A One Stop Guide to Study in The USA

Did you know that every year, approximately 2–2.5 lakh Indian students enroll in US Universities for higher education in various fields? The numbers have increased drastically in the past decade. It is almost every student’s dream to study in the USA but they don’t know where to begin.

Keeping that issue in mind, EnrichMyCareer has brought to you a one-stop guide to studying in the USA. It covers everything from choosing a college, filling out applications, obtaining visas, and making arrangements for scholarships. So, fasten your seatbelt and get ready to go one step closer to realizing your American dream.

Why is the United States the most popular destination for students?

The USA continues to be the top choice for many students and hosts the largest number of international students each year. Wonder why? Well, for a multitude of reasons which include the top-notch universities, the unique & flexible curriculum, the diversity of the nation, and the abundance of opportunities.

The greatest colleges in the world, many of which consistently rank highly on the WQS, are located in the US. Their Ivy League is world-famous. High academic standards are another hallmark of American colleges. Their curriculum adheres to rigid guidelines to guarantee excellence and quality, so they can provide their students with a top-notch education.

Guide to Study in the USA

After our research, we found that most students struggle with five important questions while trying to pursue education in the USA.

• What are my options for studying in the USA?
• How do I obtain funds for my education in the USA?
• How do I fill out the Applications?
• How do I apply for a Student Visa?
• Am I ready to leave?

Keeping these in mind, we have carefully curated the following steps to address these and other related questions.

1. What are My Options to Study in the USA?

First and foremost, you need to choose what you want to study. Choose a topic or subject that interests you. You will love learning and perform better if you appreciate your subject.

The right approach should be to pick your interests and then find an institute that aligns with them. It is highly suggestive that instead of attempting to fit yourself into a school, look for a school that suits your priorities and long-term objectives. Once you decide on your subject, find the university that works best for you. Don’t fall for university rankings.

In addition, if you have opted to study in the United States, you must prepare well for standardized tests such as SAT or ACT for undergraduate admissions, and GRE or GMAT for the postgraduate admissions process. Further, you would need to work on improving your English skills. Most universities in the United States ask for proof of English Proficiency. It can be through IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, or any other test. These exams may or may not be challenging, but make sure you are well prepared.

Key Takeaways

• Pick the subject that interests you.
• Find the university that aligns with your interests and career goals.
• Work on your English proficiency and identify the test that is authorized by the university of your choice.
• Prepare well for the English proficiency test and strive for a higher score.

Learn more about IELTS/TOEFL here.

2. How Do I Avail the Funds for My Education in the USA?

The cost of education in the United States is high. And the fees increase by 6–10% each year. It roughly costs INR 10–40 lakhs per year, depending on the region, course, degree and university you opt for. Most students find this amount pretty expensive and this puts an end to pursuing their dreams.

There is, however, a way to pay for your education. If you’re committed, make an investment in yourself. Find out how much cash you can bring from home at this point. Once you know the total, you can cover the remaining amount by either taking an education loan or earning a scholarship.

At EnrichMyCareer we can help you obtain an education loan and even guide you on how to increase your chances of securing a scholarship to fund your education. The Government of India also provides scholarships to students who want to study in the USA. Your best chance of receiving these scholarships is to maintain excellent academic records, conduct extensive research and build an overall strong profile. Some candidates also take loans from banks or private lenders.

Key Takeaways

• Find out how much money you can bring from home and make an estimate of the balance amount.
• Research and find out about all the scholarships available to study at the university of your choice.
• Maintain excellent academic records and build a solid profile and make yourself a strong candidate in order to avail those scholarships.

Want to learn more about profile building? Read this – “How to build an excellent profile?”

3. How to Fill Out The Applications?

Now that your funding is sorted, let’s move on to filling out the application. This is the most crucial and most difficult part, where a student can get accepted or rejected by the university. These applications require a lot of time and focus. Since you have already selected the university of your choice, find out everything about the application process.

The prerequisites vary depending on the university and include writing a Statement of Purpose (SOP), Detailed Essays, getting Recommendations, preparing a Resume/CV, etc. So, start collecting recommendations from your professors or teachers and write impressive essays. Make sure you outline your interest and provide a personal touch in the essays. Fill out all the details required in the application carefully.

Be mindful of the deadlines and start your application process well in advance accordingly. Take expert help if required.

Key Takeaways

• Find out the requirements of the application process.
• Have your English proficiency test score handy.
• Start writing Statement of Purpose, Essays.
• Request for Recommendations from your referees.
• Fill out all necessary details, such as your education credentials and other criteria carefully.

4. How to Apply for Student Visa?

Congratulations! You have come this far, but your journey is not over just yet. Now begins a tedious administrative task called the visa application. Before we move ahead, it is important to know that to apply for a US visa, you must have an acceptance letter from a US university. This is a prerequisite.

There are three types of Student Visas.

1. F Student Visa: For studying at an authorized American University/College or to learn English at an English language school.

2. J Exchange Visa: For taking part in exchange programs, such as high school and university studies.

3. M Student Visa: For non-academic or vocational study or training in the United States.

After being accepted, the international student office of the institution will provide you with a Form I-20 or DS-2019, which you must present when you apply for your student visa. The arrival and status of international students in the United States are handled by two different U.S. government entities.

The visa application and issuance processes are handled by the State Department. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security then assumes responsibility for admission into the country and for issuing and enforcing international student restrictions once a visa holder has arrived in the country. So, make sure you visit the following website.

U.S. Department of State – Consular Affairs (Student Visas) U.S. Department of State – U.S. Embassies and Consulates U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Study in the States

Key Takeaways

• Get an acceptance letter from an authorized university.
• Get the I-20 or DS-2019 form from the international student office.
• Fill out the details carefully.

Watch this video to understand the process of a VISA. (Source: official website of United States Department of State)

5. Are You Ready to Leave?

Hold your breath, your dream university is just a step away. You’ve been accepted to an American university and have obtained a student visa. But before you leave, have you decided what to pack? Are you ready to move yet?

To help you with this, pre-departure orientations are held by EducationUSA advising centres for students who are about to travel to the US. They educate you on cultural differences, motivation, differences from your native environment, academic systems and expectations, housing, and coping with a new cultural situation. Inform your institute of your arrival and attend university orientation. To make things easy for yourself, have all of your documents ready before you arrive in the USA.

Key Takeaways

• Make travel arrangements and inform your university about your arrival.
• Attend the pre-departure orientations held by EducationUSA advising centres if you would like to.
• Gather all the important documents and keep them handy (Important documents).
• Return to your school and participate in on-campus orientation.

Conclusion

So there you have it. Everything you ever wanted to know about studying in the United States. You must have realized by now that this is not an easy task. You should begin working on yourself as soon as possible.

Build a strong profile to attract admission offers. It is important to learn more about building a profile by researching. You can always schedule a call with us, and we will be happy to guide you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1.    Can I get a 100% Scholarship to study in the USA?

Yes! There are some scholarships that waive 100% of the tuition fee to eligible students. The selection criteria depend on the financial condition of the candidate and other factors. However, it is important to note that living expenses may or may not be included in these scholarships.

2.    Can I study in the USA without IELTS/TOEFL?

There are plenty of universities that do not rely only on IELTS/TOEFL scores. Some universities ask for other forms of tests or documentation. Also, students who have completed one year of education in the USA are exempt from these scores.

3.    Can Indian students work in the USA while studying?

Yes! Thousands of students work while studying at American universities. There are certain rules that must be followed. And a foreign student can only work up to 20 hours while studying at a US university.

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