Study in the US

Introduction

The United States of America (USA) is one of the world's most famous study abroad destinations. More than a million foreign students study at the country's leading universities. For several years, the United States has become a genuinely international space where people from all nations and ethnicities can come and linger while maintaining their own cultures. As a result, the United States is a dynamic country to live in.

One of the most compelling arguments to study in the United States is that the nation is a forerunner in terms of educational standards. According to the QS rankings 2020, more than 150 universities in the United States are among the best universities in the country. That alone speaks volumes about its standards of education.

We've also heard about the Ivy League universities in the United States. Along with higher educational standards, research facilities and athletics are critical aspects of the college community of the United States. The United States is a land of opportunities, as it is home to some of the world's biggest corporations. As a result, even after graduating from a US university, there is a chance to advance in the world.

Top Reasons To Study in the USA

Before embarking on higher education abroad, it is important to make an educated decision. According to the most recent QS university rankings survey, the United States has emerged as a leading nation known for its high-quality education. The United States has a variety of choices based on your education and cultural interests. Here are a few reasons why you would like to study in the United States:

• World-Renowned Universities:

With over 4000 universities spread around the region, the United States is home to some of the world's best. Universities and colleges have a diverse variety of degrees and classes in all academic disciplines. Excellent programs are available at both the undergraduate and graduate levels of study. According to the most recent rankings, 16 universities in the United States are among the top 20 in the country.

• Flexible Academic Options:

Students in the American higher education system have a variety of choices based on their preferences and desires. At the undergraduate level, students may take a variety of courses before declaring their major at the end of their second year. This provides students with the opportunity and time to pursue their dreams. It is perfectly fine if you are unsure about your area of study; you can still join. Furthermore, once you have already chosen what you'll do, you can also pursue another Major and complete a "double major," i.e. a degree in two subjects during the standard four years of study.

• Career Opportunities:

A foreign degree opens up a plethora of career opportunities, and a degree from a reputable university broadens the spectrum even further. The diverse insight into various fields of research presented by colleges in the United States broadens the breadth of the career path that the student selects, and it is well established that foreign businesses search for applicants who give a different take or viewpoint on their services.

• Research & Training:

Graduate-level study and internship programs are available at universities in the United States for foreign students. A student can support a Professor by being a Teaching Assistant, which also helps to finance their studies and broadens their experience and skill set. Students may provide teachers with studies on various programs, and it also allows them to collaborate with the brightest of their chosen field of study.

• Technologically Advanced:

The United States takes pride in its technical progress, and it has ensured that all levels of education are well-equipped for cutting-edge technologies. This simplifies the student's life by providing instant access to information and other technologies. It is said that technology plays a critical role in research and growth, and American universities have ensured that they do not lag behind in terms of the improvement of their infrastructure and students by adding innovative approaches and techniques to the learning curve.

Types of Programs in the USA Universities

There are basically four types of programs in the United States’ higher education program.

• Associate Degree (2 years): Associate degrees last two years and are mainly job-related. Candidates who want these courses search for work as soon as they finish. The first two years of a bachelor's degree will also be classified as an associate degree.
• Bachelor’s Degree (4 years): In comparison to an Associate's degree, a bachelor's degree is a more academic course. These courses last three to four years and are labeled as Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years. They will serve as a turning stone to a Master's Degree (MS) in the United States.
• Master’s Degree (1-3 years): A technical Master’s degree leads the first-degree holder to a more job-oriented competence and a thorough analysis of one area of study. An academic Master’s degree in the United States is excellent preparation for Ph.D. and Doctoral programs. In the United States, students often choose integrated MS-PhD programs. The duration of a technical master's degree ranges from one to three years, while an undergraduate master's degree typically lasts two years.
• Doctorate Degree (4-6 years): A doctoral degree usually lasts 5 to 8 years and consists of a study conducted under the direction of a faculty member.

Admission Requirements For the USA Universities

The registration process for colleges in the United States varies, but the majority of them use an online application. Most documents, such as a scanned copy of your passport, academic transcripts, essays, and so on, must be submitted to the university's online application portal.

GRE scores will be required for graduate courses, while GMAT scores will be required for management courses (such as MBA or MS Finance, MS Business Analytics). Undergraduate courses would include SATs and LSATs (for law courses), as well as the MCAT (Medical Courses). The English Language Proficiency Test scores, such as IELTS and TOEFL, are also required. All of these results must be publicly registered to the conducting bodies.

Eligibility:

• A good academic track record is most important if you want to secure admission to US universities. A high GPA is required to study in the United States. A small number of backlogs is often preferred (ideally, no backlogs if you are aiming for top universities), as are some other conditions that universities can impose for particular courses.
• Clearing the standardized tests is another important thing aspirants must do. Students wishing to pursue a Bachelor's degree in the United States must take the TOEFL or IELTS exam. If you want to attend one of the top 100/200 colleges in the United States and receive financial assistance, you can take the SAT or ACT. You can also take SAT Subject Tests and/or AP examinations for the most elite institutions, such as Ivy League schools and the best 25 – 50 universities. For graduate studies, you must take the GRE or GMAT, as well as IELTS/TOEFL.
• In addition to undergraduate transcripts and test scores, you must submit college essays, a statement of purpose (SoP), and recommendation letters (LoR).

Cost Of Studying In the USA

While US universities really aren't recognized for their affordability, the payback they have makes the cost of studying absolutely worthwhile. The estimated cost of attending a public two-year college (Associate Degree) in the United States is $3,660 per year.

Public universities will charge $26,290 a year for four-year degrees, while private colleges will charge $35,830 a year. At the colleges, there are extra fees for room and board.

The total cost of a Master’s (MS) degree ranges from $28,000 to $40,000 per year. MBA services are more costly. An MBA from a top business school in the United States would cost you between $70,000 and $150,000.

The cost of living in the United States varies depending on the city and state. Coastal cities and states have a notoriety for being more expensive than the rest of the United States, which is not necessarily true. It is determined by the student's venue and lifestyle.

Tuition Fees:

• Bachelor’s Degree- $25,000 – $50,000
• Master’s Degree- $30,000 – $120,000
• Doctorate Degree- $40,000 – $110,000

USA Student Visa Process

Applying for and obtaining a student visa to study in the United States can be difficult and time-consuming — but it is still well worth the effort. Many of what you will need to show to begin your visa application form are country-specific, so you must confirm your individual requirements ahead of time.

When you are admitted to your preferred institution, you will be sent an offer letter as well as a Form I-20 or DS-2019. However, the university must be a recognized and approved institution through the Student Exchange and Visitor Programme (SEVP). Fill out these forms, and then go to the local US Embassy for an appointment to apply for the F-1 non-immigrant visa, remembering to bring:

• Passport
• Form DS-160, the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form, filled in online with a photo attached and fees paid beforehand
• Form I-20/DS-2019, and any other forms provided by your university
• University Acceptance Letter
• Proof of financial stability
• Academic certificates
• Intention to leave the US after studies

The decision to grant you a visa is made by your interviewer, and you can obtain your student visa no later than 120 days before the start date of your degree — but you are not permitted to fly to the United States until 30 days before the start date of your degree.

Top Universities In the USA

For decades, the United States has become a popular destination for foreign students – and for many years, the country has been consistent with the standard of education it provides. This is reflected in the annual rankings of universities and colleges in the United States. Let’s look at the top ten universities in the United States.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge
2. Stanford University, California
3. Harvard University, Cambridge
4. California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
5. University of Chicago, Chicago
6. Princeton University, Princeton
7. Cornell University, New York
8. Yale University, New Haven
9. Columbia University, New York
10. The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

Top Courses In the USA

It's worth noting that engineering has surpassed management as the most successful major among international students. The following are the most common courses among the 10 lakhs+ foreign students studying in the United States.

• Engineering- 20.8% international students
• Business & Management- 19.2% international students
• Maths & Computer Science- 13.6% international students
• Social Sciences- 7.8% international students
• Physical & Life Sciences- 7.2% international students
• Fine & Applied Arts- 5.7% international students
• Intensive English- 3.9% international students
• Health & Allied Sciences- 3.3% international students
• Communications/ Journalism- 2% international students
• Education- 1.9% international students
• Humanities- 1.7% international students
• Legal studies/ Law- 1.4% international students
• Agriculture- 1.2% international students

Work While Studying In the USA

International students with F-1 and M-1 visas are permitted to serve on campus and in some training programs. During their first school year, students are not permitted to work off-campus. On-campus positions are geared toward students, such as those in the library, cafeteria, or student center.

After finishing their first academic year, students can obtain off-campus jobs through programs designed exclusively for foreign students pursuing employment, such as Optional Practical Training (OPT), Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension, and Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

• Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a scholarship that encourages foreign students to serve in the United States for up to a year. OPT will be done before or after finishing your education, but keep in mind that you are only eligible to serve for a period of 12 months, both pre-and post-completion of your degree.
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a program that encourages foreign students to obtain job experience specifically connected to their major through careers, paid or unpaid internships, or cooperative (co-op) education for a limited time.

Students would be able to work under certain limitations while studying in the United States. Most colleges and universities can help foreign students find on-campus and off-campus employment.

Internship In the USA

Students who are already in the United States with an F-1 visa may usually participate in an unpaid internship or an internship on their campus without needing to go through hoops or fill out extra paperwork, but there could be restrictions on where and how many hours they can serve. Usually, students will be permitted to work up to 20 hours a week. 

For students who are seeking off-campus internships, there are two options: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT).

• CPT internships (which can be paid) must be linked to the student's degree, and the student must normally earn credit for the internship. Students must have finished their first year in university to be eligible for CPT, and they must apply for permission on their student visa and obtain an amended I-20 form before beginning their internship.
• OPT internships do not have to be part of the student's program or specifically relevant to their degree, and they can be completed while either in school or after graduation. The procedure is a little more complex than CPT because the internship must be approved by US Citizenship and Immigration Services. The internship will last up to 12 months full-time.

Working In the USA

One of the most critical considerations for students planning to seek higher education in the United States is obtaining a post-study job visa. The F1 Visa, M1 Visa, and J1 Visa are three forms of student visas that allow students to remain in the United States for a set amount of time after finishing their studies.

International students with an F1 student visa will work for up to a year in a job that is closely relevant to their main field of study. After completing their studies, F1 visa holders may apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a one-year work and stay visa granted to foreign students who have completed a degree program in the United States. There are two forms of OPT: one that can be used before one's studies, known as Pre-Completion OPT, and one that begins after one's studies, known as Post-Completion OPT.

After completing the degree, the students must find work closely linked to their field of study. Students must find work within 90 days of graduation in the United States of America.

How We Help 

Our experienced consultants will guide you throughout your journey in pursuit of higher education and admissions into your dream universities/colleges. In specific but not limited to, following areas of assistance is provided by our consultants:

• Complete Profile Evaluation
• Preparation of different standardized tests - Undergraduate and Postgraduate
• Helping you to build your profile by guiding you on leadership skills, co-curricular activities, internship, online courses etc.
• Shortlist and finalize the best-fit college / university
• Research the right programs / courses for students
• Craft academic CV
• Brainstorm ideas for essays and personal statements
• Draft pointers for recommendation letters
• Scholarship and Financial Aid guidance
• MMI and Panel Interview Preparation
• Submission of the application form
• Follow up with the universities and updating the status of the applications
• Visa assistance and guidance
• Assistance on safe accommodation options
• Pre-Departure Guidance