Is the dream still in the US?
If you went to a prep classroom right now and asked them where they wanted to study when they graduated, most of them would probably give you the same answer: the U.S.. However, as they move to upper classes and the college application process approaches, the reality starts to hit. As much as we all want to experience the freedom that U.S. colleges offer, play with our courses according to our interests, and get to see what the college experience tastes like, the road to U.S. colleges is full of obstacles. And over the past years, these obstacles have grown, which ultimately led many RC students to reevaluate their paths to university. The American Dream, the one sold on glossy American brochures, is turning into a nightmare lately with all the geopolitical issues, massive tuition bills, and instability arising in the political scene. The ultimate goal for generations of RC graduates, a prestigious U.S diploma, is now being shaken by many risks, pushing RC students to consider the comfort, stability, and affordability of European colleges.
Securing and maintaining the F-1 visa has become so hard that it can compete with the hardship of finding a spot in a top-tier college itself. According to an article published by Forbes, in recent months, actions by the Trump administration have discouraged international students from pursuing education in the U.S., including the implementation of visa bans and shifting student visa policies (Esaki-Smith, 2025). And its repercussion is a drop of 30-40% in new international students, according to the data from the Department of Homeland Security.
One of the strongest sources of concern is the visa volatility caused by political threats to the policies. Besides the high tuition fees and living costs compared to Europe, many people are worried that their investments in education may be rendered worthless with a sudden and arbitrary government action. The constant threat of restrictive measures on post-graduation work permits, such as the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, or the highly competitive H-1B lottery, further complicates the career plans of the students.
The move toward countries like the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Italy is a practical response to the turbulence in the US higher education system. These countries consistently offer a more stable and reliable return on effort and investment. Many top-tier European universities offer low-cost programs for international students compared to the U.S.. Political stability is another pro that pulls students toward European universities, since Europe appears to be less prone to sudden policy changes surrounding visas, unlike those consistently recurring in the US politics lately. Furthermore, after graduation, the US makes graduates go through complicated processes such as a politically sensitive post-graduate work permit, whereas Europe secures a safer route. For instance, countries like Germany and the UK offer fixed, secure periods where graduates can get employed and work in those countries. In the UK, a Graduate visa permits someone to stay for at least 18 months after successfully completing an eligible course in the UK.
Another factor that prevents the American Dream from becoming a reality is the regulatory change of the Ministry of Education regarding the SAT. Because students aren't allowed to take the SAT unless their school is in line with an overseas education system, many students will probably turn their way to Europe. Europe has more test-optional schools with acceptance processes that consider specific subject tests instead, and this reduces the reliance on the SAT, which has become hard to access for many international students. Even though this regulation doesn't affect our school, it is worth mentioning since it is expected to cause a drop in the number of applications to the US by Turkish students in the following years.
This shift from the US to European universities by RC students shouldn't be defined as a loss of ambition; instead, it is a product of seeking a more secure path. While the pursuit of higher education overseas remains, its destination changes to predictable, affordable, and politically stable Europe, which has become a very compelling alternative to the prestigious but risky American Dream.
