General Informations
There are various types of schools in the United States. A university is different from a college in that while a college is only for undergraduate education, a university usually comprises a college, a graduate school and maybe even a professional school. A university is also more involved in research.
In America colleges and universities are publicly funded or private. "State universities" (or "public") are generally state or city-owned. They are relatively inexpensive, especially if you are a resident of the city in which they are located.
Private schools, on the other hand, are quite expensive. They are also very selective as to students as well as faculty. Prestigious private universities are Harvard, Princeton, Yale. If you are an extremely good student, you may be able to compete for a scholarship to one of these universities.
Although you may have an idea of what field you want to major in as an undergraduate, keep in mind that in the U.S. you will be encouraged (and required) to take different subjects for a year or two before actually concentrating on a specific field of study.
You may also need to take ESL (English as a Second Language) classes or enroll in a ESL program, especially if your TOEFL scores are modest.
Admission to U.S. colleges and universities is mostly based on academic performance and standardized tests. Recommendations, extra curricular activities and publications (for graduate school) are also important.
There are so many things to be considered when applying to a college or university that you may want to speak to an advisor. There are advising centers at U.S. embassies and consulates in many countries. That is also where you can also receive information on various schools of interest to you.
Requirements vary from school to school but you must be prepared to produce a certain amount of documents, take tests and prove financial ability. Bear in mind that the application process begins a year before the actual time you would like to actually start your studies. This means that if you intend to start your education in September 2009 you must begin the process by September-October 2008.
The first step is contacting those colleges and/or universities you are seriously considering and that are right for you. The Application Form is usually a detailed questionnaire about your background that you need to answer as precisely as possible. It is important that you give as much information as you can in order to present yourself in the best possible light.
You will also be required to present your academic records, which should be translated and presented according to the school's requirements. Teacher's recommendations are also required by most schools so you must be prepared to have them sent to the institution to which you are applying.
There are tests that you may need to take. The TOEFL measures your knowledge of English although not all schools will require it. Undergraduate institutions usually want you to take the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), while graduate schools require the GRE (Graduate Record Examination). MBA applicants may have to take the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test).
Visa Concerns
In order to receive a student visa to the United States you must prove you have the ability to support yourself while pursuing your studies in this country. For State schools tuition plus room, board, books and other expenses may range anywhere between $9,000 and $20,000 per year. For private schools this amount may jump to $12,000-$30,000. Financial aid is rarely available to foreign students on the undergraduate level. For graduate students, there are fellowships and assistantships
There are three kinds of student visas:
F-1- academic or language student
J-1 - exchange visitor
M-1- technical or vocational student
These visas are restrictive as to employment. F-1 students may work on the campus of the school and must be employed either by the school itself or by a company providing services to students on the campus itself. F-1 students may work up to 20 hours a week. J-1 students may also work in the same way but require special permission.
If you are on a F-1 visa, you may be allowed to do practical training for up to a year either during or after completing your studies. Again training is limited to 20 hours a week and you must have been a student for at least nine months in order to be eligible. J-1 students, on the other hand, may undergo up to 18 months of training.
Terms to know
Academic Year: Usually consists of two terms (semesters), three terms (tri-mesters) or quarters (four terms). There are also summer semesters for students who wish to take extra credit.
ACT: Achievement test required by some schools to measure subject ability.
Credit: Unit of academic work successfully completed. A course may be worth 1, 2 or 3 credits, depending on its duration.
Faculty: The professors and teachers working in the school. Graduate student: Same as post-graduate. A student who is studying towards a Master's or Doctoral degree.
Why Choose the United States of America?
Without a doubt, the United States offers a very high quality postsecondary education. Our partnership between students and their families, the states, the federal government, the private sector, individual philanthropists, and institutions of higher learning has created a system long recognized as a model of quality, diversity, and opportunity. Having more foreign students helps create this high quality experience.
Size and Variety of American Higher Education
There are more than 4,000 public and private colleges, universities, and community colleges in the United States, including over 600 public four-year colleges and universities and over 1,650 private four-year colleges and universities. These traditional colleges and universities enroll nearly 15 million students. In addition more than 6,250 other non-collegiate postsecondary institutions offer specialized vocational and technical training. You will find a size that fits you best, whether it is a small private institution with an enrolment of only several hundred students or a large state college or university system with tens of thousands of students.
Any student can find an appropriate program within the rich and diverse higher education system of the United States. This is true whether you are seeking career-oriented vocational and technical training from a community college, a liberal arts education from a small private college, an undergraduate science degree from a prestigious research institution, or one of a variety of programs offered by a multi-purpose university. High quality educational programs are offered in all types of institutions at prices that vary as much as the programs and institutions.
At the graduate level, U.S. colleges and universities offer both research and professional degrees. Foreign students are engaged in both types of programs and study a wide variety of subjects. Engineering, business and management, physical and life sciences and mathematics and computer science are the most popular fields of study at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Price and Return on Investment
The average tuition and fees per academic year at the four-year undergraduate level can vary from $10,500 to over $15,000 U.S. living expenses (called room and board) range from $4,700 to $6,000 U.S. each academic year. Tuition and fees at selective private institutions may cost considerably more than these averages.
Other Attractions of a U.S. Education
Academic and professional programs and social activities on campuses and at corporate headquarters of possible employers provide additional enrichments. For example, cuisine, music, cinema and other customs are commonly shared with others during the semester or academic year. This sharing contributes to a better understanding of each other's culture. The language, skills and cross-culture environment can make the U.S. learning experience a unique and rich one. With such a solid and broad background, the foreign student who has completed studies in the U.S is better prepared for successfully working in many locations around the world.
A number of other factors cause foreign students to choose study in the U.S. Most American faculty members are tenured and employed full-time by their institutions. While not as diverse as the student population, some 13 percent of U.S. colleges and university faculty are members of minority groups. As well, U.S. colleges and universities have other benefits, including a low student/faculty ratio of 15 students for every two instructors.
Is the USA Right for Me?
If you find yourself reading this article, then the chances are that you are now seriously considering the possibility of studying in America. A chain of events you cannot exactly describe changed your path towards international education. All of a sudden, you arrived to the conclusion that studying in your own country did not seem challenging enough, and you are telling yourself you need more. You know for a fact that there are excellent universities in your homeland but you still want something different. Moreover, you ask yourself: how did I arrive to a decision to study in a foreign land and how am I going to go about it?.
Some of the answers are very simple: for example, you know that you have the "foreign studies bug", and there is not much in terms of a cure. Second, you know that it feels like a major turning point in your life. Third, you are determined to be an International Student in the United States, even if you know little about how to get there. Corroborating these feelings, your heart has been telling you that:... "you have what it takes to succeed". If this is how you feel about yourself, let me welcome you to the challenging world of Higher Education in the United States.
This unscientific way of discovery occurs more frequently than you might think and is an excellent beginning. In short, you have decided all by yourself that you have the intelligence and drive to succeed. It is a fact that intelligence and drive are the most important factors that will bring home a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral Degree when you return from the United States. It is also a fact, that money alone will not buy either, and if you are convinced that you have both, it is likely that you will succeed. At this point, I would suggest: to go back to square one, and seriously re-formulate the same questions. If you can come up with the same answers and are still determined to start the long journey of studying abroad, then you are ready. Now your work begins in full, and a good dose of honesty is needed to move forward with real answers.
If English is your second language
In searching for the truth you need to ask yourself the following questions: First: Am I a good reader, listener and writer of English?. In reality, where do I stand in each of those areas?. If I were to sit in a classroom at an American University how would I perform?. The bottom line is; you need to find out if you can follow a lecture on an academic topic at university level. This should include the necessary give and take to answer questions, participate in class discussion, and produce original papers. If you have not done so, you need to take a TOEFL test as soon as possible to have a first unbiased measure of your ability. The test will also serve as a measure of future progress.
Can I afford it?
The second question in order of importance is: Can I afford the College of my choice in the United States?. The truth is, unless you have a demonstrated ability and a steady "star student" record, it is unlikely that you will obtain a grant covering all your expenses at some of your preferred Colleges.
By law, Federal (government) money is not accessible to International students, unless they also hold a U.S. citizenship or a U.S~ resident card. Many good candidates will be denied financial aid assistance for this reason. Or they will receive an offer from the College to take their own "Grant" (gift) money that in reality is still short of the amount the student really needs. Again, check your past academic achievements, and type of funds you can realistically obtain from your favorite College. Sometimes, you will need to make adjustments looking for institutions that better match your ability to pay. Don't count on universities largesse, count on your own resources and your ability to pay. If some money comes along the way as a gift, see it as an added benefit.
For the most part American Universities can only give their "own money", not government money, to International students and they will decide to whom and how much there is to give. Confronting reality early is a great time saving device, when searching for the right College. The good news is that there are a wide range of institutions available, both academically viable and affordable. Look for what you can afford.
Can I work whilst I am a student?
An extra bit of income whilst you are a student is always welcome. Many international students in the United States supplement their income by working part-time away from their studies. However, do remember that this can be extremely hard work. Not only is it difficult for the student to juggle his/her coursework as well as working, it may also have a major impact on your social life.
The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) do prefer the student to have the full financial resources before they reach the U.S. However they do accept that often an extra income is required.
For this reason there are strict guidelines set for international students taking employment. Unfortunately with the present economic climate in the United States and with general unemployment quite high the authorities like to give first priority to the people who are immigrants to the United States. However, it is still perfectly possible and acceptable for you to gain a part-time job.
For the convenience and its familiarity many international students tend to work on campus. If you are of F-1 status you are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week on campus. If you decide to work off campus you may need INS employment authorization. For this you will need your I-20 form to prove that you are of F-1 status and are eligible to work. On completion of your degree an F-1 visa holder who wants to seek additional employment in the United States may apply for H-1B status which is for temporary employment in an occupation that is specialized and requires the minimum qualification of a bachelor degree. If accepted the student may stay in the U.S. on H -1B status for up to six years.
For J-1 visa status employment is severely restricted. Any on-campus employment must be authorized by the institution that is sponsoring you. You may also have tight restrictions on returning home straight after your studies dependant on your contract. M-1 visa holders are students who are in vocational and technical training programmes. Practical training is the only employment allowed for M-1 visa holders. Your International Officer may have to prove that employment in this specific area is not available in your own country.
It is important to note that if you are not of F-1 status there may be severe problems in gaining access into employment in the United States so it is important that you have the sufficient funds before you arrive.