Think Education USA - Discover Your Potential

An increasing number of Canadian students are exploring opportunities to further their education in the United States. In fact, approximately 29,000 Canadian students enrolled in U.S. post-secondary institutions during 2007-2008, making Canadians the fifth largest group of international students attending post-secondary schools in the United States.

Traditionally, a concern for Canadians interested in studying in the United States was cost. Today, many U.S. States extend their domestic tuition fee to Canadian students in an effort to eliminate the international student tuition barrier experienced by many international students. Furthermore, the availability of athletic and academic scholarships, as well as financial aid, has made study for Canadian students in the United States more attractive and viable than ever before. An unknown fact for Canadian students is the availability of Canadian provincial funding when enrolling at a U.S. postsecondary program.

Canadian students can qualify for provincial funding if attending a U.S. postsecondary school, as long as the U.S. school appears as a designated school for the purposes of student loans under the Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP) master list. To confirm your eligibility for student financial assistance visit www.canlearn.ca.

The environment and culture – both on and off campus – in the United States can offer Canadian students a highly diverse, rich and memorable educational experience. Colleges and universities in the northern states can provide familiar climate conditions and easy access to home for those that want it, whereas institutions in the southern states can offer warmer climates and more independence from parents if that is the desire. Whether a student is looking for artistic and cultural centers, the fast-paced life of a major city or something in between, the United States has something for everyone.

The campus experience at a U.S. college or university offers students access to up-to-date technology, small or large classes, and housing on or near campus with fellow students. The teaching style is similar to that offered in Canada with quizzes, midterms, essays, assignments, labs, exams, seminars, and tutorials used as evaluation methods. There are plenty of opportunities for students to interact with professors, both in and out of the classroom, because the variety and number of academic institutions in the United States often allows for a smaller student-to-teacher ratio. Students are encouraged to participate in classroom discussions and challenge their fellow students’ as well as their professors’ arguments. This student-faculty openness is particularly beneficial, and many professors act as mentors to their students. Designated faculty advisors and international student advisors are also common, and provide additional guidance.

The transition from Canada to the United States for college or university is relatively painless with no language barriers to overcome, modern campuses and surrounding cities, and relatively modest travel costs. Similar customs and values minimize culture shock and potential feelings of uncertainty while still allowing for exploration and discovery in the differences that do exist between Americans and Canadians. Local customs, foods, celebrations and a wide variety of regional differences provide opportunities to expand a student’s knowledge of the United States.

The U.S. and Canadian education systems share similar structures …

As a high school student applying for undergraduate programs, a student will likely need to complete the SATs, ACTs, and school-specific application forms. Fortunately, an increasing number of schools accept the Common Application, which makes it easier to apply to multiple U.S. schools. The Common Application Form is similar to the provincial application centers in Canada; but schools across the country use it to facilitate the application process.

For a graduate program, the GRE, GMAT, MCAT, or LSAT exam may need to be completed and supplemental information such as personal activities, educational plan, essays, and letters of recommendation may be necessary. As daunting as this may sound, it is entirely manageable for a student who is well organized and communicates with the institutions that he or she will be considering for admission.

The academic environment in the United States offers many options: In addition to colleges and universities, either state or privately run, there are two-year colleges, community colleges, professional schools, technical institutes, and religiously-affiliated schools. In the United States, the terms "college" and "university" are largely synonymous and interchangeable, and a school's merit comes from its programs rather than its official title. Generally, the only substantive difference between a college and a university is that universities offer graduate programs while colleges do not, although there are many exceptions to this pattern.

A common option in the United States is a "2 + 2" course of study. This allows students to save money while still earning a degree from a well-known institution. Many students choose this course by spending their first two years at a two-year college or a community college and then transferring to a larger public or private institution for their final undergraduate years.

Typically, during the first two years as an undergraduate in the United States, a student takes a variety of courses from different disciplines and the student specifies a major to make up the bulk of the later portion of his or her studies, although there is still leeway for electives. At the graduate level (Masters and Doctorates), the programs are similar between Canada and the United States; however, in Canada the majority of Ph.D. programs require a Master’s prior to admittance while in the United States there are more Ph.D. programs that accept students directly from the undergraduate level.

A common question asked by Canadians considering studying abroad is the recognition of their degrees once they return to Canada. As part of the evaluation process of potential schools, students should contact theCanadian Information Centre for International Credentials (www.cicic.ca) and request information on the status and acceptability of the program, institution, and credentials.

Organizations such as College Board, Education USA, NAFSA, StudyUSA and Think Education USA can be of assistance to students planning their education at an US institution. For more information on U.S. education and assistance in finding out more about the variety of options available in the United States, contact Education Specialist, Luz Betancur of the U.S. Commercial Service in Ottawa at 613.688.5216.

Contributed by:

Luz E. Betancur, National Coordinator, Education & Training Initiatives 
US Commercial Service – US Embassy OttawaLuz.betancur@mail.doc.gov