{"id":4738,"date":"2016-09-08T19:31:30","date_gmt":"2016-09-08T17:31:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/cogito\/?p=101"},"modified":"2021-06-18T16:12:26","modified_gmt":"2021-06-18T16:12:26","slug":"how-to-choose-the-best-high-school-in-the-united-states-for-international-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cogitoworldeducation.org\/zh-hans\/blog\/how-to-choose-the-best-high-school-in-the-united-states-for-international-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Secrets to choosing the best US high school for you"},"content":{"rendered":"

Not all American high schools are created equal. While some are recognized as feeder schools for top-ranked and Ivy League universities, others do not meet basic curriculum standards for college admissions. There is no overarching authority that oversees this disparity. So… how do you know which school is best for you?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Below we\u2019ve shared a few secrets for international students to consider when choosing an American high school. Regardless of whether you want to study in the US for a one-semester cultural exchange, or multiple years to complete an American high school diploma, the quality of your high school is the foundation for your future success in the United States or in your own country.<\/p>\n

Beware of Low Cost and No-Choice Programs. <\/b>Sometimes you get what you pay for. In the US, public high schools are funded using property home taxes. This means wealthier neighborhoods in more attractive locations often have better schools and more funding for special programs like sports, STEM programs, and facilities. International students must pay a tuition rate equal to the amount the city pays to fund an American student, therefore schools in rural or underfunded areas are the cheapest and widely sold under these \u201cno-choice\u201d programs.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, private high schools funded by a Christian church or congregation have low tuition but are free to create their own religious curriculum that is not recognized by selective American universities or schools in other countries.<\/p>\n

This is why many international students find themselves in a small town with more cornstalks than people, or in a small, Christian school that has only 100 students total in grades K-12.<\/p>\n

So what if you can\u2019t afford the cost of a good high school? Instead of gambling with your future in a low-cost, no-choice program, consider applying for a scholarship at a high-quality high school. Don\u2019t settle for an underfunded school in a less desirable location.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Case Study #1: Thach from Vietnam is a talented mathematician who had high ambitions to enter a top-ranked American university like MIT. He chose to study at an American high school on an F-1 visa. However, he enrolled in a low-cost, no-choice program and quickly discovered his school did not offer a strong curriculum. As an 11th-grader, he was already taking the highest math class. For 12th grade, he transferred to a boarding school in Maine that offered him a 60% scholarship and AP Calculus BC.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Study the Curriculum.<\/b> <\/b>Most selective and top-ranked universities look for a certain number of hours in each of the below subjects to satisfy minimum<\/i><\/b> admissions requirements. If you\u2019re taking religion class instead of Foreign Language or History, your school is not preparing you for university education. Also, make sure your school offers a large and varied selection of Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Even if you don\u2019t take any AP classes, at least you experience a challenging, engaging curriculum.<\/b><\/p>\n

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Minimum Requirements for Most Selective Universities:<\/b><\/p>\n