Grading System
The GPA system is followed throughout the United States to judge student's performance. It is graded on the scale of 0 to 4. Following is the evaluation of GPA (for reference)
>4 >A = High Achievement
>3 >B = Satisfactory
>2 >C = Minimum Passing
>1 >D = Fail
Types of degree
Masters Degree:
The duration of Masters level courses may range from a year to two depending on the university and the area of specialization. In general, most Masters level courses in the USA are two years, which students can also finish in a little over 18 months, should they utilize their vacations studying additional credits early.
Usually, USA requires 16 years of education for Masters (especially MS). However, many MBA programs have started accepting students with 15 years education (like BA, BSc, BCom). Exams required to apply for Masters are GMAT for management related subjects; GRE for arts, science or any other subjects; TOEFL or IELTS test for admission
Doctorate:
Very commonly known as PhD or Research. Duration of this course may range from 3 years to 5 years. Students can take admission for a PhD only after completion of their Masters degree and in exceptional circumstances; some Universities may wish to take on students without Masters. Students wishing to pursue PhD need to submit a research proposal as well have to appear for GRE or GMAT and TOEFL or IELTS exams for admissions
Education Cost
Isn't this the first aspect that comes to your mind when you think about studying in the USA? Indeed you must add up a list of costs when you decide to study in the USA. Before you go into details, remember that education is an investment and students have done brilliantly in the USA, not only recovering costs but have even made Better fortunes.
Cost of studying in the US can be divided in to three categories
1. Cost of Application (including academic entrance tests)
2. Tuition Fees and Living Expenses
3. Other Costs (like insurance, visa fee, air ticket, etc.)
Cost of Application:
a. Application Fees: $50 to $150 per University
b. Courier Charges: Rs 1200 to Rs 1500 per University (US Universities need hard copies of your authenticated documents like transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.)
c. Academic Test: Academic entrance examinations will cost you around $100 to $200 per examination, and most students take at least 2 tests. Assume that you will be spending at least $500 on tests
d. Score Reporting: Test scores like GMAT, GRE, SAT, TOEFL, IELTS have to be reported by the testing agencies (like ETS), which may cost up to $ 20 per University (an average cost for reporting scores of all tests you may have taken)
Tuition Fees and Living Expenses:
Tuition Fees
In the USA, tuition fee largely depends on whether you plan to study at a Public or Private Institution (refer to the difference between public and private Institutions here).
Estimated tuition fee (per year):
Private Institution: $15000 to $30000 per year. At some Universities, it could go beyond $ 40000 per year
Public Institution: $10000 to $20000 per year
Community College: $8000 to $12000 per year
Note: The tuition fee is different for different universities and varies widely with courses and popularity of the Institution. It can vary from as low as $ 5000 per year for some private universities.
Living Expenses
Estimated Living Cost: $10000 to $12000 (per year). An average of $700 to $1000 per month should be considered as safe
This includes your accommodation (room and board), travel, food, some books, some clothing and may be some entertainment expense too.
Please find below a range of costs that have been considered while estimating the above listed living expenses:
a. Books and study materials will cost $500 to $1000 approximately per academic year
b. Travel costs within the US will be between $300 and $700 approximately
c. Room and Board will cost between $3000 and $7500 approximately per year. Allow an additional $1000 to $2000 for vacation periods when the dormitory might be closed
d. If you will be living off campus, the cost of renting an apartment will be between $300 and $600 a month, but could be much higher contingent on the location of the school. Meals should cost about $2500 a year, assuming that you do not fancy too many outings
e. Clothing will cost $500 or more annually (if you go to cold place, you better buy some clothes that suit their weather; otherwise you may shiver)
f. Personal expenses will cost around $2000 approximately per year
The College Board publishes college costs, required admissions tests, and other useful information in The International Student Handbook of US Colleges
OTHER COSTS:
Air tickets: $500 to $2000 (depending when you finish your admission process and / or book tickets)
Health / Medical Insurance: $300 to $500 per year per person
Car: If you wish to buy a car, assume that it will cost you around $4000 a year
Family Member: If you take along other family members with you, assume that your annual expenses will increase about 15% or $5000 approximately for each additional family member
Remember: US Universities offer scholarships, bursaries, financial assistance. If you apply timely and have other factors working your way, you can be in for some luck.
Admission Process - USA Studying in the US can involve the following:
Test: Appearing for your tests like GMAT / GRE / SAT / TOEFL / IELTS. You must know which test is applicable for you and should appear for it timely
University Selection: Selection of right course at the right Universities is the key since US has over 4000 Institutions and every application costs money (like
Editing Essays and Personal Statement (Statement of Purpose): US Schools often will have typical essays as a requirement especially for undergraduate studies and MBA. Many MS (Masters) courses in the USA also have this as a requirement. If not, at least a Personal Statement (popularly known as SOP) is compulsory. To add, remember scholarship essays are very important too and can get you better value for your studies.
Financial Documents: You need to gather the correct financial documents (may include bank statement, bank balance certificate, solvency certificate) while applying to US Schools. They need to check if you have adequate finances to join them and live in the US. Generally, the liquid and other assets you must show through appropriate documentation should be equivalent to your total cost of studying in the US (tuition + living) for the total course duration.
Scholarship Application: USA has been generous in providing scholarships to deserving students. Rather, should we say that most students who apply to the right US Colleges and Universities will secure some kind of scholarship, or bursaries, or even financial aid. Ensure that you are aware of any scholarship and funding announcements in Advance.
Sending Applications: Making out online or paper applications and sending the correct documents is the key if the University should have any intention of giving you admissions. Remember, US Universities have deadlines and documentation must reach the admissions office in time.
Liaising with Universities and Securing Admission Decision: You must track the progress of your applications. Many Universities email you about some requirements and the chances are you would not check your emails, there is a chance of losing your Admission.
Final Decision: Once you have collected your I-20s from the Universities you have applied to, it’s time to make the final decision. Sometimes these decisions have to be taken even when you are awaiting a reply from some Institution. You must make this timely decision.
US Visa (Student, F1 Visa): You need to fill out the visa form-160, with the correct information and ensure that you are prepared for an interview at the American Consulate. You must ensure that take the right date by which time you know, you would be 'good' with all your documentation and perfect preparation.
Insurance / Flight Tickets / Foreign Exchange (Currency Buying) / More: You must reach your University timely. Going through the orientation (that US Universities organize) is of immense benefits especially when you have never travelled abroad before. Ironic but students get very nervous when they get their visa and they know they have to leave sooner. So be prepared to avoid nervousness.
After visa Process:
Insurance: Students need a medical insurance before travelling to the US. Travel insurance may or may not be required. We assist you in getting the right one
Flight Tickets: You need to book your tickets in advance and time your travel correctly. We help you in that too (We cannot afford to run an airline, but we can recommend when it's time to buy a ticket). Furthermore, our 'flight partners' as we call them, can help you get discounted tickets
Forex: You will need Dollars if you wish to spend any money in the United States.
The GPA system is followed throughout the United States to judge student's performance. It is graded on the scale of 0 to 4. Following is the evaluation of GPA (for reference)
>4 >A = High Achievement
>3 >B = Satisfactory
>2 >C = Minimum Passing
>1 >D = Fail
Types of degree
Masters Degree:
The duration of Masters level courses may range from a year to two depending on the university and the area of specialization. In general, most Masters level courses in the USA are two years, which students can also finish in a little over 18 months, should they utilize their vacations studying additional credits early.
Usually, USA requires 16 years of education for Masters (especially MS). However, many MBA programs have started accepting students with 15 years education (like BA, BSc, BCom). Exams required to apply for Masters are GMAT for management related subjects; GRE for arts, science or any other subjects; TOEFL or IELTS test for admission
Doctorate:
Very commonly known as PhD or Research. Duration of this course may range from 3 years to 5 years. Students can take admission for a PhD only after completion of their Masters degree and in exceptional circumstances; some Universities may wish to take on students without Masters. Students wishing to pursue PhD need to submit a research proposal as well have to appear for GRE or GMAT and TOEFL or IELTS exams for admissions
Education Cost
Isn't this the first aspect that comes to your mind when you think about studying in the USA? Indeed you must add up a list of costs when you decide to study in the USA. Before you go into details, remember that education is an investment and students have done brilliantly in the USA, not only recovering costs but have even made Better fortunes.
Cost of studying in the US can be divided in to three categories
1. Cost of Application (including academic entrance tests)
2. Tuition Fees and Living Expenses
3. Other Costs (like insurance, visa fee, air ticket, etc.)
Cost of Application:
a. Application Fees: $50 to $150 per University
b. Courier Charges: Rs 1200 to Rs 1500 per University (US Universities need hard copies of your authenticated documents like transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.)
c. Academic Test: Academic entrance examinations will cost you around $100 to $200 per examination, and most students take at least 2 tests. Assume that you will be spending at least $500 on tests
d. Score Reporting: Test scores like GMAT, GRE, SAT, TOEFL, IELTS have to be reported by the testing agencies (like ETS), which may cost up to $ 20 per University (an average cost for reporting scores of all tests you may have taken)
Tuition Fees and Living Expenses:
Tuition Fees
In the USA, tuition fee largely depends on whether you plan to study at a Public or Private Institution (refer to the difference between public and private Institutions here).
Estimated tuition fee (per year):
Private Institution: $15000 to $30000 per year. At some Universities, it could go beyond $ 40000 per year
Public Institution: $10000 to $20000 per year
Community College: $8000 to $12000 per year
Note: The tuition fee is different for different universities and varies widely with courses and popularity of the Institution. It can vary from as low as $ 5000 per year for some private universities.
Living Expenses
Estimated Living Cost: $10000 to $12000 (per year). An average of $700 to $1000 per month should be considered as safe
This includes your accommodation (room and board), travel, food, some books, some clothing and may be some entertainment expense too.
Please find below a range of costs that have been considered while estimating the above listed living expenses:
a. Books and study materials will cost $500 to $1000 approximately per academic year
b. Travel costs within the US will be between $300 and $700 approximately
c. Room and Board will cost between $3000 and $7500 approximately per year. Allow an additional $1000 to $2000 for vacation periods when the dormitory might be closed
d. If you will be living off campus, the cost of renting an apartment will be between $300 and $600 a month, but could be much higher contingent on the location of the school. Meals should cost about $2500 a year, assuming that you do not fancy too many outings
e. Clothing will cost $500 or more annually (if you go to cold place, you better buy some clothes that suit their weather; otherwise you may shiver)
f. Personal expenses will cost around $2000 approximately per year
The College Board publishes college costs, required admissions tests, and other useful information in The International Student Handbook of US Colleges
OTHER COSTS:
Air tickets: $500 to $2000 (depending when you finish your admission process and / or book tickets)
Health / Medical Insurance: $300 to $500 per year per person
Car: If you wish to buy a car, assume that it will cost you around $4000 a year
Family Member: If you take along other family members with you, assume that your annual expenses will increase about 15% or $5000 approximately for each additional family member
Remember: US Universities offer scholarships, bursaries, financial assistance. If you apply timely and have other factors working your way, you can be in for some luck.
Admission Process - USA Studying in the US can involve the following:
Test: Appearing for your tests like GMAT / GRE / SAT / TOEFL / IELTS. You must know which test is applicable for you and should appear for it timely
University Selection: Selection of right course at the right Universities is the key since US has over 4000 Institutions and every application costs money (like
- application fees which can be between $ 50 to $ 150 in most cases,
- courier charges (of sending your application documents to each University which could be Rs 1000 to Rs 1500 per School),
- Sending your GMAT, GRE, SAT, TOEFL, IELTS, SAT II subject test scores to each University, where applicable).
Editing Essays and Personal Statement (Statement of Purpose): US Schools often will have typical essays as a requirement especially for undergraduate studies and MBA. Many MS (Masters) courses in the USA also have this as a requirement. If not, at least a Personal Statement (popularly known as SOP) is compulsory. To add, remember scholarship essays are very important too and can get you better value for your studies.
Financial Documents: You need to gather the correct financial documents (may include bank statement, bank balance certificate, solvency certificate) while applying to US Schools. They need to check if you have adequate finances to join them and live in the US. Generally, the liquid and other assets you must show through appropriate documentation should be equivalent to your total cost of studying in the US (tuition + living) for the total course duration.
Scholarship Application: USA has been generous in providing scholarships to deserving students. Rather, should we say that most students who apply to the right US Colleges and Universities will secure some kind of scholarship, or bursaries, or even financial aid. Ensure that you are aware of any scholarship and funding announcements in Advance.
Sending Applications: Making out online or paper applications and sending the correct documents is the key if the University should have any intention of giving you admissions. Remember, US Universities have deadlines and documentation must reach the admissions office in time.
Liaising with Universities and Securing Admission Decision: You must track the progress of your applications. Many Universities email you about some requirements and the chances are you would not check your emails, there is a chance of losing your Admission.
Final Decision: Once you have collected your I-20s from the Universities you have applied to, it’s time to make the final decision. Sometimes these decisions have to be taken even when you are awaiting a reply from some Institution. You must make this timely decision.
US Visa (Student, F1 Visa): You need to fill out the visa form-160, with the correct information and ensure that you are prepared for an interview at the American Consulate. You must ensure that take the right date by which time you know, you would be 'good' with all your documentation and perfect preparation.
Insurance / Flight Tickets / Foreign Exchange (Currency Buying) / More: You must reach your University timely. Going through the orientation (that US Universities organize) is of immense benefits especially when you have never travelled abroad before. Ironic but students get very nervous when they get their visa and they know they have to leave sooner. So be prepared to avoid nervousness.
After visa Process:
Insurance: Students need a medical insurance before travelling to the US. Travel insurance may or may not be required. We assist you in getting the right one
Flight Tickets: You need to book your tickets in advance and time your travel correctly. We help you in that too (We cannot afford to run an airline, but we can recommend when it's time to buy a ticket). Furthermore, our 'flight partners' as we call them, can help you get discounted tickets
Forex: You will need Dollars if you wish to spend any money in the United States.