Undergrad happens to be a 4 year program, after 12th, where students can study a wide range of subjects. Once they have met the core curriculum requirements, students at most institutions are asked to choose a specific field of study, also known as the major. The final two years are spent taking more courses that are more directly related to your major.
Masters
Masters happens to be the choice of maximum applicants across the country. Programs under Masters are MS, MBA, MPH, etc. These are 2 years full-time programs which combine first-class teaching and practical industry exposure to prepare graduates for professional work.
Ph.D.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is the highest academic degree graduate students can earn in most fields of study. These students often go on to teach at the college level or pursue research positions. The doctorate degree normally takes 4 to 6 years in the USA and 3 to 5 years in Europe.
Application Process
Universities in the USA normally look for a dynamically balanced profile of a candidate. Various factors which play a crucial role in making candidate a suitable fit are as follows.
1 Standardized Tests
2 English Language Tests
3 Academic Credentials
4 Documents Required
1 Standardized Tests
These are general aptitude tests which serve as a base for judging students’ basic Math and Verbal skills.
Mostly time bound, they test one’s time management skills.
Sectional adaptability as well as sectional rigidity are major challenging factors for the standardized exam.
Depending on the course you are enrolling for, there can be various such types of tests.
Graduate Applicants : GRE
Undergraduate Applicants : SAT
2 English Language Tests
All international students, from countries where English is not a native language, are supposed to appear for these tests.
These tests evaluate you on your Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing skills.
Such tests assure us that there is no communication gap for any international student while studying in the USA.
Minimum cutoffs as per university standards are supposed to be achieved.
There are various language assessment tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, PTE
3 Academic Credentials
Universities in USA look for a strong academic record at undergraduate or school level.
They require your Mark sheets and Transcripts for the same.
One should be at least in the 12th grade to apply for undergraduate studies and in the 7th semester at least to apply for Masters.
Any extra activities related to study like Paper publications, Research Paper etc. are also looked for by universities.
4 Documents Required
LORs, SOP, Resume and other USP’s:
These documents are the mouthpiece of you profile and project your selling points to the universities since you are not present in person at the time when your application is evaluated. These documents help the evaluators to capture your holistic personality rather than just academic one.
Letter of Recommendation (LOR):
These are 3rd party recommendation generally from the faculties or reporting authorities.
Generally 2-3 are required by universities.
These are really valuable since a person is vouching for your work and justifying your credentials.
Statement of Purpose (SOP):
This document describes your motivation, academics, projects work, extra-curricular, and your future plan all in a single doc.
Universities have variable word counts for this document.
Resume:
A crisp and precise one-page document describing your profile.
Other USPs:
Depending on the program, university may ask for other documents which serve as the student’s USP’s such as Certificates of Achievements, Diversity Statement, History Statement, Interview, Portfolio etc.
Proof of sufficient funds:
Universities grant you admission on the basis of your credentials but to issue a confirmation (I-20) they would want you to submit the proof of sufficient funds. A document that may be required for the same is called Bank Certificate – an authorized document stating sufficient funds in savings account on a specific date.
When to Apply?
There are basically 2 major intakes in USA named as Fall (August-entry) and Spring (January-entry)
Make travel arrangements and fly to your destination
Financials
International students willing to study in the USA are primarily concerned about the cost involved in studying abroad. The cost may vary largely from university to state to program.
The cost can basically be divided into 2 factors: Living Cost & Tuition cost. Following is the average of both the cost:
There is a pool of opportunities for international students to lessen the financial burden of their sponsors.
Fellowships and Scholarships
These are financial aids granted on the basis of Merit, Academic achievements, Scores on standardized admissions tests, Good employment history, Student’s leadership potential and other personal characteristics.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate Assistantships: Students are required to do any graduate level job to avail this.
Research Assistantships
Research Assistantships: A partial or full fee waiver is provided to a student having strong research interest.
Internships
These are off-campus jobs that provide practical experience in your field of study. They are particularly common in professional fields. Payment varies, and you must obtain work authorization from the university.
Teaching Assistantship
A partial or full fee waiver is provided to selected students. Professors who take classes there select graduate students to assist them in teaching, leading discussion sections, running labs or grading assignments. English fluency is must to avail this.
On Campus Jobs
Current U.S. immigration regulations allow international students to work up to 20 hrs/week on campus during their first year of study. Under current U.S. regulations, after your first year of study, you may apply for permission to work off-campus for up to 20 hrs/week.
VISA Requirements
Lifemanship provides thorough assistance in VISA form filling and training for VISA interviews.
1. SEVIS Fee
2. DS 160 Form
3. VISA and OFC Appointment
4. I-20
5. VISA Fee
6. Academic Documents
1. SEVIS Fee
Fee required to be paid by all international students before VISA.
2. DS 160 Form
An online VISA application form to be filled before the VISA interview.
3. VISA and OFC Appointment
Confirmation page having the date, time, and venue for your OFC and VISA interview.
4. I-20
A confirmation letter of admittance to a specific university.
5. VISA Fee
A payment done to book your VISA appointment.
6. Academic Documents
The originals of all your academic credentials like Transcripts, Mark sheets, Standardized Tests Score Reports, etc.
Sorts of Program
Undergraduate
Undergrad happens to be a 4 year program, after 12th, where students can study a wide range of subjects. Once they have met the core curriculum requirements, students at most institutions are asked to choose a specific field of study, also known as the major. The final two years are spent taking more courses that are more directly related to your major.
Masters
Masters happens to be the choice of maximum applicants across the country. Programs under Masters are MS, MBA, MPH, etc. These are 2 years full-time programs which combine first-class teaching and practical industry exposure to prepare graduates for professional work.
Ph.D.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is the highest academic degree graduate students can earn in most fields of study. These students often go on to teach at the college level or pursue research positions. The doctorate degree normally takes 4 to 6 years in the USA and 3 to 5 years in Europe.
Application Process
Universities in the USA normally look for a dynamically balanced profile of a candidate. Various factors which play a crucial role in making candidate a suitable fit are as follows.
1 Standardized Tests
2 English Language Tests
3 Academic Credentials
4 Documents Required
1 Standardized Tests
2 English Language Tests
3 Academic Credentials
4 Documents Required
LORs, SOP, Resume and other USP’s:
Letter of Recommendation (LOR):
Statement of Purpose (SOP):
Resume:
Other USPs:
Proof of sufficient funds:
When to Apply?
There are basically 2 major intakes in USA named as Fall (August-entry) and Spring (January-entry)
FALL INTAKE – AUGUST
JUNE – NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER – APRIL
MAY – AUGUST
SPRING INTAKE – JANUARY
March – JUNE
JULY – OCTOBER
NOVEMBER – DECEMBER
Financials
International students willing to study in the USA are primarily concerned about the cost involved in studying abroad. The cost may vary largely from university to state to program.
The cost can basically be divided into 2 factors: Living Cost & Tuition cost. Following is the average of both the cost:
Tuition Fees
Undergraduate Course
Postgraduate Course
Undergraduate Course
$30,000 / year
Postgraduate Course
$27,000 / year
Scholarship
There is a pool of opportunities for international students to lessen the financial burden of their sponsors.
Fellowships and Scholarships
These are financial aids granted on the basis of Merit, Academic achievements, Scores on standardized admissions tests, Good employment history, Student’s leadership potential and other personal characteristics.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate Assistantships: Students are required to do any graduate level job to avail this.
Research Assistantships
Research Assistantships: A partial or full fee waiver is provided to a student having strong research interest.
Internships
These are off-campus jobs that provide practical experience in your field of study. They are particularly common in professional fields. Payment varies, and you must obtain work authorization from the university.
Teaching Assistantship
A partial or full fee waiver is provided to selected students. Professors who take classes there select graduate students to assist them in teaching, leading discussion sections, running labs or grading assignments. English fluency is must to avail this.
On Campus Jobs
Current U.S. immigration regulations allow international students to work up to 20 hrs/week on campus during their first year of study. Under current U.S. regulations, after your first year of study, you may apply for permission to work off-campus for up to 20 hrs/week.
VISA Requirements
Lifemanship provides thorough assistance in VISA form filling and training for VISA interviews.
1. SEVIS Fee
2. DS 160 Form
3. VISA and OFC Appointment
4. I-20
5. VISA Fee
6. Academic Documents
1. SEVIS Fee
Fee required to be paid by all international students before VISA.
2. DS 160 Form
3. VISA and OFC Appointment
4. I-20
5. VISA Fee
6. Academic Documents