elena,
Have a good root around on the internet - find a cheap flight to the US. Book a rental car and ideally take a friend. Drive to all the schools on your shortlist and look first hand at the schools you're planning to throw a very very considerable wedge of money at. It may take you a couple of weeks to do but believe me it will be the best value, most sensible and most rewarding road trip you will ever make if you're seriously planning to go down this helicopter route.
R1tamer
PS Take no notice of the controller he's a sorry embittered southerner
PPS thecontroller - hows life down in the smoke - studying hard or too much ppruning