QUICK GUIDE TO

STUDY IN USA

WHY USA?
An Education in USA bolsters not just your dream but offers a brand new
experience of life. No matter which field you are in, USA always gives you an
edge by offering the best in quality, variety and flexibility. One of the major
factors that puts American universities a cut above the rest is the standard of education that
is ensures. Highest number of US universities are represented in the top 10 universities of
the World by major league tables like Times Higher education and QS. Also, the US education
system offers flexibility in courses that are offered, which enables you select your choice of
subject from a variety of topics.

Along with variety in options, American universities provide students with a wide scope for
research on their subject of interest. One of the positive points of studying in America is that
the country invests a lot in Research and Development. USA holds the record on spending
the most in Research and Development. According to an OECD report, in 2012 USA spent
2.792% of its GDP in R&D.
QUICK GUIDE TO STUDY IN USA

TOP UNIVERSITIES:
Here, we have listed the Top 10 universities in USA as per QS World University
Ranking.

University QS World Rank

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 1
Harvard University 4
Stanford University 7
California Institute of Technology 8
Princeton University 9
Yale University 10
University of Chicago 11
University of Pennsylvania 13
Columbia University 14
John Hopkins University 14

Popular courses:
The programme features that draw Indian students in such large numbers to USA include
flexibility and hands on learning in an environment that has the best of resources and
infrastructure. USA is most attractive for STEM subjects. Besides, students are also known
to show interest in Business Management, Physical as well as Social sciences.

Campus life in USA

American colleges are famous not for the quality of education they provide but also for their
exciting college life. While academics will take up most your time, US campuses provide a
360 environment inclusive of vibrant demography, culture, and students following diversified
schools of thought. “USA is a melting pot of students from all the corners of the world. The
varied diversity helps a student to get a holistic world view,” says Liban George who studies
at Missouri State University.

When to apply?
USA has as many as 3 admission cycles during an academic year- Spring, Summer and Fall.
You should start researching for your options at least 15 months prior to your enrollment. So,
for Fall if your session starts in September you have to start the process in May- June of the
previous year. Applications generally, open around October and lasts till December or January.

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QUICK GUIDE TO STUDY IN USA

HERE’S THE ADMISSION TIMELINE

FOR FALL - USA

May - July Start researching for your options at least 15 months prior to your enrollment.
(previous year): Narrow into the universities which best fits your demand from the programme.

July - August: Register for your tests- GMAT, GRE, SAT, IELTS and TOEFL. You can also finalise the
universities you want to apply. Select at least 8-10 universities to be on the safe side.

September - October: Get your application package in place. Arrange your SOP, Recommendation letters,
Academic transcripts test results besides and additional requirement for the programme.

October – January: Start applying to the selected universities. Make sure your test scores are ready
to be sent by then.

December - January: Most applications will close between Mid- December to January. Some may
go until February or March.

The colleges will contact you in this period, accepting or rejecting your application.
February - April: Some programmes may require further interview rounds before offering the final
letter for admission.

Get your Finances in order. Make sure you have funds ready for both tuition and living
April - June: expenses. You can also apply for education loans. Ideally, start researching for
loans from April itself.

June - July: Apply for the student visa. Go for USIEF Pre-Departure Orientation sessions.

August- September: Get your departure checklist ready. Definitely pack your for warm clothes for winter.
You could also arrange for accommodations around this time.

September- October: The fall sessions start around September –October for majority of the programmes.

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QUICK GUIDE TO STUDY IN USA

WHAT MAKES YOU ELIGIBLE?

The first thing to keep in mind before opting for admission in an US university is
that majority of the universities in USA require the student to have a minimum
of 16 years of education before applying for Masters in a US university. So,
you must have completed at least 4 years of education (graduation or diploma) after 10+2.
Students who have completed their Master’s degree are also qualified to apply for further
Master’s in US.

Documents checklist for admission in US:

Recommendation letters (minimum 2-3 lectures) - Letters of Recommendation is an

important aspect of the application process of Universities abroad. It is used to gather
additional information about a candidate for employment, graduate study or other
opportunity and should tell how well an applicant accomplished what is laid out in the
applicant’s résumé or CV.

Test scores- GRE, TOEFL, GMAT, IELTS, SAT, LSAT and MCAT- You are required to submit
scores of all the exams required for admission. While IELTS and TOEFL are English
proficiency tests required across levels of study, GRE and GMAT are for Masters and SAT for
undergraduate studies. LSAT and MCAT are required for integrated programmes.

Academic Transcripts- You are required to submit academic transcripts for the qualifications
listed in the application form.It could be from the 10th standard to Bachelor’s or whichever
level you have crossed.

Statement of purpose-A statement of purpose (SOP) is an essay that you send along with
your application to various schools. These essays help the admission committee know you
better. They tell the admission officers what is important to you, and what your values and
career goals are.

Work experience certificates - Some universities in USA require experience certificates

at the Master’s level, especially, for management related courses. It is helpful if you show
experience in the field of studies you want to pursue further studies in.

Passport- You Passport is one of the most important elements post admission. You have to
show a valid passport to ensure a student visa to USA.

Certificates for extra-curricular activities- If you mention any extra-curricular activity in the
application form make sure you have valid certificates to strengthen your claims. Colleges in
USA give a lot of value to extra- curricular activities as that shows how the student handles
herself outside the classroom.

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QUICK GUIDE TO STUDY IN USA

SCHOLARSHIPS
There is huge scope for funding for any international student in USA. Some of
the options are:

Scholarships or fellowships from US universities: Most universities in US provide

scholarships to international students. For example: Harvard University through its
Admissions and Financial Aid Department provides aid to international students.

Scholarships from other benefactors: Besides the universities, students can avail financial
aid from other equally beneficial sources. There are many foundations, which assist
meritorious students to pursue their dreams of studying in good universities in the US.

External agencies: External funding bodies may include professional, charitable or

government organisations that interest themselves in educating members of society. There
are many funding agencies like the Global Student Loan Corporation, the International Student
Loan, which help students to arrange finance for education in the US.

ACCEPTED EXAMS
Majority of the colleges in USA demand scores of standardized tests for
admission both at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Some of the accepted exams are:

GMAT: GMAT is taken for admission to management studies. Business schools use this
test as a criterion for admission into a wide range of management programs like Master of
Business Administration (MBA), Master of Accountancy, and Master of Finance programs.

GRE: GRE is mandatory for almost all MS level programmes in USA including management
studies. While all universities require GRE general test score some also ask the student to
take GRE subject tests.

TOEFL: TOEFL is an English proficiency for students from non- native English speaking
country students. TOEFL is conducted more than 50 times a year at 4500 test centres in 165
countries worldwide.

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QUICK GUIDE TO STUDY IN USA

IELTS: IELTS is also an English proficiency test for students from non- native English speaking
countries. IELTS test measures a candidate’s English language command on 4 different
parameters- Listening, reading, writing and speaking.

MCAT: Students interested in pursuing medical studies in US have to appear for MCAT.
Conducted by the Association of American Medical colleges (AAMC), MCAT is accepted by
health profession and graduate schools and is a computer-based test evaluating a candidate
on three scales, namely, Physical Sciences, Verbal Reasoning, and Biological Sciences.

LSAT: LSAT is a standardised test that is taken for admission at law schools in USA.
Administered by the Law school admission council (LSAC), the LSAT is designed to evaluate
a candidate’s strength in Analytical reasoning, Logical reasoning and reading comprehension-
skills an aspirant will require in a law school.

WHAT AFTER STUDY?

USA is an immigration friendly country that allows international students to
work after studies Once the student completes the course, he/she have the
following employment opportunities:

Optional Practical Training (OPT): OPT allow students to work for 12 months in total after
completing the course in the USA. The students can apply for OPT nine months after starting
his/her course. Also, students can be authorised to 12 month full time OPT at different levels
of study. For example, a student can join for an undergraduate programme, complete it and
do 12 months OPT. Then he can join for a graduate course and is eligible to do another 12
months OPT after completing the graduate course.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT): CPT is an off-campus employment option for the
F-1 visa holders which allow them to do “alternative work/study, internship, cooperative
education, or any other type of required internship offered by sponsoring employers through
cooperative agreements with the school” if practical training is an integral part of the course.

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