Study in USA
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Overview
The United States remains the preferred destination for international students, renowned for groundbreaking research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. A journey to study in the U.S.A is a pivotal career step, enhancing life and unlocking endless possibilities.
Why USA
Approximately half of the world’s top universities are found in the United States, offering top-tier academic programs from undergrad to Ph.D. levels. The US is home to all 8 Ivy League institutions, with Harvard University ranking highest globally.Engineering and technology are US university strengths, with MIT, Stanford, and UC leading in 3D printing and aerodynamic design. Research universities like Johns Hopkins and University of Michigan receive billions in funding for innovative research.Known as the ‘land of the free’, the U.S.A provides diverse opportunities for students to excel academically and culturally. Universities are hubs of diversity, welcoming students of various backgrounds and identities.
“Study abroad is the single most effective way of changing the way we view the world.”
– Chantal Mitchell
Admissions
The admission process differs from college to college, but the following documents remain/general requirements remain staple for admission to higher education in the United States.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Nelson Mandela
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Universities
The United States is renowned for its elite universities, including the prestigious Ivy League institutions. With approximately 4,000 universities and colleges nationwide, the U.S.A welcomes students from around the globe. QS World University Rankings place 50 U.S. universities in the top 200 globally.
“Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength of the nation.”
John F. Kennedy
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Courses
The U.S.'s unparalleled diversity extends beyond culture to professions. A hotspot for higher education, it offers a spectrum of programs from STEM like Aeronautical Engineering to arts like Film, providing exceptional education and student experience.
“There are obviously two educations. One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live.”
James Truslow Adams
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Finances
According to Times Higher Education, the United States is the most expensive study abroad destination for higher education. Planning and research for affordability and high returns on investment are crucial.
- Undergraduate Degree: $20,000 to $40,000/year
- Graduate Degree: $20,000 to $45,000/year
- Doctoral Degree: $28,000 to $55,000/year
Apart from tuition, consider other expenses like accommodation, books, food, travel, and miscellaneous costs:
- Books and Stationery: $500 - $1000
- Traveling: $500 - $1200
- Food: $2500
- Clothes and Footwear: $500
- Miscellaneous Expenses: $2000
- Undergraduate Degree: $20,000 to $40,000/year
- Graduate Degree: $20,000 to $45,000/year
- Doctoral Degree: $28,000 to $55,000/year
Apart from tuition, consider other expenses like accommodation, books, food, travel, and miscellaneous costs:
- Books and Stationery: $500 - $1000
- Traveling: $500 - $1200
- Food: $2500
- Clothes and Footwear: $500
- Miscellaneous Expenses: $2000
“Education is not the means of showing people how to get what they want. Education is an exercise by means of which enough men, it is hoped, will learn to want what is worth having. ”
Ronald Reagan
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Scholarships
Citing that 'Higher education can’t be a luxury,' Barack Obama underscores the importance of affordability. To support this, the US Government, universities, and private organizations provide a range of scholarships and grants for international students.
Government-funded scholarships include:
- Fulbright Foreign Students Program
- Hubert Humphery Fellowship Program
Non-governmental scholarships feature:
- #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship
- Civil Society Leadership Award
- David P. Shapiro Autism Scholarship
- Surfshark Privacy and Security
ScholarshipFor Asian Students, opportunities include:
- East-West Center Scholarships and Fellowships
- Japan-United States Friendship Commission
- Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship Program
Australian Students can explore:
- Fulbright Program
Government-funded scholarships include:
- Fulbright Foreign Students Program
- Hubert Humphery Fellowship Program
Non-governmental scholarships feature:
- #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship
- Civil Society Leadership Award
- David P. Shapiro Autism Scholarship
- Surfshark Privacy and Security
ScholarshipFor Asian Students, opportunities include:
- East-West Center Scholarships and Fellowships
- Japan-United States Friendship Commission
- Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship Program
Australian Students can explore:
- Fulbright Program
“Upon the subject of education, not presuming to dictate any plan or system respecting it, I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in. That every man may receive at least a moderate education...appears to be an object of vital importance...”
Abraham Lincoln
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Accommodation
The most stressful part of moving abroad for higher education can be accommodation.
The golden rule to studying in the USA is to start searching as soon as possible to get the right combination of location and price.
On a global scale, the average cost of living with all the miscellaneous expenses (food, transportation, etc.) in the United States is considerably higher than in other destinations.
On-campus Accommodation
On-campus accommodation is one of the most accessible and affordable student arrangements. On-campus housing will reduce students’ rent and transportation costs while enjoying campus life without worrying about safety and security. Students will also have access to all the basic amenities such as water, food, electricity, and internet.
Average Public College cost: $9,800 USD/academic year
Average Private College cost: $11,100 USD/academic year
Off-campus Accommodation
Although off-campus accommodation in the US is generally unavailable for first-year students, sophomores and onwards can start exploring various off-campus accommodations.
Residence Halls: Buildings featuring flats where students can stay in single rooms or share with other students.
Canteens
Health Centers
Recreational Activities
Cost: $800 - $900
Shared Apartments: These accommodations are not connected to the university. Students need to sign tenancy contracts - legal documents outlining the terms of their stay.
Preferred by students who love a private lifestyle.
Gives a sense of independence where one has to manage aspects such as cleaning, cooking, groceries, and more.
Cost (shared by 4): $400 - $600
Homestay: Considered one of the safest types of accommodation, where students live with U.S. families in their homes.
Easy access to all basic amenities such as food and furniture.
Provides peace of mind and protection in a foreign land.
Cost: $300 - $500
Luxury Accommodation: The most comfortable choice of living, with fully furnished apartments and designer fittings.
All basic amenities included.
24/7 secured apartments.
Luxury amenities like gymnasiums, cinema rooms, and more.
Cost: $2000
The golden rule to studying in the USA is to start searching as soon as possible to get the right combination of location and price.
On a global scale, the average cost of living with all the miscellaneous expenses (food, transportation, etc.) in the United States is considerably higher than in other destinations.
On-campus Accommodation
On-campus accommodation is one of the most accessible and affordable student arrangements. On-campus housing will reduce students’ rent and transportation costs while enjoying campus life without worrying about safety and security. Students will also have access to all the basic amenities such as water, food, electricity, and internet.
Average Public College cost: $9,800 USD/academic year
Average Private College cost: $11,100 USD/academic year
Off-campus Accommodation
Although off-campus accommodation in the US is generally unavailable for first-year students, sophomores and onwards can start exploring various off-campus accommodations.
Residence Halls: Buildings featuring flats where students can stay in single rooms or share with other students.
Canteens
Health Centers
Recreational Activities
Cost: $800 - $900
Shared Apartments: These accommodations are not connected to the university. Students need to sign tenancy contracts - legal documents outlining the terms of their stay.
Preferred by students who love a private lifestyle.
Gives a sense of independence where one has to manage aspects such as cleaning, cooking, groceries, and more.
Cost (shared by 4): $400 - $600
Homestay: Considered one of the safest types of accommodation, where students live with U.S. families in their homes.
Easy access to all basic amenities such as food and furniture.
Provides peace of mind and protection in a foreign land.
Cost: $300 - $500
Luxury Accommodation: The most comfortable choice of living, with fully furnished apartments and designer fittings.
All basic amenities included.
24/7 secured apartments.
Luxury amenities like gymnasiums, cinema rooms, and more.
Cost: $2000
“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”
Aristotle
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Visa
The U.S. government offers three types of visas to study in the U.S.A
Type
As a primary step for studying in the USA, a student must be accepted by an American university certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Once students are accepted, they will receive a Form I-20 from the institution's international student office, which is a paper record of their information in the database called the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
Documents
Paperwork and documentation are an important part of studying in the U.S.A for higher education. To ensure a hassle-free admission process, students must keep the following documents ready with them at all times:
Interview
A successful US visa interview requires preparation, just as any interview and application process. The interview is designed to showcase why one would be traveling and establish their status as a legitimate student to study in U.S.A.The interview questions would be based on five criteria:
Type
- F-1 Student: To study at an accredited US college or university or to study English at an English language institute.
- J Exchange Visa: For participation in an exchange program, including high school and university study.
- M Student Visa: Non-academic or vocational study or training in the US.
As a primary step for studying in the USA, a student must be accepted by an American university certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Once students are accepted, they will receive a Form I-20 from the institution's international student office, which is a paper record of their information in the database called the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
Documents
Paperwork and documentation are an important part of studying in the U.S.A for higher education. To ensure a hassle-free admission process, students must keep the following documents ready with them at all times:
- A valid passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the student's period of stay in the U.S.
- Acceptance at a SEVP-approved school and your Form I-20.
- Application fee payment for the SEVIS.
- Non-immigrant visa application and the Form DS-160 confirmation page.
- Students photograph in the requested format and number.
Interview
A successful US visa interview requires preparation, just as any interview and application process. The interview is designed to showcase why one would be traveling and establish their status as a legitimate student to study in U.S.A.The interview questions would be based on five criteria:
- Study Plans
- Choice of University
- Academic Capability
- Financial Condition
- Post-graduation Plans
“The Best way to predict your Future is to create it.”
Abraham Lincoln
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Careers
Studying in the U.S.A is one thing, but seizing the golden opportunity of working in the U.S.A and gaining international exposure is another. Most international students in the United States hold an F-1 visa, a U.S. non-immigrant student visa.
Part-time Work Opportunity
Juggling finances between tuition fees, rent, books, and supplies is a daunting task. A part-time job can help manage all your financial worries. With a US student visa, you can work up to 20 hours per week during school and full-time during school break periods (up to 40 hours per week).
Full-time Work Opportunity / Post-Study Work Opportunity
Currently, U.S. immigration laws allow international students to be employed in the country during and after course completion, with some restrictions. Practical training offers students on an F-1 visa the opportunity to work for up to twelve months in a field related to their studies. U.S. organizations view international staff as crucial to their success in international markets.
Internships
Internships are considered Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT is a period during which students with F-1 status, who have completed their studies, are permitted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to work for twelve months per educational level.
Work on H-1B Visa
If students wish to stay in the U.S.A for longer than the period of their Practical Training, it's crucial to obtain an extended visa - an H-1B visa. The H-1B is a temporary visa category that allows employers to petition for highly educated professionals to work in “specialty occupations” requiring at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Work on EB5 Visa
The EB5 visa allows students to live, pursue education, work, or retire in the U.S. without needing to find an employer. To receive this visa, one must invest at least $900,000 in a U.S. enterprise and create at least 10 American jobs. The U.S. issues only 10,000 EB-5 Investment Visas per year.
Part-time Work Opportunity
Juggling finances between tuition fees, rent, books, and supplies is a daunting task. A part-time job can help manage all your financial worries. With a US student visa, you can work up to 20 hours per week during school and full-time during school break periods (up to 40 hours per week).
Full-time Work Opportunity / Post-Study Work Opportunity
Currently, U.S. immigration laws allow international students to be employed in the country during and after course completion, with some restrictions. Practical training offers students on an F-1 visa the opportunity to work for up to twelve months in a field related to their studies. U.S. organizations view international staff as crucial to their success in international markets.
Internships
Internships are considered Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT is a period during which students with F-1 status, who have completed their studies, are permitted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to work for twelve months per educational level.
Work on H-1B Visa
If students wish to stay in the U.S.A for longer than the period of their Practical Training, it's crucial to obtain an extended visa - an H-1B visa. The H-1B is a temporary visa category that allows employers to petition for highly educated professionals to work in “specialty occupations” requiring at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Work on EB5 Visa
The EB5 visa allows students to live, pursue education, work, or retire in the U.S. without needing to find an employer. To receive this visa, one must invest at least $900,000 in a U.S. enterprise and create at least 10 American jobs. The U.S. issues only 10,000 EB-5 Investment Visas per year.
“Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom.”
Oprah Winfrey
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FAQ's
The United States of America is a prime destination for students worldwide to pursue the finest quality of higher education
“Why study in the U.S.A?” is one of the questions that does not require an in-depth explanation. Every academic year more
Students cannot study in the U.S.A with a B1/B2 visa for programs that exceed 3-6 months. They can undertake