This unscientific way of discovery occurs more frequently than you might think and is an excellent beginning. In short, you have decided all by yourself that you have the intelligence and drive to succeed. It is a fact that intelligence and drive are the most important factors that will bring home a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral Degree when you return from the United States. It is also a fact, that money alone will not buy either, and if you are convinced that you have both, it is likely that you will succeed. At this point, I would suggest: to go back to square one, and seriously re-formulate the same questions. If you can come up with the same answers and are still determined to start the long journey of studying abroad, then you are ready. Now your work begins in full, and a good dose of honesty is needed to move forward with real answers.

As a norm, I would seriously recommend to view a TOEFL score of 660 as a mark that will guarantee some degree of confidence on the ability to keep up with the daily demands of university studies. Many Colleges such as Endicott College, in Beverly, Massachusetts accept students with TOEFL scores around the 600 mark, requiring participation in their English as a Second Language Program, as a precondition for admission. This important step allows students to combine ESL instruction with academic courses. The obvious advantage is that it does not delay admission to a program of study leading towards a Bachelor's Degree.

In deciding course selection for the first semester, the College's guiding principle is to protect your chances for success. We all know that nobody wins, if a student fails academically. It is your job as an applicant, to find out if your level of English matches your aspirations, and the admission guidelines of the Colleges you are applying to. Suffice to say here that a great number of Colleges and Universities alsd require the SAT test from Secondary School graduates. As a general rule, it is better to prepare yourself for a while taking intensive English courses, than to risk a denial letter from the College you are seeking admission to.

Can I afford it?
The second question in order of importance is: Can I afford the College of my choice in the United States?. The truth is, unless you have a demonstrated ability and a steady "star student" record, it is unlikely that you will obtain a grant covering all your expenses at some of your preferred Colleges.

By law, Federal (government) money is not accessible to International students, unless they also hold a U.S. citizenship or a U.S~ resident card. Many good candidates will be denied financial aid assistance for this reason. Or they will receive an offer from the College to take their own "Grant" (gift) money, that in reality is still short of the amount the student really needs. Again, check your past academic achievements, and type of funds you can realistically obtain from your favorite College. Sometimes, you will need to make adjustments looking for institutions that better match your ability to pay. Don't count on universities largesse, count on your own resources and your ability to pay. If some money comes along the way as a gift, see it as an added benefit.

For the most part American Universities can only give their "own money", not government money, to International students and they will decide to whom and how much there is to give. Confronting reality early is a great time saving device, when searching for the right College. The good news is that there are a wide range of institutions available, both academically viable and affordable. Look for what you can afford. For example, Endicott College decided to reduce tuition as a way to evenly benefit a wide range of International and Domestic applicants. As a result, their tuition compares most favorably with other Boston area Colleges, averaging savings of eight thousand dollars per year. When we multiply by four years, it represents some serious savings for an international student.

Use the resources available
If you pass the "Motivation" test, the "English" test, and the "Reality" test, and you can show a reasonable academic record, you are on your way to finding a good match at a U.S. College. The next steps will become a little easier. Having a good idea of what your academic interests are, you can now move along rather fast. Word of mouth advice from alumni/e, advice from USIS and Fulbright Commission representatives in your country, and advice from counselors at International Schools are still paramount and irreplaceable in a search for the perfect College.

Make use of these resources that for the most part are free. For example, you can contact the Education section of the U.S. Embassy, the offices of AMIDEAST in the Middle East, the Institute of International Education, the Fulbright Commission, and International Schools in your area.

Also International College Fairs in your area should be common occurrence. In addition, College’s International recruiters frequently visit Asian, South American, European and Middle Eastern countries. You should call the College of your choice, to find out when their International recruiter will be visiting your City.

The application process
Presenting your application to any College or University should be a serious affair. Please do not take it lightly, as this is the biggest mistake many applicants make. Remember that admissions counselors only see essays and grades and do not have the opportunity to interact with international applicants when they are processing their applications. If you are tired or busy, continue to complete your application or finish your essay the next day. Type and correct everything. Do not act on impulse, anything that you mail is impossible to retrieve, and it will reach the admission office even if you change your mind. Be obsessive, use the best available paper, avoid wrinkles, triple check your grammar, margins, etc.

After all is said and done, what you write will be your best or worst credential. Your essays are extremely important. Think what you write. Show a logical progression. With the English language -at least in America-, "more is less", meaning that less clutter and making a point while being grammatically correct is highly valued. Essays are a good opportunity to explain unforeseen events that have occurred in your life, and they can influence a reader towards a positive decision on your application. Do not lie, report facts and circumstances that have affected you, or major accomplishments worth noting. Universities always check, and lies are hard to keep up with.

After you are accepted finally, remember that U.S. Colleges and Universities are "writing intensive". You will write many papers during your stay. Ask native speakers to correct and edit every paper you send out. Make it a habit. Also research your papers yourself at the library. It is much easier to defend your point if you have done your own research. And besides, it is the right thing to do. In the end you will remember more for your final examinations and you will get your money 5 worth. It will also build confidence for the next step, be it a Master's or Doctoral Degree or your first well remunerated job. The more you learn about Americans, and can communicate by writing, the better off you will be. It is a fact that most of us after College will have sooner rather than later a manager regularly reading our reports.

Lastly, beware of plagiarism. In America it represents a serious breaking of academic rules, and can lead to very uncomfortable situations, and in some cases to dismissal from courses and even the University itself.

In the end, the reward for your journey will be your effort, sense of personal accomplishment, mastery of a foreign language and culture, memories and friends left behind. But still the most valued reward will be, the diploma that you will see hanging behind you in your office and the thought..." I did take the challenge all by myself and for now, nothing seems impossible".

Going back to the very beginning, my best advice remains: set your course and stay at the helm for the duration of your journey. It certainly will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. I can only wish the best of luck to you, and all those daring students making plans to come to the United States, one step at a time. Don't give up and follow your plan to the end.