Uncle Sam wants you … to go to grad school in the US

She says, “There are a few professors here with whom I’ve developed a student-mentor relationship, and I’m hopeful that their guidance will aid me in establishing a career when I move back to Toronto.”

Studying in the U.S. can provide you with a new and different perspective that may be valued in the Canadian market. Jane Rendely, a Canadian career and educational counselor, says that “When a person comes back to Canada and they have been trained in the United States, there is a cachét that comes with that… there is an edge.” But at the same time she cautions that “It depends on the school … not all American universities share such cutting edge training and hold such a high reputation.”

Many Canadian students are hoping for a leg up from an American school. Emily Kate is graduating from McGill University and planning to pursue a joint degree in social work and public health at NYU. This degree combination was not available to her in Canada, and she hopes that it, along with the American school it comes from, will open doors for her. “I believe that many schools in the U.S. may be more recognized by employers than Canadian schools,” she says. “In addition, I hope it’ll separate me from the others applying with the similar qualifications.”

A satisfying social experience

Between the lectures, logbooks and late night lattes, social experiences are also important. Attending an American school may be your chance to round out your academic experience with new social and cultural ones. In her American experience, Borchiver felt a renewed energy: “Americans are very spirited. There is a certain energy that I didn’t see as much when I was attending school in Canada. … People are expected to join a team and support it … whatever the activity may be. Students are encouraged to be active whether it’s in the classroom or outside.”

Choosing an American grad school can be an opportunity to gain valuable life experience. Jennifer Brownstein, a student at McGill University who will be pursuing a Doctorate of Psychology in the US, says she’s “excited to gain experience out of her comfort zone and to take on a new lifestyle.”

Borchiver feels the same way. “Living in Florida has exposed me to a number of new experiences that have forced me to make my own decisions and carve my own path,” she says. “I’m dependent on myself to resolve the day to day issues I face, and grow as a person.”

But how will I pay for it?

Many American graduate programs have their own internal scholarships, some of which you may qualify for. You can also look for funding sources on scholarship sites such as International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search, EducationUSA, and ScholarshipExperts.com. These sites house databases containing scholarships and grants for several levels and fields of study.

Going to grad school in the U.S. takes planning and persistence, to make your way through what seems like an overwhelming process. But the possibilities for a life enriching experience and a fulfilling future may just lie south of the border.

Jobpostings Magazine is Canada’s largest, career lifestyle magazine (and website) for students looking for entry level jobs. So if you’re looking for your next student job on the path to your career, check them out!

Image by courtesy of flickr, by Walz of Winnipeg