Chennai: Educational institutions in United States attract scores students from India and across the globe for its advanced education set up and its worldwide recognition.
Speaking exclusively to kalvimalar.com, an official from United States India Education foundation, provided minute details on the various steps to make it to educational intuitions in United States.
“There are more than 7 lakh international students currently pursuing their education in the United States, out of which a little more than 1 lakh are from India according to the Open Doors report. The excellent academic curriculum, wide range of courses, flexibility, facilities, faculty profile, availability of scholarships and assistantships, Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curriculum Practical Training (CPT) options are some of the factors attracting millions of people from around the world to study in the United States.
The application process to US universities can be summarized through five easy steps. Here are some tips for you to make your journey to a U.S. university easier and simpler.
Step 1 Research your options There are more than 4000 accredited colleges and universities in the United States offering a wide range of programs (courses) in all major fields of study. Accreditation is a concept in the U.S. by which universities are tested for quality and only those that meet certain high standards are given accreditation. It is important that you choose an accredited college/university. Log on to the website of Council for Higher Education Accreditation (www.chea.org) or the Association of Specialized & Professional Accreditors (www.aspa-usa.org) to check the accreditation status of a university/college. Websites like www.educationusa.state.gov and www.petersons.com are also important resources to know about different universities and colleges and the programs offered.
Almost all the colleges and universities in the United States require scores from SAT and TOEFL for undergraduate studies and from GRE/GMAT and TOEFL for graduate studies in most of the disciplines. Registrations for these tests can be done online at www.collegeboard.org, www.ets.org and www.gmac.com.
After completing the tests, narrow down your choice of universities by carefully researching the accreditation, program description, course content, faculty profile, cost and the acceptance rate of the colleges. We recommend that you apply to at least 6 to 8 universities.
Step 2 Complete your Application Now that you have short listed universities, your next step will be to complete your application. An application package includes a completed application form (online), attested academic transcripts, standardized test scores, college application essay/ statement of purpose, two or three recommendation letters, a resume or CV and financial support documents. Make sure that the entire application including the test scores reaches the university before the deadline which begins as early as December of the previous year for the Fall (August-September) intake.
Pay close attention to the statement of purpose/essay and letters of recommendation, because they give a unique perspective to a students application and helps differentiate between candidates with similar marks and academic background. They are as important as your academic marks and test scores and can influence your chance of admission to a university.
Step 3 Finance your studies Calculate the cost of your undergraduate/graduate education and work out a plan. Start by pooling in all your resources and consulting your parents. Apart from your own funds, universities may provide scholarships and assistantships to help fund your education. Scholarships are highly competitive and are purely based on academic merit. Assistantships are also competitive and are available for teaching, research and graduate or administrative purposes. You could also explore educational loans offered by banks in India.
A years tuition fees may range anywhere between $15,000 and $40,000 (or higher) excluding living expenses. Living expenses vary according to the place of stay; the cost of living in the coastal areas is typically higher than the interior parts of the U.S. You can also choose from a range of public universities which may charge less tuition and fees when compared to private universities. Websites like http://www.fundingusstudy.org/ and http://www.educationusa.info/financial-aid are good sources of information on scholarships that are available to international students.
Step 4 Apply for your student visa After receiving an I-20, that confirms your admission at a university, you can start the student visa process. The official website for information on student visas is http://Chennai.USConsulate.gov for people in South India. The American Library, U.S. Consulate Chennai conducts an orientation every second Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. which includes FAQs on Visas and is open to all. Interested students and parents are welcome to attend this orientation. Visitors are required to present an original valid photo Identity like a driving license or passport to enter the American Consulate, Chennai.
Step 5 Prepare for your departure After getting your visa, you can start making arrangements for your travel to the United States. Book tickets , assemble the necessary documents like your passport, visa, mark sheets with degree certificate, medical records, birth certificate, acceptance letter, I-20, SEVIS receipt etc. EducationUSA centers conduct Pre-departure orientation sessions during the first week of July every year where student alumni and other experts give advice on academic and cultural life in the United States, immigration formalities and port of entry regulations. Pre-departure orientations also provide an opportunity to network with students going to the same university", she said.
In India, United States India Educational Foundation (USIEF) is the official source for information on higher education in the U.S. For over six decades, the EducationUSA advising centers at USIEF have been guiding thousands of Indian students interested in pursuing higher education in the United States. EducationUSA is a global network of more than 400 advising centers supported by the U.S. Department of State
To know more about USIEF services to students, please contact the USIEF Chennai office on tel. 044-28574423/4131 or email: usiefchennai@usief.org.in. You can also call the USIEF toll-free help-desk number: 1-800-103-1231 from Monday to Friday between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to speak to a trained Education USA Advisor, who will answer your basic questions on studying in the USA.
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