STUDY IN USA

Understanding Education in USA

The first level of higher education in the USA is referred to as the ‘undergraduate’ level; it awards a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. Most study programs in the USA for undergraduates require four years of study, and a completed secondary school education is sufficient to enroll as an undergraduate student. Graduate education in the USA refers to Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), or Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. Students who have completed their undergraduate education are eligible to apply to graduate programs. Master’s degrees in the USA are usually awarded after two years of study. The Ph.D. is the highest academic degree amongst American study programs. This degree follows a Master’s (or Graduate) degree and typically requires three to six years.

Life in USA

USA is a very welcoming place for Indian students, housing a very large Indian population across the country. Universities have International student services to help Indian students accommodate to a new life in the US and most university campuses have student associations dedicated to and run by Indian students. Counseling centers are available in almost all universities to help Indian students ease into the culture, climate, and routine of living in a foreign land independently. The USA provides immense equal opportunities for students from all walks of life to establish themselves and learn from the cultural diversity and economic strength of the country. It is known as ‘the land of opportunity’ for a reason!

Admissions process in USA

The admissions process in The USA is highly streamlined.

Standardized Tests
University/Course Selection
Document Preparation
Application Review and Submission
Interview Preparation
Visa Counselling
Pre-Departure Bookings and Information
Arrival in the US and Acclimatization

Scholarship prospects in USA

It is essential to know that USA has two intakes in a year: Major Intake: September Minor Intake: January It is advisable for students applying to study in USA to begin the application procedure at least 12 months in advance. USA Scholarship deadlines vary amongst institutions. To capitalize on the available USA scholarship programs, talk to an AEC counselor at the earliest and maximize your chances of obtaining a brilliant scholarship.

Eligibility Exams for USA

Standardized tests such as GRE, GMAT, and SAT to English Language tests, such as TOEFL and IELTS, are an important part of the admissions process for USA.

Gre & Gmat

Graduate Record Examination is the entrance test to be taken by students applying for a Master’s degree in any field other than Management. All applicants applying for a Master’s in Management or Business Administration major must submit the results of the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). These tests must be completed before the date of the application. To register for these exams, please visit http://www.gre.org and http://www.mba.com

Sat & Act

All freshman applicants are generally required to submit SAT or ACT results. To register for these exams please visit http://www.collegeboard.com and http://www.actstudent.org

English Language Tests

All students whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). To register for the TOEFL please visit http://www.toefl.org

Work and Study in USA

Student Employment

Students are generally not eligible for employment during their first year of study. However, a work permit can be obtained with the approval of the school’s administration. A student is allowed to work 20 hours per week on campus while studying and can earn enough money to cover personal expenses. Don’t, however, expect to pay for your tuition or living expenses through on-campus employment.

Post-study employment prospects

Students who receive Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) degrees, and who meet other specified requirements are now allowed to apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT (Optional Practical Training). This 24-month extension was introduced in 2016 for students holding F-1 Visa and even allows students who have previously completed their bachelor’s in STEM subjects. This increases employment prospects for current and future students in the USA. For more details contact your AEC counselor.

For a student visa, the Visa interview can be arranged up to 120 days before the university course begins and the student can enter the US 30 days before class commencement. Preparation of all the required documents and following visa rules diligently can streamline the process. Consular officers look at each application individually and consider professional, social, cultural, and other factors during adjudication. Each case is examined individually and is accorded every consideration under the law.

Caution: Do not present false documents. Fraud or misrepresentation can result in permanent visa ineligibility. If confidentiality is a concern, you should bring your documents to the Embassy or Consulate in a sealed envelope. The Embassy or Consulate will not make your information available to anyone and will respect the confidentiality of your information.

You should bring the following documents to your interview:

Documents demonstrating strong financial, social, and family ties to your home country that will compel you to return to your country after your program of study in the United States ends.
Financial and any other documents you believe will support your application and which give credible evidence that you have enough readily-available funds to meet all expenses for the first year of study and that you have access to funds sufficient to cover all expenses while you remain in the United States. M-1 applicants must demonstrate the ability to pay all tuition and living costs for the entire period of their intended stay.
Photocopies of bank statements will not be accepted unless you can also show original copies of bank statements or original bank books.
If you are financially sponsored by another person, bring proof of your relationship to the sponsor (such as your birth certificate), the sponsor’s most recent original tax forms, and the sponsor’s bankbooks and/or fixed deposit certificates.

Academic documents that show scholastic preparation. Useful documents include college transcripts (original copies are preferred) with grades, public examination certificates (A-levels, etc.), standardized test scores (SAT, TOEFL, GRE, etc.), and Degree Certificates.

USA Visa Information

Types of US Student Visa

There are three categories of visas available for education in the USA:(1) F-1 (Student Visa): The F-1 visa is for full-time students who want to study in the USA and are enrolled in an academic or language program. Students holding an F-1 visa can stay in the USA for the full length of their academic program, plus 60 days. Students must maintain a full-time course load and complete their studies by the expiration date listed on their I-20 form. Gaining a multiple-entry F-1 student visa allows a student to travel between US and India any number of times while pursuing a program.(2) M Visa (Non-Academic or Vocational Studies): This visa is appropriate for people who want to study or train at a non-academic institution in the USA, such as an apprenticeship or a finishing school.(3) J-1 (Exchange Visitor Visa): The J-1 visa is issued to students who need practical training that is not available in their home country to complete their academic program. The training must be directly related to their academic program. In the J-1 visa, the student is obliged to return to their home country for a minimum of two years after the end of their studies in the USA, before becoming eligible to apply for an immigrant (permanent residence) visa.

Conditions for applying for a US Student Visa

Acceptance by University: This is the most essential condition for applying for a student visa to the USA. After getting admitted to a university, you will be sent the Certification of Eligibility Form (Also called the I-20 Form); which needs to be filled out and submitted at the time of the interview.
Knowledge of the English Language is a must for getting a student visa to the US. To establish their knowledge of English, applicants are encouraged to take the “Test of English as a Foreign Language” (TOEFL).
Financial Resources: Since a student visa for the US is a non-immigrant type of visa, one has to provide proof of sufficient funds to cover the total education and living costs while pursuing any USA study programs. A student must show evidence of readily available funds to meet all expenses for the first year and of the availability of funds for the following years from reliable financial resources. If the support is from the university, in the form of a scholarship or assistantship, it is usually mentioned on the I-20 form.
Non-Immigrant Intent: It is difficult to prove that one intends to return to India after completing their education in the USA because by law, all non-immigrants are viewed as “intending immigrants.” This means that the visa officer is under the assumption that applicants will be going to the US and will try to remain in the US permanently. Hence one should carry documents that demonstrate strong financial and other ties to India and convince the consul of one’s intent to return. Such documents may include:
Proof of land ownership.
Letters demonstrating future roles in a family business, academic institution, government agency, or professional organization from appropriate parties.
Mention if other family members have studied in the U.S. and returned.

How to obtain a Student Visa in USA – Step-by-step guide

Step 1

Pay the visa application fee.

Step 2

Complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form.

Step 3

Schedule your appointment on this web page. You will need three pieces of information to schedule your appointment:

Your passport number
The date you paid your fee
The ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page

Step 4

Visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the date and time of your visa interview. You must bring a printed copy of your appointment letter, your DS-160 confirmation page, one photograph taken within the last six months, your current and all old passports, and the original visa fee payment receipt. Applications without all of these items Visa applications will not be accepted.

Visa Requirements for USA

For a student visa, the Visa interview can be arranged up to 120 days before the university course begins and the student can enter the US 30 days’ prior to class commencement. Preparation of all the required documents and following visa rules diligently can streamline the process. Consular officers look at each application individually and consider professional, social, cultural and other factors during adjudication. Each case is examined individually and is accorded every consideration under the law. Caution: Do not present false documents. Fraud or misrepresentation can result in permanent visa ineligibility. If confidentiality is a concern, you should bring your documents to the Embassy or Consulate in a sealed envelope. The Embassy or Consulate will not make your information available to anyone and will respect the confidentiality of your information. You should bring the following documents to your interview:

Documents demonstrating strong financial, social, and family ties to your home country that will compel you to return to your country after your program of study in the United States ends.
Financial and any other documents you believe will support your application and which give credible evidence that you have enough readily-available funds to meet all expenses for the first year of study and that you have access to funds sufficient to cover all expenses while you remain in the United States. M-1 applicants must demonstrate the ability to pay all tuition and living costs for the entire period of their intended stay.
Photocopies of bank statements will not be accepted unless you can also show original copies of bank statements or original bank books.
If you are financially sponsored by another person, bring proof of your relationship to the sponsor (such as your birth certificate), the sponsor’s most recent original tax forms, and the sponsor’s bankbooks and/or fixed deposit certificates.