Why Study in US?
The United States has more institutions of higher education than any other country, but despite the numbers, it is the quality of education provided by these academic bodies which are acknowledged worldwide. The US has been a worldwide leader in the field of education, quality of faculty, research and the generic experience a student is opened up to when studying overseas.
Students can choose a suitable university from over 3800 universities and colleges available in the US that facilitates several educational programs. universities in the States pride themselves on being at the forefront of technology and educational techniques, and in making available to their students the best possible equipment and resources.
The US is home to the highest number of international students as compared to any other country. Their education system has people from various religions, countries as well as age groups. The United States facilitates top notch resources and qualitative education for a wide variety of curriculum’s that enables students to pursue their extra edge on overseas education.
We have stated a few reasons why the US is an ideal study destination.
- World ranked universities
- Great career opportunities
- excellent resources & technology
- Huge campuses
- Apply without GRE / GMAT / SAT
Work in US
The United States is a popular destination for higher studies with some of the best institutions of learning to offer a wide range of courses, research opportunities and vocational programmes that are internationally recognised and instrumental in shaping a student’s life. The job opportunities for international students studying in the US are very good as they are given a chance to work for a certain period.
Working while studying can be a great opportunity to earn money while in the US, and international students can expect to make at least minimum wage. International students in the US are allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week which helps them in paying their personal expenses. During vacation, the student is allowed to work for 40 hours per week. On completion of the course, the student is allowed to work for 1 year popularly known as OPT (optional practical training)
Some of the most in-demand jobs in the US include :
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Web Developers
- Computer Network Architects
- Line Managers in Retail Sales Operations
- Software Engineers
- Accountants and Auditors
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Human Resource and Training Specialists
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators
- Industrial and Mechanical Engineers
- Sales Representative
Cost of living in US
Life in the US is pretty pricey. The most expensive cities include San Francisco, New York, Boston and Los Angeles whereas cities like Oklahoma City or Cincinnati for have much lower average costs than other large cities. One major factor that adds expense for expats in the US, is the cost of converting cash to dollars from your home currency.
The estimated living cost for the US is around $10000 to $12000 per year, which averages around $700 to $1000 per month. This includes your accommodation costs, room, and board, food, travel, textbooks, weather appropriate clothing and entertainment expenses as well. Universities in the US are either public or private institutions. Thus, public school tuition expenses are based on nonresident costs which are less expensive than private universities. It differs from university to university ranging from public cost $ 5000 a year to $ 30000 per annum for private institutes.
Here is a list of utilities and their average costs that you may incur while living in the US:
- Electric: $50 to $100 per month
- Cellular service: $50 per month
- Water, sewer, and trash: $50-$75 every quarter
- Internet: $45-$50 per month
- Gas: $15-$50 per month
Years experienced IELTS & PTE faculty
The US ranks first when it comes to international aspirants wanting to study abroad. An aptitude test and English language proficiency test is the basic requirement or getting admission into most of the universities. All the universities set their own requirements as to the score needed in order to join a particular course.
Some of the exams required for Undergraduate & Postgraduate study in the US are :
- IELTS
- PTE
- TOEFL
- GRE
- GMAT
Scholarships in US
Students who study in America are indeed lucky as they not only get to study in some of the best courses in the world but are provided with a wide range of scholarships for pursuing the field of study they are most interested in.
The Scholarships in the USA that are awarded to International Students can be based on two aspects – merit and need. Strong academics, good performance on standardized exams & extra-curricular achievements are some of the focus points while selecting who would be eligible for scholarship awards or any financial assistance. Students considering the option to study in the USA are recommended to begin the application procedure at least 12 months prior to the intake as there are very strict deadlines.
Some of the most prestigious and recognised scholarships in the USA for Indian students are :
- Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
- Fulbright-Nehru Research Fellowship
- Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship
- The Indian Trust Fellowship
- American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship
- Tata Scholarships for Cornell University
- Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship for Stanford
Education System in US
The US has the world’s most flexible education system, students can study their area of interest as specialization. As the education system of the US is not centralized each institute can determine its program and admission standards.
There are several different programs offered by institutions and universities in the US. The bachelors level education starts after the completion of 12 years of primary and secondary education. There are special engineering programs that equal to two years of a bachelor degree. Next comes the d master’s courses for which the duration may range from a year to two depending on the university & your area of specialization.
There are different types of universities in the US, namely :
- Public Universities
- Private Universities
- Technical Universities
- The Ivy League
- Small Liberal Arts Colleges
- Community Colleges
Emerging Sectors in US
Changes in demographics and the economy stimulate growth across various industries. From healthcare to technology, many industries are seeing rapid sales and job growth. The construction industry in the US is also booming. Several industries tied to construction top the list of industries with the highest sales growth rates. Seven of the top 10 fastest-growing industries in the country are related to construction. Services that support mining and oil or gas extraction represent the fastest-growing industry in the US.
One of the most important drivers of the economy is educational attainment. The BLS reports that the biggest shifts in jobs are happening in the health care, business services and construction industries. Those three industries alone will represent more than half of the 20.5 million new jobs created by 2020.
Some of the growing sectors in the US are:
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services
- Support activities for mining
- Other heavy civil engineering construction
- Beverage manufacturing
- Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors
- Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Offices of real estate agents and brokers
- Architectural engineering, and related services
Here is a list of the emerging sectors in US.
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Business
- Health
Lifestyle in US
The United States is the third largest country in the world with a population of more than 325 million. Therefore in the United States, multiculturalism is the fundamental obsession expressing that people from different culture, ethics and races are equal and they can keep their identities, can take pride in their heritage and have a sense of belonging.There is no official language of the United States, according to the U.S. government. While almost every language in the world is spoken in the United States, the most frequently spoken non-English languages are Spanish, Chinese, French and German.
From the year-round sunshine of California to the ice-bound winters of Alaska, the USA has it all. There are vast lakes the size of a small country, rugged mountain ranges to ski and climb and coastlines spanning two oceans. There are even desert plains and tropical regions in this country. When it comes to the cuisine there are over 600,000 restaurants serving recipes from every corner of the world to suit every taste and budget.
Apply for a student visa in US
The type of visa granted to an international student will depend on the purpose of the visit to the U.S. To qualify for a student visa to the United States, you must have a residence abroad, and the intention to return to that residence upon completion of your education program. You must also have sufficient funds to support your course of study.
For academic purposes, there are three different student visas that could be issued F1 Visa, J1 Visa or M1 Visa. The F1 and J1 visas allow for the possibility of employment in the US during your stay, while the M1 Visa does not. These visas cover students planning to pursue full-time degree programs at either the undergraduate or graduate level.
Below is a list of documents required to apply for studying in the US.
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Resume/CV
- Passport sized photographs
- Evidence of English Language proficiency e.g. IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
- Attested copies of X, XII & Graduate Degree, Mark Sheets including Backlogs
- Standardised Tests e.g. GMAT, GRE
- Draft for application fees, if applicable
- Other Certificates & Achievements of Extracurricular Activities
- Two academic references
- Two references from employers
Most American Universities require 16 years of education for admission into an MBA or any other Graduate program. It is therefore advisable to complete M.Com / M.A/ M.Sc. or at least one year of any Masters Degree before taking admission in an American University. Some top-ranked universities can take you with 15 years of education with 2-3 years of relevant work experience. Edwise, however, has a list of those institutions that would enrol students after 15 years of education directly.
STEM (Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects are popular among international as well as domestic students in the USA. However, Psychology, Business Administration, Education, Economics and Political Science are some other popular courses in the education hub.
In order to be accredited, schools need to have physical documentation for each student’s file. Unless you are from a country where the first language is English, such as Canada, Australia, or the UK, you will need to submit physical proof of proficiency.
U.S. universities require an English language proficiency test before admission and the test requirements vary depending on the course you apply for. English Language Ability Tests The most common tests of English language ability are the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and the Pearson Test of English (PTE).
With permission of the International Student Office, international students may work on campus up to 20 hours per week their first year and can apply to work off-campus in subsequent years.
In the US, the international students holding F-1 student visa can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) which allows them to stay back for one year after completion of the course, provided they work in their field of study. Students who hold a degree from the US government’s designated list of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects can extend their OPT by another 17 months which allows them to work in the US for 29 months. During this period, students can find a permanent job and apply for a long-term visa.