Applying to universities in the USA is a long, and sometimes tedious, task; hence, it is wise to begin research and preparations a year in advance. The first step is to know the course subject matter that one is interested in and the universities that one aims at attending. Students should keep in mind the financial costs that these excursions may incur. They must also begin preparing for the standardized tests such as the GMAT/GRE and IELTS/TOEFL that are required to be admitted to a US university.
Most American universities require 16 years of education from students applying for an MBA program or any other program. Thus, it is recommended that students appear for at least a one-year master’s degree before applying for higher studies in the USA. Some students may be given admission with 15 years of education if they have 2-3 years of work experience. Get in touch with our counselors to learn the varied academic criteria of different universities.
Universities in the USA accept both, the IELTS as well as TOEFL as proof of proficiency in the English language.
The F-1 visa allows the student to work on-campus, and in certain situations with authorization from the USCIS, even off-campus. Students are not allowed to work in the first year in the country. International students can get a part-time on-campus job after the first year. They can work upto 20 hours a week and full-time during breaks and vacations, as long as the job is not taken away from an American citizen.
The most common and convenient financial aid provided to students is in the form of scholarships. One can apply for and avail of the various scholarships provided by the American government, several universities and other educational/non-educational institutions. There are also several academic loans that one can apply for to aid their dreams of foreign education. Our counselors can guide you through the myriad of financial aid opportunities available for you individually.
Getting a job in the United States can be frustrating for several reasons as employers are hesitant when employing international students. They want to avoid visa complications and hiring individuals who are likely to leave in 6-12 months. Hence, it's crucial that graduates are proactive and begin their research early. Taking advantage of university resources in the career development department and networking with fellow students and faculty members will go a long way in establishing your professional life in the USA.
For international students, a sure-shot way to get permanent residency in the USA is by getting job sponsorship. However, this may prove difficult as employers will have to file a green card and other immigration forms. They must also show why they want to hire a foreigner rather than an American. If the job that you have applied for has high competition, it is more likely that a US citizen will get the job before you do. If you possess a highly unique and specialised skill, you improve your chances of employment, and hence, potentially becoming a green card holder. You can also apply for the Green Card Lottery which is held every year; however, there are thousands of immigrants who apply for the same.
F-1 and M-1 visa holders can bring their spouse and/children under 21 to accompany them as they study in the USA. However, dependents must depart and re-enter the country with proper documentation and they cannot work or apply for social security numbers.
The requirements for the F-1 student visa:
1. Valid passport with a validity date that extends to 6 months after completion of your degree
2. Recent passport size photograph
3. Confirmation page of DS-160
4. Form I-20
5. Payment of Application fees for SEVIS
6. Application as a non-immigrant
7. Additional University requirements
The most common denominator in your application is the English Language Proficiency Test - TOEFL and IELTS being the most common ones. Undergraduate applicants require at least an IELTS score of 6.0 or a TOEFL score of 80 while postgraduate applicants require at least an IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 90. Undergraduate applicants applying to the USA need to appear for the SAT and score above the 75th percentile which is 1200. Those applying for a non-MBA postgraduate degree must appear for the GRE and secure a mandatory score of 290-300. Whereas, those applying for MBA programmes must appear for the GMAT and at least score 600-650. Degrees in specialised fields such as law and medicine require competitive scores in specific examinations such as LSAT and MCAT.
Normally the academic year in the USA begins in September and ends in May. The year is divided into two semesters - the Fall semester and the Spring semester, each lasting for about 15 weeks with summer classes as well.
