Many students and their parents are faced with a certain lack of motivation to study in Hong Kong. As it is a small region, some try to look for opportunities with universities overseas. Studying in the United States is a decision that they share with many other students from around the world. So, what is good to know regarding this process?

You should start your process of application 12-18 months before the start of the first academic year in your preferred location. Bureaucracy, personal preparation, financial requirements – all these things require time. As stated on the American consulate for Hong Kong and Macau website, most tertiary institutions require TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS certification if English is not the students’ first language. In addition to this, most universities require the ACT or the SAT test for undergraduate studies (SAT II Subject Tests may be required), and the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) for graduate studies. Students should check with individual colleges for specific admission requirements. Of course, these tests are important, but they are not the only elements of the application process for studying in the USA.

Local Hong Kong public school students considering a 4-year college or university education must have completed Form 6 (secondary school). For 2-years higher education, Form 5 is usually enough.

The next concern is funding. Tertiary education in the USA is very expensive (usually between US$20,000 and US$50,000 per year), and as such applicants should inquire about available scholarships. There are several types of scholarship, rewarded according to academic achievements, talents or simply financial needs. There are other organizations that provide scholarships and are worthy to check: The American Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation U.S. Studies Scholarship, The GET Foundation Scholarship, The Hong Kong Schools Alumni Federation of Southern California Scholarship Foundation Scholarship Awards for Undergraduate Studies in U.S. Universities, etc. (visit: www.fundingusstudy.org/)

For secondary school students and their parents-  the most important objective to achieve during secondary school is high results in academic and extracurricular activities. The American educational system values both greatly. Preparation for the different tests mentioned above is also crucial. Search  universities or colleges in a timely manner, carefully organize and collect all required documents, and investigate thoroughly the best scholarships and awarding bodies if necessary.