When it comes to studying abroad for international students, the USA is one of the most picked countries. Asides from the unique cultural diversity and different social spheres, the US is home to about 4,000 higher education universities and it has some of the universities that stand out globally.
To successfully achieve your dreams of studying in the US, there are some things you need to know.
How to Study in the US
Choose a University of your choice and a study program
You should have a list of universities you want to pick from as well as a program and course you want to pursue. You can research some of the best universities in the US and universities that offer the course you want to study. If your college has a college advisor, he or she could help you with this decision. Make sure the university you choose is accredited.
University Location
The location of the University matters because aside from the geography and culture of a place, some universities are situated in certain parts of America and you might be asked to bring English proficiency tests or tests on some languages peculiar to that area. Also, the cost of living varies from one location to another so it’s best to be prepared.
Apply to the University
After selecting the school you want to study from the list and the course and program you want to pursue, go ahead and fill out the university online application form. Every university has some requirements and necessary documents must be provided so make sure you have all these when applying.
Know how much it costs to study in the US
In the US, the cost of studying is charged daily and this covers tuition, fees, books, supplies, living expenses as well as health insurance. Studying in universities in America is quite expensive but there are numerous scholarship programs available for international students (backlink to scholarships in the US).
Apply for financial assistance
As an international student, if the fund you have to pursue your higher education is not enough, you can apply for a scholarship, grant, assistantship, or fellowship. All these are financial programs created to help international students struggling with their higher education finances. Applications for this financial help are done yearly.
Apply for a Student Visa
A student visa is a visa issued to an applicant by the country’s government to permit an international student to study at the country’s University. This Visa is attached to the travel passport and without it, you will not be allowed to board the plane. There are different types of student visas and they all have their requirements.
Accept your admission
If your application was accepted by the university you choose, you are expected to pay a non-refundable fee to the school. The amount to be paid varies from school to school but it will be mentioned in your admission letter. Pay the stated amount for the acceptance fee and start making preparations to travel, putting into consideration your feeding, accommodation, and other miscellaneous expenses to ensure that you enjoy your study over there.
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Necessary Documents and Eligibility Criteria
Even though every university has certain requirements that are peculiar to them alone, below are some of the requirements that are needed by every university.
1 . A complete online application.
2. Academic diploma or transcript.
3. Copies of High School transcripts for undergraduate studies and copies of undergraduate transcripts for graduate studies.
4. A copy of a government-issued ID card.
5. Two letters of recommendation from staff in the university or college you finished from.
6. Personal Essay
7. Proof of adequate financial resources (also known as proof of funds)
8. Proof of score in English language proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, BAU placement, TST, and TOEIC.
Cost of Studying in the United States of America
The average amount that is needed to study and get an undergraduate degree at a public university in the US for international students is somewhere around $26,000 per year while for private universities, the average amount per year is $36,000 although the cost for certain programs like medicine may be above $50,000.
For a master’s degree, the average cost for studying and getting a master’s degree is $10,000 to $80,000 depending on the university.
