1 best international colleges in Philadelphia 2024

Philadelphia is a large city in Pennsylvania, an economic centre known as the national citadel of law (it was here that the Declaration of Independence was signed + a large number of law schools have been located here for several centuries). The city is known as the American Athens due to its developed educational system, cultural centre – the first library, business school and medical college were opened here.

Studying in Philadelphia is not only university courses (bachelor's/ master's degree): community colleges in Philadelphia will allow you to get a certificate of a prestigious educational institution, good academic knowledge and help you to achieve high proficiency in a foreign language, and with such knowledge it is much more comfortable to knock on the doors of top universities. The second popular direction is summer courses for children in Philadelphia. Students over the age of 17 prefer linguistic schools and are considering options for higher education. Thanks to a wide range of courses, studying in Philadelphia for students is one of the most popular directions within the framework of educational tourism in the United States.

International colleges in Philadelphia (they are also often called Six-form Colleges and Tutorial Colleges) are aimed at effective and intensive preparation of both foreign and American students for admission to universities. The colleges usually accept high school students aged 15-16 just after the 9th or 11th grade.

The program of study at Six-form Colleges focuses on academic preparation, which can be called a type of paid courses and tutoring. In addition to the general education program at a college in Philadelphia, a student can take an almost unlimited number of specialized lessons in the chosen specialty, as well as individual classes.

The educational programs at the best colleges in Philadelphia are very flexible, constantly being upgraded and updated, making it possible to take courses faster and with better results than usual. For example, GCSE in colleges can be completed in a year (instead of two), and A–level - in one and a half to two years. Also colleges in Philadelphia offers intensive language preparation: in addition to improving all key language skills, students will acquire valuable academic knowledge that can significantly facilitate their admission and study at universities.

TOP colleges in Philadelphia, as a rule, are more democratic than American boarding schools: teachers and students communicate more informally (with respect for subordination and mutual respecting), and uniforms are usually absent. The students should remember that schoolchildren of Tutorial Colleges aren’t allowed everything: strict control over academic performance and attendance, the complexity and intensity of the curriculum, intransigence to alcohol and drugs are the business cards of such institutions.

Since high school students study at colleges in Philadelphia, residences for boys and girls are provided separately, and children can be punished for being in the same room together: this encourages you to devote yourself to studying, without being distracted by various factors. Studying at a prestigious international college in the USA will help to solve the problem of adaptation and getting used to new educational, cultural and behavioral standards.

• There is no such rich and diverse extracurricular and leisure program as in traditional American boarding schools. Academic development and pre–university preparation are at the forefront - both in subjects and in English. The same applies to personal development, education of etiquette norms: it is assumed that high school students have already learned the rules of behaviour in society, can behave well-mannered and correctly, take care of themselves and comfortably coexist with their peers.
• There is very small number of students in the classes: an average of 6 people, mini-groups of only 2-3 people. This helps to practice the most practice-oriented approach, to pay maximum attention to each student, which is so important during the assimilation of a complex senior program.
• On average, the cost of studying at a community college in Philadelphia is 1.5-2 times lower than at a university in a similar specialty. Such a tuition fee is a significant plus for the foreign schoolchildren.
• Practice-oriented programs are offered to the foreign students: all are compiled and regularly updated taking into account the changing requirements of society, admissions committees at universities and potential employers, which increases the chances of subsequent employment, successful enrolment. Much attention is paid to the practical application of knowledge, internships and work practices, work in real industries (it concerns diploma or bachelor's degree programs, certificate courses).
• In case of a wish to transfer from one program to another, the student will not need to take a large number of exams: it will be enough to confirm high academic performance (report card with grades) and a good level of English (TOEFL/IELTS international certificate).

In general, college programs in the United States, available to foreign students and local residents, are divided into two blocks:

• Pre-university preparation

There are well-known British educational standards (GCSE, A-level), the International Baccalaureate IB, GRE/GMAT studying, the American Advanced Placement (AP) course, and the universal University Foundation fast course. Look at the list offered by the college you like and compare it with the requirements of the university you have chosen – this will make the choice easier. Students also have the opportunity to take accelerated academic courses: they usually take 2-6 months and are also aimed at improving academic and language level.

• Professional studying

It can be a professional diploma or certificate (regular level or advanced), a bachelor's degree (takes 3-4 years). The certificate allows you to start working immediately, but usually from junior positions, but a bachelor's degree is valued in the same way as a bachelor's degree from universities, that is, it is the first full-fledged stage of higher education.

• Harrisburg Area Community College
• University of Pennsylvania
• Bryn Mawr College Summer 
• FLS Chestnut Hill College Summer 
• The Pennington School
• The Lawrenceville School
• St. Joseph’s University – Philadelphia, PA.