US is a favourite destination for students worldwide because of its world class education. A total of 582,984 international students are enrolled in various colleges and universities in the US (Source: Institute of International Education's (IIE) 2007 report on international education exchange). Around 80,000 Indian students went to the US in 2006-2007. Compared to this, only 21,000 Indian students went to the UK, the other preferred study destination. In 2008, the figure for US bound Indian students is expected to touch the 90,000 mark. Additionally, If you are considering USA as an option for higher education, your chances of scoring well professionally are very bright. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 39,000 jobs were added to the business and professional services industry from March through April, 2008.
Popular Courses
Some popular areas of interest to students are:
- IT
- Engineering
- Computer science
- Business management
- Liberal arts
Popular Institutes
The country boasts of over 3,500 colleges and universities. Colleges are usually for undergraduates; Universities concentrate more on research in addition to teaching.
America usually divides its higher education system into two classes – one comes under the public system and the other under private system.
You can take courses under the Public system or Private system. Public schools are funded by the State and the local government of the area in which they are located. You may choose to attend:
- Two-year community college (Grants Associate Degree)
- Four-year state college (Bachelor’s Degree)
- Graduate University (Master’s degree, PhD and Doctoral Degree)
- Vocational schools
Private System: The fee is much higher than that of public schools and you can attend:
- Two-year College
- Four-year College
- Graduate University
Study Expenses
The tuition fees vary from program to program and institution to institution. It could range between Rs 4 - 15 Lacs per year. Programs like MBA, Engineering, Medicine and Dentistry will always be on the higher side.
A tentative guideline is as follows:
- Tuition - the cost can range from $5,000 to $25,000 per year.
- Room and board- A rough estimate is between $3,000 and $8,000 per year.
- Books and supplies- Approximate cost can range from $500 and $1,500 per year.
- Medical insurance- A comprehensive insurance policy is likely to cost between $500 and $1,000 per person.
Loans and scholarships
The flagship international educational program sponsored by the United States Government and the Fulbright Program are two major grants for Graduate Students, Scholars, Professionals, Teachers and Administrators. Others include:
- International Education Financial Aid (IEFA), Rotary International: This organization provides a few limited international student scholarships,
- AAUW: This organization provides fellowships for women international graduate students,
- American Councils for International Education: The councils provide international student grants and fellowships to international students from the former Soviet republics.
Some other scholarships and fee waivers that can be researched are:
- International Graduate Scholarships
- International Undergraduate Scholarships
There are four schools where the tuition is free, but admissions are highly competitive:
- The Cooper Union, NYC
- Olin College, Massachusetts
- The Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia
- The Yale School of Music, New Haven - part of Yale University
Of these, the Cooper Union offers only Art, Architecture and Engineering. Olin offers only Engineering. Curtis and Yale both offer Music. Although tuition itself is covered by the respective universities, there are various other fees that would need to be furnished by a student.
Student Visa and other Eligibility criteria
The American education system requires that students complete 12 years of primary and secondary education prior to attending a university or college. This may be accomplished either at public (or government-operated) schools, or at private schools. For higher education, the student must complete 12+ 4 years of schooling before applying for a Master’s program.
In addition to this, each school has its own admission requirements and policies. Some of the general policies include:
- personal application form;
- official records of academic achievements;
- teacher recommendations;
- proof of financial capability;
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score;
Many universities require scores of other tests like:
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT),
- Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
- Achievement Tests (AT)
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and the
- Miller Analogies Test (MAT).
Students applying for MBA and other graduate business programs are required to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
Students can also apply to some colleges using the Common Application. There is no limit to the number of colleges or universities to which a student may apply, though an application must be submitted for each. In a few institutions, students may be required fill an institution generated application form.
Most non-US citizens who wish to study in the United States will seek an F-1 (non-immigrant) student visa, but there are other visa types that are sometimes authorised for those who study in the U.S. These are:
- F-1, or Student Visa: This visa is most common for those who wish to engage in academic studies in the United States,
- J-1, or Exchange Visitor: This visa is for educational and cultural exchange programs,
- M-1, or Student Visa: This visa is for those who will be engaged in non-academic or vocational study or training at an institution in the US.
In order to apply for a visa at a US Embassy or Consulate, students should first fill and submit a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) generated document (either an I-20 or DS-2019) issued by a U.S. college, university or Department of State-designated sponsor organisation. Once the student has all the required documentation, she/he may apply for the visa, even if they do not intend to begin the program of study for several months. It is best to apply early for the visa to make sure that there is sufficient time for visa processing.
Travel Expenses
You should calculate how much it will cost you to travel between your school and your home country. You will need to determine how many times during the length of your education you will go home, and, multiply that by the cost of airfare between the two locations.
Career Prospects
Some areas with exceptionally high intake are:
- Network systems and data communications analysts,
- Computer software engineers,
- Home health aides,
- Medical assistants, Physician assistants,
- Dental assistants,
- Physical therapists,
- Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
- Preschool teachers, except special education
- Education administrators, pre-school and child care center/program.
Living in the USA
Almost every city or town in the United States with college and university students generally offers various avenues to enjoy, be involved in sports, shop, travel and have a gala time. The most popular sports in the United States are Baseball, American Football, Basketball, and Hockey.
The country claims to have the most successful cinema industry in the world, and if a town or city has a college or university, then it likely has a movie theater as well. The living costs work out to a minimum of Rs 4 Lacs annually. It’s always advisable to get health insurance done before landing in the US as medical expenses are exorbitant.
Student Communities
The United States calls itself "a nation of immigrants." You will find that all ethnicities and nationalities are represented, although not to the same extent in every city. The country is vast (over 9 million square kilometers) and populous (over 300 million people). In the US, you can encounter and experience almost any climate, landscape, lifestyle, and culture imaginable. By selecting the right location, you will be able to find a living experience that is perfect for you.
Even though there is so much variety in America, there is still an "American culture" that may be quite different from your own. While much of the said American culture is exported through television, film, and consumer products, there are some aspects that you do not encounter until you live in the US.
Weather
This is a land of vast plains, snow-topped mountains, lush hills, arid deserts, rock formations, and scenic coastlines. The climate is as diverse as the land itself. On the whole, it is mostly temperate; tropical in Hawaii and Florida; arctic in Alaska; dry in the Great Plains, and arid in the Southwest. Low winter temperatures prevail in the northwest in the months of January and February. It is best to refer to the weather and area guide for the place you are looking at, and to gear up for it accordingly.
Checklist
- Valid passport,
- Letter of offer from your school of choice,
- Receipts of payments (tuition fees, health coverage, travel insurance, etc),
- Letter of scholarship award (if applicable),
- Original/certified copy of your academic transcripts, education certificates, birth certificates, and all other supporting documents required for application/collection of Student's Pass,
- Other personal identification documents (e.g. Driver's license, I.D. card, etc.),
- Some cash in U.S. Dollars - Make sure you bring enough money to cover the first few days/week of stay. It is advisable to carry a small amount of cash, together with larger amounts in bank draft or traveler’s cheque for the initial period. Take note that bank drafts drawn on overseas banks take about 3 weeks to clear before being deposited into one's account.
