Every year the number of international students joining universities and colleges in the US is increasing exponentially.  The students from different countries are choosing the U.S. to pursue their education and broaden their horizons. The United States is a base for several exceptional colleges and universities, which offer excellent programs in almost every field. The universities in the U.S. utilize cutting-edge technology and provide the students with superior equipment as well as resources. The universities in the U.S. focus on the long- term career prospects of the students, which helps them in getting employment later. An enormous number of Indian students are choosing the US as their next destination for studying abroad. The huge number of top-class higher learning institutes with world-class infrastructure and sophisticated teaching techniques has attracted Indian students to pursue their studies in the US.

US Admission Guidelines:

Most students usually underestimate the time required for application process for foreign universities and colleges. You need to allow yourself sufficient time to thoroughly research the institution and/or program that will best serve your academic and professional goals. Then you must meet the application deadlines of the universities to which you apply, which may be as much as 10 months before the beginning of the school term.   The students need to follow certain admission guidelines for taking admission in the U.S for the fall and spring semester. The students are expected to prepare a check list and adhere to all the given guidelines.

Kinds of US Educational Institutions:

The United States has a decentralized education system based upon their federal Constitution, which reserves power over education to the states and local authorities, as well as to individual schools and higher education institutions. The educational institutions in the US are a mix of state universities, private institutions, community colleges, technical and vocational colleges. 

Programs/Courses in US:

There are over 124,000 public and private schools in the United States; over 2,000 postsecondary non-degree career and technical schools; and over 4,000 degree-granting institutions of higher education. Of the higher education institutions, over 1,600 award associate degrees and some 2,400 award bachelor's or higher degrees. Over 400 higher education institutions award research doctorates.  The high repute of the American Universities and comprehensive course structures not only attract Indian students but international students from all across the world. The Indian students are even more drawn to the US for pursuing their studies since they are offered a wide array of academic programs ranging from paramedical science to film production.

Admission cycles for US Universities:

The US universities offer two main semester intakes:

Fall Semester (September/October)  

This is the time for main intake of students and almost all programs are offered at this time. More financial aid is available for this semester as funds are allocated for the entire year during this time.

Spring Semester (January/February)  

This is the time for mid-year intake of the students. 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.

Application Process:

Most U.S. colleges and universities will require international undergraduate and graduate students to demonstrate their knowledge and English language proficiency as part of the admissions process through standardized tests. These tests are valuable as a common measure of the skills and abilities of people from different educational backgrounds. Your scores on these tests will play a role in determining whether or not you are admitted to your schools of choice.

The students interested in taking admission in the fall and spring semester are required to register and take the following exams:-

• GRE
• TOEFL

Application Planning:

The students should start planning about 12-18 months in advance before one can start their education in USA. For Undergraduate studies, students should start preparing in 12th class or junior college and for Graduate studies, it is better if one starts preparing around 3rd year.

Application Submission:

Each graduate department within a university sets its own deadline date, and it is usually firm about not accepting applications after that time, particularly if a program is very popular. For the fall semester, which begins in late August or early September, deadlines are usually between January and March of the year of application. For the spring semester, which begins in January/February, deadlines are usually between September to October of the year of application.

Application Follow up:

After a student has submitted all required documents, one should confirm with the university that application is complete. A reasonable amount of time should be allowed before following up, probably three to four weeks after submission of the documents. Students are requested not to correspond too often.

US Visa Stamping Procedure:

• Mostly Indian students aspiring to study at an accredited US college or university enter the US on an F-1 visa. Students can start their Visa process only after they receive their I-20 which is the confirmation of their admission into a college/university. Students get the confirmation of their admission into the undergraduate/ postgraduate courses in the institute within 3-6 weeks of the application submission.
• The American consulate has a system of prior appointments for visa interviews. On the given date, student will appear for a personal interview. While answering the questions, one should be brief and to the point.

Student Loan Application Procedure for Studying in the US:

Students can start their loan process as soon as they receive their I-20 as that is the only proof of their admission into a foreign college. The loan amount allotted by the bank depends on the student’s annual tuition fee and minimum living expense demands. 

US Tuition Fees:

The US education system can be segregated into public or private institutions. The public (state supported) institutions cost less as compared to the private (independent) educational institutions. Public universities can charge an annual tuition fee in the range of $5000 to $15,000. The annual tuition fee of private universities range from $30, 000 to $35000.

US Scholarships:
The students can also apply for Scholarships. There are various resources available for searching Scholarships and several services present, which charge students for either accessing their scholarship database or conducting a scholarship search on a student’s behalf.

Travel Preparation for Studying in the US:

Students preparing to attend fall and spring semester in the US universities are expected to prepare a checklist for taking all essential items with them and not missing anything important. Packing is very important for an international student and should be done with utmost care.

International students in the U.S. Universities not only gain valuable experience through research but are also capable to financially aid themselves through teacher assistantship or Scholarships. The graduate students are offered flexibility to design their courses as per their specific objectives or goals. International students in the US receive great help from the college or university to acclimatize themselves with the new environment and culture. No wonder an enormous number of international students join universities and colleges in the US every year.

International students in the U.S. Universities not only gain valuable experience through research but are also capable to financially aid themselves through teacher assistantship or Scholarships. The graduate students are offered flexibility to design their courses as per their specific objectives or goals. International students in the US receive great help from the college or university to acclimatize themselves with the new environment and culture. No wonder an enormous number of international students join universities and colleges in the US every year.

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