Arcus Advisory University Consultants - Susie Cochin de Billy Founder

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Arcus Advisory University Consultants - Susie Cochin de Billy Founder

We at Arcus Advisory have the knowledge and experience needed to guide you through every step of the US university application process.

Guidance and helping all areas of the US university application from organising the university tour to aid in producing distinctive college essays

03/06/2026

Listed below are the top 50 U.S. universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, ordered by their position among U.S. institutions.

Meanwhile, the image shows when some of these universities were founded, dating as far back as 1636, 140 years before American independence.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2. Princeton University
3. Harvard University
4. Stanford University
5. California Institute of Technology
6. University of California, Berkeley
7. Yale University
8. University of Pennsylvania
9. University of Chicago
10. Johns Hopkins University
11. Cornell University
12. University of California, Los Angeles
13. Columbia University
14. University of Michigan
15. Carnegie Mellon University
16. University of Washington
17. Duke University
18. Northwestern University
19. New York University
20. University of California, San Diego
21. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
22. University of Texas at Austin
23. Brown University
24. University of Wisconsin–Madison
25. Washington University in St. Louis
26. University of Southern California
27. Rice University
28. Emory University
29. Vanderbilt University
30. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
31. Purdue University
32. University of California, Davis
33. University of Minnesota
34. Ohio State University
35. Boston University
36. Georgia Institute of Technology
37. University of Maryland
38. University of California, Santa Barbara
39. Pennsylvania State University
40. University of Pittsburgh
41. Michigan State University
42. Case Western Reserve University
43. University of Florida
44. Rutgers University
45. University of Virginia
46. Dartmouth College
47. Arizona State University
48. University of Rochester
49. Texas A&M University
50. University of Massachusetts Amherst

Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.

20/05/2026

At a private school open evening in London, a familiar question circulates quietly among parents. It rarely gets asked on stage, but it shapes nearly every conversation in the room. ‘What should my child study if they want to stay competitive?’ The answers tend to cluster. Economics. Computer science. Engineering. Subjects that feel safe because they map cleanly onto careers. You can draw a line from classroom to income, from degree to industry. It reassures people.

But later, in smaller conversations, something more revealing happens. The same parents who insist on practicality start mentioning the universities they actually admire. Harvard University. Yale University. University of Oxford. Sciences Po. And if you look closely at who succeeds there, and what they study once admitted, the story becomes less straightforward…

Want to find out more?

Read our founder’s latest blog entitled The Hidden Prestige of Liberal Arts at https://www.arcusadvisory.com/blog/the-hidden-prestige-of-liberal-arts

📸 Amherst College
Susie Cochin de Billy

14/05/2026

Thank you to Anastasia for this super testimonial…

“Susie and her team at Arcus have been outstanding in their help and support of our daughters through their US college application journeys. Susie gives incredible time and attention to each of her students. Only taking on a small group of students each cycle really makes a difference. Our girls always knew Susie was there for them, and the process could not have gone any smoother. As parents, it was a relief to know that we just needed to encourage and support our girls, while Susie took care of the rest.

I would highly recommend Susie and Arcus to any family whose child is considering applying to US universities.”

Anastasia, mother of 2 students 2026

See more testimonials on our website at https://www.arcusadvisory.com/testimonials

06/05/2026

Strong outcomes aren’t about easier admissions cycles — they’re about sharper positioning.

This year, our students secured offers from leading U.S. institutions including Penn, Cornell, Duke, NYU and Chicago, alongside top European universities.

Not by chance… but by understanding how shifting sentiment impacts competition — and ensuring each application is placed with intent.

In a hesitant pool, clarity wins.

Susie Cochin de Billy

Photos: New York University Duke University University of Pennsylvania Cornell University The University of Chicago Yale University

30/04/2026

When the landscape shifts, experience becomes the differentiator.

This year, we saw hesitation around U.S. university applications. More caution. More second guessing. More diluted choices.

Like this beautiful strong tree, we stayed steady.

Because in uncertain cycles, well positioned applicants don’t just compete… they stand out more clearly.

Strategy isn’t reactive. It’s informed, deliberate, and timed.

Susie Cochin de Billy Silks PR & Marketing

21/04/2026

1st May is National Decision Day 🎓

After weeks of decisions, visits, and reflection, it’s time to choose.

“Your university should be somewhere you will grow, be challenged, and feel at home — not just somewhere with a name,” says our founder, Susie.

Before you commit, ask yourself: • Where will I be happiest day-to-day? • Where will I be supported academically? • Where can I see myself growing over the next 4 years?

Then decide with confidence. This is the start of something big.

Photo: Burst

08/04/2026

Spring = campus visit season ✈️🌸

If you’re fortunate enough to have offers, this is the perfect moment to experience universities first hand.

Choosing a university is as much about instinct as it is about academics — how a place feels really matters.

When visiting campuses, look for:
• Atmosphere and energy
• Student interactions
• Surrounding environment
• Where you can genuinely see yourself thriving

The right choice often becomes clearer when you step onto campus.

31/03/2026

Parents often assume that elite university admissions reward discipline and hard work above all else. Those qualities certainly matter, but after a certain point, the competition is no longer about who worked hardest... it is about who became most intellectually alive.

Admissions officers are remarkably good at spotting students who have developed genuine curiosity about the world. They also recognise the educational environments that nurture curiosity. What we’ve seen is that over time, a quiet global pipeline into elite universities has emerged. Some schools consistently produce students who feel intellectually distinctive.

Founder Susie Cochin de Billy has written a short essay exploring how that pipeline works and what international families can learn from it. Read it via https://substack.com/?utm_source=global-search

Susie Cochin de Billy

18/03/2026

March is decision season in the U.S. 🇺🇸🎓

As Regular Decisions begin landing, emotions can run high… excitement, relief, and sometimes disappointment. But this moment is just one step in a much bigger journey.

“University admissions isn’t about a single outcome, it’s about finding the right academic and personal fit.” — says Susie Cochin de Billy, Founder of Arcus Advisory

Over the coming weeks:
✔️ Decisions continue to be released
✔️ Campus visits ramp up
✔️ Students begin shaping their final choices

If you’re navigating offers (or waiting on them), now is the time to:
• Look beyond rankings
• Revisit what really matters to you
• Start picturing your day-to-day life on campus

With National Decision Day (1st May) approaching, clarity, not pressure, should guide your thinking.

Photos: Duke University The University of Chicago Yale University

12/03/2026

If this cycle teaches us anything, it’s this: Don’t second-guess your goals during periods of change. Double down on preparation.

Build academic rigour + meaningful extracurriculars + authentic storytelling.

Great applications aren’t rushed — they’re built and we can help you…

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