Most parents are surprised to find out that if they want their children to be able to study at an American university They have to start the process a couple of years before finishing their baccalaureate. Therefore, in many cases, by the time they make the family decision to explore the possibilities of their children studying in the best university system on the planet, it is already too late. The correct timing is to start the process at this time, when they have finished the 4th year of ESO or at the beginning of the 1st year of Bachillerato. That way, you can take advantage of the summer and the academic year to do some extracurricular activities that will substantially improve your transcript and CV for the university application process. Yes, it is true that it is also possible to start the path to an American university at the end of the 1st year of Bachillerato, but if we do so then all the steps will have to be taken with greater haste, which will be more stressful, and above all it will allow us fewer attempts to achieve good grades in the various exams that must be taken in the official centres designated in various Spanish cities. However, even in the 2nd year of Bachillerato, we have already achieved make express applications, However, the best thing to do is to apply for the following year, taking advantage of one or two sabbatical semesters to improve your English or to attend a Spanish university without any pressure.
It surprises most families to learn that it is not necessary to have excellent grades, although of course it helps to get into better universities, but any student with an average of 6 also has a chance if he or she does well in the entrance exams. Many parents are also surprised to learn that The costs may be much more affordable than they thought, and very similar to what any family sending their children to study at a private university in any Spanish or European city would have to pay. Below are the annual costs we published in our previous article: «Can I send my children to study at a university in the USA?«. As you will see, there are excellent university options with costs equivalent to those of private Spanish universities. In addition, there are possible scholarships and grants that substantially reduce costs, especially in the more expensive ones, depending on the student's academic merits and family economic needs. The following annual costs are gross, i.e. possible scholarships and grants should be deducted:
- Tuition fees:
- Between €10,000 and €55,000 depending on the prestige and quality of the university.
- Cost of room and board:
- Between 8 and 15 thousand €.
- Books, materials, travel and miscellaneous expenses:
- Between 2 and 3 thousand euros
- Health insurance for international students:
- Between €1,000 and €2,000
The process of gaining admission to US universities is long and complex for students and their families, and can be very stressful. Therefore, the chances of success without the advice and support of professional consultants and coaches are slim. As we said in the above-mentioned article, at Cluster Family Office, we have been helping many families to achieve their American dream for several years now. Our advisory service includes the entire process from beginning to end, from the moment the candidate is finishing secondary school until they are almost at the door of the plane that will take them to the universities in the USA that best suit their academic and economic potential in each case. We advise and accompany them throughout the process, including the selection of a list of universities to apply to, the Essays, letters of recommendation, scholarship applications, visa, residency and other family logistics, etc. In that final list of between 8 and 12 universities to which each candidate applies, we will include 3 or 4 Universities that meet their needs and where it is practically certain that they will be admitted; another 3 or 4 where they will have certain chances; and finally 3 or 4 more where the chances of access will be low (which we usually describe as the letter to the wise men and women), but that sometimes the flute may play and they may end up being admitted to a dream University, even though their percentage of acceptance is very low.
The main difference between American and Spanish universities is obviously the economic resources available to them in the USA. These million-dollar resources are converted into spectacular facilities, highly prestigious teaching staff, budgets available for research work for both postgraduates and new students, first-class student residences and canteens, and in short, money for students to give of themselves infinitely more, both academically and personally. The great American public and private universities are like real cities, with spectacular facilities for all kinds of sports, stadiums bigger than those of many Spanish first division football clubs, shops, banks, cinemas, theatres and even the university's own police force. All within the university campus. With these facilities, it is clear to no one that the student life of a student who stays in Spanish universities is radically different from the experiences during the university years in the USA.
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Here are a few links to give you an idea of the flats, rooms, facilities and of the environment The experience of families who have gone through this process and receive the news of the final admission to the university of their dreams. And at the end of «Study at a university in the USA»You will also find a number of videos of what university life in the USA is really all about.
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You can ask us for an interview in Madrid or Barcelona without obligation to assess the possibilities of your children through info@clusterfamilyoffice.com.