Why Study In The USA?
The United States has emerged as one of the leading countries globally known for its excellence in the field of education. About 30 % of international students globally opt for the USA for their international studies. States is known for its flexible and versatile education system and is one of the primary reasons that attract international students across the globe. Ever wondered why the USA tops the list when it comes to choosing a country to study abroad. Listed below are a few distinct features that highlight why exploring in the USA is the best choice.
Education flexibility
American universities offer flexibility to choose and combine various subjects that can meet their career aspirations. Students can tailor their program courses by selecting or changing majors across multiple courses. This flexibility lets the students explore various fields if they are unsure about their career choice. Additionally, during the four years, undergraduate course students can switch their universities, and the credits earned shall be transferred.
Academic excellence
The states is equipped with over 4000 universities that provide a wide range of programs and courses. About 170 universities based in the USA are listed on the worlds best universities, which speaks volumes of its academic excellence. Students pursuing undergraduate programs get an impressive range of subjects to select from, ranging from conventional subjects to professional fields. Students studying in the US universities are undoubtedly well polished and known for their academic brilliance.
Diversity
The states is home to international students across the globe. Known for its diversity and openness to multiracial society, the USA is a safe place with an active Indian community. Students also are exposed to diverse teaching methods which emphasize on theoretical aspects and practical life.
Global exposure
Students studying in US universities get a definite advantage in the international job market. Renowned for its quality education and research guidance, students are prepared to take on employment jobs like a total pro. Not to mention, students get an added advantage over others with a robust and impressive profile that employers are looking out for.
Understanding the American education system
The American education system is known for its rich educational offerings for international students. It is no surprise that the USA doesn’t have an education system. American universities thrive to provide the best of education through their wide range of courses, flexibility in choosing subjects, state of the art infrastructure and facilities with remarkable global faculties. Having said that, the US has the best universities and has shaped millions of young minds that have made a noteworthy impact in various fields of life. Different schooling stages in the states include Elementary school, Middle school, High school, and post-secondary school. US universities emphasize more on overall growth, thereby giving due importance to extracurricular activities, exploring and learning more practical subjects. Students official academic documents must state the grades and GPA to highlight your academic achievement.
The US Higher education levels of study
- Undergraduate
- Graduate in pursuit of a masters degree
- Graduate in pursuit of a doctorate degree
Highlights of the US higher education system
Classroom environment
Known for its dynamic classroom atmosphere, students are expected to actively participate by sharing their opinions, arguments, presentations, etc. This helps students develop strong practical knowledge of the subject. Professors grade the students based on aspects such as:
- Class participation
- Midterm exams
- Research or term papers
- Short exams or quiz
- Final exams
Credits
Every course has a certain number of credit worth or hours, and to precise, every course is worth three or five points. As per their system, a certain number of credits must be achieved in order to complete the course. For e.g., 12-15 credits must be achieved for a full-time program.
Transfers
If a student changes the University before completing the entire undergraduate program, he/she can get it transferred to the new University within the mentioned stipulated time.
Types of Higher Education Institutes in the USA
State University
Run by the state or local government, every state in the US has at least one state university and many state colleges. These universities also are popularly known as public universities are funded by the government to offer low-cost education to the residents. These are larger in size and admit a massive number of students every year.
Private University
comparatively smaller in size than state universities, these universities have higher tuition fees. Such institutions may have religious affiliations or may not provide co-education always.
Community Colleges
Community colleges offer two-year associate degree to help students obtain occupational skills for employment purposes continue studying for undergraduate courses. To complete their degrees, community graduate college graduates transfer to universities. Students also can transfer their credits earned in the community college.
Technology Institutes
These institutes provide four-year graduate and short term courses in science and technology.
Life of Indian students in the US
Shifting to another country can ultimately take a toll on you unless planned properly. Students who shift to the US for studies are bound to get a cultural shock at first, but with time it gets better. To live on your own in a new country, study, take care of your expenses, and be responsible for everything can be a daunting thought at first. On the flip side, students are equally excited about their new journey to explore and evolve. Heres what you can keep in mind and prepare accordingly
Accommodation
Students can opt for on-campus and off-campus residential services. Universities offer catered and self-catered accommodation services. Living within the university campus gives students a secure feeling, affordable, and is favorable for academic and social activities. Students looking for rental options from the landlord must be aware of the tenancy agreement clauses and the contractual rights and responsibilities.
Extracurricular activities
International students get to try, learn, and experience new activities like drama, music, visit galleries, museums, historical places, concerts, etc. Students have access to the best of everything as long as the money part is taken care of. Striking a proper balance is highly essential to live stress free within the limited resources.
Part-time jobs/internships
You can always see students juggling between various part-time jobs and colleges to survive and make ends meet. Apart from the money aspect, students get practical experience working in multiple fields. There are plenty of part-time jobs available in the states, which is highly helpful for international students.
Admission process in the US universities
Once study abroad aspirants select the country, the next step is to get aware of the application process. Every international University has basic requirements when it comes to academic records, documents and the application process. However, each University has its set pf fixed admission standards, and students must strictly adhere to it. In general, it is expected that Indian students must have profound knowledge and command on English and must be above the age of 18 years. When to start the application process for US universities? What is the university application fee? When is the last day to enroll in the University? are some of the most common questions asked by study abroad aspirants.
Basic documents
- Official academic records of class 10th, 12th, and bachelors degree- attested copies
- Resume
- Statement of purpose
- Letter of recommendation from the previous institution
- Work experience, if any
- Essays
- Entrance exam scores- GMAT. GRE, IELTS, TOEFL
- Financial funding proof
Application fee
Every University charges a nominal amount of fee as an application fee, which is mandatory. It varies and depends on the University and course you select. Get in touch with the University for exact details.
Timeline
Every college has admission and application deadlines. Students must check the Universitys website to review and apply accordingly. Students must keep scanned essential documents ready to upload and apply timely. Once you apply online, the University will follow up with what is to be done next.
Entrance exams required to study in the US
Universities mention the eligibility and exam requirements on the website. In case of no details, it students decision to take up any compatible test to enhance their profile and increases the chances of getting admission to their desired college. An average of 547 and above is considered suitable for the GMAT exam, an average GRE score of 155 for Verbal, 167 for Quantitative and 5.0 for writing an average LSAT score of 162 and above is said to be impressive.
GMAT
The general management admission test measures the students mathematical, English, and reasoning skills of MBA aspirants. Many universities give high importance to GMAT scores in the admission process. Since these are competitive entrance exams, students must aim and get impressive scores to increase throe chances of admission.
GRE
Some colleges also accept GRE (Graduate research exam) for MBA admission. Students also undertake GREs to pursue an MA or MS.
SAT
To get admission to undergraduate courses, high school students usually write the SAT exam. The Scholastic assessment test examines students writing skills and literacy, which is highly essential for a good academic performance. This test also checks candidates problem-solving skills based on what they learned in school.
LSAT
LSAT is an abbreviation of the Law School admission test and is a critical factor in the admission process. It measures students verbal reasoning skills and writing skills.
Language exams
IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE are some of the highly regarded English proficiency tests that universities accept. Every exam has a different exam pattern, structure, band requirements. Depending on the college requirements and students desire, they can take up anyone among the above-mentioned tests. IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE can be taken unlimited number of times; however, there is a restriction in the time gap between every attempt. Examination fees for IELTS exam is Rs.12,100, Rs.13,140 for TOEFL and Rs..13,300 for PTE.
Cost of living for international students in the USA
It can be difficult at first to keep track of your expenses and spend within your decided budget. Once you get familiar with the place and get used to the routine, you can shrink your costs and alter your lifestyle habits if on a budget constraint. International students in the USA spend around $15, 000- $18000 on average, which includes accommodation, utilities, groceries, food, shopping, communication, etc. It also varies depending on the location where you stay- urban, rural, or suburban. For further bifurcation, visit the cost of the living tab.
Cost of studying for international students in the USA
Based on the University and course selected, duration, scholarship availed or not, the cost of studying in the US will differ. Tuition fees in the US will attract $10,000- $25,000, whereas graduate and postgraduate courses will cost anywhere between $20,000- $60,000. Students have a lot of options to get financial aid via sponsorships, internships, and part-time jobs.
Study in USA Scholarships
International students who have a highly impressive education record and meet the criteria get their fees waived. Universities offer scholarship programs to help bright students with financial aid. Tuition fees in the states can be anywhere around $ 10,000 $ 55,000, which, when accompanied by the cost of living is too expensive for international students to bear. Some universities offer blind need policy and various scholarship programs that take care of miscellaneous partial expenses. Students must submit academic copies, LOR, SOP, entrance exam scores, CV, letter of intent, etc. to the University. For detailed scholarship programs and eligibility criteria, students must visit the university website.
Education loan to study in the US
To encourage students to invest in good education, banks offer educational loans covering 80 % of the loan amount. Usually, banks provide a maximum of Rs. 20, 00,000, and sometimes more in exceptional cases. Students must adhere strictly to the documentation process by submitting the letter of acceptance by the University, course selected, and fees for the same. Banks have standard eligibility criteria to raise educational loans such as-
- The student must be an Indian national with a strong academic record
- The student must have obtained admission in any foreign university
- The student must be above the age of 18 yrs.
- Repayment starts only after the course is completed. Irrespective of whether the students get a job or not after a year, repayment starts, and it is expected to repay the loan usually within 5-7 years.
- For more detailed information, get in touch with your desired bank.
Visa types in the US
F1 student visa
F student visa is required for students whose program requires more than 18 hours of study weekly and applies to both undergraduate and graduate programs. Spouses and children can accompany them by obtaining an F2 visa.
J1 exchange visitor visa
Students, lecturers pursuing an exchange program should seek this Visa. Job aspirants who go to America on an exchange program are required to do ten month vocational training or fellowship. Spouses and children can accompany them by obtaining a J2 visa.
M1 vocational, non-academic student visa
Similar to F1 visas, this is especially reserved for technical and vocational schools, M1 visas are time stamped on arrival. This means that students cannot overstay beyond the mentioned date.
How to get a student visa- Step by step process
- Firstly, fill the online Visa application form DS -160
- Post filling the application, you must make the non-refundable visa application fee. This must be paid before the interview.
- Take a print of the confirmation page. You must carry this along when you go for the interview.
- Accordingly, make an appointment for biometrics and interview process
- The biometric interview would involve getting your fingerprints scanned and getting a picture clicked
- The personal interview is all about the interviewer getting to know about your course, plans, college, etc. and proceed with stamping the Visa if convinced.
- Lastly. Remember that the F1 visas are issued up to 3 months before the start date of your course. Students can enter the States maximum 30 days before the course start date and not beyond that.
Basic document requirements for a student visa in the US
- Valid passport
- Form DS 160 conformation page
- Application fee payment receipt
- Photo
- Eligibility certificate of nonimmigrant- F1 visa
- Additionally, official academic transcripts, entrance exam scores, evidence of financial arrangements, etc. would be required.
Top Universities in the USA
Home to 172 universities listed in the worlds best Universities, the US is a leading emergent for international education. Listed below universities are some of the renowned and prestigious universities worth exploring.
New York University
New York University is a private research institution founded in 1831 and ranked 29th in the best colleges in the National Universities 2020 edition. It receives the highest number of students for graduate and postgraduate programs every year. NYU offers more than 150 undergraduate majors, double majors, minors, dual degrees, and internships.
Columbia University
Founded back in 1754, Columbia University is ranked 3rd in 2020 edition of best colleges in National universities. This University is home to 14,000 international students every year and over 82 Nobel Laureates.
Harvard University
Founded in 1836, Harvard University is one of the oldest universities in the US and one of the best-known universities in the world. Around 20,000 students enroll annually, which speaks volumes of the Universitys credibility. Although the study cost is high, students get a lot of financial aid under various policies. It has one of the largest libraries in the world, and the system is believed to be equipped with 79 libraries
Stanford University
Established in 1885, Stanford University is a private institution ranked 6th in the 2020 edition of the best colleges in the National Universities. Notable alumni include former U.S. President Herbert Hoover, Hall of Fame NFL quarterback John Elway, actress Sigourney Weaver and many more.
Princeton University
With 200 years of shaping young minds, Princeton is a prestigious Ivy League university. Princeton enrolls lesser students counting up to 8000 students per year to provide rich guidance and one on one guidance to enhance academic growth.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
MIT is a private research institute of Technology with its campus set across 166 acres and history stretching back to 158 years ago. It is a pioneer in creating new ways of learning with a primary focus on solving real-world problems.
University of Chicago
Established in 1890, the University of Chicago continues to be in the world‘s best ten universities. Renowned for its excellence and brilliance in research, this University is home to 29 Nobel Laureates currently. Noteworthy alumni include Philip Routh, Saul Bellow, Pollster Nate Silver, etc.
Cornell University
Founded in 1865, Cornell is a private institute spread across 745 acres. The 2020 edition of Best colleges in National Universities ranked Cornell 17th. It has a traditional college campus with a mission to discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge among the next generation of global citizens.
Post-study options
Optional practical training lets students stray back in the US to get practical knowledge in their subject. OPT is temporary employment permission for 12 months. Students get the following choices
Pre-completion OPT
Post completion OPT
Students pursuing bachelors and Masters degrees are allowed for 12 months OPT. Students pursuing STEM can get 17 months extension through TEM OPT extension, making it a total of 29 months.
How to apply for OPT
Students can request for OPT with the help of their DS ie, Designated school official. DSO must recommend OPT by
Endorsing form I 20
Making appropriate notes in SEVIS
Post this, the student must file I-756, which is the Employment Authorization
Document. Students can start working as soon as the EAD is issued.
Co-op education program
The student Co-op program is designed in a way that it recruits students while studying and will be later on given permanent position post-graduation. In such applications, students are paid on an hourly basis, depending on the course. Students can earn anywhere around $ 10- $18 per hour while the period of study alternates with the work timings.
Placements
Unlike India, there is no concept of on-campus recruitment in America. Instead, they have a cell called Career Services center to help students prepare for interviews and get jobs. On-campus recruitment is student-driven and not guaranteed by the Universities. Companies are recruiting from the campus, either offer internships or co-op programs as they want to analyze the students capability before hiring them full time.