Higher Education in the USA, Study in USA

• Around 16% of international students are enrolled in California (the largest for any state), followed by New York.
• New York University, Columbia University, and Northeastern University are one of the largest and most popular universities for international students.
• According to the Department of Commerce, 6% of higher education students are international, bringing around $38 billion to the US Economy.

Getting started

• You need to plan/start around 12 months before your departure date (or session start date)
• Eligibility requirements for BS/MS/ Ph.D. courses, like you need a four-year degree to apply for an MS degree.
• Tests: You must prepare for TOEFL/IELTS/GRE/GMAT/SAT/ACT etc.
• Keep your GPA and class rank high. It's the number one criterion to get admission to a good school.
• Make sure you have a source of supporting education; you probably won't prefer to waste time preparing and applying for the exam unless you have a source of financing your education. You may get a scholarship, but there is no guarantee.
• Last step is applying for a visa (once you receive admission from a school); again, it's better to have a backup plan if your visa is rejected.

How to Select a University (Academic Factors)

• Determining what course or program you want to pursue is an ideal way to begin your search for universities. Even if you're unsure, many American universities will allow you to be a part of them, letting you pick your study major field later on.
• Discover what subject areas or classes the university needs from all students, and then see if these are the classes you're willing to complete.
• Quality of the educational institution also plays a major role, which can include average class size, faculty-student ratio, etc.
• Finally, ensure that the academic program and the institution you are considering are accredited American universities recognized by 1 of the six regionally recognized organizations.

Admission to US Universities

• Most (almost all) Universities in the USA require TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) for foreign nationals (Many American universities have started accepting IELTS and PTE) and GRE (Graduate Record Examination) for both in state and Out of state Students (or International Students). US universities where TOEFL is not mandatory
• TOEFL is waived for countries whose native language is English, Like the UK, Australia, and Canada.
• For Foreign Nationals, three letters of recommendation (sealed) and copies of official transcripts (sealed) (Note: Some Universities accept verified copies by a notary) are required. Working people may get two letters from current employers, but letters from professors are generally preferred.
• For admission to the Masters Program (Graduate Program) in the US ..most Universities require undergraduate (BS or bachelor's degree ) GPA to be 3/4 (US system). It is equivalent to 80/100,12/20*(China) and 1st division,65%*(For most Indian Universities). Please see GPA section for conversion. Most universities will require TOEFL (from students whose native language is not English) and GRE (or GMAT for MBA). Some universities may need TOEFL.
• The deadline for the fall semester is from Dec 15 to July. But apply as early as possible. Many decisions are made before the deadline. Foreign nationals may take up to 8 weeks to hear their results. In-state students may hear within five weeks.
• Application fees (non-refundable) might vary from $20 to $200 (depending on the Program/University)
• List of Universities in USA

  Financing Education

• The cost of study (Tuition and fees) in the USA varies from $5,000 to $50,000 (or more depending on Course/Degree) per year. Majors like Medicine and MBA have higher tuition fees than Engineering.
• The cost of living depends on location. For example, states like Washington, California, and New York are costly.
• In general, the cost of living may vary from $6,000 to $15,000 (or more per yr).
• Renting an apartment can vary from $450 to $1,000 (or more). Downtown (Chicago) may cost around $2000 for a studio, while it may be around $400 for Des Moines (IA).
• Grocery is cheap (Walmart!).
• It is assumed that students will live in shared apartments, live out of campus, and have low telephone bills and other expenses are at bay.
• Most of (nearly) all expenses Living only, not Tuition fees) can be met while working on-campus jobs. The hourly pay for on-campus jobs Is from $5 to $15 (sometimes more) per hour.
• Foreign Students can work for 20 hrs per week and 40 hrs per week during summer. Students may be allowed to work out on campus nine months after they arrive in the USA.
• Students receiving aid like TA/RA/Fellowship or GA don't have to worry about costs. Students not receiving any scholarship must come prepared for Tuition Fees and Living costs for an initial 2-3 months.
• In some Universities, TA/RA covers part of tuition fees, and not all tuition fees are waived.
• Universities close to cities (or in cities) have ample P/T jobs. Note that in some universities like the University of Missouri, Rolla (they recently changed the name), and the University of Texas-Arlington, there is a considerable shortage of P/T jobs. So, students planning to go to these universities must have adequate scholarships. Funds. It's better to contact current students via email for the latest information.
• Please note: You might get admission in Top 20 University (without scholarship) so be prepared (at least for first semester's expenses). Apply to Universities wisely.
• Good Luck!

Universities in USA