Brennan Consulting

💵 The first thing most people ask me is how much it costs to study in the U.S. And the second question is almost always about financial aid or scholarships. That is understandable because college is expensive!

💵 My response is always that there are scholarships available for everyone, but college will never be free.  Honestly, I’m a bit surprised by the amount of people who contact me hoping that it might actually be next to zero!  😳

💵 So, keep in mind that generous scholarships DO exist, but they will not include other types of out of pocket expenses. Remember to budget for things like travel expenses, entertainment or a cell phone plan too. 

💵 It is these types of things that make your study abroad experience more comfortable and enjoyable, but are often forgotten when budgeting. 

The University of Miami 🌴 is one of those schools where the city is part of the education. For international students — especially from Latinamerica — Miami feels familiar from day one: bilingual, fast-paced, and full of energy.

But UM has gotten significantly harder to get into. The acceptance rate has dropped from ~40% a decade ago to under 18% today, with admitted students averaging a 3.8 GPA and SAT scores in the 1340–1450 range. 

Academically, standout programs include Marine Science (one of the best in the US), Business, Pre-Med, and Communications. Cost of attendance is quite high, and runs at almost $100,000/year — but merit scholarships are available and worth researching.

The student body tends to be affluent, cosmopolitan, and independent. It tends to attract the kind of student who is self-directed and socially confident. The campus energy is high, the social scene is intense, and the city’s clubs and beaches are never far away.

If you thrive in that environment, UM can be an incredible launchpad. 🎓

🚩 Do you need help in applying to universities abroad? I can help! 

I received the message above from the mother of a student of mine who wanted to thank me for the college counseling that I had provided her daughter. It was a long, but very fruitful process that produced some fantastic results! She was accepted to 10 different universities in both the US and Europe, and was given generous scholarships in almost every one of them!

If you need help with any aspect of your application process, for either undergraduate or graduate programs, just give me a call. I always offer free consultations to anyone with questions about the process.

Grand Valley State University is a GREAT option that most people don’t know about. Located just outside downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, (along the shores of Lake Michigan), GVSU is the state’s third-largest university, yet with an average class size of 26 and mandatory academic advising, it genuinely delivers a small-college feel. All classes are taught by faculty — 90% of whom hold a PhD — so students actually know their professors. With 300+ programs across 11 colleges, five-year combined bachelor’s/master’s options in areas like AI and business, a top-ranked study abroad program, and a standout Honors College that values curiosity over GPA, there’s serious room to grow here.

What sets GVSU apart is its connection to opportunity. Its dedicated Health Campus sits on Grand Rapids’ Medical Mile, featuring state-of-the-art simulation labs with 3D manikins, virtual reality surgical suites, and real-life patient actors — preparing health professions and nursing students for careers from day one. Add Division II athletics, four full seasons, and a beach just 15 minutes away, and GVSU makes a strong case as a university where students thrive academically and actually enjoy where they live.

But what really surprised me is the low price of tuition - only $23,000 per year - AND there are opportunities for scholarships on top of that! The admissions advisor indicated that they would be happy to talk to any international student who is interested in attending.

If you are interested in studying at this university or one like it, just send me a message and I’ll tell you how. 🎓