The Pros
The German perspective on higher education is far different than that of America, the philosophy is that college education is a necessary part in improving the country. So, in order to boost university enrollment and educate their citizens, Germany offers some of the most affordable college education in Europe. Many German schools are free for German students and offer extremely low rates for international students.
AP exams are not required for admittance to German Universities.... but make sure to take SAT/ACT.
Cost of living is also reasonable in cities like Freiburg (home to the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, which offers four English-Taught degrees), dorms costing between $275-$400+ weekly (which comes out to cost around the same as college dorms in the US). German student accommodation is also Flat style, where you have your own bedroom with a shared kitchen and living space. This means you have the independence that comes with having your own space and cooking for yourself, and you save money as buying and cooking food for yourself can be cheaper than meal plans in the US.
The application process is far more black and white. You wont have to worry about overfilling your schedule with extra-curriculars to make yourself stand out. Germany isn't different from its other European countries in that the application process focuses more on your performance and focus on education than all the extras.
Germany boasts one of Europe's lowest unemployment rates, this year they have not reached any higher than 4.4%, while the US peaked at nearly 10% higher. Following graduation from a German university you have 18 months to find a job, which allows you to apply for the German residence permit or EU blue card (equivalent of an American green card).
The opportunity to learn a new language is unmatched by any program of study you could choose in the US. You could choose to minor in German while you study, but even the full immersion that comes with going abroad will help you develop the language skills you need to get around. The opinion on the necessity of speaking German while studying there is widely debated by students... you can read more here.
The Cons
All of these benefits sound amazing, but as usual there are some drawbacks so its up to you to decide what your priorities for your college education are. To some, the cheap price tag at globally ranked universities in Europe makes having to be so far from home worth it. For others the language barrier is too much of a stress. With the right information you will be able to make the choice that is right for you.
It can be hard to find courses which are taught entirely in English. This is the case in many European countries and you are going to need to be absolutely certain of the language a course is taught in before you apply. There are several lists available of Universities which offer English taught courses as well as courses taught in English, but double checking with the University website or a quick email is always a good idea. Day to day life may be difficult without any German language skills, so it might not be a bad idea to download Duolingo...
As far as applying goes, most European schools are looking for test scores and Germany is no exception... However, they prefer SAT scores to AP scores. This can be both a Pro and a Con, as SATs are more accessible than AP exams but not everyone is a great test taker and they don't always do the best job demonstrating who you are as a student.
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