As students start to finalise their lists, they may find that they are applying to both public and private universities. In the UK, there are only a handful of private universities, so this distinction is not often a consideration. In the US, over half of the universities are private. Vela Education advisees apply to many of the private colleges in the US but there has been a growing interest in applying to the public universities. This is a big change from the UK system, so understanding the differences between private and public universities is key.
Private
Most international universities are public: they are funded by government bodies and their policies are overseen by external forces. In the US, many private universities receive no government funding and can, therefore, create their own policies. This gives them more freedom when it comes to areas such as admissions or faculty decisions. Private universities are usually smaller than public universities with some colleges only having a student population of a couple of hundred students. These institutions are also a lot more expensive. However, they often have more resources for students when it comes to funding, financial aid, and scholarship options. We recommend this article by US News and World Report. If you have any questions regarding financing, please get in touch as Vela Education can help with any guidance and planning regarding Scholarships and Financial Aid. You can read more about private universities in the US here.
Public
Public universities are funded by both the state and the federal government. These colleges are designed to cater primarily to students that live in that state. There has been a growing interest in these schools because they do rival their private counterparts in the US and global stage when it comes to rankings in quality of education and reputation. For example, both UCLA and UC Berkeley are part of the University of California system. Other public universities include: UNC Chapel Hill, University of Virginia, and University of Michigan. However, these schools are not less selective when it comes to admission rates for international students. Also, these schools are legally obligated to “hold spaces” for “in-state” students. There is also a difference in fees between “in-state” “out of state/international” tuition. When making these choices, it is important to consider which might be the best strategic option for students.
To find out more about these schools and to figure out what might be right for you, Vela Education is here to help! On the 31st of August, we are hosting a webinar on Application Strategy. For a more tailored approach, please contact usor schedule a strategic consultation.