Study in USA

Study in USA

Education System
American higher education starts with undergraduate courses. You can earn either a two-year associate's degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree. Students often earn an associate's degree first, and then study two more years to gain a bachelor’s (or baccalaureate) degree. Usually, a bachelor’s degree will be awarded by a university, whereas an associate's degree may be earned either at a community college or university.

Undergraduate degrees (and some master’s degrees) are awarded after a student completes a pre-determined number of courses. A student is awarded credits for the courses he or she takes, and the degree is complete when the student completes the required number of credits. This means that although most students complete bachelor’s degrees in four years, some spend longer if they take part-time classes or take time off from school.

Graduate degrees, often known as master’s degrees, require at least two years at a university. These are often termed “advanced professional degrees,” as they tend to be aimed at specific professions. Graduate degrees are career-advancing degrees in subjects such as medicine, law, and management. For example, a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) is the standard business graduate degree. Doctorates (PhDs) usually take four years to complete, and are research-based. The U.S. education system has a reputation for being the world leader in graduate education. Conversely, it’s also the most accessible and least selective for undergraduate education and certain graduate programs, such as education, business, and management. This gives the opportunity of higher education to people who would not have access to it in other countries.

Advantage USA
American colleges are known worldwide for the quality of their facilities, resources, and faculty. Accreditation systems ensure that institutions continue to maintain these standards.

The American education system is unrivaled worldwide in its variety institutions, academic and social environments, entry requirements, degree programs, and subjects. Value: As an investment in your future, a U.S. degree offers excellent value for the money. A wide range of tuition fees and living costs, plus some financial help from colleges, have made study in the United States affordable for thousands of students before you.

One of the most distinctive features of U.S. universities and colleges is the choice of courses within a single institution. More importantly, students can move between one institution and another with relative ease. It is common to complete the first two years of a degree at one institution and then transfer to another.

Selecting a College
Selecting a college is a large investment in time, money, and effort. You should carefully evaluate your selections. The following facotrs would help you determine the right college for you:

1. Curricula, policies and administrative practices
2. Housing facilities
3. Courses offered
4. Programs that interest you
5. Admission requirements. Do you meet them?
6. Quality of education versus cost of tuition. Make compromises if you feel it's the right decision.
7. Services and leisure activities. Are your needs going to be met?
8. Job placement rates for recently graduated students
9. Accreditation, licensing, and student loan default rate
10. Graduation statistics
11. Percentage of students who complete programs
12. Percentage of students who transfer to other schools
13. Campus security. Review the school's campus security report
14. Talk to your high school counselor, local employers, and the state higher education agency
15. Check with the local Better Business Bureau offices to see if there are complaints about the college
16. Financial aid availability
17. Refund policies before enrolling in classes
18. Counseling procedures for the school's financial aid office, location, and hours
19. Procedures and deadlines for submitting applications to financial aid programs
20. How the school selects financial aid recipients
21. How will the school determine your financial need
22. How and when you'll receive your aid
23. Are there work-study programs available? What kinds?

Expenses & Tuition Fee
Tuition is the cost of instruction; fees, on the other hand, are charged for library use, student activities, insurance, healthcare, etc. International students are required to pay both tuition and fees.

Although the range of tuition and fees may vary greatly from school to school, there is no correlation between the level of tuition and fees and the quality of an institution. The amount charged by a particular college depends on many factors, the most significant of which is the type of school. Tuition and fees are generally higher for private universities than for state universities. Community, technical, and vocational colleges charge the lowest fees of all. State universities charge out-of-state residents higher tuition than state residents.

In almost all instances, international students studying at state schools pay a higher rate throughout their study program because they do not qualify for residents' rates. It should be remembered that not all universities charging the lowest tuition and fees also have the lowest living costs; you should examine both factors to get a more accurate estimate of your annual expenses.

Pointers to submitting a winning application
Application Pointers

Apply early. Not only will this enable you to compete for a larger number of available seats, but early applicants clearly demonstrate enthusiasm and intent to succeed.
Develop individual dialog with the admissions faculty.
Use the essay and/or the cover letter of your resume to communicate your determination to be accepted into the program. Don’t mince your words – be confident and bold.
Request letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your dedication & enthusiasm. Letters from former professors, employers, or other sources who can testify to your academic performance and work ethic are also appropriate.
Use your essay as an opportunity to help the admissions committee really get to know who you are, and why you want to earn your degree at the particular university.
Address any lapse in your academic performance record in your program essay. Proactively answer questions that the admissions committee is likely to have about your previous academic performance.
Prepare for the GRE/GMAT.
Air travel within the Indian sub-continent.
Single room accommodation at first class hotels (lodging only).
Double room accommodation for participants with spouses (lodging only).
Visa Assistance.
Ground transportation in the sub-continent.
Cost of the tour does not include food which is approximately $ 35 per day.

Scholarships & Financial Aid
Undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships are forms of aid that help students pay for their education. Unlike student loans, scholarships and fellowships do not have to be repaid. Hundreds of thousands of scholarships and fellowships from several thousand sponsors are awarded each year.

Generally, scholarships and fellowships are reserved for students with special qualifications, such as academic, athletic or artistic talent. Awards are also available for students who are interested in particular fields of study, who are members of underrepresented groups, who live in certain areas of the country or who demonstrate financial need.

Test Preparation Sites

Preparation (GRE)
Preparation - (GMAT)
Syvum GMAT (www.syvum.com/gmat)
Syvum GRE (www.syvum.com/gre)
Syvum SAT (www.syvum.com/sat)