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WHY STUDY IN THE U.S.?
582,984 students from around
the world choose to study in the United States. Click
here to see the number of students from your country
who are now studying in the U.S.
Why study in the U.S.?
U.S. System of Education
Primary and secondary education
- Education is free through high school and is compulsory
to age 16.
- Primary/elementary and middle/junior high school take
eight years total to complete.
- Secondary/high school takes four years to complete.
- The "high school diploma" is the name of the
certificate given to students who successfully complete
the 12 years of primary, middle and secondary school. Nearly
65% of U.S. students continue to colleges and universities.
Associate degrees
- Associate degrees can be completed in about two years
of full-time study. These degrees are offered by two-year
colleges, also known as community colleges, as well as by
some colleges and universities that also have four-year
undergraduate study programs.
- Two-year/community colleges often charge lower tuition
fees than four-year institutions.
- Some associate degrees are designed to allow graduates
to join the workforce immediately in technical/administrative
positions. Others allow graduates to proceed directly into
the third year of a bachelor’s degree. Students considering
an associate degree need to look at the goals of the particular
programs that they are considering.
Bachelor’s degrees
- Most bachelor’s degree programs can be completed
in four years of full-time study. Each year, over one million
bachelor degrees are granted at almost 2,500 colleges and
universities across the United States, in many different
fields of study.
Master's degrees
- A master’s degree can be completed in one or two
years of study following the bachelor’s degree. Master's
programs often require a major research paper in addition
to coursework.
Doctoral degrees
- Doctoral programs require an additional three to five
years of study beyond the master’s degree. They are
the highest degrees awarded and require coursework as well
as original research and a dissertation.
Professional degrees
- Medicine, dentistry and veterinary studies are four-year
programs following the four-year bachelor degree course.
Law school requires three years of full-time study after
the bachelor’s degree.
- Admission to first professional degree programs in medicine
or veterinary medicine is extremely competitive—it
is almost impossible for non-U.S. students to enter. First
professional degree programs in law are also competitive
and are strongly focused on preparation for U.S. legal practice.
If you are interested in these fields, we encourage you
to work toward licensure at home first and then come to
the United States for advanced studies.
- Professional degrees in engineering, pharmacy or architecture
can be earned through undergraduate study (though degrees
in these challenging fields often require five or six years
to complete rather than the typical four years). It is also
possible to enter these professions through graduate study.
Unique Features of the U.S. System
Accreditation
The U.S. uses a rigorous and complex system of monitored self-study
by six regional accrediting bodies to determine whether or
not an institution is "accredited." This is the
word used in the U.S. to connote "recognized" or
"approved." For further information, see www.chea.org.
In addition to regional accreditation, professional accrediting
bodies also recognize professional programs in some fields
of study, such as engineering and architecture.
College and University
In the United States, colleges and universities are ALWAYS
postsecondary (past high school) institutions. Americans use
the terms "college" and "university" interchangeably,
and a degree from a college is equivalent to a degree from
a university. In fact, some of the most selective institutions
in the U.S. are colleges; e.g., Amherst College and Swarthmore
College.
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HINT:
Don't let the name "college" make you think your
institution is less reputable or qualified than
a "university."
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The major differences are that colleges tend to have smaller
student bodies, focus on undergraduate education and hire
professors for their teaching abilities. Universities tend
to be larger, offer undergraduate and graduate programs and
hire faculty to teach and conduct research.
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HINT:
Whether U.S. institutions are public or private
does not tell anything about their quality - excellent
colleges and universities are common in both categories.
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Public and Private Universities
The U.S. has a great variety of strong public and private
universities. The oldest universities (Harvard, Yale, Princeton)
were and still are private. Funding comes from tuition, grants
for research, and voluntary contributions. Public institutions
tend to be less expensive, but usually assess added out-of-state
fees to students from other states and countries.
Credit System
Progress toward graduation in the U.S. is measured through
the accumulation of credits, rather than in years as in many
other countries. Each course/class you successfully complete
is worth a certain number of credits and a determined number
of credits is required for graduation.
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HINT:
Students transferring from one institution to another
need to ask a lot of questions about the amount
of credit they will be given and, even more important,
how long will it take them to complete their degree
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Ability to transfer from one university to another
The credit system allows students to "take their credits"
from one undergraduate program to another, or from a two-year
college to a four-year college, and not have to begin over
again at the beginning. However, each university determines
how much credit they will grant for previous work and how
much of that credit will fulfill their requirements.
Ability to change major fields of study
"Changing majors" after enrollment is a common practice
among undergraduate students. In the case of very popular
or selective programs, another application may be required,
but this is unusual. Changing a major may mean more time is
needed to complete the requirements of the new field before
being eligible to graduate, but it does give students the
opportunity to move into the program best suited to their
needs and abilities.
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HINT:
The more selective the university, the earlier the
deadline. Less competitive universities often allow
later application than do the more competitive.
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Application Timetable
The U.S. academic year begins in late August or early September,
and many universities will also accept applications for January
admission. The following is the preferred timetable for applying
to U.S. universities, beginning the year before an August
entry.
June-August
- Think about your educational future and career prospects
at home
- Talk with your family about financial resources
- Read the section on Selecting a University
- Visit an educational
advising center and become familiar with the application
process.
- Register for tests such as the TOEFL, SAT, SATII, GRE,
or GMAT
August-November
- Take entrance tests
- Attend university fairs
- Research universities and identify between four and ten
that meet your needs
December-March
- Pay careful attention to deadline dates.
- Submit a winning application to at least three universities
April-May
- Letters of acceptance or rejection arrive.
- Read acceptance letters carefully. Many institutions require
a separate application for housing.
- Choose the university you want to attend.
- Send letters of regret to universities you will not attend.
- Seek information about applying for a visa
June-July
- Apply for a student visa
- Make travel arrangements
- Attend a pre-departure orientation program at your school
or at an educational
advising center.
August
- Arrive in time to attend the university’s orientation
program for new students
- Be prepared for an excellent academic experience!
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HINT:
While there are many universities that will be able
to give you a degree, it is well worth your time
and effort to find ones that truly match your ability,
personality, budget, and goals.
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Selecting a University
Important things to consider include:
Recognition of degree
In some countries, and in some professions, it is critical
that your U.S. degree be "recognized" when you return
home. Check with your government before coming to the U.S.
to see if this is an issue for you.
Academic program
There are more than 500 major fields of study in the U.S.,
and no university offers every one of them. You will want
to be sure that the university you select offers the academic
program you want. This is less important for first-year undergraduate
students who can change majors or institutions than it is
for undergraduate students who are interested in specialized
fields that require heavy course work or admission to the
particular department (for example, some programs in music,
architecture, or engineering) or for graduate students. The
more focused you are on your academic goal, the easier it
will be to select a university.
Selectivity
The U.S. has some universities that accept a very small percentage
of those that apply and others that accept most applicants.
Your task is to assess your academic ability (your rank in
class, your school grades, and your scores on standardized
tests can help you with this), learn about the selectivity
of U.S. universities, and identify universities that will
be appropriate for you. Here are some questions to ask to
help determine an institution’s selectivity level:
- Is the institution accredited? (It should be or you are
likely to have trouble having your degree recognized.)
- What percentage of applicants are accepted?
- What is the range of test scores for recently enrolled
students?
- What is the faculty-student ratio?
- What percentage of students who begin their studies at
the institution graduate from that institution?
- What percentage of faculty hold Ph.D. degrees?
Costs
Costs range from about US$15,000 to US$40,000 per year for
tuition, fees, housing, books, health insurance, and living
costs. Click here for more detailed information about Financing
your U.S. Study.
Size
Universities vary in size of student body from widely; they
may have 800 students or 40,000. At the smaller institutions,
you will get to know many of the students and professors.
At the larger institutions, you’ll have a greater range
of course offerings and extra-curricular activities, but less
personal attention.
International student population
More than 500,000 students from other countries are studying
in the U.S., and many universities seek to maintain an international
student population of 10-15%. You may want to ask about the
number of international students on campus and/or the number
of students from your own country who have chosen that institution.
Location
Universities can be found in quiet rural communities, orderly
suburban locations, and cosmopolitan urban areas. While some
students thrive on busy, crowded, hectic cities, others prefer
quieter, calmer environments.
Climate
The U.S. is a large country with many different types of geography:
deserts, coastal areas, mountainous regions, tropical climates,
and flat plains. Some parts of the U.S. have four distinct
seasons (winter, fall, spring, summer) and others have more
moderate temperatures all year long.
Character
Each college or university has its own personality depending
on its size, location, course and extracurricular offerings,
selectivity, history, and student body. By reading about different
institutions and by communicating with admissions offices,
you will begin to learn about the "character" of
the universities that interest you.
Submitting
a Winning Application
A winning application is one that clearly and neatly provides
ALL of the documents requested by the deadline date and gives
the admissions office an accurate picture of who you are as
a student.
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HINT:
The university will file all of the correspondence
about you by LAST NAME (or FAMILY NAME) and then
by FIRST NAME (or GIVEN NAME). It is critical that
all correspondence (application, test scores, letters
of recommendation) be submitted with your LAST NAME
capitalized or underlined and with the spelling
and order of your names the same in every document.
Many applications have been considered incomplete
and not processed because some pieces of correspondence
were filed under one name and some under another,
for example Tay Wan Chee or Mohammed Abdul Razak
for one document and Wan Chee Tay or Abdul Razak
for another.
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All universities require:
- University application –each university has its own
application form, although there are a group of universities
that accept what is known as the Common
Application Form. This link will take you to the website
of the organization that publishes this form.
- Application fee – these range from about US$15-$75
and are non-refundable. A few universities will waive the
application fee if you are applying for financial aid. In
that case, you will be asked to submit a letter from a school
counselor.
- Official transcripts – grades must be provided as
original copies from the schools/universities you have attended
if at all possible (otherwise provide a certified true copy
of the originals), with a translation in English
- Statement of financial resources – proof that you
have the financial resources to attend the institution
- Proof of English proficiency – this condition is
usually met by the results of the TOEFL exam or the IELTS
exam, with test results sent to the college or university
directly from the testing agency.
More selective universities will also require:
- Personal essay – this is your opportunity to express
yourself in English and to describe yourself/your goals/your
background in a way that goes beyond the test scores and
transcripts you submit. Essays and personal statements MUST
be written by you, though you can ask others to read your
drafts and provide comments to help you revise. Click
here
to read Dodje Johnson's tips for writing the college application
essay.
- Additional standardized test scores – undergraduate
students are often asked to submit test scores from the
SAT and SAT II; graduate students are often asked to submit
scores from the GRE; MBA candidates are usually required
to take the GMAT test. Click here for more information about
testing.
- Letters of recommendation – universities generally
provide forms for you to give to teachers, professors, or
counselors (people who know you and your strengths in a
classroom setting) asking for their opinions about you.
Business schools, especially, may also be interested in
letters from employers focusing on your professional skills
and accomplishments.
Financing Your U.S.
Study
Plan ahead
While it is expensive to study in the United States, please
remember that
- The value of your U.S. degree is worth the investment
- There is no correlation between the level of tuition and
the quality of an institution
- Costs vary widely from university to university and place
to place
- Planning for financing your study should be done before
you submit your applications to the university
- Pay attention to deadlines for admission as well as university-sponsored
scholarships.
Calculating expenses
- Tuition – the cost of instruction is generally charged
as a single amount for the term (semester/quarter). Some
universities, and many graduate programs, based their fees
on the number of credits students take
- Fees
- health insurance
- student activity fee that gives students access to the
library, health center and campus activities
- out-of-state fees charged by public universities to
ALL students who cannot prove they are residents of that
particular State.
- Living Costs
- room and board
- transportation
- books and supplies
Sources of funding
- Personal and family funds. Talk with your family about
how much money they can give you for your study in the United
States.
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FACT: 80%
of international undergraduate students and
40% of graduate students rely on personal funds
for their U.S. study.
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- Home country government. Check with your Ministry of Education
to determine if they have scholarships and if you would
qualify
- Private sponsors. In most cases, you will have to have
a connection with the sponsoring organization (local company,
Rotary Club, religious group) for them to sponsor your studies
- The U.S government. U.S. government funding for non-U.S.
students is VERY limited and is always country or project-specific.
Check with your advising
center for detailed information.
- U.S. colleges and universities. A growing number of U.S.
universities are offering some assistance. See below.
- Loans. Loans come from college-controlled funds or banks.
A U.S. guarantor may be required,. Interest rates are low
and repayment begins after graduation. Check with the educational
adviser and the universities that interest you.
- Employment. Current immigration regulations permit non-U.S.
citizens to work part-time (less than 20 hours a week) on
campus. These jobs (in the cafeteria, bookstore, library,
etc.) will give you some spending money, but the income
earned cannot be considered as income for official financial
purposes, nor will it cover your regular room and board
expenses. At this time, permission to work off campus MAY
be granted after your first year of study, but there is
no guarantee. THE BEST ADVICE IS NOT TO COUNT ON EMPLOYMENT
IN THE U.S. TO FUND YOUR EDUCATION.
Financial Assistance from U.S. Colleges and Universities
- While the terms "scholarships" and "financial
aid" are often used interchangeably, there is a technical
difference.
- A scholarship is a financial award based on merit, special
talent and/or leadership qualities.
- Financial aid is based on financial need that must be
documented. In most instances, colleges and universities
only offer scholarships to students. Only a handful of wealthy
colleges are able to meet the financial needs of international
students
- Out-of-state tuition waivers offer in-state tuition to
public universities in certain states to students from selected
regions of the world. Undergraduate Awards
- Only the most prestigious, competitive and wealthy U.S.
universities are able to offer full or significant funding.
- Most awards will be partial (half-tuition is most common)
and given on the basis of merit or a specific talent.
- Most public universities do not offer scholarships to
international students.
You must submit all documents (application, test scores,
etc.) BEFORE the deadline.
- For an excellent list of universities that have consistently
given awards to international students, send a fax to Mr.
Doug Thompson at 1-845-236-2626.
Talent Scholarships
- These scholarships are given to students with outstanding
talent in athletics, music, art & design
- They can be partial or full scholarships
- Applicants will need to submit portfolios or videotapes
showing their talent, newspaper articles (if appropriate)
and letters from coaches or teachers.
- The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has
strict requirements for athletic scholarships. Please see
www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.
Graduate Awards
Graduate awards come directly from the departments rather
than the university and they fall into three categories:
- Merit Awards - for students with exceptional academic
ability
- Research Assistantships – for students who will conduct
research during their stay
- Teaching Assistantships – for students who will teach
sections of undergraduate courses. For these awards, the
ability to speak and teach American students in English
is essential.
Students are encouraged to request information about scholarships
and aid directly from the departments and/or to check out
their websites.
Reduce Your Educational Costs
- Look for "best buys"; i.e., colleges and universities
that offer a quality education at a reasonable cost.
- Begin your undergraduate education at a two-year community
college.
- Consider public universities
- Earn transfer credit locally and shorten your stay in
the U.S.
- Get good marks on AP, IB or A level examinations and receive
university credit
- Live with a friend and/or relative to cut living costs
- Study in the Midwest and/or in a rural part of the country
where the living costs are significantly lower than urban
areas and the east and west coast.
Useful web sites:
www.fastweb.com
www.edupass.org/finaid
www.nafsa.org/students/funding
www.bibl.u.szeged.hu/oseas/aid.shtml
www.collegeboard.com
www.petersons.com
Testing Issues
Most universities require the results from U.S. standardized
tests. Registration procedures vary so visit the web sites
given below and/or contact an educational
advising center in the city closest to you.
English Proficiency
If your native language is NOT English and/or you do not
have a degree from a university in an English-speaking country,
you will be asked to provide evidence of English proficiency.
Most universities require scores from TOEFL while some universities
administer their own test upon arrival on campus, and a growing
number of universities are accepting the scores from the IELTS.
- TOEFL-The Test of English as a Foreign Language measures
the ability of nonnative speakers of English to use and
understand North American English as it is used in college
and university settings. Many universities have a minimum
score required entrance to the academic program. Students
with lower scores will be required to take an intensive
English language program.
The test is offered on computer throughout most regions
of the world. In areas where access to computer-based testing
is limited, a supplemental paper-and-pencil version of the
test is administered. For further information, visit www.toefl.org.
- IELTS-International English Language Testing Systems
tests the complete range of English language skills which
will commonly be encountered by students when studying or
training in the medium of English. All candidates take the
same Listening and Speaking Modules. There is an option
of either Academic or General Training Reading and Writing
Modules. The Academic option is suitable for candidates
planning to undertake higher education. For further information,
go to www.ielts.org.
Undergraduate Exams
Find out what the institutions that you want to apply to require.
In general, students applying to selective universities and/or
engineering programs should sit for the SAT I. Students applying
to highly competitive institutions should sit for the SAT
I and the SAT II. For details on the SAT test, click on www.collegeboard.com/testing.
- The SAT I: Reasoning Test
The SAT measures your verbal reasoning, critical reading,
and math problem solving skills. It indicates how well you
can apply the skills in these areas that you’ve developed
both in and out of school.
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HINT:Don’t
panic if your SAT I verbal scores are low compared
to the average at the schools to which you are applying.
University admissions offices recognize that students
who have grown up outside the United States often
have lower scores than U.S. students on the verbal
SATI sections. Generally they will look more closely
at TOEFL or IELTS results, together with scores
on the SAT I math sections (on which international
students usually perform at a level similar to U.S.
students).
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- SAT II: Subject Tests
You can take Subject Tests to show colleges your mastery
of specific subjects, such as English, history and social
studies, math, sciences, and languages. Colleges can use
your Subject Test scores to:
- Make admission decisions.
- Help determine how well prepared you are for college
programs.
- Place you in freshman or higher-level course work.
- Advise you on course selection.
Graduate Tests
Again, check with the programs to which you plan to apply to
find out what your testing options are.
- GRE: Graduate Record Examination
The GRE General Test measures verbal, quantitative, and
analytical skills that have been developed over a long period
of time and are not necessarily related to any particular
field of study.
- GRE Subject Tests are designed to help graduate school
admission committees and fellowship sponsors assess the
qualifications of applicants in specific fields of study.
Subject Tests are currently available in Biochemistry, Cell
and Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science,
Literature in English, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology.
For details click on www.gre.org.
- GMAT: Graduate Management Admissions Test
The GMAT was designed to help business schools assess the
qualifications of applicants for advanced study in business
and management. It measures basic verbal, quantitative,
and writing skills that are developed over a long period
of time and is available year-round at test centers throughout
the world. For details, go to http://www.gmac.com/GMAT/index.shtml.
Visa Matters
Citizens of other countries who are coming to the United
States to study are required to obtain a student visa. This
visa will be issued by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your
country.
To obtain a student visa, you must demonstrate that you:
- Have the ability and intention to pursue a course of full-time
study. This can be demonstrated by official acceptance from
the college or university that you wish to attend. Some
visa officers will also want to see transcripts and test
scores or discuss your plans further.
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HINT:
Be prepared to tell the visa officer what you
want to study, where you want to study, how
you are going to finance your stay in the United
States, and what you intend to do with your
degree when you return to your home country.
Be prepared to do this clearly and quickly.
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- Possess adequate funds to cover all of the costs listed
by the university on the I-20 or IAP-66 form that they will
send to you when you are accepted. These costs include tuition,
fees, living expenses, and incidental expenses. As a general
rule, the consular official will want to see a bank draft
in the amount of the first year’s expenses and documentation
showing how the money will be found for future years.
- Have sufficiently strong social, economic, and other reasons
to leave the United States upon completion of the projected
program of studies. Such reasons can be shown during the
visa interview (if an interview is required), by such means
as showing strong family ties in your home country and/or
excellent employment prospects when you return home with
a U.S. degree.
- Are able to articulate your reason for studying at a specific
institution.
Timing
Applicants for U.S. student visas must apply for their visas
no earlier than 90 days before the date when they must report
to the school in the United States. You will, however, want
to apply as early as possible to allow time for processing
your application.
Procedures
For procedures in your country, please check with the U.S.Embassy
or Consulate. A listing of these offices and their web sites
can be found at http://usembassy.state.gov.
For the latest updates on the visa application process, visit
www.unitedstatesvisas.gov.
Good luck!
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
WEB LINKS
ESSAYS:
LIFE AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
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