Beyond Rankings: Choosing American Universities and Embracing Reality

When applying to American universities during high school, many prospective international students often fill out applications based on their familiarity with certain university names due to geographical limitations. A significant number of parents guide their children's school choices using the university rankings provided by US News. However, opting for an American university in this manner can lead to a lack of firsthand understanding regarding the living environment, academic standards, and internship opportunities. Consequently, students may encounter a substantial contrast between their idealized perception of the university and the reality they encounter upon arrival, leading to feelings of frustration.

I have a classmate who was admitted to a top 50 university in the United States. She had to pass several bars on her way from the dormitory to the cafeteria, occasionally encountering people engaged in abnormal drinking behavior. This compelled her to hurry past each time she walked by. Recently, due to a shooting incident on campus, the school instructed students to stay in their rooms. She had to nervously wander in the room lost in thought.

Another high school classmate of mine gained admission to a top 50 liberal arts college in the United States. Her tuition and living expenses were more than twice what I paid at Purdue University. She has been reaching out to me frequently lately, expressing dissatisfaction with the quality of food and generally feeling discontented. Her school cafeteria doesn't have Asian food, plus, I suppose their school cafeteria doesn't offer ice cream.

Conversely, the Chinese freshmen I encountered at Purdue University seemed content with their current lifestyles. Not only life satisfaction, but also academic development is very encouraging. For example, the new dean of my business school is Jim Bullard, who was ranked as the seventh-most influential economist globally in 2014. Bullard held the longest-serving position as the president of the Federal Reserve Bank in the country. This news made many of my high school classmates regret not choosing Purdue Business School and more.

An ancient Chinese proverb states, "The fragrance of wine is not hindered by the depth of the alley," conveying the idea that if the wine is of high quality, people will be drawn to it regardless of its location in a remote alleyway. I love Purdue University.