Your Ultimate Guide to Study in the USA

TOGETHER, LET'S MAKE STUDY ABROAD SIMPLE!

Choosing the right University and course could be the two hardest decisions you have ever had to make; especially when you are looking to study in a foreign country. This is what will shape your career. Uniguru has all the tools you will need to help you make an informed decision from course selection to University application. Join us and let's make study abroad simple!

Find Courses More than 4,00,000 courses to choose from, in 10 study destinations Read Student Reviews More than 7000 real student reviews to guide you to make informed decisions Find Scholarships More than 20,000 scholarships to choose from to help you fund your education Ask and Answer Get your study abroad questions answered by fellow students and experts Get Prospectuses Download official prospectuses of Universities and shortlist your preferred Universities Apply Online Apply online to your preferred University with the help of our expert counsellors for free

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INTRODUCTION

The United States of America, the USA, the US, or just simply America a land of a million dreams and opportunities, awaits you to fulfill your dreams. For over two generations of Indians and other South Asians , the USA has been a dream destination; be it to study, to land a job, or to eventually immigrate and settle, the USA has been their first choice. As global dynamics change, the lure of living in the USA may have dimmed down a little, but the USA continues to remain a top-ranking 'study-abroad destination'. We at Uniguru, constantly innovate to offer you an excellent variety of services that help you find the perfect institution and course. Be it assisted applications, detailed course-listings, prospectus links, institution information, scholarships or the student community-centric Q&A forum, Uniguru guides you at every step.

This ebook has been designed with input from experts (Ms Biruda Virkud of iGradGlobal, Mr Richard Lasrado of the Education Abroad Counselling Centre and Mr Gigeo Sakkaryas of IMTP Consultancy Services) and various other credible sources. This ebook provides answers to various important questions asked by students aspiring to study in the USA.
We hope this ebook is useful in your endeavours to study in the USA and if you like it, dont forget to share it with your friends! All the best!!!

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CONTENT

Why should a student consider America as a study destination? What would be the average cost of education in the USA?

-6 -9

When does the academic semester start? Which is the best semester to apply? - 11 What are the main eligibility tests required to study in the USA? How to apply to universities in America? What is the process? Document list What you need to submit with your application? Financial support for studying in the USA - 13 - 15 - 17 - 19

Securing a student visa

- 23

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CHAPTER 1

Why should a student consider America as a study destination?

YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO STUDY IN THE USA

There is not one, but a whole lot of reasons that make studying in the USA a great option: World-Class Institutions American institutions are renowned for their diverse teaching skills, which attract international students for higher education. As of 2012, there was a 31% increase in international students in American colleges and universities compared to the last decade. 64% of international students in the US are from Asia. Most of these students are from China and India. Credibility of Institutions Education and experience from an American institution has a good reputation in the international job market. American education noticeably develops a student's long-term career aspirations and the experience builds significant logic, confidence and cross-cultural skills. These qualities are highly appreciated by employers worldwide. Flexibility The American higher education system offers many choices within a programme and the opportunity to modify majors or select multiple specialisations. At an advanced stage of an undergraduate program, a student can alter the programme to meet detailed career objectives. At the graduate level students can create their own timetable and complete courses at ease within the stipulated time-frame.

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YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO STUDY IN THE USA

Work Opportunities The F1 Visa limits students allowing them to work a total of 20 hours a week on and off-campus, maintaining full-time status while attending school. Students graduating with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) degrees are qualified to stay in the US for an additional 17 months upon completion of 12 months of OPT on an Optional Practical Training (OPT) STEM Extension. Diverse Cultures America is a melting pot of different cultures. In fact, this sort of diversity is celebrated as an integral part of American heritage. This means that Indian students will find plenty of other Indian students on most campuses, and they'll also be introduced to a wide array of cultures during their studies.

Further Reading: Why is USA a Popular Study Destination? [Video] Top 10 Universities in the USA

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CHAPTER 2

What would be the average cost of education in the USA?

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Average Tuition fee Undergraduate Studies Universities: US $28,500 per year Colleges: US $22,092 per year

Postgraduate Studies
Universities: US $38,665 per year Colleges: US $28,375 per year

*Note fees vary depending on the course subject Living expense

$700-1000 per month

*Cost depends on the location and the student's lifestyle Expenses It is advisable to opt for university accommodation unless you have a friend or guardian residing in the same city as your institution. Day-to-day expenses include transportation, food, entertainment and other related costs. During the student visa interview, students need to show that they have sufficient funds in their bank account to fund the duration of their stay in the US. Indian students who want to study in the USA may need to prove that they have at least US $10,000 [INR 5,92,000] in their bank accounts, before being granted permission to study in America. Check this video for some expert advice on Cost of Education in the USA Duration Typically, undergraduate coursework lasts for four years. However, some college programmes which give students access to associates degrees last for only two years. Postgraduate studies may last for up to 2 years. Again, every college or university is different, so its important to perform research based on particular schools.
Disclaimer: All rates shown are for indicative purposes only. It is important to note that foreign exchange rates fluctuate and rates will vary. Share This Ebook!

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CHAPTER 3

When does the academic semester start every year? Which is the best semester to apply?

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12

Admission intakes Fall Semester September/October Spring Semester January/February Summer June/July

Application deadlines:

Usually, applications will need to be submitted three months before the start of programmes. However, each USA college or university will have its own rules. Since almost every college or university in the United States now has an official website, its very easy to check application guidelines, such as start and end dates. Fall is probably the best intake option for international students, for financial reasons (availability of scholarships) and because this time of year is the traditional time for students to go to college or University. When you choose the Fall intake, youll be able to enjoy lots of fun activities that are designed for freshman, such as orientations, social events and so on. Check out this expert video on admission intakes in the USA.

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CHAPTER 4

What are the main eligibility tests required to study in the USA?

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There are two types of eligibility tests A) Language B) Aptitude Language: Prospective students will have to prove their proficiency in English through standardised tests such as IELTS/TOEFL. Aptitude: Students aspiring to study an undergraduate course in the USA should write the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). For postgraduate applications, the aptitude test varies depending upon the course of interest. Some popular ones include GRE and GMAT. The full list of Aptitude tests can be found here. Students who take the TOEFL test are expected to get a minimum score of 80120, but a score of 100-120 would increase their chance of admission; meanwhile students who take the IELTS tests are expected to score 7-9. Similarly, a good score for the GRE would be 320-340, and for GMAT would be 700-800. Check this detailed expert video on different types of tests and minimum expected scores to study in the USA. Minimum scores will vary based on which schools you are applying to. At some schools, academic transcripts will also play an important role in whether or not a student from India is able to study in America, at his or her preferred school.

Further Reading: What is SAT/Scholastic Assessment Test? [Video] What is GRE/Graduate Record Examination? [Video] Is IELTS Mandatory to study abroad? [Video] What is TOEFL and how it differs from IELTS? [Video] What is GMAT/Graduate Management Admission Test? [Video]

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CHAPTER 5

How to apply to universities in America? What is the process?

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Applying to US colleges and universities is not as simple as applying to an Indian university. Most applications are online and students have a fairly wide window of time within which they have to complete their applications. Though admission procedures vary from one university to the next, most decide admission based on certain criteria: the student's course of study in high school, their high school Grade Point Average (GPA), contributions to and involvement in extracurricular activities, SAT or American College Testing (ACT) scores, any written essays and their personal interview. For postgraduate study, the applicants performance in recent undergraduate academics plays a key role. Each university will set their own application deadlines and fees, as well as admissions requirements. Fortunately, most application forms follow a similar format that allow you to reuse or adapt some of your application materials. Here is an expert video on step by step application process

You can apply to US institutions through Uniguru!

Get help from expert counsellors via phone or chat at every stage of your application process . For more information visit Uniform If you have any questions, Email us at enquiries@uniguru.co.in Phone - 1-800-103-9634 (Toll free) or +91 44 42696241 (09.30AM 6PM IST)

Further Reading: Best time to start the application process [Video]

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CHAPTER 6

Document List What you need to submit with your application?

YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO STUDY IN THE USA

18

You will have to submit the following documents along with your application form: Academic certificates Competitive exam score sheets Statement of purpose Resume Letters of recommendation Passport size photographs Experience documents Achievement certificates[Awards] A copy of your passport

Once you have all the right documents, re-check it as many times as you want. Have attested copies of all the documents in a folder and arrange it according to the check list. This will help you organise your application better.

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CHAPTER 7

Financial support for studying in the USA

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In the United States international students are provided with scholarships from universities in various forms like tuition waivers, teaching assistance or stipend for research assistant

Tuition Waivers Tuition waivers are provided based on his/her past academics, entrance exam scores, technical portfolio, community service initiatives and extracurricular activities. This will offer a flat reduction on fees by 30% to 40%. Research Assistantship Students looking forward to do a PhD are provided with a research stipend and will also let the student work as a research assistant under a professor. Teaching Assistantship The students proficiency in English language could give him/her the opportunity to do teaching assistance. This gives you a chance to groom and mould the undergraduate students. Here is an expert video on funding options

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YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO STUDY IN THE USA

21

Apart from the scholarships offered by universities, students can look forward to scholarships offered by the government and non-governmental organisations in their home country. Scholarships for higher education in US are offered as a minimal or interestfree loan; study-grants are also offered to students. Financial assistance from India: The K.C. Mahindra Scholarship Fulbright Nehru Scholarship National Overseas Scholarship\Passage Grant Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship Programme R.D. Sethna Scholarships Sahu Jain Trust Scholarships JN Tata Endowment Lady Meherbai D. Tata Education Trust Scholarships Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarships BD Bangur Endowment Scholarships Bharat Petroleum Scholarship

Further Reading: How to fund your education abroad? [Video]

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YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO STUDY IN THE USA

22

Some more options to manage your finances...

Education Loans

Indian banks give a loan amount of up to 25 lakhs with a low interest. Repayment can be made after 6 months following your return. For the educational loan you will also need guarantors. If you know a person who is a permanent resident US or citizen, then getting an educational loan will be simpler.
After reaching the US - Part time jobs Students can work part-time for 20hrs/week during their classes and work full time during holidays and on weekends. As per the US rule, the minimum wage is on average $7.25 dollars per hour. Here is a video on part time jobs in the US. - Accommodation Once you get settled down with your course, consider living off campus, as this could cut a lot from your expenses which you have to pay (at least 25% of your university accommodation fees). With all these options available to you, you can manage your finances to study in the US with ease.

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CHAPTER 8

Securing a student visa

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In order to study in America, you must obtain a student visa. Here is the process:

Complete form DS-160 before the interview for your student visa

Print out the confirmation page with the barcode and pay the visa application fee with an approved bank

Make an online payment for the I-20 form, which is issued by the American institution affirming your enrolment

Pay the I-901 fee online through the U.S. Immigration and customs enforcement website

Fix an appointment for a student visa interview through the VFS website

Usually, these interviews happen at American embassies in home countries. Click here to know the complete process with embassy details. Further Reading: How to apply for a US student visa? [Video] Tips that will guarantee you a US student visa [Video]

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YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO STUDY IN THE USA

25

Documents Required for US Student Visa

The US visa interview lasts only few minutes. Since this is a very short session, all students are expected to carry all necessary documents, organised properly. You can organise the documents in individual folders, in the following order:

Passport, the I-20 form, the semester confirmation and visa appointment letter
Bank statements (your parents, your siblings and yours) Other financial documents - bonds, fixed deposits, shares, debentures and mutual funds The acceptance letter from the university youve applied to

SAT, GRE or GMAT score sheets as applicable

Statement of purpose, transcripts, recommendations, resume/CV which has been sent for the admission purpose in US The affidavit support and the bank letters as a proof to show that the parent/ parents are supporting your education If your parent owns a business, you will have to show business documents of the last two years profits or losses

If you have work experience, then appointment letters, salary slips & your relieving letters have to be shown next as proof to support your work experience
Finally your property documents have to be shown Watch this expert video on documents required for the US student visa

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YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO STUDY IN THE USA

26

US Student (F1) Visa Sample Questions

Why did you choose the USA as a study destination? Why did you choose this course?

Why did you select this particular university?

How will you manage your education costs since your parents have low income? Why did you get low scores in your academics? Do you have friends and relatives in the USA?

Will you come back to India after your studies?

Ready to explore educational opportunities in the USA?

Start your study abroad journey with Uniguru! Download university prospectuses and start short listing your preferred universities today. We will be happy to help you . If you need any assistance, Email us at enquiries@uniguru.co.in Phone - 1-800-103-9634 (Toll free) or +91 44 42696241 (09.30AM 6PM IST)

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