Study in USA

Education System

USA offers the world's most flexible education system. Each University can determine the content of the program and admission standards. Transfer of credits is possible ensuring smooth lateral movement ie one can change from one Institution to another. Students can decide their area of specialization and US has it on offer.

Public Universities:

State-affiliated institutions financially supported by public taxes, usually large in size. All levels of degrees with different fields of study are offered. Public colleges and universities are relatively easy on the pocket for residents of a state where the schools are located. Foreign students pay "out-of-state" tuition, which is higher. There are many notable public universities across the country just a few examples: Pennsylvania State University, Ohio State University, University of California, Kansas State University, University of Texas , California State University.

Private Universities:

Private Institutions run without the control of the Government entity. Tuition fees of these institutions are higher but the international as well the domestic students pay the same amount of fees. The notable private institutions are Long Island University, George Washington University, New York University, Carnegie Mellon University.

Technical Institutes:

These are schools emphasizing principally on engineering and science they are known for their research and graduate programs. Most International students who attend these schools are of graduate level. Undergraduates admitted to these schools usually have incredibly strong backgrounds in math and sciences, as witnessed by grades and standardized test scores (e.g. SAT or GRE). M.I.T. (the Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Cal Poly (California Polytechnic Institute), Georgia Tech (Georgia Institute of Technology), NYIT New York Institute of Technology) and W.P.I. (Worcester Polytechnic Institute) are a few of the noted schools.

The Ivy League:

These schools are the oldest and most famous in the country members of the Ivy League are: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania. They are in the Northeastern part of the USA. Ivy League colleges stress undergraduate liberal arts education, but they also have noted graduate and professional schools. Tuitions at these private schools is among the highest in the country, and admission is generally highly competitive.

Small Liberal Arts Colleges:

Generally have the focus on undergraduate study of the traditional arts and science disciplines: humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Strictly liberal arts colleges are often quite old and mostly private schools. They are highly-rated institutions as they stress on small classes, individual attention to the students, and closer relationships between the faculties and students. Many of them also generally have rigid admission standards. Among these schools are: Amherst, Marist, Swarthmore, Manhattan, Smith, Mount Holyoke.

Community Colleges:

More over known as County Colleges or City colleges. Community colleges provide higher education and lower level tertiary education, granting certificates, diplomas and Associates Degree. Some notable community colleges are Ohlone College, De Anza College & Bellevue Community College.

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

#	Grade Points	Grade Points	Equivalent
1	>4	>A	High Achievement
2	>3	>B	Satisfactory
3	>2	>C	Minimum Passing
4	>1	>D	Failure

Associate Degree:

It is an academic degree awarded by the community colleges, junior colleges, business colleges and some bachelor's degree upon completion of a course of study Usually for two years (60 Credits). In the USA , an associate degree is equivalent to the first two years of a four year college or university Bachelors degree. It is The lowest in hierarchy of post secondary academic degrees offered in USA.

Bachelors Degree:

Commonly known as Undergraduate degree in India. The duration of the bachelors course is 4 years. Students who have completed a part of their undergraduate degree and want to go to the USA, can apply as a transfer Student. There are two types of bachelors degree: B.A or B.S. Some universities in the USA offer either of the degrees in all fields and at times both the degrees in some field. Students need to appear for SAT & TOEFL/IELTS exams for admission.

Masters Degree:

The duration of master's courses may range from a year to two depending on the university & your area of specialization. The binding requisite for Masters is the 16 year of education criteria. Students with Bachelors in Engineering are qualified whereas the students with B.Com, B.Sc, and B.A need to complete at least one year of Masters, post graduate diploma is also accepted by some specific institutions for specific programs.While 16 years of education is the major criteria, few universities do accept students with 3 years Bachelors degree fo certain Master prorgams. Exams required are GMAT for management related subjects / GRE for arts, science or any other subjects and TOEFL/ IELTS exams for admission.

Doctorate:

Commonly known as PhD. Duration of the same may range from 3 years to 5 years. Students can take admission for a PhD only after completion of their master's degree. PhD students need to submit a research proposal as well have to appear for GRE/GMAT & TOEFL/IELTS exams for admissions.

Student Visa

Admission to a coveted US university takes you only half way through your dream to study in the USA. The remaining important half is to obtain a study visa for the US. Complexities and careless mistakes along with lack of sufficient knowledge about the US student visa formalities cause undesired delays and even refusal of a visa in some cases.

An F1 visa is issued to international students who are attending an academic program or English Language Program at a US college or university. F1 students are expected to complete their studies by the expiration date on their I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Non immigrant (Non Immigrant) Student Status) which is provided by the US College or university

Where to Apply

US Visa is an Interview based visa, Applicant has to apply to US embassy for their Interview

Process

a) How to schedule an Appointment

The Student will be able to schedule their appointments via telephone, emails or online chat.
Under the new system, applicants will have to make two appointments. Prior to their visa interviews
Appointment 1 - Applicants have to visit Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC) to submit fingerprints and for photograph..
Appointment 2 – Actual consular visa interview at US Embassy or Consulate.

a. How Many Days Prior Can a student Apply for Visa and enter US?

You may apply for F1 student visa within 120 days prior to the course start date. You may travel to US within 30 days of commencement of the course of study as stated on your I20, regardless of how early your visa was issued.

b) Documents Checklist - Originals

• Visa Application form DS - 160 (On line fill able form)
• Original Passport
• Axis/ Citibank Bank Receipt
• SEVIS Fee Receipt
• Interview Appointment letter
• All Academic Documents including TOEFL, GRE, GMAT Score sheet
• Evidence of Financial Resources
• 120 issued by the university

c) Visa Application Fees

Rs. 9,120/- by Cash in any Axis or Citibank.
SEVIS Fee of $ 200 has to be paid online with the help of the credit card on www.fmjfee.com website

d. Processing time

When Visa is granted, the passport is returned with visa stamp after 3-4 days from the interview date. Student can collect it personally from OFC once they receive an sms for the collection