STUDY IN USA

Country in Central North America, consisting of 50 States.
Language: English
Currency: US Dollar
Capital: Washington, D.C.
Population: 312,438,000 (2011 estimate)
Area: 9,826,630 sq km/3,794,083 sq mi
Calling code: +1
Official Name: United States of America (USA)

The US schools, universities and institutions offer excellent education and training quality. The education received from a US school / college / university department is recognized everywhere in the world. That’s why students from all over the world prefer USA when a foreign degree matters to them. Also the variety of courses offered in US schools / colleges is quite high.

ADVANTAGES OF STUDYING IN USA
More than five hundred and sixty-five thousand international students from more than two hundred countries around the world come to the United States to pursue a higher education each year. Approximately half enter undergraduate programmes, with the rest seeking a graduate or professional education. 5% come from Africa, 58% from Asia, 14% from Europe, 10% from Latin America, 7% from the Middle East, and 5% from Canada. The countries with the greatest number of international students studying in the US are; India (14%), China (11%), South Korea (9%), Japan (7%), Canada (5%), Taiwan (5%), Mexico (2%), Turkey (2%), Germany (2%), Thailand (2%), Britain (1%), Indonesia (1%), Brazil (1%), Colombia (1%), Hong Kong (1%), Kenya (1%), France (1%), Nigeria (1%), Pakistan (1%), Malaysia (1%), Russia (1%).

The US educational experience is among the best in the world. Many US colleges and universities are known throughout the world for the quality of their academic programmes. Private institutions such as Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Cornell, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and public institutions such as Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Univ. of California at Berkeley, Univ. of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Univ. of Wisconsin at Madison, and Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are familiar to students, educators, and business leaders everywhere. In addition to the more well-known institutions, the US has hundreds of other high quality public and private colleges and universities. The depth and breadth of your options will amaze you.

You will find that a US higher education adds considerable value to your professional development. A US education can enhance your career and prepare you for leadership in your country. It can broaden your horizons and expose you to a variety of perspectives, the latest technology, and state-of-the-art research and training. A degree from a US college or university is a stamp of excellence that marks you for life.

If you are a graduate student, a US education can help you make contacts with colleagues in the US. This may lead to collaborations with leading international researchers after you return to your home country. Even undergraduate students will find a solid network of support because the US is a "melting pot" of many cultures and there are more international students in the US than in any other country. So you will get help not just from the foreign student advisor, but also from people in the local community.

With the large number and variety of colleges and universities in the US, you are certain to find one that matches your needs and interests, no matter what your criteria are.

On the other hand, a US education is extremely expensive. Financial aid is very limited. You may be able to obtain similar training in your own country at a much lower cost. The US visa application process is complicated and cumbersome, with numerous delays. You will have to balance the costs against the prestige and quality of a US education.

Admission Requirements to USA Universities.
College and university admission in the US is extremely competitive, especially among international students. If you do not have a strong academic background, sufficient financial resources, and proficiency in the English language, you will be at a disadvantage in the admissions process.

Each school sets its own admission requirements. Because of the large number of international students seeking a US education, the schools do not make exceptions to their requirements. Most schools require a minimum of a high school diploma with solid coursework in science, mathematics, English, and humanities. They will also require academic entrance examinations such as the TOEFL, SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT. The higher your scores on these exams and the better your grades, the better your chances of being admitted. Generally you must have a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale to be admitted, especially for graduate school. Some schools set very high standards for admission.

The more well-known institutions are often among the most competitive. While every international student would love to attend Harvard University or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, not every student will be admitted. Certain fields of study are also highly competitive. These include engineering, computer science, pre-medicine, pre-law, architecture, and marine biology.

Note that to apply for a graduate or professional degree programme, including medical school, law school, veterinary school, and dental school, you must first obtain an undergraduate bachelor's degree. Law students must also generally be licensed attorneys in their own countries before applying for admission to a US law school.

Choosing a School
If you are serious about obtaining a college degree in the United States, you should request information from at least 10 institutions. College admissions is competitive enough for international students that you need to apply to many institutions to have a reasonable chance of being admitted to a few schools. Some international students apply to as many as 15 institutions, especially if they are in highly competitive fields like engineering, business, or computer science.

At least one third of your applications should be to schools that are less selective. You can get a good idea of a school's selectivity by the scores they require on academic admissions tests. Do not limit your selection to only the most famous internationally-known institutions. If you do, your chances of being admitted to even one school will be infinitesimally small.

The US government does not monitor the quality of US colleges and universities, as does the ministry of education in other countries. Instead, the US Department of Education approves accrediting agencies. These accrediting agencies review a school's educational programme for quality, and certify that the school meets a minimal set of standards. So it is important to be sure that the schools to which you are applying are accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, since schools without accreditation are likely to be of lesser quality.

There are more than 2,000 undergraduate institutions in the United States, so the search can be a bit overwhelming. Ask us for help, especially in making sure you have a reasonable selection of high quality accredited institutions.

Do not rely on rankings of institution quality such as the Gorman Report or US News & World Report's annual college rankings. The methodology used to assemble these rankings is subjective, inconsistent, and not based on any universal standard. One source may rank a given school in the top ten, while another publication will rank it in the top 100. The best school for you is the one that best meets your needs and interests, not somebody else's assessment of an institution's prestige.

Another key consideration is the number of international students on campus. If there are very many international students on campus, the school is more likely to be sensitive to the needs of students from other countries. On the other hand, you are less likely to receive financial aid at such a school. The schools with the greatest number of international students are listed below in alphabetical order.

•Arizona State University - AZ
•Boston University - MA
•Brigham Young University - OH
•Columbia University - NY
•Cornell University - NY
•Florida International University - FL
•George Washington University - DC
•Harvard University - MA
•Indiana University at Bloomington - IN
•Iowa State University - IA
•Michigan State University - MI
•New York University - NY
•Northeastern University - MA
•Ohio State University - OH
•Pennsylvania State University - PA
•Purdue University - IN
•SUNY Buffalo - NY
•SUNY Plattsburgh - NY
•Southern Illinois University at Carbondale - IL
•Stanford University - CA
•Texas A&M University - TX
•UCLA - CA
•University of Florida - FL
•University of Houston - TX
•University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - IL
•University of Maryland at College Park - MD
•University of Michigan at Ann Arbor - MI
•University of Minnesota - MN
•University of Pennsylvania - PA
•University of Southern California - CA
•University of Texas at Austin - TX
•University of Wisconsin-Madison - WI

Even though the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) doesn't appear on this list, it deserves special mention. International students represent 37% of the MIT graduate student population, and more than 20% of the overall student population.

Although the schools listed above have many international students, the inclusion of a school in that list might result more from the large size of the school than a special emphasis on international students. The schools with the greatest proportion of international undergraduate students are listed below.

1.United States International University - CA
2.Florida Institute of Technology - FL
3.New School University - NY
4.Clark University - MA
5.American University - DC
6.Andrews University - MI
7.University of Tulsa - OK
8.Illinois Institute of Technology - IL
9.Eckerd College - FL
10.Macalester College - MN
11.Bennington College - VT
12.Ohio Wesleyan University - OH
13.Mount Holyoke College - MA
14.Howard University - DC
15.George Washington University - DC
16.Beloit College - WI
17.University of San Francisco - CA
18.University of Miami - FL
19.University of Denver - CO
20.University of Southern California - CA
21.Stevens Institute of Technology - NJ
22.Knox College - IL
23.Georgetown University - DC
24.California Institute of Technology - CA
25.Bethany College - WV
26.Washington College - MD
27.University of Oregon - OR
28.Tufts University - MA
29.St. Andrews Presbyterian College - NC
30.Smith College - MA
31.Randolph-Macon Woman's College - VA
32.Pepperdine University - CA
33.Middlebury College - VT
34.Massachusetts Institute of Technology - MA
35.Drexel University - PA
36.Dartmouth College - NH
37.Carnegie Mellon University - PA
38.Bryn Mawr College - PA
39.Grinnell College - IA
40.College of Wooster - OH

The states which are most popular with international students are Massachusetts, California, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Illinois, Texas, Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin, Vermont, Minnesota, Maryland, and Iowa.

If the school offers rolling admission, there is less deadline pressure on the international student. Schools with rolling admission accept applications throughout the year and review the applications when they are complete. You still need to submit the applications in a timely fashion, but the extra flexibility can be helpful with delays caused by the postal system. Most schools, however, have fixed deadlines and mail offers of admission between March and May.
Unfortunately, as an international student you don't have access to the best method of determining whether a school is right for you: the campus visit. If you do have the opportunity to visit the US and tour a few colleges, do so when classes are in session. This will not only allow you to preview the professors, but also get to meet a few students and get a feel for the student culture and whether you'd fit in.

University Tuition Fees (annual in U.S. Dollars)
Private Institutions (High Cost) $ 25,000
Private Institutions (Low Cost) $ 15,000
State Institutions (High Cost) $ 20,000
State Institutions (Low Cost) $ 10,000

The tuition fee is different for different universities and varies widely with courses. It can vary from as low as $ 5000 a year for state universities to as much as $ 30000 per annum for some private universities. For more specific details, please contact the respective universities of your choice.

WORK WHILE YOU STUDY.
It is obvious and necessary for student to exploit the working experience in United States of America. Student can work part-time during study years. The need for skill student receive more attention when seeking for job. Student can work between 10 to 20 hours a week, you could earn enough to pay for incidentals such as books, clothing, and personal expenses, but your campus job cannot pay your major expenses, such as tuition or room and board. This income also cannot be used as a source of income for any official financial statements. Campus jobs may include working at the university's cafeteria, bookstore, library, or health club, or within the university's administrative offices.

After the first year, you can also apply for employment as a Resident Assistant (RA) in a university dormitory. RAs serve as the first point of contact for students needing assistance or who have queries regarding dorm life. In return, RAs receive free accommodation and sometimes a small salary and/or meal plan.

Temporary Accommodations
When you first arrive on campus you will need a place to live while you look for permanent accommodations. Many schools will provide temporary housing for international students who arrive before the semester begins. Ask the foreign student advisor or housing office for information about temporary housing.

Another option if you know a student at the school is to ask them to let you stay with them for a few days. New graduate students, for example, can often find someone in their department with room for a temporary guest. You may have to sleep on a couch, but at least you'll have a roof over your head. You'll also be able to ask questions of someone who is familiar with the area.

Permanent Accommodations
The available options include renting an apartment, renting a house, or buying a house. Most international students cannot afford to buy a house, so we will not discuss this option further.
Most university students in the US live on or near campus. Students who live off-campus generally find a place less than a mile or two away. Not only is this convenient for getting to and from campus, but much of the social life occurs on campus. The US educational experience is not confined to the classroom, and you will find yourself learning as much from your fellow students as from the faculty.

If the school offers on-campus accommodations for international students, you should seriously consider living on-campus, at least for the first year. Since this is probably your first trip to the United States and your first time living alone, on-campus housing will help cushion the transition to life in the United States. Later, when you are more familiar with the neighborhood, you can consider moving off-campus.

Renting a house is usually a viable option only if you will be sharing it with several roommates. You will certainly get more for your money if you rent a house. But most communities have limits on the number of unrelated people who can live together, with most cities having a limit ranging from 3 to 5. These laws are intended to prevent overcrowding for health and safety reasons. In any event, the process for renting a house is similar to renting an apartment.

Scholarships
College scholarships provide money to help you with college expenses. You don't have to pay them back. Amounts range from a few hundred dollars to full scholarships that pay all college expenses. Most scholarships cover only part of the expenses, often only a small part.
The first thing you should know about scholarships is this: If your grades are respectable you are probably eligible for some of them. It's easy to assume that the high-flying academic achievers get all the scholarships. Of course, top grades help, but there's plenty of ways to qualify.

Private scholarships are another way to fund your US study. Private scholarships are educational gifts awarded by organizations and individuals primarily for academic merit, no matter which college you attend. As such, private organizations and individuals can set their own requirements. They usually ask the college you attend to administer the award, but the private group or individual is usually the one who qualifies you, i.e., determines if you're eligible or not.

Prepare for the interview
You need good preparation for scholarship interviews. Know yourself, and be prepared to answer questions about your background, achievements, goals, finances, and values. Remember that good social skills go a long way-from the introductory handshake to the thank-you note after the interview.

Universities That Offer Scholarships to IB Graduates
There are 33 universities listed on the International Baccalaureate Organization’s Web site that offer scholarships for graduates with an IB diploma. Additionally, many universities worldwide consider IB graduates excellent candidates for other scholarships, so it may be worthwhile to apply to those as well. Since the scholarship awards and requirements vary, please contact the schools directly for further information. USA education has compiled the list of financial assistance available for international students who want to study in the United States.

Intake: January, March, June, August, October.

You will need to have a valid passport and a visa in order to enter the United States. Since it can take several months to obtain a passport and all the documentation, start the process as soon as you can. Below is the valid process of getting yourself in Gods own country as a student.

•Passports
•Visas
•Sufficient Financial Resources
•Proving Non-immigrant Intent
•Changing Visa Status After Arrival
•Maintaining Visa Status After Arrival
•Studying
•Employment

To apply: Please contact Desson today for more information