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With 50 states to pick from, choosing where to study in the US can be overwhelming.
There’s lots of information out there about the different universities and courses, but sometimes it just comes down to fit and feel.
Whether you’re weighing up two different options or not sure where to start, we've matched some major states with personality types to help you find your perfect fit.
Are you creative, laid-back, and always chasing the next big trend? California might be your ideal destination. With its buzzing cities, beautiful beaches, and world-renowned tech scene, it's perfect for those who love variety and aren't afraid to think outside the box.
If you’re at home in the water, then California is the state for you. Surfing is the official state sport and the consistent year-round swells mean it’s home to 29% of surfers in the US.
There are more than 30 public colleges in the Golden State. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is the largest university in the state with almost half a million students a year between its 23 colleges.
If you thrive in fast-paced environments and dream big, the Empire State could be calling your name.
With multiple urban universities threaded throughout the concrete jungle, New York offers world-class opportunities in fields like finance, fashion, and the arts.
It's ideal for ambitious types who love the energy of big city life. Over 800 languages are spoken in New York, making it the most linguistically diverse city in the world and the perfect home away from home.
The State University of New York at Buffalo is the largest public university in New York, and it’s also home to big names like Cornell and Columbia.
For those with a big personality and an even bigger heart, Texas might be the perfect new home.
The Lone Star State offers a unique blend of modern cities and cowboy culture. And when we say big, we mean big: with more than 30 million inhabitants over almost 700,000 km², Texas is larger than many countries, including France, Germany, and Japan!
Texas A&M University is the largest university in the state, while the University of Texas at Austin takes the crown for the number one public university in Texas and 32nd best in the US.
Home to some of the world's top universities, Massachusetts is perfect for the intellectually curious. If you consider yourself a history geek and don't mind a little New England weather, this could be your scholarly paradise.
Pick Massachusetts and you'll be studying in the birthplace of American sports — both volleyball and basketball were invented here.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is the largest public university, but the state is also home to two of the global top five best universities: Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard.
Do you live for sunny days, love meeting new people, and enjoy a good party? Florida might be your match.
Don’t let the jokes about retiring to Florida fool you; the state capital, Miami, is known for its buzzing nightlife. With its beautiful beaches and famous theme parks, it's great for outgoing types who want to mix study and play.
The University of Central Florida in Orlando is one of the largest universities in the country. Alongside the University of Miami and Florida State University, that means Florida has three institutions that rank in the top 100 US universities.
If you're happiest outdoors and love staying active, consider Colorado.
Home to the Rocky Mountains, its stunning landscapes, including the world's largest flat-top mountain (Grand Mesa, covering about 500 square miles), mean Colorado is ideal for those who want to hit the trails or slopes when they're not hitting the books.
There are nearly 50 institutions to pick from in The Centennial State. Colorado State University is the largest in the state and University of Colorado Boulder is considered to be one of the leading public research universities in the US.
If you're looking for a place that balances career prospects with a manageable cost of living and four distinct seasons, the Prairie State might be for you. Illinois offers a blend of Midwestern friendliness and big-city opportunities.
Its state capital, Chicago, is one of the largest cities in the US. Perfect for those who want to combine big-city living with lazy lakeside days, the “Windy City” is right on the edge of Lake Michigan, one of the five “Great Lakes”.
The state's largest university is the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and it’s also home to global #28, Northwestern University.
Are you passionate about technology, love a good cup of coffee, and don't mind a little rain? Washington state might be your perfect match.
With its booming tech industry, stunning natural beauty, and eco-friendly mindset, it's ideal for forward-thinkers. The only state named after a US president, Washington is home to the world's first Starbucks, which opened in Seattle in 1971.
The University of Washington in Seattle, the largest university in the state, is consistently ranked as one of the most innovative public universities in the world.
Whether you’re happiest on a sun-drenched beach or exploring windswept mountains, catching a wave or catching up with a good book, there’s a state for you.
These are just top-level introductions to some of the defining state characteristics. The best way to find your perfect match is to research thoroughly and, if possible, visit before making your decision.
The US is an incredibly varied, diverse country, and whichever state you pick, we’re sure it will soon feel like home.
PTE Academic is completed on a computer, including the speaking part of the test.
So make sure you are prepared by familiarizing yourself with the equipment you will use during your test. Reading these test tips and you will be fully prepared.
There are many ways you can improve your chances of gaining points in Part 2: Reading during PTE Academic.
To improve your reading skills, practice increasing your reading speed and comprehension at the same time. In turn, you will improve your writing, grammar and vocabulary skills.
To do well in this part of the test, you need to be able to read quickly, using effective reading strategies, as there is a limited time to answer all questions.
Speed reading tasks will help improve your reading speed. Practice speed reading every day and:
Aim to be reading at least 220 words per minute
Reading short articles of around 300 words
Read often for short periods of time
You can also try this as a challenge with your friends to help keep motivated. Once you are happy with your comprehension and speed, focus on chunks (groups of words) rather than individual words.
When your reading skills reach a level you are happy with, you will feel more confident to answer the questions.
In the Multiple-Choice, Single Answer question type, some test takers make the mistake of scan reading and matching the words in the text to the words in the answer. Generally, the words in the text are not used in the correct answer, therefore it is important to learn how to use synonyms and paraphrasing as it will be used in the test.
Learn how to improve your grammar in our Reading: Core Skills part 1 article.
In this question type, you will need more time than in the Multiple-Choice, Choose Single Answer question type, as you need to intensively read the stem (the part before the options) as well as the options, then scan read the text on the screen until you find the part of the text that contains information that was in the stem.
Read the options very carefully and match the meaning of the option with the text. Do not match the words – this is something test takers may make errors with.
You should also make sure not to choose all the options since you lose one point for each incorrect choice. However, you cannot score below zero.
To do well in the Re-order Paragraphs questions, you will need to have a strong understanding of cohesive devices and how they work. You will also need to understand how articles work, as well as the logical and chronological order of information.
In this question type, skim-read the text to get the ideas of the topic of the text. From there, you should read all the sentences carefully.
For both Fill in the Blanks and Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks question types, you will need to understand a range of vocabulary, collocations, grammar, pronouns, and cohesive devices, as well as being able to identify when plural nouns are needed.
You will also need to be able to skim read to get an idea of the meaning of the text, then read intensively before and after each blank. If unsure, you should guess based on the context.
Make sure you do not leave any spaces blank. You do not need to correctly fill in all spaces to get points.
To go back and review the question types within the reading test, we suggest learning more about the reading questions.
Explore Smart Prep, which combines all our practice materials in one place, so it's easier for you to stay on track with your PTE preparation.
Smart Prep is a clear path to test day, guiding you through the official paid and free resources available for your test
It can be accessed whether you’ve booked a test or not – just create, or sign in to your myPTE account
Preparation materials include guided practice tests, introductory videos, video courses and test tips.
Ready to get started?
Do you have your heart set on studying in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland? The UK is a wonderful place to live and learn, but you’ll most likely need to get a UK study visa before you start packing your bags.
This comprehensive guide covers who needs a UK student visa, the requirements for getting one, how to apply, how much it costs, and how long it takes.
If you’re an international student hoping to study in the UK, you’ll most likely need a student visa. The only exceptions are nationals of Switzerland and countries in the European Economic Area (EEA), who don’t need a visa to enter the UK. *
* Please note: The outcome of Brexit may alter this after 2020. Check the UK government’s website for up-to-date information about this.
There are several UK study visa requirements you’ll need to meet to successfully apply. These include:
You’ve been offered a place in a full-time course from an eligible university (i.e. the school must be a licensed Student route visa*Tier 4 sponsors)
You can understand English (both written and spoken)
You have enough funds to support yourself and any dependants, while also paying for the course.
These requirements apply to students from all over the world. This means the UK student visa requirements for Indian students and American students are exactly the same for Chinese students and Australian students (and so on).
![[Asset] Two friends, students smiling](/content/dam/ELL/pte/pearsonpte/articles/two-friends-students-smiling.jpg)
