Study Abroad in the United States: A Guide for International Students

The most popular study-abroad destination is characterized by countless opportunities, exposure, career support, and diversity. In line with this, the United States of America fits the criteria and has numerous high-ranking educational institutions. So, international students striving to get admission to any university/college in the United States must read our comprehensive research guide on studying abroad in one of the most popular destinations in the world. 

Degree Programs and Options in the USA

Aspiring students can start their study journey in the USA by selecting suitable degree programs. Different states in the US offer numerous programs for all educational levels. Undergraduate students can also opt for associate programs in public colleges and universities that can be completed in two years. These degrees have more general subject course outlines to help students to understand their interest in a particular subject. 

Prospects with an associate degree or two-year college education can apply for a four-year bachelor’s program. Graduates can pursue master’s degrees (two-year programs), and postgraduate aspirants can apply to Ph.D. or doctorate (three or more year programs) in specific subjects in US colleges and universities.

Research is Important, Do it Exhaustively!

Information is just a few clicks away from the end user, all thanks to digitalization! Gen Z can leverage these technological advancements and begin their online research by visiting the official websites of higher educational institutions in the USA. Aspirants can explore the National Center of Education Statistics to get complete insights into college admissions, affordability, transferability, loan counseling, comparisons, rankings, and career options.   

International students can also capitalize on Edtech platforms like WooStudy that employ advanced technologies like Big data and artificial intelligence to connect perfectly matched students with educational institutions worldwide. WooStudy matches registered students with their best-fit universities and offer student counseling Free of Cost to aspiring students. Students can also avail of their paid packages for more value-added services. 

Select a University/College Program

When selecting a college or university in the USA, the most significant factor is the selection of a major program. If you are still indecisive about the choice of the degree program, do not need to worry! In the USA, students can avail themselves of “change of mind” options. And start their graduation journey with an undeclared major and later select the best-suited subject.

Apply to Your Selected College/University

After sorting and finalizing the desired major subjects and academic institutions in the United States, now is the time to start applying. Most US higher educational institutions accept online applications. All you need is to open the official websites of the selected institutions, fill out the online admission forms and attach all the required documents. After scrutiny and other academic verifications, the university administration will send you an email regarding your admission updates.

Requirements for Undergraduate University Applications

Every educational institution in the USA has its specific admission standards, but in general, the most common requirements include:  

• Previous academic transcript(s)
• Standardized aptitude test scores
• ACT or SAT 
• Essay
• TOEFL, iTEP, IELTS, and PTE Academic scores for English proficiency
• Letters of Recommendation
• Valid passport copy
• A few universities and colleges may also ask for bank statements as proof of finance

Also, be mindful of admission application deadlines because many US colleges admit international students via an early action process, so submit admission applications by early November or late December.

Requirements for Graduate University Applications

Graduate application prerequisites are almost similar to undergraduate international students, but with a few following differences:

• Bachelor’s degree and transcripts
• ​​Standard test scores of GMAT/GRE, PTE Academic, iTEP, TOEFL, or IELTS
• Research proposal
• Statement of purpose
• Letter of Recommendations 
• Valid passport copy
• Bank statements for proof of finance
• Students who have applied for fellowships, scholarships, or financial aid will need to attach the statement of funding that will cover the complete education costs
• Video interview or on-campus interview with the institution’s committee of admissions

Types of Student Visa and its Requirements

After the successful submission of the admission application, the next crucial step is getting a student study visa. Following are the basic three visa types with a specific set of requirements:

• F-1 – The f-1 student visa allows prospects to study with funding opportunities at USA universities or colleges from themselves, family, or friends. Students with F-1 visas can work part-time for 20 hours per week during the entire academic session.
• J-1 – With the J-1 visa, students can participate in exchange programs offered by the Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.  Students with J-1 visas are not permitted to work off campus.
• M-1 – An M-1 visa is specific for vocational studies, so students who want to pursue vocational studies can apply for an M-1 visa. This visa permits prospects to study at universities approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
• Other than these visas, students who provide proof of funding for one academic year will get a DS-2019 or I-20 form – a mandatory requirement of some universities and colleges in the United States.