In the first part to this article on US university acceptance letters, we looked at the best way to categorise admission letters. We also listed the three important questions you must answer before deciding which university you should join. We then examined the first of these three questions in detail.

Today, we look at the remaining two questions.

Part I: Enrolling in a US university

Question 2: Which of these universities is most affordable and offers the best value for money?

In an idyllic world, we would go wherever our heart desired. The real world, however, presents obstacles that prevent this from happening. Take, for instance, the fact that a US university education that lasts four years can cost you and your parents upwards of $120,000 (a little over Rs 4.9 million)! While this amount may be manageable for the super-rich, the rest of us must be pragmatic when choosing universities.

Think of your degree as an investment, as your experiences in the US will build career skills and bolster your resume. You should not, therefore, simply organise options from least expensive to most expensive; there are good reasons for discrepancies in base tuition fees.

The most expensive schools generally have access to the highest number of resources and offer world-renowned professors; these advantages will work to your benefit when you enter the job market. The best option, rather, is to determine which university is offering you scholarships and aid equalling the highest percentage of the base tuition.

For example, let's say you get undergraduate admissions at two universities. The first is considered average, neither particularly excellent nor particularly shoddy. The second is considered an elite university and one of the top schools in your subject area.

If the first school has a base tuition of $ 15,000 (approximately Rs 6,12,975) per year and is offering you a $ 5,000 (approximately Rs 2,04,325) scholarship, they are granting you 33% of the base tuition. If the second school has a base tuition of $ 30,000 (approximately Rs 1,225,950) per year but is offering $ 15,000 (approximately Rs 1,225,950) in scholarship money, the university is granting you 50% of the base tuition. From an investment standpoint, it makes sense to consider the second university a better 'value' for your money, because the degree is substantially more valuable.

If finances are an important concern, however, you should always be prepared to go with the least expensive option. Remember, however, that you can avail of education loans in order to finance your education, provided you are prepared to work post-studies and pay back the loans diligently.

Remember, your degree is an investment, so don't be afraid to go for a top university; it will pay off in the long run.

• US student visa process

Question 3: Which of these universities fit your academic requirements and will help you launch your career?

This question is often left unconsidered, but it is perhaps the most important. Students must realise that universities are renowned for different programmes and departments. When reviewing your options, make sure you do research on each university and its relative strengths and weaknesses, particularly in your area of focus.

If you plan to focus on journalism and media, a school like Columbia University may be the perfect match. On the other hand, if you are interested in business and economics, the University of Chicago may be your best option.

If you looking their national rankings, you'll notice that the undergraduate schools of these universities are ranked similarly. So, in deciding between the two, it makes sense to attend the university that specialises in your area of focus.

Moreover, do research and discover which universities will best launch your career. Many universities have established partnerships with law firms, major corporations, large media outlets and government institutions. These partnerships will be beneficial to you when the time comes for doing your internship and building your resume.

Some universities may be highly renowned, but if they can't find you the job you desire, what's the point?

Another useful strategy is to note each university's general progression in national and worldwide rankings. If a university has been steadily climbing in prestige, the value of the degree will continue to increase as time passes. Likewise, if a university has fallen on hard times and endowment and recognition are diminishing, logic suggests the degree will be devalued by the time you enter the job market.

Finally, check out the famous alumni that have graduated from the university you want to attend.

If you are interested in journalism, you'll recognise that Northwestern and Columbia have produced a terrific number of Pulitzer Prize winners.

If you are interested in science and engineering, look no further than MIT and its countless Nobel laureates.

If you're interested in politics and law, note that Yale and Princeton have produced many of the leading political figures of the 20^th and 21^st centuries.

The decision to enrol

Obviously, no single answer will make the decision a simple one. Your options and answers must be weighed and considered in order to determine the best course of action. Ultimately, you're looking to achieve personal happiness and financial security through your studies abroad, so keep these considerations in the forefront.

My best piece of advice is to go with the programme that satisfactorily answers the three questions listed in this article. Don't jeopardise your financial well-being, don't sabotage your future career and don't forget your immediate happiness and contentment.

And, yes, the best way to work through these questions is with your parents and other loved ones. This is most likely the biggest decision you've ever made, so use the resources at your disposal. Your parents will always have your best interest in mind; and remember, it's a family decision, especially if they hold the purse strings.

Part I: Enrolling in a US university