If you want to study in the United States or have already applied, these 10 tips for international students will assist you. Studying in another country is an amazing experience, but figuring out how to begin can be difficult.
Applying to study in the United States can seem overwhelming because there are many things to think about. Before going to study in the US, you should look at our 10 useful tips.
They will help you get your application ready and prepare you for important situations you might encounter during the process and your time there.
Choosing a University
In the United States, there are more than 4,000 universities and colleges. Yes, you read that right, 4,000! When faced with so many options, selecting a place to study can be a difficult decision.
There are renowned institutions like Princeton and Yale, which belong to the prestigious Ivy League group. Additionally, there are numerous smaller private colleges and public universities across the country that may not be as well-known.
To choose an educational institution overseas, it’s helpful to consider university rankings. You can start by looking at how U.S. universities are positioned in global rankings such as Quacquarelli Symonds (QS ranking), Times Higher Education (THE), and Shanghai ranking (Academic Ranking of World Universities).
Furthermore, it’s important to consider rankings specific to the faculties or departments. Even if a university isn’t highly ranked overall, it might have a study program that aligns with your interests.
Cost
The cost of attending a college or university in the United States relies on a few things: how highly ranked the institution is worldwide, the field of study you choose, the type of school (private universities generally cost more than public ones), and where it’s located.
To lower the expenses of education, one option is to enroll in a two-year community college. Once you finish this vocational school, you can join the third year of an undergraduate program (as long as you’ve made enough progress). Studying at community colleges is much cheaper than universities, so with proper planning, you can complete the first two years of your program at a reduced cost.
Scholarships
Only 8% of foreigners in the United States get scholarships according to statistics. However, don’t worry because besides universities, you can also look for financial support from different government and private organizations in both the US and your home country.
When applying for a scholarship, make sure to carefully complete your admission application, even for universities with few applicants.
Entry Requirements
Admission requirements minimum points for standardized SAT and ACT exams and TOEFL or IELTS English proficiency exams.
The tougher the admission requirements are, the more difficult it will be for you to enroll at a US university. It also means that:
- you will have a harder time learning
- more ambitious and high-performing students (most often)
- higher salaries for graduates (most often)
You should, therefore, carefully study the admission requirements of US universities before sending clarifying questions.
Prepare Application Documents
There are several things to prepare when starting your application to study abroad in the USA including:
Motivation letter
Here, the applicant should describe their career goals, as well as how the program they apply for will help them achieve them. This is arguably the most important document for being admitted to the majority of American universities.
Recommendation Letter
A recommendation letter is provided by a student’s teacher or employer. It is an absolute must for enrollment in study programs of any level.
Resume
When you apply for master’s or certain undergraduate programs, you must provide a resume or CV. This is your chance to tell the admissions committee about your accomplishments and successes that are not mentioned in other application materials. Keep your resume concise, fitting on one A4 page, and include not only the details of your work experience but also the outcomes you achieved.
Diploma
Without a document confirming a previous education record, no enrollment is possible.
Take IELTS or TOEFL
If you don’t speak English as your first language or if you haven’t attended a university where classes were taught in English before, you will have to take a test to confirm your English proficiency. If this applies to you, it’s important to learn more about exams like IELTS, TOEFL, and other similar tests well in advance. You can find helpful information about IELTS and TOEFL tests online.
If you’re concerned about your English skills, don’t rely on quick solutions like Google Translate. Instead, start searching for educational opportunities in the US that are relevant to your field of study.
Make sure to practice as much as you can before you arrive, so that the required level of work won’t come as a big surprise. It’s crucial to thoroughly prepare yourself in order to increase your chances of successfully completing assignments and exams.
Check Other Tests / Requirements
To be enrolled in a specific study program (e.g. design, architecture) you will need to prepare a portfolio or take some additional tests.
SAT and ACT are standardized tests that US high school graduates take to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program. Many colleges do not require foreign applicants to do these tests and are OK with the grades from their graduation certificate. The more prestigious a university is, the higher the likelihood is that you will have to take one of the said tests.
However, GRE or GMAT test results will almost certainly be required for admission to the Master’s degree program.
Application Forms
Every American university has its own set of questionnaires with many questions for applicants. Make sure to read the questionnaire and instructions carefully before filling it out.
Remember, it’s a good idea to write down your answers to the questions beforehand. Use the exact spelling of your name and surname as written in your travel passport when filling out the questionnaire.
Pay a University Fee
Some universities charge a fee of $20 to $50 for considering admission applications. Payment is made after the applicant has completed all the fields of the online application form.
Submitting Your Application
If you’ve completed the application by yourself, it’s advisable to delay sending it for a few days (if the deadline allows) to ensure it’s filled out correctly.
Just be patient. The time it takes for applications to be reviewed varies depending on the university and program. It’s possible that the university might ask you for additional documents, such as proof of financial stability. Once your admission is confirmed, the college will inform you about enrollment, deadlines, and payment procedures.
If you need a quick response, reach out to representatives from different US universities. Make sure to include your application number.
Be prepared to wait for one to two months. The college or university of your choice might inform you that you’re on their waiting list, in which case they’ll let you know the deadline for making a decision about your candidacy. After receiving a response from the college/university, you should confirm your intention to study there.
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