Who has never heard the names of the best American universities? The number of times these institutes have been mentioned in movies and series is incalculable. Every American movie buff has heard of the difficulty of getting into Yale, Stanford, or Harvard. Moreover, joining an American campus is an opportunity that is not always within everyone’s reach. Do you really know the history of these universities in the United States? Do you know why accessing it is so difficult? Here we present to you 3 of the most prestigious American universities.
Harvard University
Undeniably the most famous university in America, Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, near Boston. It was founded on October 8, 1636 and ranks at the top of the most prestigious universities in the world. It is also the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Renowned around the world, Harvard University remains a pioneer in learning and innovation. This American campus extends over nearly 85 hectares and is the subject of many visits.
Harvard receives an average of 6,700 students in the 1st cycle (studies after the bac or Bachelor) and more than 15,000 in the 2nd and 3rd cycle (PhD, Philosophiæ Doctor and Master). To study there is to be part of the elite of the United States. Known as the “Institute of the world”, Harvard attracts thousands of students from around the world. Thus, obtaining a scholarship within the campus is a great privilege. It has 13 schools and institutes, including Business schools, Medical schools and Law schools.
Eight US presidents have graduated from this private university, including Franklin Delano Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama. Furthermore, Harvard is home to the largest private collection of books in the world. Apart from its vast network of libraries, it also has a treasury of over $40 billion in 2019.
However, to access it, tuition costs exceed $50,000 per year, not including housing costs. This amount is then accessible only to a certain class of privileged students. There are, however, scholarships that give a chance to anyone who shows exceptional effort during the high school years.
Stanford University
Known as Stanford University, Leland Stanford Junior Unversity is also among the best universities in the world. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, in the city of San Francisco, it takes this name from its founders. Leland Stanford and his wife Jane Stanford established the university in the late 19th century. It derives its great reputation from the 20 Nobel Prizes won by its professors and researchers. Stanford excels above all in the sports field where the Cardinal of Stanford (university sports team) defends the colors of the establishment.
To retrace the history of this Faculty, you should know that some professors at Stanford University are French-speaking. René Girard, Michel Serres… Famous personalities in the field of philosophy, history and anthropology.
Moreover, in 2015, Stanford became the most selective university in the United States, beating even Harvard. She is known to participate in the creation of many companies. The founders of Facebook and LinkedIn, for example, studied at Stanford. Additionally, the university is renowned for its students’ ability to raise funds for their startups.
The University of California
Founded in 1868, the University of California is divided into two. Its administrative headquarters are located in Berkeley and its academic headquarters in Goleta (near Santa Barbara in California). With over 200,000 students, it is considered the largest institution of higher education in the United States.
In 1855, the first establishment was based in Oakland with about fifty students. In 1868, the latter was transformed into the “College of California” and became the current site with its 65 ha in Berkeley. The latter hosts the main campus and is one of the most prestigious universities with Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Stanford. In total, there are 10 partner universities working with the University of California. All reputed to be good universities, these institutions receive countless applications for membership and scholarships every year.
You should know that the University of California has hosted many business leaders and celebrities in its classrooms and amphitheatres. Among them, Travis Kalanick is known thanks to his Uber application.
To apply to one of the universities in California after the baccalaureate, entrance exams are essential. There is a minimum level of English required to apply (TOEFEL and IELTS). The school record is analyzed and the general average for the baccalaureate must be equal to or greater than 14/20. Very selective, California universities demand a level of excellence worthy of their reputation.
It is for example possible to integrate UCLA extension (University of California Los Angeles), a public university, whose tuition fees are inexpensive compared to those of other university establishments in the USA.
