee and WNBA champion, Sue Bird.

Want to find out more? Submit a request for information, or check out their resources for prospective students. Got specific questions? Get in touch via email at gradschool@uconn.edu.

THE OFFICE OF GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES (OGAPS), TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY – TEXAS

Image courtesy of Texas A&M University

Hailed as “an academic and athletic powerhouse in central Texas” by the US News and World Report, the OGAPS at Texas A&M University boasts a student population of nearly 15,000 – approximately 5,000 of those postgraduate students are international, and 5,000 students surely can’t be wrong! Especially considering that Texas A&M is ranked 2^nd in Best Value Schools. Texas A&M also aims to accommodate the unique needs of their international students through their invaluable International Student Services department.

Have we got your attention yet? We hope so. Peruse their extensive graduate course catalogue which offers a whopping 268 graduate degree programs. You should also check out their research opportunities, in which the university has invested over $900 million! Join any of over 800 clubs and societies, or work up a sweat while playing on one of the university’s intramural sports teams. After all, Texas A&M has one of the largest intramural sports networks in the country.

Itching to know more? Tweet your question directly to the Texas A&M’s Graduate Recruit account or get in touch via email at ogaps@tamu.edu.

OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN – NEBRASKA

The Office of Graduate Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) invites you to “come make waves where there is no ocean”. Sounds pretty inspiring, doesn’t it? We think so, especially considering the University of Nebraska is the top research university in the state. As a postgraduate student, you can make meaningful contributions at any of UNL’s research initiatives alongside your international peers, who make up almost a quarter of UNL’s postgraduate student population.

If you’re unsure about what you want to do after you finish your postgraduate degree, UNL can help you stay on track and create a plan. At UNL, you’ll have access to career and professional development resources, helping you chart your professional future from your very first day. These invaluable resources include academic and professional skills training as well as templates for an Individual Development Plan.

Want to find out more? Check out their resources for prospective international students, or get in touch via email at graduate@unl.edu.

Image via Shutterstock

Postgraduate study is daunting. It presents its own unique challenges, but it’s a journey well worth taking. No matter your passion or profession, you can reach your academic goals, and these outstanding American universities want to help you make it happen. So what are you waiting for? Take the plunge and challenge yourself to become the best you can be.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International

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