The USA, a highly developed country, is home to several of the world’s most exciting cities and mind-blowing landscapes with the most approachable natives in the world. One of the hallmarks of U.S. culture is independence. The USA has a very advanced education system that varies significantly across the country. The United States attracts the most significant number of international students, and rightly so.
Why the USA
The US, with 16 institutions, dominates the world’s top 20 universities list. 52 US universities are ranked amongst the top 100 universities worldwide 77 American universities are ranked amongst the best 200 universities globally; American Universities welcome international students who have met their selection criteria. American Universities are melting pots of diverse cultures, with the spectrum spread over more than 60 countries. American degrees are highly regarded the world over and give a cutting edge advantage to an individual while applying for a job.
The climate varies considerably across the United States. You will probably need an umbrella, even in Las Vegas or Los Angeles. In the northern cities, you will require cold weather and snow gear. In the southern states, summers may be sweltering and the winters mild.
Once you enroll in the campus, “The International Student Orientation Program” is coordinated by the Admissions Office or the Office of International Programs. Information on many topics like immigration, academic advisors, computer and library resources, telephone services, public safety, medical services, banking, and transportation options will be provided through this program.
There are many transportation options for getting around in your new country. A bicycle or bike is an affordable travel option for short distances. If you live in a city, the bus system will likely be pretty extensive, as with most public transportation systems in large urban areas. Trains are good for traveling in the USA. They are slightly more expensive than traveling by bus, but it is much quicker. Taxis can be costly for students.
Education Systems
The USA has the world’s most flexible education system; students can study their area of interest as a specialization. As the education system of the USA is not centralized, each institute can determine its program and admission standards. Lateral movement in the education system is possible at any time. Some U.S. colleges and universities stress broad educational principles; others emphasize practical, employment-related skills; and still, others specialize in the arts, social sciences, or technical fields. American colleges and universities offer three primary programs:
- Associate’s Degree
- Undergraduate
- Undergraduate
- Masters
Cost Of Living & Studying
The total annual expenses, i.e., fees, books, boarding, and lodging, will vary from $20,000 to $50,000 depending upon the university. Most GEC students are placed in government-supported universities that provide quality education, where the tuition fees are very nominal, and applicants have high prospects of getting financial aids like tuition fee waivers and research/teaching/graduate assistantships.
Having a bank account will be convenient for money transactions. Many college students appreciate the convenience of a MAC (Money Access Card) or ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) card. If you have an ATM card from a bank in your home country, ask whether the U.S. bank will honor it; some Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) cross national borders, while others do not. Credit cards and Debit cards are convenient payment options. They help to maintain good financial records and also serve to remind you of the money you spend.
Courses and Universities
About 3500 universities in the USA offer the widest choice of over 1000 courses from any field under the sun. 90% of the world’s Nobel Laureates teach in US Universities. We carry the space with you.
The US has the most significant number of universities globally and currently has seven out of the top ten in the THES-QS World University Rankings – Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale, Stanford, Caltech, Berkeley, and Princeton. In total, there are hundreds of public and private higher education establishments offering a range of courses that you could barely imagine.
Eligibility Test Requirements
US Universities usually do not accept a three-year bachelor’s degree for admission to their master’s programs. Sixteen years of formal education or four years’ Bachelor’s degree or Masters with good grades are the basic requirements for access to master’s programs in most US Universities. Apart from TOEFL (IELTS and PTE are also being accepted by many universities), students are also required to clear competitive exams like GRE/GMAT to secure admission and financial aid in good US Universities and secure visas without hassles.
TOEFL
TOEFL is a Test of English as a Foreign Language. The test is conducted by ETS (Educational Testing Service), and the test fee is $170.The score is valid for two years, and the score is sent to 4 universities by ETS free of cost at the time of the exam. ETS charges additionally for scores sent to universities later. For more info, visit the official website at www.toefl.org or www.ets.org.
GRE
GRE is Graduate Record Examinations and is administered by ETS (Educational Testing Service). The test is essential for candidates seeking admission in a Masters’s Degree program in fields other than management required to take the GRE. Most Universities require GRE for Ph.D. programs. The score of the GRE has generally been valid for five years, and the score is sent to 4 universities free of cost at the time of the GRE. ETS charges fees for scores sent to universities later.
GMAT
GMAT refers Graduate Management Admission Test, which is administered by the Graduate Management Council (GMAC). The test is required for admission into an MBA Program. The test fee cost $250. The score is generally valid for five years, and the score is sent to 5 universities by ETS free of cost at the time of the exam. Students can register for the test by phone, fax, or online and visit the official website at www.gmat.com for more info.
SAT
Scholastic Aptitude Test is referred as SAT. The test is administered by the College Board and is required for admission into any Bachelors’s Degree Program. SAT is administrated by the College Board and offered seven times a year. The score is sent to four universities free of cost, which can be selected when registering for the exam. College Board charges additional for the score to be sent to university later. For more info, visit the official website www.collegeboard.com.
TSE
TSE is a Test of Spoken English conducted by ETS (Educational Testing Service). The validity of the score is two years. The test has a duration of 20 minutes, and TSE is conducted once a month. The score is sent to 2 universities by ETS free of cost. ETS charges additionally for scores sent to more than 2 Universities. For more info, visit the official website atwww.toefl.org or www.ets.org.
Admission and Application Procedure
As the majority of the US universities have earlier deadlines, it is highly recommended that You apply as early as possible. Applications can be initiated during the final year/semester study of your course.
For instance, High school students (Higher secondary) can start applying with their 11th grades or projected grades of 12th).
Our experienced application team will advise you with all required formalities such as Letter of Recommendations or Statement of purpose etc., as per the university’s requirement to maximize the admission possibilities.
Visa process
There are several immigrant and non-immigrant visa options in the USA, and one has to choose the one that is applicable according to the requirements. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the end of your intended stay in the US. Immigration regulations are very strict with respect to working while carrying a student visa. F-1 status, the most common status for full-time international students, allows for part-time, on-campus employment (fewer than 20 hours per week.) J-1 student status allows for similar jobs, with similar restrictions, as long as the exchange visitor program sponsor gives permission. M-1 visa holders for technical and vocational programs are not permitted to work during their studies.
To get the F-1 visa approved, the student will need to show that they have sufficient funds to pay for the first year of study and that you have resources available to cover the rest of your educational program. For an M-1 or J-1 visa, you will need to convince the authorities that you have sufficient funds to pay for all tuition and living costs for your complete stay in the US.
Scholarships
One of the most attractive aspects of US education is that majority of the students pursuing higher education in the USA are successful in securing financial aids in the forms of research/graduate assistantships, tuition fee waivers, fellowships, etc. Several international organizations, such as the Fulbright Commission, grant aid to students worldwide to study in the USA. Some of the organizations that offer aids are:
- The United Nations
- AMIDEAST
- World Council of Churches
- Soros Foundation
- World Health Organization
Work Opportunities
Students are permitted to work 20 hours per week on-campus during the first years of study. In the second year, students can take part-time jobs or co-op/internships off-campus to fulfill academic or financial requirements. The on-campus jobs do not pay much and certainly not enough to finance a university education. This kind of job can only be a supplement to other funds.
Along with the acceptability and recognition of education, the USA also offers the best future job prospects and immigration possibilities after studies. All students are entitled to stay back and work for one year in the USA under OPT (Optional Professional Training). For STEM Graduates (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), the OPT can be further extended to another 24 months (Total of 36 Months). Students who are successful in finding a suitable placement can apply for H1B (Job Visa) during this period.