The United States of America lies in the North American continent, including Alaska, Hawaii and a few other territories scattered in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. The major portion of the USA is bordered by Canada in the North and Mexico in the South, and is the third largest country in the world with respect to total area. The USA is a superpower and a world leader with the largest national economy by nominal and real GDP.
WHY USA
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Internationally recognized education programs
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Ranks first in world for quality of education
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Wide variety of course options
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Availability of merit based scholarships.
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Higher degree of flexibility with respect to the selected subjects and course timings.
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Industry oriented training and research opportunities.
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Exposure to advanced research and technologies.
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Vibrant social life with the opportunity to interact with people from all over the world.
COURSES OFFERED
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Associate Degree (2 years)
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Bachelor’s Degree (4 years)
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Graduate Degree
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Master’s Degree (2 years)
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Doctorate Degree (3 to 6 years)
Application Process and Deadline
INTAKES
There are mainly two intakes- Fall (August) and Spring (January)
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Fall is the major intake as all the university options are open for admission unlike spring when certain choices are not available.
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Application Deadline- The deadline for submitting the application varies from university to university and course to course. However, it is generally from October to March for fall intake and for spring intake the deadline is 15 October.
Application documents-
Students have to apply online both for Bachelors as well as Masters and each University has a different fee.
For Undergraduate:
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SLC & 12th Official Transcripts from school
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2 letter of Recommendations from school teachers
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Statement of Purpose
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Certificate of extra-curricular activities & other achievements, if available
For Masters:
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Official Transcripts from University
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2 Academic recommendation and 1 from the employer (if the candidate has any work experience)
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Statement of Purpose
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Essays, if required by the University
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Detailed CV
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Certificate of extra-curricular activities & other achievements, if available
Cost of Studying in USA
The cost of education in the USA varies between the states and the institutions.
Average tuition fees per year range from $15,000 to $60,000 (Private Institutions) and $10,000 to $20,000 (State Institutions)
Living expenses per year – $10,000-$16,000
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising of 50 states, a multicultural nation with variety of ethnic groups, traditions and values. It’s one of the most favored study destinations for millions of students around the globe. To top it all, US universities offer extensive opportunities for education and internship.
Scholarships
Scholarships, Grants, Fellowships are based on the student’s academic performance of international students. Tuition Fee waivers are provided but are strictly merit based so students don’t have to fill any separate form like federal students can do so for availing need based scholarships.
Further, Financial Aid funding is also granted at PG level but again this strictly depends on the students’ credentials.
There are various types of scholarships offered.
Fellowship scholarship – This scholarship is awarded on the student’s ability, competence and performance.
Graduate Assistantship Scholarship – This scholarship is awarded for the students who involve in teaching or research assistantship. It is given as cash, stipend or fee waiver.
Sports Scholarship – This scholarship is offered to outstanding athlete’s students.
Living in USA
US universities have special staff assigned for guiding foreign students called International Student Advisors. Students can seek their help as and when if they face any problem. US universities hold arrival orientations for international students to familiarize them with the campus and it facilities and also to help them adjust to their new life in the United States. Students are assigned Counselors with whom they can discuss any issues regarding changing of majors and also to appoint a coach for themselves.
Accommodation
It is always best to stay on campus. Not only are the basic amenities easily accessible but also on-campus life allows students to gradually integrate into the student community under the guidance of peers and staff. If on campus option is not available then one should look for the home-stays or rented accommodation. Home-stays provide family life and are usually cheaper than on campus accommodation. Depending on your location, home-stays usually cost 800-1000USD a month on single occupancy room basis, including meals. Students who decide to rent an apartment can also get valuable help from the university student association.
Opening Bank Account
Some universities have their own credit union or other banking services. Before opening an account, find out which banks are near where you would live and study. It may be difficult to open an account from overseas, so take enough money with you to live on until you can open a US account and arrange for funds to be transferred from home.
Mobile Phones
When you first arrive, it is expected that you will be calling home frequently. It is essential to check your phone’s compatibility with US mobile operators, as some phones don’t work in the US. With diverse choices of handsets and monthly plans, you can enjoy variety in handsets, operators and competitive costs. Since most prepaid connections require a Social Security card, a prepaid connection is cost effective and a convenient alternative.