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Why Study In USA?

The country that needs no introduction and easily on the top of the list of all International students dream destination to receive excellence in education. Regardless of the program, students can rest assured that they will be rewarded with endless opportunities while in the capacity of cutting-edge infrastructure of resources and facilities that an education in the US guarantees.

  • Unparalleled Academic Ranking- Home to the Ivy-Leagues and some of the most prestigious and reputable Engineering Schools, Law Schools, Medical Schools and Business Schools in the world! The Top 100 University Ranking List is dominated by Colleges and Institutes from the US.
  • Academic Flexibility- US Colleges allow students to select their ‘major’ after 2 years of study and the option to complete their study in 4 years or extend up to 6 years, depending on how many credits they score.
  • Technology Innovation- US believes in being at the forefront of technology and lays great emphasis on expansion in Research, Innovation and Development, providing various opportunities across a diverse range of study options for further growth.
  • Holistic development- With the overwhelming mix of diverse cultures in the US, it is quiet aptly referred to as a ‘melting pot’. International students find this exposure extremely beneficial for their overall global development and interaction.
  • Standard of living-Boasting of one of the highest standards of living in the world, the US assures a great overall quality of life and strives to provide quality human development.
  • Work Opportunities-In the USA, OPT and CPT work rights are permissible to International students while studying for up to 20 hours per week and full-time during vacation breaks and also upon finishing a degree or diploma.

The Education System in the USA

Students in the US are required to stay in school from the age of 6-16 by law, parents can choose to send their children to Public, Private or Federal Schools based on their preference.

Mandatory Elementary education for children starts at age 6 and goes on till 11-12 years.

Secondary education is divided into two levels:

  • Junior High School which works like a 2-year Intermediate school, after completion of Elementary School. Students are given the opportunity to adjust to the change in curriculum and school environment.
  • High School is usually 4 years long and is the final section of Secondary Education. Some provinces even offer job training as part of curriculum to equip students with practical knowledge and skills.

When it comes to the options for higher education in the US, there is a wide range for students to choose from based on their requirements and aspirations.

  • Community Colleges– Public institutions offering 2-year associate degrees/diplomas/certificates. Credits earned on completion can be used to transfer to a 4-year Bachelors’ degree at another college/university.
  • Public Universities- These universities are generally state-funded and are more economical in comparison to private universities. Most public universities offer Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, Doctoral Degree as well as Post-doctoral Degree.

You will get the opportunity to get mentored by professional and qualified supervisors who will give you exposure to hands-on experience.

  • Private Universities- Bankrolled through tuition fees, alumni, private donations, grants and the likes. The class size is smaller but equipped with the best technological and research resources. In addition to the usual Degree programs, they also offer Pathways programs, 2+2 deferred programs and Co-op programs.
  • Technical Colleges- Institutes such as MIT, Virginia Polytechnic College, Stevens Institute of Technology come under this bracket. They offer specialized 4-year Degree training programs for Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences.
  • Liberal Arts College– Usually owned privately, these colleges offer 4-year undergraduate Degrees for humanities, natural sciences, music, mathematics, languages and social sciences. There are less than 200 such colleges in the US, renowned nonetheless such as Julliard, Swarthmore, Amherst.

Types of Qualifications

Here is a brief review of the prevalent study options offered in the US across different levels in American Dollars:

QUALIFICATION DESCRIPTION DURATION AVERAGE ANNUAL FEES
Certificates Diploma Provided by institutions offering technical job-oriented programs to students and preparing them with the required skill sets for their aspiring field of industry. 6 months- 2 years $10,000-$25,000
Associate degree Equivalent to first two years of a 4-year bachelor’s degree, offered by Community college. 2 years $15,000-$28,000
Bachelor’s Degree Undergraduate programs focusing on academic knowledge in a variety of courses across various disciples, armed with an independent and analytical approach. 3-4 years $10,000-$60,000
Post Graduate Diploma Vocational in nature, this qualification aims to develop practical skills of students in a speedy manner. Students can apply after completing their bachelors’ degree preferable in a similar field. It can sometimes be equivalent to a masters’ qualification. 1-2 years $15,000-$35,000
Master’s Degree Postgraduate programs provide a broader view of the subject area and available for coursework as well as research merit. It requires relevant bachelor’s degree from a similar field. 1-2 years $15,000-$45,000
MBA: $30,000-$80,000
Doctoral Degree
Higher doctoral degree
PhD is a premier research award which require a masters’ degree and a pre-approved research proposal by a panel of faculty members for admission.
It is awarded when students complete dissertation and successfully defend their work before a panel of faculty members.
4-7 years $25,000-$60,000
*Please note all fee figures are indicative.

Student Bursaries

Many institutions offer variety of financial assistance for International students in the form of

  • Grants– Usually issued by the government, to award students with monetary assistance to pay for their university education, on the basis of their financial need.
  • Scholarships– Financial aids designed to support student’s education based on academic or other achievements.
  • Tuition waiver– They are granted by the university and essentially reduces the amount of tuition fees that the institute usually charges.
  • Studentships– This type of funding is usually provided for a specific project, covering the cost of tuition and research material along with a stipend allowance for the student.
  • Tuition waiver- They are granted by the university and essentially reduces the amount of tuition fees that the institute usually charges.
  • Studentships- This type of funding is usually provided for a specific project, covering the cost of tuition and research material along with a stipend allowance for the student.
  • Fellowships- This financial assistance is mostly offered to graduate students for pursuing further research work and elevating their credentials and experience.
  • Assistantships- Students engaging in research or teaching at the university within an academic capacity alongside their graduate education are given financial aid for their contribution.
  • Privately funded Scholarships- These financial awards are funded by individuals, companies, organizations, foundations for providing assistance within a personal capacity and can be field specific.

There are even special athletic scholarships offered to International student-athletes such as NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA.

There are usually some eligibility criteria to be met to avail such assistance, so it is highly recommended to check with universities and get a clear understanding of the aids that are applicable to you. With many students applying for monetary support, International students should commence this process a year prior to the intake session

Intake season

Like most other countries, there are 3 main intakes for US admissions;

  • Fall Semester- August/September
  • Spring Semester- January
  • Summer- April/May

Depending on the semester you plan to attend, International Students are advised to keep a vigilant check on deadlines and submissions;

  • Begin the admission process at least 6 months prior
  • Dedicate 3 of those months to accurately fill the application forms
  • Complete any aptitude or Language tests 3 months before
  • Complete visa application and interviews 3 months prior

Employment Opportunities and Future Prospects in USA

International students holding F-1 Student Visa are permitted to work on campus 20 hours a week for the duration of their course and full-time during vacation breaks.

Curricular Practical Training: Certain courses are inclusive of a practical training component as part of the curriculum and is a requirement for credit whilst also providing hands-on experience to students in their field of study.

OPT: International Students with F-1 visa are also eligible to take up 1 year of Optional Practical Training after completing one academic year of their degree, in a field related to their course.

STEM OPT: students who complete a degree STEM courses (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) are allowed OPT for a period of 2 years.

Designated Degree Program List may be entitled to a 24-month extension of OPT (36 months total).

Student Visa Requirements

To begin with International Students planning to apply for their US Student visa must have a clear understanding of the visa they should be applying for;

  • F-1 Student Visa: International students engaging in a full course of academic study in an accredited educational program that has been designated by DHS (Department of Homeland Security).
  • M-1 Vocational Student Visa: International students enrolled in a vocational program or school in the US. They must maintain a full course of study; part-time study is only permitted if authorized by the DSO.
  • J-1 Exchange Student Visa: Applicable to exchange visitors with the premise of studying at an academic institution under the auspices of the United States Information Agency and a designated program sponsor. Visa holders are eligible for up to 18 months of Practical Academic Training and up to 36 months for post-doctoral training.

In order to apply for any of the above-mentioned visas, you will require some basic documents such as;

  • A valid passport
  • 2 Passport-size photographs
  • Form I-20 issued by designated university
  • Completed Application DS-160 form
  • SEVIS Application fees payment
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Attested academic transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Attested work experience documents, if applicable
  • Certified English Proficiency Test scores (TOEFL/ IELTS/ PTE)
  • Scores for SAT/ACT/ GRE/ GMAT, if required
  • Proof of financial statements

All applying students are required to schedule and their personal interview at the embassy for approval of their Student visa.

Step-by-Step Guide to Application and Visa Process:

Our expert faculty at OEC will guide and assist you every step of the way offering you the best chance of success to study at your dream university in Germany.
All you need to do is;

  • Register on our website (provide link)
  • Schedule a meeting with our Admission counselor
  • Select a suitable course
  • Shortlist universities based on your preferences
  • With our assistance send your applications to the selected universities
  • Receive expert guidance for Visa application
  • Acquire Form I-20 from the university
  • Acquire Letter of Acceptance from the university
  • Avail our assistance to apply for the Student Visa
  • Attend our pre-departure session
  • With an empire state of mind fly off to the land of the free!