Study in USA

Education Chart

USA has the world's most flexible education system, students can study their area of interest as specialization. As the education system of USA is not centralized each institute can determine its program and admission standards. Lateral movement in the education system is possible any time.

Types of Institution

State-affiliated institutions financially supported by public taxes, usually large in size. All levels of degrees with different fields of study are offered. Public colleges and universities are relatively easy on the pocket for residents of a state where the schools are located. Foreign students pay "out-of-state" tuition, which is higher. There are many notable public universities across the coun try just a few examples: Pennsylvania State University, Ohio State University, University of California, Kansas State University, University of Texas , California State University.

Private Institutions run without the control of the Government entity. Tuition fees of these institutions are higher but the international as well the domestic students pay the same amount of fees. The notable private institutions are Long Island University, George Washington University, New York University, Carnegie Mellon University.

These are schools emphasizing principally on engineering and science they are known for their research and graduate programs. Most International students who attend these schools are of graduate level. Undergraduates admitted to these schools usually have incredibly strong backgrounds in math and sciences, as witnessed by grades and standardized test scores (e.g. SAT or GRE). M.I.T. (the Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Cal Poly (California Polytechnic Institute), Georgia Tech (Georgia Institute of Technology), NYIT New York Institute of Technology) and W.P.I. (Worcester Polytechnic Institute) are a few of the noted schools.

The Ivy League:

These schools are the oldest and most famous in the country members of the Ivy League are: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania. They are in the Northeastern part of the USA. Ivy League colleges stress undergraduate liberal arts education, but they also have noted graduate and professional schools. Tuitions at these private schools is among the highest in the country, and admission is generally highly competitive.

Small Liberal Arts Colleges:

Generally have the focus on undergraduate study of the traditional arts and science disciplines: humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Strictly liberal arts colleges are often quite old and mostly private schools. They are highly-rated institutions as they stress on small classes, individual attention to the students, and closer relationships between the faculties and students. Many of them also generally have rigid admission standards. Among these schools are: Amherst, Marist, Swarthmore, Manhattan, Smith, Mount Holyoke.

Community Colleges:

More over known as County Colleges or City colleges. Community colleges provide higher education and lower level tertiary education, granting certificates, diplomas and Associates Degree. Some notable community colleges are Ohlone College, De Anza College & Bellevue Community College.

Grading System

The GPA system is followed throughout the United States to judge student's performance. It is graded on the scale of 0 to 4.

Types of degree

It is an academic degree awarded by the community colleges, junior colleges, business colleges and some bachelor's degree upon completion of a course of study Usually for two years (60 Credits). In the USA , an associate degree is equivalent to the first two years of a four year college or university Bachelors degree. It is The lowest in hierarchy of post secondary academic degrees offered in USA.

Bachelors Degree:

Commonly known as Undergraduate degree in India. The duration of the bachelors course is 4 years. Students who have completed a part of their undergraduate degree and want to go to the USA, can apply as a transfer Student. There are two types of bachelors degree: B.A or B.S. Some universities in the USA offer either of the degrees in all fields and at times both the degrees in some field. Students need to appear for SAT & TOEFL/IELTS exams for admission.

Masters Degree:

The duration of master's courses may range from a year to two depending on the university & your area of specialization. The binding requisite for Masters is the 16 year of education criteria. Students with Bachelors in Engineering are qualified whereas the students with B.Com, B.Sc, and B.A need to complete at least one year of Masters, post graduate diploma is also accepted by some specific institutions for specific programs.While 16 years of education is the major criteria, few universities do accept students with 3 years Bachelors degree fo certain Master prorgams. Exams required are GMAT for management related subjects / GRE for arts, science or any other subjects and TOEFL/ IELTS exams for admission.

Doctorate:

Commonly known as PhD. Duration of the same may range from 3 years to 5 years. Students can take admission for a PhD only after completion of their master's degree. PhD students need to submit a research proposal as well have to appear for GRE/GMAT & TOEFL/IELTS exams for admissions.

Intakes

1. Spring: January/February
2. Fall: August/September
3. Summer: April/May
4. Winter: December

Major intake is the Fall intake, but most of the universities are open for Spring and few of them for summer & winter intake too. However all subjects commence in Fall and only some in Winter and Summer intake.

English Language Requirements

All students must have the required English language proficiency with regards to the course. TOEFL score of 90 or above for Postgraduate and 80 above for Undergraduate studies is a decent score. IELTS score of 6.0 or above for Undergraduate degrees and 6.5 or above for postgraduate degrees is required. Over 2500 institutions in USA recognize the IELTS exams including several top ranked institutions.

Entry Requirements + Eligibility

• Undergraduate: 10+2
• Graduate:16 years of education required (10+2+4)
• Some institutions accept 15 years education into their Bridge /Masters Programs
• Good & strong academic background
• Good scores in entrance exams like SAT, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, IELTS etc
• Strong recommendation letters
• To the point Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement, essays & resumes
• Certificates of achievement & extra -curricular activity participation
• Strong financial background or good grades to get a scholarship.

Documents

Covering Letter, Application Fees, Application Form, Statement of Purpose, Essays, Resume, Reco Letters, Transcripts, Mark sheets & Cert., Bank Statement, Affidavit of Financial Statements,Test Score Report.

USA is one of the strongest economies of the world. The vast majority of Americans derive most part of their income from occupational earnings. In the United States, the highest earning occupational groups are the white collar professionals including management, physicians, mathematicians, financial managers, software publishers, computer engineers, hospitality, etc. USA has also been on the forefront in the telecoms, medicine, health care, and genetics.
international students can take up on campus jobs they are allowed to work 20 hrs per week during semester (on campus). On campus jobs may include teaching assistantship or research assistantship where a student is paid on an average $8 to $10 per hour thus student earns approximately $ 500-$ 1000 per month or can get a waiver in tuition fees. With this, a student can also do internship in the related field which may be paid.
During vacation the student is allowed to work for 40 hrs per week. On completion of the course, student is allowed to work for 1year popularly known as OPT (optional practical training). Students with certain degrees are allowed to work for 29 months. On completion of their OPT; the student can later apply for work on a H1 B visa (work permit visa).