STUDY IN USA UNIVERSITIES

Education Chart

USA has the world’s most flexible education system, students can study their area of interest as specialization. As the education system of USA is not centralized each institute can determine its program and admission standards. Lateral movement in the education system is possible any time.

Types of Institution

Public Universities in USA:
State-affiliated institutions financially supported by public taxes, usually large in size. All levels of degrees with different fields of study are offered. Public colleges and universities are relatively easy on the pocket for residents of a state where the schools are located. Foreign students pay "out-of-state" tuition, which is higher. There are many notable public universities across the country just a few examples: Pennsylvania State University, Ohio State University, University of California, Kansas State University, University of Texas

Private Universities in USA:
Private Institutions run without the control of the Government entity. Tuition fees of these institutions are on the higher but the international as well the domestic students pay the same amount of fees. The notable private institutions are Long Island University, George Washington University, New York University, Carnegie Mellon University.

Technical Institutes in USA:
These are schools emphasizing principally on engineering and science they are known for their research and graduate programs. Most International students who attend these schools are of graduate level. Undergraduates admitted to these schools usually have incredibly strong backgrounds in math and sciences, as witnessed by grades and standardized test scores (e.g. SAT or GRE). M.I.T. (the Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Cal Poly (California Polytechnic Institute), Georgia Tech (Georgia Institute of Technology), NYIT New York Institute of Technology) and W.P.I. (Worcester Polytechnic Institute) are a few of the noted schools.

The Ivy League:
These schools are the oldest and most famous in the country members of the Ivy League are: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania. They are in the Northeastern part of the USA. Ivy League colleges stress undergraduate liberal arts education, but they also have noted graduate and professional schools. Tuitions at these private schools is among the highest in the country, and admission is generally highly competitive.

Small Liberal Arts Colleges:
Generally have the focus on undergraduate study of the traditional arts and science disciplines: humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Strictly liberal arts colleges are often quite old and mostly private schools. They are highly-rated institutions as they stress on small classes, individual attention to the students, and closer relationships between the faculties and students. Many of them also generally have rigid admission standards. Among these schools are: Amherst, Marist, Swarthmore, Manhattan, Smith, Mount Holyoke.

Grading System in USA
The GPA system is followed throughout the United States to judge student's performance. It is graded on the scale of 0 to 4. Following is the evaluation of GPA

Types of degree

Associate Degree to Study in USA:
It is an academic degree awarded by the community colleges, junior colleges, business colleges and some bachelor's degree upon completion of a course of study Usually for two years (60 Credits). In the USA , an associate degree is equivalent to the first two years of a four year college or university Bachelors degree. It is The lowest in hierarchy of post secondary academic degrees offered in USA.

Bachelors Degree to Study in USA:
Commonly known as Undergraduate degree in India. The duration of the bachelors course is 4 years. Students who have completed a part of their undergraduate degree and want to go to the USA, can apply as a transfer Student. There are two types of bachelors degree: B.A or B.S. Some universities in the USA Offer either of the degrees in all fields and at times both the degrees in some field. Students need to appear for SAT & TOEFL/IELTS exams for admission.

Masters Degree to Study in USA:
The duration of master’s courses may range from a year to two depending on the university & your area of specialization. The binding requisite for Masters is the 16 year of education Criteria. Students with Bachelors in engineering are qualified whereas the students with B.Com, B.Sc, and B.A need to complete at least one year of Masters, post graduate diploma is also accepted by some specific institutions for specific programs. Exams required are GMAT for management related subjects / GRE for arts, science or any other subjects and TOEFL/ IELTS exams for admission.

Doctorate to Study in USA:
Commonly known as PhD. Duration of the same may range from 3 years to 5 years. Students can take admission for a PhD only after completion of their master's degree. PhD students need to submit a research proposal as well have to appear for GRE/GMAT & TOEFL/IELTS exams for admissions.

Tuition Fees to Study in USA

Living Expenses to Study in USA

When calculating the cost of education living expenses play a critical role. On an average, a student spends Approx $10000 – 12000/year. But the expenses also depend on the place where a student stays i.e. if a student stays in metropolitan city like New York, San Francisco, Manhattan, etc the expenses could go up to $15000 in comparison to a student studying in a suburban area where the expenses around $8000 to $10000 / year.

Accomodation

Most of the educational institutions in USA will assist you in finding accommodation while studying in USA. Accommodation 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.

Health Insurance

Insurance Policy for international students is a mandatory, as students have to stay abroad for a long period of time. Insurance costs generally between $500-$1000/year. It is advisable to take insurance from an Indian Insurance Company but make sure that it covers medical expenses, personal accident, dental, treatment ,study interruption, passport loss etc. Insurance is basically cashless so a student does not need to pay money at the time of hospitalization.

Scholarships to Study in Top University in USA

Scholarships & financial aids - fee waivers are awarded to international students on the criteria of merit & need of it. Candidate with strong academics, good performance on standardized exams & extra curricular achievements would be eligible for scholarship awards & 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:

Fellowship-Scholarship: This is usually offered on the student’s ability, competence & performance.

Graduate Assistantship: Generally it may involve a teaching or research assistantship. Students receive aid, in the form of cash stipend or a tuition fee waiver or reduced tuition fee.

Sports Scholarship: Though seldom offered to international students, athletic or sports scholarships are available in a wide range to outstanding and talented athletes.

The other factor that can enhance the probability of getting the scholarship is the credit evaluation. The evaluation converts the Indian grades in the GPA system.

Admission to a coveted US university takes you only half way through your dream to study in the USA. The remaining important half is to obtain a study visa for the US. Complexities and careless mistakes along with lack of sufficient knowledge about the US student visa formalities cause undesired delays and even refusal of a visa in some cases.

An F1 visa is issued to international students who are attending an academic program or English Language Program at a US college or university. F1 students are expected to complete their studies by the expiration date on their I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) which is provided by the US College or university


Where to Apply:
US Visa is an Interview based visa, Applicant has to apply to US embassy for their Interview, available in 11 cities

If an applicant wish to make an inquiry or require clarifications on the U.S. Visa application process, please visit a VFS Centre, call the Helpdesk or sent an email enquiry to a location within your consular location. Email queries receive responses from Monday to Friday, within two working days.


Process:
a. How Many Days Prior Can a student Apply for Visa
90 days prior a student can apply for visa for visa, but student can only fly 30 days prior

b. Documents Checklist
1. Visa Application form DS - 160 (Online fill able form)
2. Original Passport
3. HDFC Bank Receipt
4. Sevis Fee Receipt
5. Interview Appointment letter
6. All Academic Documents including TOEFL, GRE, GMAT Score sheet
7. Evidence of Financial Resources

c. Visa Application Fees
Rs.6,440/- by Cash or DD fvg. "US Embassy Visa Fee". DDs issued by cooperative banks are not accepted.

Rs.374/- by Cash or DD fvg. HDFC Bank A/c VFS.
(The above mentioned fees has to be paid only in Designated HDFC bank only)

SEVIS Fee of $ 200 has to be paid online with the help of the credit card

d. Processing time
If an applicant is successful in convincing the Visa officer, then the applicant visa is approved, Those visa which are Approved the passport will be returned courier the next day from the interview , or can collect it personally from VFS


English Language Requirement
TOEFL and GRE, GMAT is strongly recommended. SAT (if applicable)

For more information you can meet the Visa counselor at Edwise branch.

Edwise International - Overseas Education Consultants

Head Office - Metro Mumbai

Jer Mahal, Gr. Flr., Dhobi Talao,
Opp. Metro Cinema, Mumbai-400 002.
Tel: +91 - 22 - 40813333 / 22003338
Fax: +91 - 22 - 22003269
Email: ho@edwiseinternational.com

(Updated till 1st June 2010)