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| USA as a Study Destination |
USA as a Study Destination
The United States has highest number of educational institutions providing higher education than any other country of the world these top-notch institutions boosts of highly qualified teaching staff. Many of the professors at these schools are foremost authorities in their respective domains.
With more than 4000 institutions offering degrees ranging from undergraduates, post graduates, diplomas, masters to doctorates, USA education system offers wide-ranging study options to students to choose as per their preferences and area of specialization. US institutions are also known world over for their academic exchange programmes whereby students gain valuable insights
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| Month of Admissions in USA |
| US Universities have following intakes |
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Spring: January / February |
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Fall: August / September |
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Summer: April / May |
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| Cost of Studys in USA |
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| General Eligibility for Study in USA |
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For Undergraduate programmes: 10 + 2 |
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For Graduate programmes: 16 years of education required (10 + 2 + 4) |
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Some institutions accept 15 years of formal education into their Bridge / Masters Programs |
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Good & Strong academic background |
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Good scores in entrance exams like SAT, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, IELTS etc |
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Strong recommendation letters |
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Concise & informative statement of purpose / personal statement, essays & resumes |
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Certificates of achievement & extra - curricular activity participation |
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Strong financial background or good grades to get a scholarship |
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| English Language Requirement |
| All international students must be fluent in English language if they wish to study in USA. TOEFL score of 90 and above for Postgraduate and 80 above for Undergraduate studies or IELTS score of 6 and above for Undergraduates and 6.5 and above for Postgraduates studies are generally required. There are more than 1500 institutions in USA which recognize the IELTS exams including several top ranked institutions.
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| Graduate Admission Tests |
| A good number of graduate schools require satisfactory scores on at least one academic admissions test, either a general aptitude test such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test or a demonstration of proficiency in your field (GRE Subject Test), or sometimes both.
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| USA College Admissions |
The colleges in USA are ranked according to their competitiveness and reputation. The fact remains that the private colleges of the country are more popular than their public counterparts. Admissions criteria in the USA colleges demand for rigor and grades which the students have earned in their high school courses. Some of the things that are taken into account include the students' GPA, ranking in the class, and standardized test scores (like SAT or ACT tests). However, there are many colleges in the United States of America, which also take into consideration, the subjective factors.
These can include the factors like the student's commitment to extracurricular activities, an interview, and a personal essay.Every college has its own threshold below which, admission is not granted.
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| Students Visa for USA |
There are several students who apply for students’ visa for USA to complete their higher education or any professional degree course. A student Visa is generally required if the course of study is for more than 18 hours a week. Students who want a Students Visa for USA have to apply at a US Embassy or Consulate. Applicants can request for information regarding students Visa at any of the US Visa Application Centre situated in eleven cities across India. There are several procedures that one has to go through in order to get a student Visa for the United States of America.
(a) Types of Students Visa for USA |
Candidates who wish to study in the United States have to apply for a students Visa at any of the US Visa Application Centre located in India. There are primarily two types of student visas for studying in USA. These are F-1 (Student Visa) and J-1 (Exchange Visitor Visa). The F-1 visa is meant for students who have enrolled for a full-time academic or language program. These students can stay in the US for the complete duration of the academic program plus 60 days.
The other type of Student Visa is J-1 visa, which is issued for candidates requiring practical training that is unavailable in their country of residence in order to complete their academic program. J-1 students are required to compulsorily return to their home country for at least two years subsequent to the end of their studies in the United States.
(b) Documents Required for Students Visa for USA
There several important documents that needs to be furnished when applying for a Students Visa for USA. Here is a list of the documents required for getting a students Visa: |
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Valid Passport |
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One Passport size photograph (Color or Black and White) |
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Form I-20 executed by the authorizing official of concerned institution and signed by the applicant |
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A Non-immigrant Visa Application (Form 156) available at Consular section |
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Proof of financial ability to cover education and maintenance costs involved |
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Visa fee to be paid in Indian Rupees by Bank Draft |
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| Student Accommodation in US |
| Most of the educational institutions in USA will assist you in finding accommodation while studying in USA. Accommodations are of two types i.e. a student can stay on campus (Halls of Residence / Students hostel) or, off campus (Home stay, Apartments/ Flats). Staying Off Campus is much more cheaper than staying On Campus but it is always advisable that the student should stay on campus for the first six months |
| Student Expenses at US |
| In addition to tuition fees, a student has to spend on living expenses also. On an average, a student spends around $ 10000 pa. But the expenses also depend on the place where a student stays i.e. if a student stays in a metropolitan city like New York, San Francisco, Manhattan, etc the expenses could go up to $ 12000 in comparison to a student studying in a suburban area where a student could spend around $8000 to $ 10000 pa. |
| Under-Graduate Degree in US |
| (a) Kinds of undergraduate degrees offered in the US |
| (b) Bachelors and Associate Degrees |
| The bachelor's degree typically takes four years to complete, though some students take slightly less time to finish, and others may take longer. The associate degree usually takes two years to complete. Associate degree programs may be "terminal" programs, which lead into specific careers upon graduation, or "transfer" programs, which correspond to the first two years of a bachelor's degree and tend to be more liberal arts based. Under the latter option one could then transfer into the third year of a four-year bachelor's degree program. Associate degree programs are offered at two-year colleges known as junior or community colleges. Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degree programs, with a small number also offering associate degree programs. |
| (c) The U.S. Bachelor's Degree |
| One of the most attractive features of the bachelor's degree program in the United States is that it is highly flexible. You can usually choose from a wide variety of courses and create your own unique program of study. The degree is awarded after you complete a specified number of credits, which are usually completed in four years of full-time study. The first year is called the freshman year; the second is called sophomore; the third, junior; and the fourth, senior. Courses taken in the first two years are known as lower division courses and courses taken in the final two years are called upper division courses. |
| Usually colleges assign a number the level of study as follows |
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100 – 199 Freshman |
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200 – 299 Sophomore |
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300 – 399 Junior |
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400 – 499 Senior |
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| Addmission procedure |
| Each US University / department follow its own admission requirement depending upon the course of study selected. Successful admission to a top USA school requires preparation & research. The admission process is a long one, and should ideally begin at least 6 - 18 months before your expected arrival in the USA. Organizing and planning are very important because timely completion of all the necessary formalities is very necessary. |
| Academic year |
| The academic year will be slightly different for each university or college but normally runs from early September to the end of May. It may be divided into two terms of 18 weeks called semesters. Alternatively, the university may have "quarters" or "trimesters," which are about 12 weeks in length. In addition, universities very often provide six- to eight-week summer terms. These are optional, and students attend if they wish to get through their degree faster, to decrease their course load during the regular terms, or to make up for courses not completed successfully during the regular academic year. There a two- to four-week break in the winter (December-January) and a one-week "spring break" sometime between early March and mid-April. |
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| Masters Degree Programs in US |
The master's degree is designed to provide additional education or training in the student's specialized branch of knowledge, well beyond the level of baccalaureate study. Master's degrees are offered in many different fields, and there are two main types of programs: academic and professional.
The master's degree is designed to provide additional education or training in the student's specialized branch of knowledge, well beyond the level of baccalaureate study. Master's degrees are offered in many different fields, and there are two main types of programs: academic and professional.
(a) Academic Master's: The Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Science (M.S.) degrees are usually awarded in the traditional arts, sciences, and humanities disciplines. The M.S. is also awarded in technical fields such as engineering and agriculture. Original research, research methodology, and field investigation are emphasized. These programs usually require the completion of between 30 and 60 credit hours and could reasonably be completed in one or two academic years of full-time study. They may lead directly to the doctoral level.
(b) Professional Master's: These degree programs are designed to lead the student from the first degree to a particular profession. Such master's degrees are often designated by specific descriptive titles, such as master of business administration (M.B.A.), master of social work (M.S.W.), master of education (M.Ed.), or master of fine arts (M.F.A.). Other subjects of professional master's programs include journalism, international relations, architecture, urban planning, public administration (M.P.A.), and public policy (M.P.P.). |
| Doctoral Degrees |
| The doctoral degree is designed to train research scholars and, in many cases, future college and university faculty members. At the doctoral level, the Ph.D. (doctor of philosophy) is the most common degree awarded in academic disciplines. |
| Academic Calendar of US |
| The academic year in the United States generally lasts nine months, from late August or early September until the middle or end of May, and it may be divided into two, three, or four academic terms depending on the institution. If the year is divided into two terms, these are called the fall and spring terms, or "semesters." Short breaks occur during both fall and spring terms, between terms, and on public holidays. An optional summer term is often available and provides the opportunity to continue courses if you wish to accelerate your program. |
| It is best to start a program in the fall term (beginning in August/September). It is also easier to become familiar to studying in the United States and to meet other students in the department if you start at the beginning of the academic year. Lastly, scholarship opportunities are generally more readily available to students starting in the fall rather than midyear |
| Financial Assistance for Study in US |
| All types of scholarships and financial aid for international students are highly competitive and require excellent academic records. You will often find the terms "scholarships" and "financial aid" used interchangeably, but technically speaking, a scholarship is a financial award based on merit, including outstanding academic performance, special talent in sports or performing arts, or perhaps community service or leadership. Financial aid is a "need-based" grant based on the student's financial need, as documented by family income, assets, and other factors. Below are the main types of financial assistance available for international students who want to study in the United States:
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Home Country Funds: Conduct research at home to find possible funding from local government, corporate, or foundation sources. Although these sources are not found in all countries, you could reduce your educational cost with scholarships from local organizations.
Funding From Colleges: Meet with an educational adviser to learn how to research available financial aid for international students. Careful advance research and realistic expectations are more likely to result in success. Do not assume that all colleges award financial aid. In fact, less than half of the institutions offering bachelor's degrees can provide financial assistance to students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Keep in mind that financial aid for U.S. students is separate from financial aid for international students. Be sure to tell the admissions office your country of citizenship and request information on financial aid available to non-U.S. citizens If offered, financial aid is usually made up of a number of different types of assistance, including grants and scholarships and occasionally loans or part-time work programs.
Sports Scholarships: Some U.S. colleges offer opportunities for gifted student athletes to play for the college team as a means of paying for their education. See Sports Scholarships for further details, including how to apply for a sports scholarship.
International Awards: International students also ask about financial assistance from foundations, organizations, and the U.S. government. Very little aid exists through such sources, and it is usually earmarked for advanced graduate students. Again, your educational adviser can tell you whether there are special funds available for students from your country.
Loans: In limited instances, you may be able to negotiate a loan to fund part of your educational costs. Your educational adviser may have information on loan programs for which you may be eligible. You must usually have a U.S. citizen co-signer to act as a guarantor for any loans from U.S. loan programs, and in most cases you must already be enrolled in a U.S. university before you apply. Before taking a loan, make certain you know how you are going to repay it, and how a loan will affect your plans for graduate or other further study and for returning home.
Waivers: Based on your first-year grades, some colleges award partial tuition waivers. A superior academic record could save you thousands of dollars. |
| Scholarship |
The Scholarships & the financial aid-fee waivers that are awarded to International Students are merit / need based. A candidate with strong academics, good performance on standardized exams & extra curricular achievements would be eligible for scholarship awards or any financial assistance. To benefit from these opportunities, one has to make sure to send all the required documents by particular deadlines. In addition to this, the presentation of the application package is also important because one is judged by the image one projects.
There are various types of Scholarships:
(a) Fellowship/ Scholarship: This is usually offered on the student's ability, competence & performance.
(b) Graduate Assistantship: Generally it may involve a teaching or research assistantship. Student who receive aid, do so in the form of assistantship i.e. cash stipend or a tuition fee waiver or reduced tuition fee.
(c) Sports Scholarship: Though seldom offered to international students, athletic or sports scholarships are available in a wide range to outstanding and talented athletes. |
| Fulbright |
| The flagship international educational program sponsored by the United States Government, the Fulbright Program is designed to "increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries..." With this goal, the Fulbright Program has provided over 279,000 participants — chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential — with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, to exchange ideas and to contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. |
| MBA from USA |
The US universities are home to some of world’s best business schools of the world. For over many decades, a US MBA qualification is regarded as the best bet by thousands of aspiring management executives around the globe. The top business schools in the US attract some of the best talents from across the world. MBA is primarily a full-time course of two years. There are however, part-time programs arranged for working professionals where classes are held after working hours. Distance programs in MBA are also offered by some of the universities.
Famous US universities like Columbia, Harvard and Wharton are known to provide students with an opportunity to interact with leading management gurus and simulate real-life situations to help them understand the business challenges |
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