You Must Know Few Things Before Going to Study Abroad in USA

Promising a plethora of possibilities and plenty of prosperity, the United States of America is a

land of dreams for many people all around the world. Many are attracted by the high quality of

life, the cosmopolitan nature of the country, as well as the several career and professional

growth opportunities that it offers. It is renowned the world over for its fervent patriotic

heritage, a position of pride in global polity and economy as well as for being the land of fame,

money and glamour.

Why choose USA for higher studies?

Home to the best higher education institutions in the world, the USA also has a long-standing

tradition of providing high quality tertiary education over the ages. The international student

population recently reached the 1 million mark, and it speaks volumes about USA staying firm

in the number one spot as the most favoured higher study destination from all over the globe.

Here is why studying in USA is so alluring to the international students.

Esteemed higher education institutions offering internationally acclaimed study

programs

A wide variety of dynamic courses and specialisations to choose from

State-of-the-art laboratories, classrooms, research facilities and a vibrant learning

ambience

Multicultural campuses buzzing with activities

Plenty of part-time job options to earn while you learn

Higher education institutions in USA

Over 150 of the American higher education institutions feature in the QS World University

Rankings, making it the most favoured destination for higher studies for students from all over

the globe. Thousands of colleges and universities are situated all over the fifty states in the USA,

with some of them being the best education providers in the world. The following is a list of the

best higher education institutions in the USA that are renowned for their long-standing

tradition of internationally acclaimed study programs, erudite faculty members and magnificent

campuses.

California Institute of Technology

Stanford University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Harvard University

Princeton University

University of Chicago

University of Pennsylvania

Yale University

Columbia University

University of California, Los Angeles

Carnegie Mellon University

Cornell University

University of Washington

New York University

Johns Hopkins University

Courses to study in USA

From engineering specialisations to international business studies, nursing courses to

performing arts, the colleges and universities in the USA offer a plethora of possibilities in the

course and study program options. The courses or study programs in the USA lead to

certificates, diplomas, and undergraduate and postgraduate degrees that are highly regarded

by the employers in every sector worldwide. The following are some of the popular course

options to study abroad in USA for the international students.

Engineering disciplines

Computer science and IT (such as business analytics, information systems, networking

and programming)

Medicine and health studies

Business administration and management (like international business, entrepreneurial

studies, business studies and human resource management)

Architecture and design

Sports management and athletics

Performing arts

Law and legal studies

Finance and accounting (including commerce disciplines, fiscal policy management,

business accounting)

Eligibility criteria and English language requirements

To study abroad in USA, the students need to satisfy the eligibility criteria set by the individual

universities for the course of their choice. Dependent on the type of course and level of study,

the following is a general overview of the eligibility criteria for admission into the prestigious

higher education institutions in the USA.

Undergraduate courses:

(i) A plus-two level qualification (CBSE/ISC/ State Board Matriculation) with an

excellent academic record

(ii) A valid SAT score

(iii) Subject prerequisites or assumed knowledge (required for certain courses that

need prior knowledge or formal education of the relevant subjects studied at the

plus-two level)

Postgraduate courses:

(i) A three-year or four-year bachelor’s level qualification from an accredited higher

education institution

(ii) A valid GRE score

(iii) A valid GMAT score (required for most MBA programs)

(iv) Relevant work experience (usually required for MBA programs)

(v) Subject prerequisites or assumed knowledge (required for certain courses that

need prior knowledge or formal education of the relevant subjects studied at the

bachelor’s level)

Doctoral courses:

(i) A master’s level or higher qualification from an accredited higher education

institution with an excellent academic record

(ii) Prior research experience or evidence of prior research publications

(iii) Subject prerequisites or assumed knowledge (required for certain courses that

need prior knowledge or formal education of the relevant subjects studied at the

previous levels of study)

The English language proficiency tests are mandatory for international students of non-English

speaking countries applying to study in the higher education institutions of USA. Depending on

the level of study and type of course, the following are the standardised English language

proficiency tests accepted for admission in the American colleges and universities.

IELTS Academic

TOEFL PBT

TOEFL CBT

TOEFL iBT

PTE (Academic)

Cambridge English (Advanced)

Cambridge English (Proficiency)

Tuition fees

The tuition fees to study in the colleges and universities in the USA are usually dependent on

the course duration, level of study and type of higher education provider. The short skill

development courses usually cost lesser than the longer academic or research-intensive

courses. On the other hand, courses like medicine, business studies and some engineering

disciplines cost more than liberal arts or language courses. When it comes to the tuition fee,

the private higher education institutions are more expensive than the public universities in the

USA. The following is an overview of the general range of annual tuition fees in the USA, divided

into the different levels of study.

Undergraduate programs: US$ 13,000 to US$ 54,000

Postgraduate programs: US$ 22,000 to US$ 50,000

Scholarship options

The government of USA, several private organisations, charitable foundations and

philanthropists sanction and administer thousands of scholarships, awards, and fellowships for

the talented international students applying to study or studying in the esteemed higher

education institutions of the country. The following are some of the scholarship options for

international students who wish to study abroad in USA.

Fulbright Foreign Student Program

Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program

Abbey Road Summer Scholarships

The NextGen Scholarships Fund

Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship

East-West Center Scholarships and Fellowships

AAUW International Scholarships

Rotary Peace Fellowships

Dag Hammarskjold Journalism Fellowships

The universities too, have a range of faculty-specific and general scholarship and fellowship

programs for the meritorious international candidates applying to study or studying at different

levels of study. The following are some of the university-specific scholarship options available

for the international students.

American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship

Emory University Needs-based Scholarship Program

Harvard University Scholarships

Clark University Global Scholars Program

New York University Wagner International Scholarships

Iowa State University International Merit Scholarships

University of Oregon International Scholarships

Michigan State University International Scholarships

University of Minnesota International Excellence Scholarships

Brandeis University Wien International Scholarship Program

Application procedure and required documents

The application procedure for the colleges and universities follow two very simple paths. You

can choose any one of the following processes to apply to the higher education institutions in

the country.

(i) Online (through the official websites of the colleges and universities in the USA)

(ii) Through a trusted foreign education consultant (it is advisable to apply through the

study abroad consultants that have partnerships with the higher education

institutions in the USA)

The following is a general checklist of documents that one needs to apply to the colleges or

universities in the USA. It is important to note that specific courses and universities might

require additional documents and it is always advisable to check the official websites of the

desired higher education institution and course for a comprehensive and streamlined list of

documents needed for applying.

Academic transcripts and certificates of previous qualifications

Requisite examination scorecards (SAT/ GRE/ GMAT)

English language proficiency test scorecards

An updated resume or CV (usually required for the MBA courses)

Statement of purpose (course and university-specific)

Letters of reference or recommendation (course and university-specific)

Portfolio (usually required for design/ architecture/ fine arts courses)

A copy of passport or similar travel document as proof of identity and nationality

Student visas for USA

International students need an F-1 or M-1 class of student visa under the Non-Immigrant Visa

or NIV category from the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to study in the

esteemed higher education institutions in the USA. An M-1 visa allows you to study at a

program with duration less than 12 months while an F-1 visa is for study programs that are

more than 12 months in duration.

To apply for a student visa to study in the USA, you have to meet the following requirements.

(i) You must have acceptance into a full-time academic of professional skill

development program in an SEVP-approved college, university or training institute in

the USA

(ii) You must have sufficient funds to support your studies, stay and other expenses

incurred in the USA for the entire duration of your stay

(iii) You must have a genuine intent to return to the country of your origin on

completion of your study program in the USA

On meeting the visa conditions, you can apply for an F-1 or M-1 visa as per your requirements

through the online visa application portal on the DHS website and complete the required steps

as instructed. You will need the following documents for your visa application and interview to

study in USA.

Form I-20 that is essentially a Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant Students

SEVIS I-901 Form (the payment receipt of your student visa application)

The MRV receipt for Form DS-160 (the online visa application form for Non-

Immigrant Student Status) denoting payment of the visa application fees

One recent passport-sized colour full face-view photograph taken in front of a white

or off-white background with neutral expression with both eyes open and no glasses

on (excepting medical emergencies that prohibit you from taking off your glasses),

adhering to the image size and file size as specified (this is required for filling in the

online DS-160 Form through the SEVIS portal)

A passport or similar travel document that is valid for at least six months after the

date of entry into the USA

Original academic transcripts of all previous levels of study, including certificates and

diplomas of various qualification levels as well as admission test scorecards such as

SAT, GRE or GMAT

A brief description of your study program in the USA

Documents regarding accommodation arrangement in the USA

Financial documents (original bank statements/ salary slips/ income certificates/

scholarship letters)

Documents that demonstrate your intent to return to your country on completion of

your studies

You can now efficiently plan to study abroad in USA with tips and guidance from the must-know

factors for your overseas study program.