Advice From Students
The Advantages Of U.S. Higher Education
Mārtiņš Mašulis, Bates College, PhD candidate, Cornell University:
"I believe that colleges and universities in the USA offer more choice and flexibility than anywhere else. The diversity extends to the size and type of institution, to the degrees and majors offered, to geography and social milieu. Higher education enjoys much attention and prestige, which translates into solid funding for study programs and research. Universities and colleges are often able to provide scholarships and research funding to students from all kinds of backgrounds. Residential college campuses allow for an unusually rich array of activities and social interactions with peers."
Līga Bergvalde, University of Western Illinois:
"In my opinion, academic studies and sports support each other. In the U.S.A., there is a very good system of how these two interact. Instructors help out students who are into sports and came with a sports scholarship. Our coaches really push us hard to study. They realize that we came to school to study, not only to play basketball."
Laura Belēviča, Washington University in St. Louis:
"After several months of research I discovered special graduate programs that are available only in the U.S. They are designed for people who wish to do their graduate degree in a field other than their undergraduate one. This meant that I could apply to Master’s degree in, let’s say, architecture, while my undergraduate study was on a completely different subject. In my case, this was a crucial discovery."
Jānis Stībelis, Hollywood Musicians Institute, Musician:
"I tend to think that studies in the U.S. are more democratic and unconstrained. The methodology is focused on development of one’s skills, talents, courage and positive attitude. This really makes you believe and feel that you can do this!"
Toms Kreicbergs, Reed College:
"The liberal arts system does not tie you down to a particular subject immediately - good for me, since I started college with expectations of studying creative writing and instead became a physics major."
Lt Ērika Neimane, United States Air Force Academy, Airspace Management Coordinator, Latvian Civil Aviation Administration:
"USAFA has a very individual instructor to student approach. It also has a different, more creative approach in teaching the subject. Less number crunching, more concepts, more educated estimated guesses, opportunities to work on real life programs (NASA, USAF etc.). More hands-on and personal initiative. A lot of colleges cooperate with companies to do research for them. It’s a great advantage when you have industry coming to the school with their projects and also their employees as instructors. Some of them are very experienced professors and doctors, and have very rich biographies. My aviation experiences and the people I met are what I value the most. Not too often one can speak to an astronaut, a Vietnam or Korea vet, or a Gulf War I veteran who participated in the initial Baghdad bombing with F-117, the engineers from legendary Lockheed and Boeing… And the F-15 D fighter ride was the best!"
How to Prepare?
Laura Belevica, Washington University in St. Louis: "If your documents arrive early, you have a higher chance of being noticed among all the other applications. Build a strong and unique presentation of yourself. Consult your instructors, friends, and family to learn more about your strengths and weaknesses. Look online for resources that might guide you through the preparation process. When the time has come to write your statement of intent, reevaluate your past experiences and present yourself from the best yet a realistic point of view."
Mārtiņš Mašulis, Bates College, PhD candidate, Cornell University: "I avoided the better-publicized paths of foundations and scholarship programs, favoring direct contact with colleges. I would suggest that students look into the option of small liberal arts colleges, since I benefited immensely from my own experience at Bates College. Large universities are great for research, and they will always remain an option for advanced studies!"
Aleksejs Požarskis, Naples Air Center, Inc.: "I have found most of the information on the internet. As I am going to study to become a professional pilot and work in Europe, it was very important for me to get the European Pilot License. In order to obtain it, the school should be listed as Flight Training Organization approved by the European authority. The flight school where I am going is approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, so there should be no problems to get the European License."
Jānis Stībelis, Hollywood Musicians Institute, Musician: "I decided to study in the U.S. as there are no higher education institutions specializing in popular music in Latvia. I found out about the school from an advertisement in the magazine „Keyboard”. When preparing for studies in the U.S., it is important to do a thorough research on the school. Determine what is interesting and unique about this college or university. Of course, one should also use the advantages offered by the local educational institutions. For example, it is possible to learn piano playing and classical theory here in Latvia. However, there are subjects not taught in Latvia, and the U.S. multicultural experience in music lets you widen your horizons."
Visvaldis Valtenbergs, Fulbright Fellowship Alumnus, Master’s degree in political science, New School University, PhD candidate and Research Project Manager, Vidzeme University: "Firstly, even before you apply - be well rounded in the field you want to pursue. Talk to people, exchange business cards, build a network of friends and acquaintances. Be sure to get some practical work done – volunteer, be active in an NGO, and your community. This network will help you feel welcome when you come back in a year or two. This is very important because re-integration is very difficult for some people. Secondly, be willing to see yourself back home after you finish with your studies in the U.S. Ask yourself – how will I be able to contribute?"
Toms Kreicbergs, Reed College: "If you're starting early: read a lot of English, fiction in particular. (Over the years I read several hundred volumes of science fiction from the foreign language library in Kongresu Nams). First and foremost, this will make your personal statement much easier and (hopefully) impressive reading. Also, if you get better SAT Verbal scores than 97% of Americans, the admissions staff will notice - few foreigners score higher than average on Verbal, whereas in math the competition is much tougher. Make sure you've a good grasp of basic math and algebra for the SATs - a little bit of effort at school will pay off, later on as well as when testing. And do a lot of practice on SATs, get used to the format. Remain on good terms with your teachers at school - they'll be the ones who end up writing your recommendations. Most importantly, work hard at school. Academic success is very important. You certainly need some extracurricular activities that you can mention in your application as well, but don't consider that as an excuse to slack off."
Lt Ērika Neimane, United States Air Force Academy, Airspace Management Coordinator, Latvian Civil Aviation Administration: "Since early in school I wanted to learn more about airplanes and military aviation fascinated me. While a senior in high school I read an article in “Rīgas Balss” about the possibility of studying in a US military academy. My decision was quick and clear: first choice USAFA, second choice Annapolis I’ve met some US military officers before, and had an insight into the US military through the different books. While gathering info about USAFA I learned about the USAF core values, academic and aviation programs it offers and decided that USAFA would be right the place for me. I contacted the US embassy, and so it started…"
How to Apply?
Valērijs Jakovļevs, Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, Marketing analyst, Mediju Nams: "Excellent motivation letter is “a must”. Send your papers with courier companies like DHL or UPS. It will be slightly more expensive but you can track your package on the internet and you will know for sure that school has got your documents on time."
Visvaldis Valtenbergs, Fulbright Fellowship Alumnus, Master’s degree in political science, New School University, PhD candidate and Research Project Manager, Vidzeme University: "You might want to explore ins and outs of Higher Education System, because some universities can offer rich support to graduate students, others cannot. Consider your living expenses and your personal tastes. New York City can satisfy your tastes but living there is quite expensive. Talk to Alumni Fulbrighters. If University has hosted a Fulbrighter from Latvia before you, it is likely to continue doing so. It would help if you made some connections before applying to schools. Get to know someone in the department, or at least get familiar with the work they are doing."
How to Get a Student Visa?
Līga Bergvalde, University of Western Illinois: "Applying for a student visa was very easy. As long as one has the necessary documentation and financial resources (in case you pay on your own), the process is very efficient."
Laura Belevica, Washington University in St. Louis: "The application process in the beginning was very straight-forward. However, I was anxious to go to the visa interview. I brought a variety of different additional materials (my portfolio, for instance) just in case it might be necessary. At the end, it was actually a very simple and straight-forward procedure."
Valērijs Jakovļevs, Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, Marketing analyst, Mediju Nams: "I thought that it will be long and hard procedure, because I have heard such rumors. For me it was smooth and quick. Actually I was wondering how easy it was. I had to answer a few questions about reasons why I am going to United States, had to show my financial statement and that's it. I got my student visa in minutes."
Dāvis Puksts, Professional Golfers Career College: "If you don’t do everything at the last moment, then it is OK, but you have to be really careful in filling out all the documents!"
Studying & Living in the U.S.
Māra Zālīte, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, Account Manager, DDB Latvia: "It's a lifetime experience. It's worth every penny and every day invested. Studying in a country different than yours is an excellent challenge for one's personality. When you are faced with different culture and different values, you start to compare and analyze your own. And then you learn a lot – about yourself, about your beloved ones, and your country."
Mārtiņš Mašulis, Bates College, PhD candidate, Cornell University: "It is a very dynamic environment, a kind of fantasy setting, unencumbered by quotidian worries. Being thus divorced from the “real world” was actually a great pleasure for me. I find the northeastern United States to be wonderful also. I have enjoyed greatly the landscape, the coastline, the food (lobster!), and the cities (Boston and New York), among other things."
Juris Pupčenoks, State Fair Community College, Westminster College, PhD candidate, University of Delaware: "During my stay in the U.S., I was able to interact with people from all over the world, access to voluminous and high quality educational aids (books, movies etc.), attend an institution with a rich student life--numerous student clubs, two newspapers, student organizations, honor societies. However, probably the best thing was obtaining a quality education and the further development of my character and personality."
Rolands Krēgers, State University of New York at Buffalo: "I would suggest new students to live on campus for the first academic year; even though it is a bit more expensive than living off-campus. By living on-campus, new students can get more used to American English and other things necessary for living and studying in the US."
Valērijs Jakovļevs, Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, Marketing analyst, Mediju Nams: "For the first time in my life I was happy to go to school every day. I also got to know American people in school and I was sharing apartment with Americans. I had a chance to travel around California (San Francisco, Yosemite National Park) and enjoyed Hollywood with its specific vibrant lifestyle. Somehow I feel that it was one of the best experiences I have had in my life thus far."
Visvaldis Valtenbergs, Fulbright Fellowship Alumnus, Master’s degree in political science, New School University, PhD candidate and Research Project Manager, Vidzeme University: "In the U.S., I discovered an ability to appreciate differences in world cultures, races, religions, life-styles, and most notably – cuisine. In a way, this enrichment of personal experiences became a part of my regular study schedule. Other universities may offer special programs on these things, but in New York it is the part of everyday life that runs on and off-campus. I loved living in the New York City. I was there during the September 11, and a year after. Be ready to discover the qualities in yourself that you never think existed. Be ready to embrace them."
Lt Ērika Neimane, United States Air Force Academy, Airspace Management Coordinator, Latvian Civil Aviation Administration: "Travel around! You can go hiking in national parks, see nature and aerospace museums, historical sites... If you are lucky to have a good sponsor family, you might be able to do some traveling around with them. You can join your friends for a road trip (fun thing to do!), or if your finances allow, you can buy a cheap car. Get a U.S. drivers license. You won’t be able to get around in the States without a car. A car is not a luxury; it’s a basic necessity, if you want to get away from campus. Also, get a cell phone while in the States. The rates are much cheaper than in Latvia. Arrange the right paperwork if you wish to travel to Canada or Mexico."