 Study in USA
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Education System
The U.S. educational system is very different from its Indian counterpart. U.S.A. has more than 3,300 accredited colleges and universities, which offer a wide range of graduate and undergraduate Programmes.
There is no central ministry of education in the U.S. and each institution can determine its own Programmes and admission standards. There are private as well as state funded colleges.
Universities are academic institutions that include one or more undergraduate colleges, as well as any number of graduate and professional schools, i.e. schools offering study for a single profession such as law.
Four year colleges are undergraduate institutions offering academic Programmes leading to a bachelor's degree. Community colleges or junior colleges are undergraduate institutions offering up to two years of academic instruction beyond secondary school at a relatively low cost. These offer certificate Programmes that last for a few months to a year as well as associate degrees.
Institutes of technology or polytechnic institutes offer specialized Programmes in sciences and engineering, in addition to basic sciences, humanities and the social sciences, at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Any one who has a consistently good academic record, firm financial support and proficiency in English can apply to Universities in USA.
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Admission Process
At least 18 months in advance of your intended date of enrollment at a U.S. university. For example, if you wish to enroll in August/September 2006, you should start the process around April 2006.
Cost of Admission Process
Approximately, Rs. 50,000 for applying to an average of 7 universities. This includes test fees, application fees, communication and mailing expenses.
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INTAKE
US universities offer two main semester intakes :
Fall Semester (September / October)
This is the main intake and almost all Programmes are offered at this times. More financial aid is also available for this semester as funds are allocated for the entire year during this time.
Spring Semester (January / February)
This is the mid-year intake. There is limited financial assistance available for this semester as most universities allocate funds to projects in the Fall semester.
Some universities also have a Summer intake around July. |
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Type of Certification
Undergraduate Programmes (Bachelor's Degree)
This is the first level of post-secondary education that begins after 12 years of primary and secondary schooling. It includes at least 4 years of education and earns a bachelor's degree (Most Indian graduation courses are of 3 years duration). There are also two-year Programmes which earn an Associate degree. A student who has an associate degree has to study further for a minimum of 2 years to earn a bachelor's degree.
Graduate Programmes (Master's & Doctorate Degree)
This is the same as post-graduate education in India. It usually involves one year or more of education depending on the subject or course, and earns a master's or doctoral degree like MBA, MS or PhD. Admission to a graduate programme usually requires a minimum of 16 years of formal education. That is, 12 years of primary and secondary schooling and further 4 years of college education.
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Admission Criteria
Each University in USA has different percentage requirement. Admission in both UG and PG programmes depends on the scores the student gets in SAT, GMAT & GRE tests.
Equally important is the quality of the supporting documents attached with the application like the letter of recommendation, letters and the essays.
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Duration of the Programmes
| Programmes |
Duration |
| Associate Programmes |
Generally two years |
| Bachelors |
Four Years |
Masters
|
Two Years |
| Ph.D. |
Three to Six Years |
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Expenses : Tuition Fees & Living Cost
The US Universities fall under two major categories: public (state supported), and private (independent) institutions. International students' tuition expenses at state schools are based on nonresident costs, which are still usually less expensive than those of private universities. It's important to note that the cost of a program in a US school does not necessarily affect its quality. A brief idea can be obtained from the following table:
Cost (tuition + living expenses) could range from $15,000 to $40,000. The average cost for a year of study is $20,000.
| University Type |
Average Tuition Fees
(annual in U.S. Dollars) |
| Private Institutions (High Cost) |
$ 25,000 |
| Private Institutions (Low Cost) |
$ 15,000 |
State Institutions (High Cost)
|
$ 20,000 |
| State Institutions (Low Cost) |
$ 10,000 |
The tuition fee is different for different universities and varies widely with courses. It can vary from as low as $ 5000 a year for state universities to as much as $ 30000 per annum for some private universities.
Living Expenses
The approximate annual living expenses are about $10,000, which include accommodation as well as other daily expenses. However, the expenses are different for different people depending on the lifestyles and this is just a rough idea. The main expenses can be split up as :
| Rent |
$ 400 per month (you can live alone with that amount in a place like Auburn or share an apartment with 6 people in NY) |
| Groceries |
$ 25,000 |
| Utilities |
$ 15,000 |
Phone
|
$ 20,000 |
| Sundry |
$ 10,000 |
So, about $1000 per month is a good estimation. Most people can manage with $700-$1000 a month. The key here is to share apartments / houses so that you save on the utilities, fixed charges, portion of phone bills and to some extent on groceries. |
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Advantages of US Study
Academic Excellence
World's finest post-secondary educational system with excellent Programmes in traditional disciplines as well as professional fields.
Quality Assurance
A systematic approach to ensuring quality standards in educational institutions and academic Programmes.
Varieties of Options
There are over 3,600 institutions to choose from. Some colleges provide broad based education like liberal arts education, while others provide Specialty Programmes. There are also vocational or technical schools.
Cutting Edge Technology
U.S. universities are leaders in high quality education and are at the forefront of technology.
Flexibility
The academic Programmes provide students with a variety of courses and options. Students have the freedom to design their majors and Programmes of study, switch fields and petition specific courses. Independent study is also available to suit individual needs.
Hands on Training
Cooperative educational Programmes, internship and practical training opportunities provide valuable practical experience to students. These Programmes offer financial assistance and enhance your job skills.
Global Acceptability
American degrees are recognized and sought after by employers worldwide. The long-term career prospect of a student is enhanced as the studying in U.S. boosts and develops one's self-confidence, independent thinking and cross-cultural communication skills.
Financial Assistance
Scholarships, fellowships and assistantships are available for eligible international students. They are also eligible to work for 10 to 20 hours a week to partially meet their expenses.
While the advantages of studying in the U.S. are enormous, it is important that you chart your course with careful planning. You need to seek objective information from reliable sources, and weigh the options to make a well-informed and academically sound decision.
Consider the following criteria :
- Academic eligibility : Once you choose an academic major or field of study, consider the eligibility requirements and proceed only if you meet those requirements.
- Cost : The estimated average of tuition and living expenses is around $20,000 per academic year.
- Time : Start the search for a suitable academic program about 12 to 18 months before the date of enrollment. Though it is sometimes possible to complete the process more quickly, planning ahead gives a student a wider choice and sufficient time to prepare a winning application.
Employability
Considering the amount of time, energy and money that one invests in the process, check on your employment prospects after you graduate. |
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