I sure am a tad bit out of sync with current class profiles of universities, but I can give you an advice or two on how to approach the process. You might learn from my mistakes.
As far as I know there are a lot of important criteria to a university selection process. They vary according to an individual's priority list, but you will the list pretty consolidated.
1. Profile:
Chalk down the universities you are interested in that match your profile. Take help of
(a) online profile matching sites: Example - http://www.i20fever.com/
(b) individual university forums - This especially helped me a lot. Current students give you an insight like no other. Their vantage point is by far the best and most accurate, not to mention trustworthy.
2. Place:
(a) weather conditions - depending on how much of a difference you can take. Trust me when I say this, living for two years in a place like Minnesota is not easy! So I'd advise you to stay away from harsh zones.
(b) area of opportunity: Every campus, depending on its locations offers a specific set of advantages. Some a bit more than others. For example in the US, the silicon valley (San Francisco) is considered a golden belt for the software and semiconductor industry and new york remains the baton holder for investment banking. So depending upon what area you wants to pursue your penchant in, I'd advice you to choose a suitable location. This will require a certain amount of grunt work on your part, but hey Google is your uncle :)
(c) scalability : It is true that an opportunity always presents itself to the deserving. Having said that it is foolish and futile to let things into destiny's hand alone. So I would suggest creating your opportunities and leaving in a place where there is no dearth of them. A huge state like Texas, a budding entrepreneurial mushroom like Raleigh, NC all these should be hot spots that one should definitely consider. When one fails you have another. 'Contingency Plans Always'
3. Economical Factors:
Often during the selection process we come across a situation where we have to choose between a university that is great in rankings versus one that is decent but suits you economically (you might have an aid or a scholarship or the fees might be less). In my case I went for the university where I was fully funded and I don't have any regrets so far. This economic factor isn't one you should ignore.
4. Campus Jobs:
If you are one of those people who doesn't want to graduate with a debt or a loan on your shoulders make sure to find out about on campus opportunities. This info is best found by talking to current students. Most people think that working a job while studying distracts you, but trust me if anything it allows you to be more independent and confident than ever.
More often than not, publicly funded state universities have better openings than the private ones. So my advice would be to have a couple of state universities on the list.
5. University Application Strategy:
I always think one should have a strategy while applying to a university. After all you career might depend on it. One of the best approaches is to apply to about 6 universities.
(a) 2 safe - 2 universities you are sure to be admitted into based on your profile.
(b) 2 on par - 2 universities where you have a 70-30 chance of getting admitted into.
(c) 2 ambitious - 2 universities which are a bit ambitious, given your profiles, but you dream about going there anyway. For all you know you might impress the admissions team with your sincere SOP (statement of purpose). 'If you don't ask the answer is already a NO!'
6. A bird in the hand is better than 2 in the bush:
All said and done eventually I'd say take the safe route when it comes to pursuing higher education especially as an immigrant. In a foreign country where government policies are out of your control it always pays to be a little extra risk-averse. So do not let go of an opportunity hoping for or believing in another one.
At this time, I can't think of anything else but you are free to contact me if you have any other specific questions.
Have a nice day :)
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