Study in the USA STUDY USA

Higher education in the United States is globally renowned, with the highest scale and standards. In the QS World University Rankings, the U.S. holds five out of the top ten spots. The diverse culture, top-notch faculty, abundant research resources, and generous scholarships make the U.S. a popular choice for international students. Unlike the Philippines' centralized testing system, U.S. universities have independent admissions processes. Even though the SAT/ACT exams, commonly known as the 'American College Test,' are not required by all schools, institutions place more emphasis on personal qualities demonstrated in application essays and extracurricular activities, embodying the 'American Dream' where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

The education system in the United States is similar to that of Philippines, starting from elementary school, continuing through junior high school, high school, and then transitioning to college. The main difference lies in the grade divisions. In the U.S., elementary school is five years, junior high school (middle school) is three years, and high school requires four years to graduate. However, at the college level, both the U.S. and Philippines follow a four-year system, so there is not much difference in the academic progression for Filipino students pursuing bachelor's or master's degrees.

In the United States, university/graduate school applications are different from those in the Philippines. In addition to academic performance and standardized tests (GRE/GMAT, TOEFL/IELTS), U.S. universities also place significant emphasis on students' extracurricular activities, internship/work experience, and all application materials. Therefore, in the application process, Self-Help Home recommends that applicants should plan their schedules early, prepare all required application materials for each application, ensure that progress aligns with the application timeline, in order to increase the chances of being accepted to their ideal schools.