studying in the

USA

tudier en Suisse

Studying

Institutions of higher educationDiplomasGetting inDistance learning

Living

Conditions for entry in the USACosts of livingStudent housingSocial securityWorking and studying

Useful links and addresses

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Contents

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STUDYINGINSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

In the absence of a national ministry of education, each institu-tion has been developed according to its own conception ofservice.

The official name of an institution is frequently an unreliable guideto its actual structure or function. Some institutions calleduniversity offer no degree beyond the Bachelors degree, othersoffering first-professional and Masters degrees have no doctoralprogrammes.

On the other hand, some institutions that are called collegesoffer regular doctoral programs. Furthermore, several technicalinstitutes have developed the characteristics of a general univer-sity, having large doctoral programs which offer training in otherfields than applied sciences (e.g. Massachusetts Institute of Tech-nology).

The UniversityMany universities place considerable emphasis on graduateeducation; they confer advanced degrees in a variety of liberal artsand professional fields and strongly emphasize research.

Liberal Arts CollegesLiberal Arts Colleges/Universities offer university-level educationthat combines natural and social sciences, as well as humanisticstudies. The term "college" is often used where undergraduatestudy is concerned.

A college may be part of a larger university that has graduate andprofessional schools. A college may also be an independent insti-tution that specializes in Bachelor's degree programs, with little ifany instruction at the graduate level.

4Community and Junior CollegesCommunity and Junior Colleges provide a two year coursebeyond secondary school. Courses are either "Terminal" (leadingto employment) or "Academic" (preparing the student fortransfer to a four-year college or university where he/she willcomplete his/her education). Graduates of junior colleges areusually awarded an Associate in Arts (A.A.) or Associate inSciences (A.S.) degree.

Technical InstitutesTechnical Institutes offer two or three-year courses of training forsemi-professional occupations such as dental, engineering ormedical technicians.

Fine Arts and Music are often taught in the colleges and univer-sities described above, but may also be available in specializedacademies, schools and conservatories.

AccreditationWhen selecting higher education programs in the USA, studentsshould always choose an institution that is accredited.

Accrediting agencies must be approved by the Council on Post-secondary Accreditation and by the U.S. Office of Education.

Accreditation ensures that students diplomas and courseworkwill be recognized by other educational institutions, professionalorganizations and employers.

An institution is accredited when its program of study, professorsand academic facilities meet the minimum standards establishedby the accrediting agency.

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RankingsSeveral rankings of universities and colleges on undergraduate aswell as postgraduate level exist. The ranking shows the evaluationof a certain institution of higher education and its place amongother comparable institutions.

There are rankings comparing universities and colleges on ageneral level and there are specialized rankings which evaluate theachievements of an institution in determined study areas (e.g.business studies, engineering, architecture, law etc.)

Further information:U.S. News and World Report: Americas Best Colleges Index:http://www.usnews.comUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign:Resource Site for College and University Rankingshttp://www.library.uiuc.edu/edx/rankings/rankgrad.html

Council on Postsecondary Accreditationwww.chea.org

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DIPLOMAS

Undergraduate Study

The Bachelor's Degree requires 4-5 years of undergraduate studyin Liberal Arts (B.A. degree) or in Science (B.S. degree). A Bache-lors degree (or its equivalent from another country) is required foradmission to a graduate level program.

The B.A. or B.S. degrees are awarded upon successful completionof a specified number of courses or units. In the U.S., the full de-gree requirement is usually 120 credits (about 40 courses) for ins-titutions operating on a semester system. For institutions thatfollow a quarterly academic calendar, the requirement is 180 cre-dits. A Bachelor's degree program is designed to last four years.The first year is called the Freshman year, the second Sophomore,the third Junior and the fourth Senior. Courses offered during thefirst two years are referred to as "lower division" courses.

Upper division courses are taken during the third and fourthyears.

In recent years, many institutions have experimented with varia-

tions of the Bachelors degree structure. A typical pattern includesthe following requirements:

A. Basic courses, which are sometimes called "core courses" or"distribution requirements. These courses must be taken by allstudents, usually during the first two years of study. These coursescomprise about one third of the degree and include subjects suchas English, foreign languages, natural sciences, social sciences andmathematics.

B. Specialized courses in the students chosen field, which areoften referred to as major Courses. These courses are usuallytaken during the final two years of study and amount to aboutone quarter of the total degree requirements.

C. "Elective courses which the student chooses from any field.

D. Students from other countries do not necessarily enter an

8American college or university as freshmen (first-year students).They may be admitted by the college at a higher level or receiveadvanced standing, mainly through placement tests. Each collegeor university in the USA determines entry levels for each student onan individual basis. Students may sometimes complete a Ba-chelor's degree in less than four years by (a) receiving credits for pre-college work (i.e. the European Baccalaurat) or (b) taking coursesduring the summer.

Graduate Study

Graduate and Professional Schools provide post-university studyleading to the Master's or Doctoral degree.

Master's degrees, such as the M.A., M.S. or M.B.A. require a mini-mum of one academic year. More often, 18 months or two yearsare needed. Master's and other professional degrees usually re-quire a minimum of 30 credits and a maximum of 60 credits, withan average grade of "B" for the coursework.

Doctoral degrees may be earned in many fields of specializationand require a minimum of three to four years of study beyond theBachelor's degree and two to four years of study after the Mas-ter's degree. Most graduate schools do not require that a studentfulfil the specific requirements for the Master's degree before be-coming a candidate for the Doctoral degree, although many stu-dents find it desirable to do so. Doctorates in Education, Scienceand Law are sometimes labelled Ed.D., Sc.D. or J.D. Most Docto-rates, however, are known as Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) degrees.

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To obtain a Ph.D. degree or other Doctorate, the university gene-rally requires students to:

- Earn a certain number of credits in a required distributionof courses.

- Maintain an average grade of B. - Pass a qualifying comprehensive examination after comple-

tion of the required courses. - Pass examinations in one or more foreign languages. - Write and defend a thesis that is the result of original re-

search. - Pass an oral examination.Degree programs vary by institution.

Postdoctoral Research

Postdoctoral candidates should direct their inquiries to the Chairof the appropriate department, with a copy to the Dean of theSchool. Please note that postdoctoral research positions areusually arranged between the student and department throughcorrespondence, exchange of articles and personal connectionsbetween professors. In general, there are no special forms to becompleted or admission tests to be taken.

Professional Training

Many professions require special training at the post-graduatelevel. A law degree (J.D.), for example, requires three years of studybeyond the Bachelor's degree; a medical degree (M.D.) requiresfour years of study beyond the Bachelor's degree; and social work(M.S.W.) requires two additional years of training beyond theBachelors degree. In professional fields such as dentistry, veteri-nary medicine and architecture, four years of general undergra-duate work is usually required before admission to theprofessional program.

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The Credit system:

American degrees, both undergraduate and graduate, are earnedby successfully completing a prescribed number of courses.Each course carries a certain number of "credits" or "units", whichare also referred to as credit hours, semester hours (for schools onthe semester system) or quarter hours (for schools on the quartersystem). The number of credits assigned to each course usuallyrelates to the number of hours of classroom work involved.

Full-time students typically attend 15 or16 hours of seminars orlecture classes a week which, added to personal study, result inacademic work week of 40-50 hours. Students usually need bet-ween 120 and 124 semester hours to graduate.

In the USA, students are graded on course work completed andmost colleges and universities use the following letter grades tocharacterize students results:

A - Excellent or outstandingB - Above averageC - AverageD - Below averageF - Failing.

Letter grades correspond to a 4-point numerical scale, which areused to determine percentages and grade point averages (GPA): Letter Grade Percentage Grade Points

A 93-100% 4.00B 80-92% 3.00C 70-79% 2.00D 60-69% 1.00F below 60% 0.00

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A student's academic standing is often measured by his or her gradepoint average (GPA). This is the average of the grades that a stu-dent has earned each term (semester GPA) or throughout the en-tire academic program (cumulative GPA). The grade point averageis calculated by dividing the total number of grade points by thetotal number of credit hours.

Most institutions assign quality points to letters (A=4; B=3; C=2; D=1,F= 0) to allow the calculation of grade point averages or quality pointindexes. They usually require that students maintain grades of des-ignated quality to continue their studies and to graduate.

The registrar of the university or college keeps a permanent recordof courses taken and grades earned by each student.

This record is called transcript and constitutes the official docu-ment proving that a student has attended an institution and achie-ved a specific status. Transcripts rather than diplomas are primarilyconsidered by graduate or professional schools as well as by insti-tutions deciding whether to admit transfer of students.

GETTING IN

Admission to an American institution is never automatic. No cer-tificate or diploma guarantees admission. Applicants are consi-dered on the basis of their academic record, English proficiency,school references, admission tests, previous experience, proposedproject of study, etc. Since admission is not automatic, it is wise toapply to as many as 5 to 10 American institutions simultaneously(even more, if the applicant does not have a good academic re-cord).

Listed below are several factors for consideration when choosinga college or university:

- Relative selectivity. How competitive is the university? Whatpercentages of applicants are actually accepted? How importantis prestige or reputation in the choice of university?

- Courses of study. Students wishing to pursue a degree in a pro-fessional or more specialized field (such as engineering, forestryor teaching) must look for universities or professional schools thatoffer these degrees.

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- Size of the university. In the U.S., enrolments can vary fromunder 1,000 students to about 35,000. Some internationalstudents prefer smaller communities or feel lost in very largeinstitutions.

- Residential facilities.

- Religion. Many private institutions in the United States are affi-liated with particular religious orders

- Geographic location. Some students wish to live in a particularcity or near family or other friends in the United States. Populardestinations for international students include California, NewYork and the Northeast Seaboard. Students may increase theirchances of admission by applying to institutions in less popularareas of the USA.Location can also be linked to particular fields of study.

- Costs.

- International students who can go to the United States to visit

campuses may find this helpful in deciding where they prefer tostudy and live. Such visits do not influence the universities' deci-sion regarding eligibility for admission.

Undergraduate studiesAs the procedures for admission to American institutions of hi-gher education require a lot of time, prospective students shouldcontact those institutions at least 10-12 months in advance beforeseeking admission.Most American institutions are quite selective, which means thatthey determine the conditions for entry often based on specificscores achieved in 2 major tests:

- the College Boards scholastic aptitude test (SAT) or- the American testing program assessment (ACT) Many ins-titutions accept the scores of either test.

SAT I measures verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities as wellas the knowledge achieved during secondary education SAT II is

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a subject test. You may be asked to take one or more SAT II examsfor admission.There are 5 content areas covering English, foreign languages,mathematics, sciences, history and social sciences.

The ACT test is an achievement test measuring what you havelearned in English, mathematics, reading and science classes.

Furthermore every foreign student must undergo the TOEFL-Testof English as a foreign language. A minimum score on TOEFL (atleast 550 points) is usually a criterion for admission.

The test format is multiple choice.

Graduate studiesFor admission to a graduate school, the applicant is expected topresent a Bachelors degree or its equivalent. Additional require-ments are imposed by the department offering the graduateprogram.

A considerable number of universities use the GRE-GraduateRecord Examination as criteria for admission. Entry to highlyspecialized studies is only granted to students having successfullyachieved one of the following tests: Law Admission Test; MedicalCollege Admission etc.

The GMAT-Graduate Management admission test is required forstudies leading to the MBA Master of Business Administration.However, specific knowledge in business administration is notrequired.

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Application ProceduresThe academic year, which varies from institution to institution,normally runs from late August or mid-September to early or lateMay. Optional summer courses are usually available outside theacademic year. The academic year is either divided into two termscalled "semesters" or into three terms referred to as "quarters.In the latter case, the fourth quarter can be an optional summerterm that covers a whole quarter's worth of material in six to eightweeks. It is, therefore, extremely intense and very fast-paced. Anabove average knowledge of English is required to successfullycomplete these intensive courses. They are not designed to teachstudents English. Their objective is to help students catch up onsubject material or advance in their program of study morequickly.

The Application ProcessAll students must submit a formal application in order to enrolin an American institution, regardless of academic status ordegree intent.

The entire application process takes several months. Studentsshould begin requesting (or downloading) admission applicationsin July and August, one year before the expected date of enrol-ment. Most institutions make application forms available on theInternet and then request that hard copies of your documents besent via post. Forms that are sent via surface mail (by sea) maynot reach universities in time for application deadlines.

Most universities will take no action on an application until it iscomplete in all respects, including supporting letters of reference,certified copies of academic records, required test scores andpayment of application fees. To find application information onuniversity web sites, follow the links to admissions, prospectivestudents or international students.

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Application DeadlinesThe deadline for admission applications varies among institutions.Most deadlines range from December to February for enrolmentin the following academic year. Some institutions set special ap-plication deadlines for international students. Final applicationdates are firm and apply to all application materials (academic re-sults, application forms, recommendation letters, test scores andapplication fees).

Mid-year AdmissionsThe most typical time to begin academic programs in the UnitedStates is the Fall (September) term. However, some institutionsaccept admission applications for each of their academic terms.If the university operates a semester plan, mid-year admission fallssometime in January. Universities operating a quarterly calendarwill sometimes admit students at the beginning of Fall (Septem-ber), Winter (January) or Spring (March) quarters.

Highly competitive institutions and some graduate programs donot accept mid-year admissions.

Details concerning the rules and requirements of an Americaninstitution are published in a program (often referred to as a uni-versity catalogue). These catalogues can be found on the websites of individual institutions.

Although application procedures vary slightly among institutions,international student applications usually require the followingmaterials:

- Institutional application form- Non-refundable application fee (costs range from $10 to $100)

- Certified copies of educational documents (academic re-sults)

- Certified translations of these documents if not originally in English

- Scores for any required entrance examinations- Evidence of English language proficiency- Statement of educational purpose and/or biographical essay- Letters of recommendation from teachers or professional colleagues

- Financial information, with applications for financial aid ifrequested

Most universities require a non-refundable application fee. Pay-ment should be enclosed with the application materials. Studentsmust use an international money order.

Try to begin working on applications well before the deadline andsubmit completed applications two or three months before theclosing date. This will allow the institutions adequate time to eva-

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luate the application before the peak of the selection period. Ifapplying to a competitive field or to a selective institution, submitapplications as early as possible. Many U.S. admissions officers be-lieve that early applications are apt to be considered more favou-rably than later ones.

Once the application process has begun, some institutions send aletter of welcome or a note that thanks students for their interestin the institution. A letter of welcome from an individual profes-sor or a letter verifying receipt of your application does not consti-tute an official admission to the university.

Respond promptly to any requests for additional informationfrom any and all universities to which you have applied. These re-quests may be for specific course descriptions; additional infor-mation about your financial situation, for an additional writingsample in English or for certified copies of educational documents.Each institution will specify the type of official records it requiresto evaluate past education.

Usually, admissions officers will want the students entire acade-mic record for secondary courses. U.S. institutions often preferthat transcripts of previous educational work be sent directly fromthe former schools. The institution may also furnish special formson which school authorities are asked to write the applicantsgrades and academic performance relative to other students in

the institution. If such forms are not provided, the applicant orthe school will be expected to submit official documents thatprovide this type of information. If the admissions officer requestsan explanation of the grading and class ranking system or des-criptions of courses that have been taken, this information shouldbe furnished by an official of the applicant's send certified copiesof grade sheets, diplomas, degrees or professional titles, or copiesof the comprehensive examination results administered in yourhome country. Do not send original documents unless there isno alternative; usually they cannot be returned.

If English translations are necessary, they must have been certified.

Students who have taken courses in the USA or at an institutionin their home country can inquire about applying those coursestowards the new degree program. Certified copies of course transcripts must be included with theapplication. In most cases, admissions officers cannot give full es-timates of accepted credit in advance of admission. Applicants must submit officially reported results (scores) for anyrequired examinations.

Most applications ask students to provide an essay that detailshis or her purpose in seeking admission to the chosen field andinstitution.

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This essay should include study plans, research plans, personalstrengths in the chosen field and plans for the future. Be sure totake this task seriously as it is one of the most important parts ofthe application. Essays should be carefully organized and presen-ted in a clear, well-written manner.

When required, the biographical essay helps admissions officersget to know the applicant. These essays should emphasize indi-vidual strengths, interests and goals.

Bear in mind that admissions officers want to know what youexcel at, what you are interested in and what types of activitiesoccupy your time outside of school.

Overall, they want to know what you are like.

Many students tend to be too modest when asked to presenttheir interests and accomplishments. Most candidates, in com-pleting the application, will be describing themselves for the firsttime in their lives. All applicants should realize that their ability topersuasively explain their background, interests and assets willhave a significant impact on their application for admission.

If institutions request letters of recommendation, ask two or threepeople to write letters on your behalf. The university will specifythe number of letters to be submitted.

Try to select references who hold respected positions and whoare familiar with you and your academic work. Present or formerteachers, professors or employers are possible choices. For re-commendation letters to be effective, they should contain insightsinto your seriousness of purpose, academic promise, motivation,adaptability, personality and character. Statements about researchability, as well as preparation and promise in the specific field, arealso necessary.

Recommendations which give an honest appraisal of your capa-bilities - weak points as well as strong points - are much moreconvincing to U.S. admissions officers (and therefore more valua-ble) than general letters of extreme praise.

These letters should be written in English, or accompanied by atranslation. If a form is provided by the university, it must be used.

Evidence of Financial Resources. Admissions officers cannot issue the certificates needed torequest a visa for study in the United States until they aresatisfied that an applicant has enough money, from whateversources, to cover all expenses during the period of stay in theUnited States. Most institutions require applicants to submitfinancial forms or bank statements that list the amounts andsources of funds available to pay educational and living expensesin the U.S. Usually, this information must be confirmed or

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witnessed by a responsible individual, such as an officer of thebank where the applicant's funds are on deposit. If a sponsor orparent is contributing financial support, they will be asked toattest to the availability of funds. In some cases, notarization ofthese documents may be required.

Academic yearThe average semester lasts 15 weeks and is usually followed by abrief examination period.The academic year is divided in periods of study, calledsemesters. The Fall semester starts in August and lasts untilaround the middle of December. After a vacation period ofapproximately a month, universities begin again around the 15thJanuary for the Spring semester finishing in mid-May. A summersemester completes the academic year between the beginning ofJune and mid-August.

DISTANCE LEARNING

Many institutions of higher education in the USA offer degreecourses (Bachelors degrees, Masters degrees) by distancelearning. However it should be pointed out that not allinstitutions or courses are necessarily recognized and accredited.It is advisable to check if this is actually the case before you startapplying for such courses.

LIVINGCONDITIONS FOR ENTRY IN THE USA

American VisasA valid passport and U.S. visa are needed to enter the UnitedStates. Students and scholars generally fall under the Non-Immigrant classifications of "Exchange-Visitor" (type J) or"Student" (type F).

The possibility for employment is governed by the type of visaissued. Under no circumstances is it possible to cover alleducational expenses by working in the UnitedStates during your studies. Information concerning U.S. visas isavailable from:

The Consular Section of the United States EmbassyBoulevard Emmanuel Servais 22L- 2535 Luxembourghttp://luxembourg.usembassy.gov/consular.html

N.B.: not every visa allows you to work in the USA. If you areconsidering work while studying, check whether your visa allowsit. For further information: American Embassy in Luxembourg,The Consular Section.

COSTS OF LIVING

Higher education is very expensive in the United States. Tuitionalone varies from $5,000 in state-supported institutions to$30,000 in some large private institutions.

These figures cover only tuition and do not includetransportation, books or living expenses. The following chart isan estimate of costs for one academic year (9 months) at public(state-supported) universities and private universities. The rangereflects the differences between low-cost and high-costinstitutions.

Public University Private UniversityTuition & Fees $5,250 - 12,500 $8,500 - 26,250Books & Supplies $525 735 $525 735Room & Board $7,000 - 10,500 $7,000 - 10,500Health Insurance $210 420 $210 420Incidental Expenses $2,100 - 3,150 $2,100 - 3,150TOTALS $15,085 - 27,305 $18,335 41,055

How to get a financial assistance?You may apply to CEDIES in Luxembourg for financial assistancegranted by the Luxembourg State (www.cedies.lu).

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Financial aid by American institutionsThe number of US scholarships available for foreign studentswho want to study in the USA is quite limited. Despite the sharpcompetition for funds, financial aid is sometimes available frompublic and private educational institutions, private foundationsor organizations.

There are eight general types of financial aid in the United States:administrative assistantships, fellowships, grants, loans, researchassistantships, scholarships, teaching assistantships and work-study programs.

Please note that most assistantship forms of aid are reserved forgraduate level students.

Administrative assistantships are rare and are based on studentneed and academic qualifications. These assistantships usuallyrequire 10 to 20 hours of work within the administrative officesof the university and may provide a tuition waiver or modestsalary.

Fellowships are typically based on academic merit and carry noteaching or research obligations. Fellowships usually covertuition plus a cash stipend.

Grants are often based on financial need and academic meritand do not carry work or research obligations.

The Commission for Educational Exchange administers theFulbright Grant Program for citizens of Belgium andLuxembourg. Grants are available for graduate level studies and post-doctoralresearch and lecturing. Candidates must demonstrate academicexcellence as well as a strong knowledge of English. A moredetailed hand-out about Fulbright grant opportunities isavailable at the Commission and at CEDIES.Application should be made one year before starting studying inthe USA!

Research assistantships (RAs) are based on academicqualifications and research interests.

The student assists a faculty member in conducting research andis usually compensated with a tuition waiver and modest salaryor stipend. Again, RA positions are generally reserved foradvanced masters or doctoral students.

Scholarships are based on academic merit and generally requireno repayment obligations.

Depending on the sponsor, scholarships may cover partial or fulltuition costs.

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Teaching Assistantships (TAs) are based on academicqualifications. TAs usually require a student to work 15 to 20hours per week in such areas as lecturing, grading papers,supervising laboratory classes, etc. Students usually receive atuition waiver and a modest salary or stipend. TA positions areoften reserved for advanced level students (some masters workcompleted or doctoral level studies).

Work-study programs provide jobs for students with financialneed. The program encourages community service work or workrelated to each students course of study. Students who areinterested in obtaining financial assistance from Americaninstitutions must request specific applications for financial aid.Students should direct their inquiries to the universitys Office ofInternational Admissions or Office of International StudentServices. At some institutions, applications for financial aid mustbe submitted earlier than the regular admission deadline.

Applicants for financial assistance may have to take additionaltests, provide additional proof of eligibility for aid, obtainadditional recommendations and sometimes meet an earlierapplication deadline.

At the undergraduate level, scholarships might be:- merit-based (exclusively based on the students academicachievements)

- need-based( based on the students financial needs andpartly on his academic achievements)

At the graduate level, there are:

- scholarships (based on the students academic achievements)

- fellowships (also based on the students academic achievements). Fellowships normally cover tuition fees andliving expenses

- grants (based on the students academic achievements andhis financial needs)

- teaching assistantships (based on the students academicqualifications). Those assistantships are given in return forteaching, laboratory work or other services

- research assistantships (based on the students academicqualifications and his capability for research)

- administrative assistantships (based on the students financial needs and qualifications)

Those assistantships require the student to work in theadministrative department of the university.

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Applications for financial assistance from US institutions shouldbe done before the end of January of the year before enteringuniversity/college.However as there are various scholarships and grants theircriteria and their deadlines are frequently quite different.

Further information: www.educationusa.state.gov- Commission for Educational Exchange with the USA,

Bruxelles- Miami University (Differdange) for the

Miami scholarships

STUDENT HOUSING

Practically all American universities/colleges are located on acampus with housing facilities (Residence halls). Trying to get aroom in one of the Residence halls is the best solution forstudents who start their studies. However, with the number ofstudents increasing, there is no guarantee that you will beallocated a room.

Student housing departments on the campus provideinformation on housing in and outside the campus.

SOCIAL SECURITY

School Insurance RequirementsIf you are an international student planning to study in the USA,you will need health insurance, and most US colleges anduniversities require that your insurance plan meets certainrequirements.

Health Care on Campus

Most college and university campuses offer some type of generalmedical care; services vary from basic first-aid and treatment ofminor ailments to sophisticated multi-doctor primary carecenters offering x-rays, laboratory tests, prescription drugs andaccess to specialists. The cost of on-campus medical services isnormally not very expensive.

During your first week on campus, take a copy of your medicalrecords (including immunization and vaccination records andprescriptions) to the school's health care center or infirmary.

Going off campus for health care If you prefer to visit a medicalpractitioner off-campus, you have several choices (though thecost is generally higher). Private doctors treat non-emergencypatients by appointment during regular office hours, typically 9a.m. until 5 p.m. Minor emergency clinics do not require

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appointments, and are usually open on weekends and holidays.Please contact the Centre commun de la scurit sociale inLuxembourg for further information on that topic

(http://www.ccss.lu/joindre.htm)

WORKING AND STUDYING

International students should not rely on earning money in theUnited States to pay for their higher education. American visasrequire international students to study full-time and limitemployment to supervised work that is directly connected to theirfield of study. Some international students may be permitted towork part-time on campus after their first year of study, but theamount of money earned is only enough for pocket money ormiscellaneous expenses. It is not possible to cover living expenseswith the part-time salaries earned on campus.

In the USA there are now numerous restrictions on employmentfor foreign nationals.

Even when employment is permitted, it is usually limited to nomore than 20 hours per week. Most international students arelimited to on-campus employment.

If you are studying on a F1-visa, you may not accept off-campusemployment during the first year of study. You may howevertake an on-campus employment limited to 2o hours per week.Full-time employment is allowed during vacations if you will bereturning to school at the end of the vacation period.

Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) permission is notrequired for an on-campus employment, but you must apply fora Social Security Number and complete a form I-9 (EmploymentEligibility).

After the first year of study, a student on an F - 1 visa may ask theINS for permission to accept an off-campus employment. Thestudent must be in a good academic standing and enrolled as afull-time student and the students advisor must certify thestudents Form I-538.

The student must submit Form I-765 (Application for temporaryemployment authorization) and filing fee, along with the Form I-538 and the student copy of Form I-20,to the INS for workauthorization. This authorization is valid for one year.

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USEFUL LINKS AND ADDRESSESProspective students are advised to check the following websites:

College Net: www.collegenet.com

College View: www.collegeview.com

EducationUSA: www.educationusa.state.gov

GradSchools.com: www.gradschools.com/search.html

Hobsons U.S. Education Guides: www.useduguides.com

Petersons School Search:www.petersons.com/ugchannelCollege Opportunities Online Locator:http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool/

and:www.usnews.comwww.usjournal.com/en/studentswww.edupass.org/immigration

Important addresses:

Commission for Educational Exchange between the USA, Belgium and LuxembourgBvd. de lEmpereur 4, B-1000 BruxellesTl. 0032 2/519.57.72www.fulbright.beemail:adviser@fulbright.be

American EmbassyThe Consular Section22, bvd. E.Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg, Tl. 460123

Ministre de lEnseignement suprieur et de la Recherche(bourses trangres)20, monte de la Ptrusse,L-2273 Luxembourg, Tl. 247 85135

Centre de Documentation et dInformationsur lEnseignement suprieur (CEDIES)209, route dEsch, L-1471 LuxembourgTl. 247 88650

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Timeline for preparing to study in the USA

12 to 18 months before departure:- Evaluate your reasons for wanting to study in the U.S., consider the following:- Motivation and objectives. Why the U.S. and not elsewhere?- Future plans, academic interests and employment goals- English proficiency and academic ability- Time required to earn an American degree- Estimated cost of study and financial aid opportunities

June-September:- Select 5 to 10 universities on the bases of their programs, degrees offered, accreditation, level of selectivity, cost, location and size.

July-August:- Find out which standardized tests are required for admission (TOEFL, ACT, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.)- Register to take the exams in October or November

August-September:- Write to 5 to 10 universities to request application forms for admission and financial aid (or download information from the institutional web sites)

- If you have specific questions about an institutions admissions procedures, send a letter of inquiry or email message to admissions staff well in advance of the application deadline

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October-February:Request official transcripts from your department or university and prepare English translations.Have the English translations and transcript copies certified at the Commission.- Apply for financmial aid in the United States- Ask professors or other colleagues to prepare and send recommendation letters directly to the selected institutions- Send application forms and other application materials to universities well in advance of the application deadlines Keep copies of all application forms for your records

February-April:- Wait for acceptance and rejection letters from the universities

March-April:- Contact the institutions from which you have not yet received a response to your admission applications

April-June:- Accept the offer of admission from your preferred university. (This can be done via e-mail, telephone, fax or letter.)- Decline offers from other universities- Contact the universitys housing office to reserve university owned housing- Contact the universitys International Student Adviser for any specific informationconcerning arrival and orientation

- Contact the Commission for pre-departure information

Upon Arrival in the United States:- Contact the International Student Adviser and register your U.S. postal and email address with the university

Edition 2011/201205 04 03 02 01

Cedieswww.cedies.lu209, route dEschL-1471 Luxembourg

Illustrations: Fotolia.fr

Clture de rdaction: 15 avril 2011.Toute modification postrieure cette date estannonce sur le site www.cedies.lu

Dans la prsente publication le masculin est utilis dans un souci de lisibilit sans volont de discrimination.

tudier en Suissestudying in the USA

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Centre de Documentation et dInformation sur lEnseignement Suprieur209, route dEschL-1471 Luxembourg - GasperichTl.: 247-88650 Fax: 26 19 01 04www.cedies.lue-mail: cedies@mesr.etat.lu

Edition 2011 /2012