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Studying in America
As with immigrants, foreign students contribute to America's
diversity. Every year, approximately half a million young men
and women from all over the world come to study in America's
institutes of higher education. The over 3,500 colleges and
universities in the United States offer different subjects
ranging from liberal and fine arts to computer science and
engineering.
There are various types of schools in the United States. A
university is different from a college in that while a college
is only for undergraduate education, a university usually
comprises a college, a graduate school and maybe even a
professional school. A university is also more involved in
research.
In America colleges and universities are publicly funded or
private. "State universities" (or "public") are generally state
or city-owned. They are relatively inexpensive, especially if
you are a resident of the city in which they are located.
Private schools, on the other hand, are quite expensive. They
are also very selective as to students as well as faculty.
Prestigious private universities are Harvard, Princeton, Yale.
If you are an extremely good student, you may be able to compete
for a scholarship to one of these universities.
Although you may have an idea of what field you want to major in
as an undergraduate, keep in mind that in the U.S. you will be
encouraged (and required) to take different subjects for a year
or two before actually concentrating on a specific field of
study.
You may also need to take ESL (English as a Second Language)
classes or enroll in a ESL program, especially if your TOEFL
scores are modest.
Admission to U.S. colleges and universities is mostly based on
academic performance and standardized tests. Recommendations,
extra curricular activities and publications (for graduate
school) are also important.
There are so many things to be considered when applying to a
college or university that you may want to speak to an advisor.
There are advising centers at U.S. embassies and consulates in
many countries. That is also where you can also receive
information on various schools of interest to you.
Requirements vary from school to school but you must be prepared
to produce a certain amount of documents, take tests and prove
financial ability. Bear in mind that the application process
begins a year before the actual time you would like to actually
start your studies. This means that if you intend to start your
education in September 2001 you must begin the process by
September-October 2000.
The first step is contacting those colleges and/or universities
you are seriously considering and that are right for you. The
Application Form is usually a detailed questionnaire about your
background that you need to answer as precisely as possible. It
is important that you give as much information as you can in
order to present yourself in the best possible light.
You will also be required to present your academic records,
which should be translated and presented according to the
school's requirements. Teacher's recommendations are also
required by most schools so you must be prepared to have them
sent to the institution to which you are applying.
There are tests that you may need to take. The TOEFL measures
your knowledge of English although not all schools will require
it. Undergraduate institutions usually want you to take the SAT
(Scholastic Aptitude Test), while graduate schools require the
GRE (Graduate Record Examination). MBA applicants may have to
take the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test).
Important addresses:
Admissions Testing Program of the College Entrance
Examination Board
P.O. Box 6200
Princeton, NJ 08541-6200
U.S.A.
GRE
P.O. Box 6000
Princeton, NJ 08541-6000
U.S.A.
GMAT
Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6101
Princeton, NJ 08514-6101
U.S.A.
Visa Concerns
In order to receive a student visa to the United States you must
prove you have the ability to support yourself while pursuing
your studies in this country. For State schools tuition plus
room, board, books and other expenses may range anywhere between
$9,000 and $20,000 per year. For private schools this amount may
jump to $12,000-$30,000. Financial aid is rarely available to
foreign students on the undergraduate level. For graduate
students, there are fellowships and assistantships
There are three kinds of student visas:
• F-1- academic or language student
• J-1 - exchange visitor
• M-1- technical or vocational student
These visas are restrictive as to employment. F-1 students may
work on the campus of the school and must be employed either by
the school itself or by a company providing services to students
on the campus itself. F-1 students may work up to 20 hours a
week. J-1 students may also work in the same way but require
special permission.
If you are on a F-1 visa, you may be allowed to do practical
training for up to a year either during or after completing your
studies. Again training is limited to 20 hours a week and you
must have been a student for at least nine months in order to be
eligible.
J-1 students, on the other hand, may undergo up to 18 months of
training.
TERMS TO KNOW
Academic Year: Usually consists of two terms (semesters), three
terms (tri-mesters) or quarters (four terms). There are also
summer semesters for students who wish to take extra credit.
ACT: Achievement test required by some schools to measure
subject ability.
Credit: Unit of academic work successfully completed. A course
may be worth 1, 2 or 3 credits, depending on its duration.
Faculty: The professors and teachers working in the school.
Graduate student: Same as post-graduate. A student who is
studying towards a Master's or Doctoral degree.
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