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Facts |
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Full name: United States of America |
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Population: 305.8 million (UN, 2007) |
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Capital: Washington DC |
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Largest city: New York City |
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Area: 9.8 million sq km (3.8 million sq miles) |
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Major language: English |
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Major religion: Christianity |
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Life expectancy: 76 years (men), 81 years (women) (UN) |
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Monetary unit: 1 US dollar = 100 cents |
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Main exports: Computers and electrical machinery, vehicles, chemical products, food and live animals, military equipment and aircraft |
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GNI per capita: US $43,740 (World Bank, 2006) |
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Internet domain: .us |
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International dialing code: +1 |
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The United States of America is a constitutional federal republic nation on North America continent consisting of fifty states and a federal district. After the fragmentation of American’s colonies with its mother country in 1776, USA was recognized as a new nation. During the 19th and 20th centuries, 37 new states were added to the original 13 states and it has expanded across the North America and other overseas possessions.
The history of USA has two distressing experiences, Civil War (1861-65) and great Depression (1930s). Upholding the victory of world wars I and II and the Cold War, US has remained the powerful nation of the world. There was steady growth in the US economy with low unemployment rate and inflation and has rapid advances in technology.
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USA has the most powerful economy in the world both in terms of economy and technology with a per capita GDP of $46000 in 2007 and with 12% below poverty line (as per
CIA World Factbook). The growth in GDP is strengthening by extensive gains in labor productivity. Many companies in USA are ahead in technological advances, specifically in computers, aerospace, medical, and in military equipments.
Formerly, USA has fascinated several immigrants from all over the world and is still the nation that has highly populated them compared to other industrialized countries. All the gains in household income were constantly rising up by 20% of families. Together, all these reasons explain the fiscal status of the country, which shows good scope for the international students and build their careers.
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As USA is a big country, its climatic condition varies from place to place. There will be temperate climate in most part of the country. Usually the southern and western half of the country will be warm than the other regions and extreme hot in summer. The eastern and northern half region will be extremely cold and heavy snowfall in winters and will be pleasant in summer. Places like Hawaii and Florida will have tropical climate, freezing in places around Alaska and semi-dry in Great Plains west regions of Mississippi River and dry in Great Basin of the southwest region. Prior to their transition, overseas students have to prepare themselves for the climatic conditions.
Click Here for more information about USA
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USA is the country with diverse cultures and is the home for extensive groups of ethics, customs and values. People in United States tend to the human values and socioeconomic triumph. The people and culture in United States are much different from Indians. The students who choose the universities will come across the regional culture and rich traditions and customs. The nation has a multi-racial society that merges new immigrants despite of the country from which they come from. The culture of USA reveals a trend to hybridize pop culture, thus it is called as high culture. The expansion of American culture was apparent in many aspects like, music, dance, movies, sports, architecture, literature, poetry, cuisine and visual arts, which are highly followed by all around the world. |
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Food habits in the USA |
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Traditional American cuisine arts are much similar to several Western countries. Wheat is the primary cereal grain. The main ingredients in American food include turkey, potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, slow-cooked pork and beef barbecue, crab cakes, potato chips, and cookies. You can also find many Indian restaurants in every city, where you can find unique cuisines from different regions of India.
Click Here for the list of Indian restaurants in USA.
Food snacks such as, fried chicken, pizzas, hamburgers, hot dogs, apple pie are derived from the recipes of various immigrants. Many people even prefer to eat Italian pastas, Mexican dishes such as burritos and tacos. Usually Americans prefer coffee to tea and milk is the chronic breakfast drink. With the evolution of beverage industries, orange juice and sweetened soft drinks are highly consumed.
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Multiculturalism in America |
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In the United States, multiculturalism is the fundamental obsession expressing that people from different culture, ethics and races are equal and they can keep their identities, can take pride in their heritage and have a sense of belonging. It gives a sense of safety and confidence for immigrants, making them more open to, and accepting of, diverse cultures. Multiculturalism encourages racial and ethnic harmony and cross-cultural understanding, and discourages ghettoization, hatred, discrimination and violence. Multiculturalism enables United States to identify the prospective of all Americans. It cheers people from other countries to incorporate into their society and participate in its social, cultural, economic and political interactions. |
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Job Market in America |
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There is good job market for new graduates in United States. As per the reviews of
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), many companies in United States are competing to hire new graduates. As a result there are increased opportunities for graduates from abroad. According to the survey, around 60% of companies are planning to recruit more graduates in 2007 than they recruited in the year 2006.
According to
Bureau of Labor Statistics in June 2007, the unemployment rate in United States was decreased to 4.5%. The report stated that the highest unemployment rate was for Michigan with 7.2% followed by Ohio with 6.1% and Mississippi with 6%, Idaho at 2.5% and Utah at 2.6%. The lowest unemployment rate was for the states of Hawaii and Montana at 2.4% each. These facts states that there is good opportunities for the international students in USA and for their careers on good path.
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Should you study in the US? Why have so many international students chosen to study in the US over another country? Does the US still welcome international student? What are your US study options? The US hosts more international students than any other country in the world, a number fast approaching 600,000. In fact, international students comprise approximately 4% of the total undergraduate US University and US college population, and 10% for US graduate school. These international students from every continent in the world choose to study in the US because they believe that a US education would afford them the best preparation for their future. They leave homes, families and friends in order to pursue their dreams of an education in the US. In fact, International students who study in the US contribute more than $13 billion to the US economy!
US universities, US colleges and US schools constantly rank very high in world rankings, just one of the reasons to study in the US. Schools such as Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, etc are all world famous and welcome international students. The US offers international students the most exciting, rewarding and comprehensive array of study options in the world. International students who choose to study in the US have almost unlimited study choices. Furthermore, international students who successfully complete their US study are highly sought-after by employers worldwide. While the reasons international students choose to study in the US vary from student to student, some of the main reasons why students choose USA education are summed up below.
Academic Excellence – Best Universities
The United States has one of the world’s finest university systems, with outstanding programs in virtually all fields. At the undergraduate level, excellent programs exist in traditional disciplines, as well as in professional fields. At the graduate level, students have the opportunity to work directly with some of the finest minds in their field of study, with the chance to become involved with exclusive research and educational opportunities. U.S. degrees are recognized throughout the world for their excellence. Around 80% of the research all over the world is being conducted & funded in USA by various universities & companies in USA. The no of noble laureates from USA is a testimony to it.
Variety
of Educational
Opportunities
USA has several thousand colleges and universities, boasting at least ten times as many campuses as in any other country. As a result, the higher education system in the U.S. has something for everyone. Some U.S. colleges and universities stress broad educational principles; others emphasize practical, employment-related skills; and still others specialize in the arts, social sciences or technical fields. As a result, students have a variety of options and educational opportunities if they are looking for a particular field.
Cutting-Edge Technology
Universities in the U.S. pride themselves on being at the forefront of technology, research and techniques, and in making the best possible equipment and resources available to their students. Even in other fields apart from science or engineering, student’s have opportunities to become skilled in using the latest technology to conduct research, as well as obtain and process information. Students get an opportunity to be connected with researchers, teachers and experts in their fields from all over the world.
Opportunity for Research
Students have an opportunity to gain valuable experience through teaching and/or research while pursuing their education in the U.S., especially for students pursuing their masters. Many graduate programs offer training and teaching opportunities that enable students to become teaching assistants to undergraduates and/or research assistants on special projects exploring different aspects of your field of study.
International students are some of the most valued teachers and researchers in U.S. universities because they bring new skills and ideas to the classroom and library or laboratory. This practical component of USA education proves very useful for students for future career, and gives insights into areas or spheres of their field that would not be possible through course study alone.
Flexibility
Although most programs are highly structured in that specific coursework requirements must be met, students will generally be able to find a wide variety of course choices to meet those requirements. For example, liberal arts coursework for an undergraduate program will include (among others) classes in languages and mathematics, but you will often have several options from which to choose insofar as which language class you take, or which area of mathematics appeals most to your interests and skills.
At the advanced stages of a degree, or if you are pursuing a graduate degree, you will be able to tailor your coursework to fit your specific academic goals, needs and interests. When you choose topics for independent study for a graduate thesis or dissertation, you can emphasize ideas that are important to you, your field and your country.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is normally available for international students, because pursuing higher education in the U.S. is expensive. Most of the universities financially support the international students either in the form of providing teaching or research assistantships. These assistantships are based on academic merit, rather than financial need. Awarded students will receive stipends, or either partial or complete tuition waivers. U.S. education could turn out to be completely free if the student exhibits exceptional skills in his or her field of study.
Support Services for International Students
Studying in the United States is a rewarding experience and international student office is a great help in helping students adapt to a culturally and academically different environment. The mission of the international student office is to assist students, and there is often a wide range of student services that they provide an orientation program upon arrival is just the start of the many programs and benefits of the university international student office. They help answer questions students have regarding visa status, financial situation, housing, employment possibilities, health concerns and more. It provides resume and employment assistance as graduation nears.
Global Education and Long-Term Prospects
Experience in an international setting is a marketable commodity. Many employers seek the wide range of knowledge, adaptability and experience that international students acquire by studying in the United States. Companies in the U.S. are increasingly seeking to become a strong presence in the global marketplace. They often look to hire employees who not only have multi-cultural language skills, but those who can also help communicate, negotiate and conduct business across different cultures.
In recent years, international companies have become much more proactive in recruiting from the pool of strong international student graduates. Long-term career prospects can be enhanced by experiences gained which results in development of self-confidence, independence and cross-cultural skills - attributes which are in high demand with employers worldwide.
Campus Life Experience
Study in USA not only broadens student’s educational experience, but Cultural opportunities as well. Whether it’s a small, private college in a small town or a university situated in the middle of a large urban area, most universities offer a variety of student clubs and organizations to match the wide array of student interests. Student’s have the opportunity to experience American culture, meeting new people and making new friends, through different organizations and associations.
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The US education systemm |
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An introduction to the US education system
The United States facilitates top notch resources and qualitative education for wide variety of curriculums that enables students to pursue their extra edge. For every student aspiring education in USA it is essential to be aware of the structure of educational system in USA. The system comprises of 12 years of primary and high school education, which is mandatory for getting admission in any graduate college, university, or for any professional and technical schools. It is not compulsory to accomplish these 12 years of elementary education within United States. Therefore students from overseas are also welcomed for higher education in United States.
Primary/Elementary School
Usually the education for Americans starts at around 5 years of age. The tenure of primary schooling will be about five to six years. In this level students will be completing five grades of their education. Students have choice to select their education held either in public schools, or private schools, or home school.
High/Secondary School
Upon completion of five grades of education in primary school, students will enter high/secondary school. The tenure of secondary school will be about six to seven years, by which students will be completing their 12 grades. After completion of their secondary education successfully students will be obtaining a high school diploma, which gives eligibility to get admission in any college or university. International students applying for graduation in U.S should have an equivalent grade of this diploma.
Undergraduate School
After achieving high school diploma, students will join colleges or universities to pursue their undergraduate course of study. They offer two types of degrees:
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Bachelors Degree: It is a four years long-term program, in which most of the students in US pursue their undergraduate program. Certainly, bachelor’s degree earns considerably more than another equivalent degree. The course of study is called the 'major', which comprises of the main or special subjects. Know more about Bachelor’s degree . |
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Associate Degree: It is a two years diploma program, awarded by community colleges, junior colleges and business colleges for completing the under graduation. It is equivalent to the first two years of bachelor’s degree (four-year degree). This degree can be valid to transfer into third year of four-year school eventually for the completion of bachelor’s degree program. The first year is called ‘freshman year’, second year is called ‘sophomore’, third year is called ‘junior’ and fourth year is called ‘senior’. Know more about Associate Degrees. For pursuing undergraduate program in USA, international students need to have a minimum score on the SAT +TOEFL . |
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Graduate School
Typically, graduate degree is a two-year program that is specialized on a specific subject like, arts, science, and philosophy. Students holding bachelor’s degree will be eligible to continue their further education by pursuing any master’s degree. Yet there are certain exceptions for pursuing graduate degrees like MBA. To pursue Master’s degree for international students, many universities ask for a minimum score on the TOEFL+ GRE and TOEFL+ GMAT for MBA. Graduation education includes, law, medicine, M.B.A., and Ph.D. (doctorate) etc.
Doctorate
To continue the comprehensive course of study, a student can pursue a Doctorate degree, which is also called as a PhD. This degree will be pursued to learn more and place special focus on the major subject a master’s graduate. The tenure of completing PhD degree may take around 3 to 6 years, depending on the selected program. Many universities consider master’s degree as the gateway to obtain doctorate. This is not compulsory for some other universities, where students can get PhD admission with bachelor’s degree.
Postdoctoral Studies /Fellowship
All offers for those beyond the doctoral or PhD level are grouped in this category. It may include postdoctoral positions and other academic related positions.
Academic Year
Generally, the school calendar in USA starts in August or September, which is continued through May or June. For the convenience of international students many courses are designed in such a manner that students can join the program in different terms resembling to semesters (two-term calendar), trimesters (three-term calendar), or quarter (four-term calendar) systems.
Transfers
Education system in US allows students to transfer to another university with the same graduation within a reasonable time period. Students have the opportunity to enroll in any university before finishing their degree and their credits will be used in the new university to complete their degree.
Credit System
A credit system is an organized method of presenting the educational program by accumulation of credits to its components. Students in USA will complete their degrees on the accretion of their credits between 130 and 180 credits. There are various parameters to depict credits for higher education, which may include workload, learning outcomes and contact hours of the students. In certain cases, ‘units’ or ‘semester hours’ are used instead of credits. For every course of study students will earn a particular number of credits per semester. Professors and advisers assist the students in organizing their course schedule for their academic year.
Grades
US education system employs chronic evaluation method for every course of study adopted by the students and assigns grades for them. These grades will be assessed based on several inquisitions that manipulate final grade such as, class attendance, marks scored in examinations, laboratory reports, assignments and other relevant proceedings. The following are the common percentage “letter grade scale” for classes taken at U.S. colleges:
100 - 90% = A,
89 - 80% = B,
79 - 70% = C,
69 - 60% = D,
59 - 50% = E,
49 - 0% = F
About GPA
Students will complete their degrees with a Grade Point Average (GPA). The entire grades obtained from the whole degree program will be known as cumulative grade point. Usually many universities will measure through the GPA scale of 4.0 and few use a scale of 5.0.
Calculate your GPA this way. Get the values assigned for your grades for each course. Usually there will be 4 points for ‘A’, 3 points for ‘B’, 2 points for ‘C’. Multiply them with the number of credits they worth. Finally total all the multiplied values and divide them with sum of actual credit values.
For example: 27 divided by 9 = 3.0 GPA (from the below table)
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Letter Grade |
Numerical
Value |
Number of
Credits |
Total |
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A |
4.0 |
3 |
12 |
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B |
3.0 |
3 |
9 |
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C |
2.0 |
3 |
6 |
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However, GPA grading varies from India’s grading system, some organization like WES (World Education Services) converts Indian education grades into GPA system of USA. If your university facilitates conversion scale from percentage to GPA, make use of them. |
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Current
Qualification |
Education
Options at
USA |
Course
Tenure
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Institutions
Type
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Eligibility
Tests
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10+2 |
Associate
Degree |
2 years |
Community
colleges;
Junior
colleges |
SAT
/
TOEFL
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10+2 |
Bachelors
Degree |
4 years |
Public /
Private /
Religious
universities;
or relevant
schools,
colleges,
institutions |
SAT
/TOEFL
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Bachelors
Degree |
Masters
Degree |
2 years |
Public/Private/Religious
universities;
& other
relevant
schools,
colleges;
institutions |
GRE
/
GMAT
/
TOEFL
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Post
Graduate |
Doctorate(PhD) |
3-6 years |
Public/Private/Religious
universities;
& other
relevant
schools,
colleges;
institutions |
GRE
/
TOEFL
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Higher education in the USA. |
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"Higher Education" is the term that is used in the United States of America to describe any schooling after secondary or high school education. Higher education can take the form of a university, college, technical school, vocational school, or professional school. There are over 3100 accredited colleges and universities in America. Getting admission in the right school is the major hurdle that most students must face in pursuing a degree program in America. It takes careful planning, research and counseling. First a word about language, Americans generally use the words "college", "university" and "school" interchangeably, particularly in speech.
US institutions offer a wide variety of subjects (or majors, as they are called) to study, everything from the fine and liberal arts to practical, career-oriented fields such as engineering and marketing. The USA also presents a wide variety of types of institutions to choose from: large, comprehensive land-grant institutions of 40,000 students to small traditional liberal arts colleges of less than a 1000 students. Distinctions among these academic institutions are in size, level and competitiveness of education offered, social/residential atmosphere and the time required to complete a degree. Because the United States is a large country with a variety of climatic and living conditions, schools vary greatly due to their location. Since academic levels and quality of instruction are comparable at most accredited institutions at the undergraduate (bachelor's degree) level, students' personal preferences as to size, climate and location, play a key role in what school they choose. Students often begin study at one institution, then transfer after two years to complete their degree at another institution. One needs good GPA (Grade Point Average) to transfer. At the graduate (master's, doctoral degree) level, more importance must be paid to the reputations of the faculty and department.
Admission requirements differ greatly from one institution to another. All schools, however, require students to submit official transcripts of courses and grades taken in high school and other post-secondary institutions and a formal application. Smaller schools require letters of recommendation. Most schools will require submission of standardized tests such as the TOEFL, and SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), GRE (Graduate Record Exam), GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test), etc. Most of these tests are presented by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) in Princeton, New Jersey. It is very important to begin the admission process early because in many cases application deadlines are far in advance of the start of the semester (sometimes as many as twelve months). Students also need to allow time for scheduling any standardized tests needed for admission and then having the results of these tests sent to schools. Each college or university establishes its own unique policies regarding admissions.
There are four levels of degrees one can study for at an American college or university. They are:
The A.A./A.S. degree or Associate's Degree
A two-year degree given by a two-year community or junior college. It is possible to transfer from a two-year college to a four-year college for completing Bachelor's degree.
The B.S. (Bachelor or Arts) or B.S. (Bachelor of Science) Degree
Given after four years of study at an undergraduate college or university. This degree usually includes 60 credits of general education courses (Sociology, Psychology, History, Philosophy, etc;) plus 60 credits of specialization in the major. There are many types of Bachelor degrees- B.S.M.E. (Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering), B.F.A. (Bachelor of Fine Arts), etc.
The Master's Degree
Require one to three years of study after obtaining the Bachelor's degree. Time required is dependent on the field of study. There are several types of Master's degrees: M.A. (Master of Arts), M.S. (Master of Science), M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration), M.ed (Master of Education) A Master's degree requires the writing of a thesis and /or the taking of comprehensive exams..
The Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) or Ed.D. (Doctor of Education) Degree
Usually requires 3 additional years of study after obtaining the Master's degree. It requires original research to be conducted and written up in the form of a dissertation and the defense of that research orally.
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Types of US Universities and Colleges |
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There are many types of colleges and universities in the U.S., and several different ways in which Americans classify them. Classification can be based on whether a school is financially supported by a state or not, the history of a school, how and when it was first established, or how the school primarily functions now. International students--coming from quite different educational systems--may be unfamiliar with the ways schools are sometimes classified in the U.S., so here's some more information:
"Public"
Universities: These are state-affiliated institutions that are publicly-supported (financed by public taxes) and they're usually large in size. They normally offer all levels of degrees and many different fields of study. Public colleges and universities are relatively inexpensive for residents of the state where the schools are located (since they're funded in large part by state tax revenues). Foreign students pay "out-of-state" tuition, which is higher, often significantly so.
International students may find it hard to gain admission to these schools at the undergraduate level, because preference is often given to state residents. This is especially true in the fields of engineering, business, and computer science. Many state university systems have a number of different campuses situated all around the state. Sometimes one campus will be be the preeminent one in terms of research and graduate study--this school is sometimes referred to as the "flagship" campus of the system. There are many, many notable public universities across the country--just a few examples: Pennsylvania State University, Ohio State University, the University of California, the University of North Carolina, and the University of Texas.
Small Liberal Arts Colleges:
There are hundreds of small liberal arts colleges throughout the United States enrolling anywhere from fewer than 1,000 students to several thousand. They are usually dedicated primarily to the undergraduate study of the traditional arts and sciences disciplines: humanities, sciences, and social sciences.
Strictly liberal arts colleges are often quite old (by U.S. standards, anyway!) and are usually private schools (meaning they're supported by tuition fees, private donations, and grants). Many of these colleges were traditionally single-sex (all-men or all-women) but that's only true these days in a handful of cases, usually exclusively women's colleges. Sometimes these schools were founded with a religious affiliation, but the overwhelming majority of them don't take this into account any more in terms of admissions or day-to-day student life.
These colleges are usually highly-rated institutions because they stress small classes, individual attention for their students, and a close relationship between the faculty and students. Many of them also generally have stringent admissions standards. Among these schools are: Amherst, Williams, Swarthmore, Bowdon, Smith, Mount Holyoke, Vassar, Bryn Mawr, Oberlin, Grinnell, and Pomona College. Where's the Ivy League, you ask? Read on...
The Ivy League: Although these schools are among the oldest and most famous in the country, the Ivy League itself was not officially formed until the 1950s--as an athletic conference! Members of the Ivy League are: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania (a private college, not to be confused with Penn State University). All these schools are in the Northeastern U.S. Ivy League colleges stress undergraduate liberal arts education, but they also have noted graduate and professional schools. Tuition at these private schools is among the highest in the country, and admission is generally highly competitive.
Sometimes you'll find the term "Ivy League" also applied, somewhat inaccurately, to any top-notch private liberal arts college. And despite the cachet of the term "Ivy League," there are many other colleges and universities, both private and public those are just as highly rated and as difficult to get into--Stanford being just one example.
Denominational or Religiously-Affiliated Schools: There are a large number of colleges and universities in the United States that were formed by religious groups and organizations and which continue this active affiliation. They are not limited in admission, however, to members of that religious group, however. They are, however, administered by members of their religious group and are often run in line with their religious precepts. Among well-known schools in this category are: Notre Dame and Georgetown (both Catholic), Brandeis and Yeshiva (Jewish), Brigham Young (Mormon), Southern Methodist University, (Methodist) and Earlham (Quaker).
Technical Institutes: These are schools specializing primarily in engineering and science and particularly noted for their research and graduate programs. Most international students who attend these schools are admitted at the graduate degree level.
The undergraduate colleges of these schools also offer a variety of liberal arts courses along with their technical subjects. Undergraduates admitted to these schools usually have especially 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), and W.P.I. (Worcester Polytechnic Institute) are a few of the noted schools in this category.
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University: the broadest type of educational institution, comprising both undergraduate and graduate schools. Universities often have several colleges, schools, or faculties (e.g. School of Engineering, College of Business, College of Liberal Arts, Faculty of Arts & Science) and offer several levels of academic degrees (B.A./B.S., M.A./M.S., M.B.A., M.D., J.D., Ph.D.)
College: generally a four-year undergraduate academic institution (that's less complex and often smaller than a university.) Colleges primarily offer Bachelor's degree programs and sometimes a limited number of Masters’s-level programs. (Colleges do not usually offer Doctoral programs.) Sometimes the term "college" is used for a specialized kind of degree-granting institution, such as a teacher's college or a technical college.
The oldest U.S. colleges are generally liberal-arts colleges, meaning that they provide a broad education in a variety of Arts & Sciences subjects, rather than specific technical or vocationally-oriented programs.
Professional school: is a graduate program where people study for specific professions, such as: lawyer, (law school), doctor (medical school), veterinarian (veterinary school), dentist (dental school) or business person (business school). Usually professional schools function as part of a larger university, but some are "free-standing" and function on their own.
In the U.S., people generally attend professional schools only after completing an undergraduate program. (Some universities offer programs where students can attend a professional school at the same time as an accelerated college program.)
It is important for the international student to understand that the U.S. education system is highly decentralized. Unlike most other countries, the United States does not have a Ministry of Education in Washington, D.C. which standardizes education across the country. There is a cabinet-level post of Secretary of Education, but it is a position with very little authority over day-to-day functioning of universities and their programs. The Secretary of Education cannot dictate uniform educational curriculum across the country.
Each of the fifty states in the United States is autonomous regarding policies of its own colleges and universities. Each state and each school operates independently of the others. Therefore, there are various systems in place, which are often quite different from state to state. All states make some form of public--i.e. partially government-funded--college and university education available, but these systems are all organized differently. Colleges and universities are accredited by voluntary, self-governing, regional associations (for example the Middle States Association of Colleges and Universities, the New England Association of Colleges and Universities, etc.) and not by governmental agencies. This accreditation is very important however, since many educational programs will only recognize other accredited programs.
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General entry criteria
For a bachelors program a 10+2 year of basic education is required. 12+4 years of basic education is required to pursue a master's degree in the USA . 12+4 years of basic education and relevant work ex is required for an MBA program.
Documents required
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Document |
Description
of document |
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Degree
Certificate
&
Provisional/Course
completion
whichever is
available). |
In sealed
envelopes
to be
attested by
The
Registrar
of
University/Controller
of Exams
Provisional/Course
completion
Certificate
required for
final year
students.
Original
attestation
on Photocopy |
|
Individual
Mark
statements
and
consolidated
All memos
required
including
retakes |
In sealed
envelopes
to be
attested by
The
Registrar of
University/Controller
of Exams.
Only
Consolidated
mark sheet
will not be
accepted.
Original
attestation
on Photocopy |
|
10+2 /
equivalent
mark sheet. |
In sealed
envelopes to
be
attested by
the College
Principal/Technical
Board.
Original
attestation
on Photocopy |
|
10th /
equivalent
mark sheets |
In sealed
envelopes to
be
attested by
The School
Principal.
Original
attestation
on Photocopy |
|
TOEFL |
Notarized.
(Official
ETS
reporting
should be
done by the
Student )
Photocopy |
|
GRE/GMAT/SAT |
Notarized
(Official
ETS
reporting
should be
done by the
Student)
Photocopy |
|
Recommendation
Letters
(Min. 3
Nos.)One
from HOD;
other two
from
concerned
dept.
professors. |
In sealed
envelopes
with
attestation
(inside
outside)
Date should
be
mentioned.OriginalLetterhead
Different
formats |
|
Statement of
Purpose
(SOP)
Approx. 750
words) |
To be
prepared by
the student
on A4 size
paper and
duly signed.
Hard & Soft
copy |
|
Bank
Statement
Student
cannot be a
partner in
joint a/c |
Signed by
the Bank
Manager with
a seal of
the bank,
A/c no. &
Date
Approx.
amount
equivalent
to
US$44,000…….
Original
Bank
Letterhead |
|
Affidavit of
Support |
Signed by
the Sponsor
& has to be
notarized on
Rs. 10 Stamp
Paper
Original |
|
Passport |
First & last
2 pages
Photocopy |
|
Photograph |
Colour,
Standard
passport
sized
photograph |
|
Other
Certificates
(if any) |
i.e. extra
curricular
activities
Photocopy |
|
Resume |
Duly Signed
Hard & Soft
copy |
|
Experience
Letter |
Required if
> 6 months
gap/showing
experience
in Resume
Photocopy |
|
|
|
Intakes
There are two major intakes in most of the universities, schools and colleges of USA – Fall (Sept.) and Spring (Jan). Deadlines for fall intake start from January and for Spring from October. For an entire application procedure a student requires around 8-9 months of time.
Application deadlines
|
|
Tier I |
Universities
|
– 8-10
|
Months
before Start
Date |
|
Tier II |
Universities
|
-
6-8
|
Months
before start
date |
|
Tier III |
Universities
|
– 4-6
|
Months
before Start
Date |
|
Tier IV
|
Universities
|
– 2-4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
An Introduction to standardized test
The function of standardized tests is to give colleges a way to evaluate all their applicants on an equal level. Comparison of grades received in courses or on exams is not always enough because different schools have different academic standards. An admissions counselor at a university has no way of determining how challenging the calculus or economics course you took was. By comparing your score on a standardized test to the score of another student who took the same standardized test, the counselor has a better idea of how the two of you compare.
Most standardized tests are designed to measure a student’s skills, rather than a student’s amount of knowledge. The questions in these tests evaluate your ability to solve problems, not your knowledge of facts (such as important historical dates, or parts of the human anatomy).
Most of the US colleges and universities require that all their applicants take one or more standardized tests. These tests include the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), GRE (Graduate Record Examination), and GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test). Additionally, applicants who are not Americans are required to also take the TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language).
International students applying for an undergraduate program (bachelor’s degree) will be required to take the TOEFL and the SAT tests. There are also many schools that will. Graduate students applying to an arts or science program will be required to take the TOEFL and, usually, the GRE. Graduate students applying to a business program will be required to take the TOEFL and, usually, the GMAT.
IELTS
This test is for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication. It measures ability to communicate in English across all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking IELTS is jointly managed by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL) through more than 350 locations in 120 countries.
Why IELTS
It opens doors for you to more than 2000 educational institutions, government agencies and professional organizations across 120 countries where IELTS scores are recognized as a trusted and valid indicator of ability to communicate in English. IELTS is an English Language Proficiency test that is required to be taken by non-native students for study in countries where the medium of instruction is English. Among the popular study destinations IELTS is accepted by universities in UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and USA. IELTS is however not accepted by most universities in USA. TOEFL is required as a proof of English proficiency to study there.
IELTS Test Structure
IELTS tests the ability to listen, read, write and speak in English. Band scores are used for each language sub-skill (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking). The Band Scale ranges from 1 ("Non User") to 9 ("Expert User") the four Band Scores, one for each section are added together and averaged for an Overall Band Score. Each Band has a statement giving a summary of the English at that level. There are nine Band levels, from one (non-user) to nine (expert user). All candidates must complete four Modules - Listening, Reading, Writing and speaking to obtain an IELTS Test Report Form. Total Test Time 2 hours 45 minutes.
The first three modules - Listening, Reading and Writing - must be completed in one day. The Speaking Module may be taken, at the discretion of the test centre, in the period seven days before or after the other Modules. The tests are designed to cover the full range of ability from non-user to expert user.
IELTS level for admission to the academic world
The minimum score accepted for a course ranges from 5.0 to 7.5, depending upon courses and institutes you are applying to. The most common requirement is a band score of 6 to 6.5.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a compulsory English test conducted for every student from non-English speaking country looking for overseas education in English speaking countries like, USA, UK, etc. It is a test conducted for assessing the fundamental abilities in English and is accepted by over 6000 colleges and universities in 110 countries. This is over 3 times the number of any other English-language proficiency test. The test is administered in 180 countries at more than 1275 test sites. A TOEFL score is valid for two years and then is deleted from the official database. The maximum score for Internet based TOEFL (Computer Based TOEFL) is 120.
Test Modules
TOEFL test consists of four distinct modules, each determining the essential language proficiency that is used in the atmosphere of the academic.
|
|
|
|
* |
Reading
This module determines the proficiency of understanding intellectual reading issues. The Reading module consists of 3-5 comprehensive passages (long passages and questions asked about them). They are chosen from the academic topics, which are found in undergraduate university textbooks.
|
|
* |
Listening
This module determines the proficiency of understanding the English since it is used in the colleges and universities. Listening module consists of 6 comprehensive passages, two passages will be the conversations of the students and the other four will be academic lectures or discussions. Students have to understand the conversations and answer for the passage questions.
|
|
* |
Speaking
This module determines the proficiency of speaking in English. Speaking module consists of 6 tasks, two independent tasks and four integrated tasks. In the independent tasks, students have to answer opinion questions concerning to the academic life. In two of the integrated tasks, students have to read a passage, listen to a passage and speak about how the ideas in the two passages are related. In the other two integrated tasks, students have to listen to long passages, review them and speak about the information in the passages.
|
|
* |
Writing
This module determines the proficiency of writing that is pertinent for colleges and universities assignments. This module consists of two tasks, one independent task where students have to read an academic passage, listen to an academic passage and write their reviews about the two passages. Another is the integrated task where students have to write an own essay.
|
|
|
|
TOEFL IBT ( New Generation TOEFL)
A new Internet based version of the TOEFL test will commence in Sept 2005. It will be introduced in the USA in Sept 2005 followed by Canada, France, Germany and Italy in Oct 2005. It will be offered in the rest of the world in 2006. TOEFL iBT tests all four language skills that are important for effective communication skills namely Speaking, Listening, Reading & Writing. Academically successful students need to combine all the four language skills in the class room. Integrated tasks in the new test will help learners build the skills and confidence needed to communicate effectively.
The new integrated tasks will ask test takers to
* read, listen and then speak in response to a question
* listen and then speak in response to a question
* read, listen and then write in response to a question
The New TOEFL test Includes
Listening
Introduction of additional native English accents
* Time: 60 - 90 minutes
* Score scale: 0 - 30
Speaking selection
This section includes six tasks and test takers wear headphones and speak into a microphone when they respond. Test takers can take notes throughout the test.
Speaking 6 tasks
* 2 independent tasks - express an opinion on a familiar topic
* 4 integrated tasks - speak based on what is read and heard
Up to 30 seconds to prepare the response Up to 1 minute to respond
Reading
* 3 - 5 passages from academic texts
* Approximately 700 words long
* Time: 60 -100 minutes
Writing
2 tasks
* 1 Integrated task- write based on what is read and heard.
* 1 independent task-support an opinion on a topic.
No grammar is evaluated in Speaking and Writing responses.
Score Scale: Scores from the new TOEFL test will provide information about performance in the four skill areas students needed for success in an academic environment. Each module is assessed on a scale of 0-30 with total test being assessed on a scale of 0-120.Score reports will provide better information than ever about an individual's readiness to participate and succeed in academic studies in an English speaking environment.
TOEFL iBT SCORE IS VALID FOR 2 YEARS
Structure of the TOEFL iBT Test |
|
Section |
Description
|
Testing Time
|
Questions
|
Score Scale
|
|
Reading |
3-5 passages from
academic texts;
approximately 700 words
long; 12-14 questions
per passage.
|
60-100 minutes
|
36-70 questions
|
0-30 |
|
Listening |
4-6 lectures, some with
classroom discussion;
each 3-5 minutes long; 6
questions each. 2-3
conversations; each 3
minutes long; 5
questions each.
|
60-90 minutes
|
34-51 questions
|
0-30 |
|
Break |
- |
10 minutes |
- |
- |
|
Speaking |
2 tasks to express an
opinion on a familiar
topic; 4 tasks to speak
based on what is read
and listened to.
|
20 minutes |
6 tasks |
0-4 points converted to
0-30 score scale
|
|
Writing |
1 task to write based on
what is read and
listened to; 1 task to
support an opinion on a
topic. |
50 minutes |
2 tasks |
0-5 points converted to
0-30 score scale
|
|
Total score |
- |
- |
- |
0-120 |
|
|
|
|
Variations in Different TOEFL Tests iBT / CBT / PBT |
|
Post-Secondary Level
|
TOEFL® iBT
|
TOEFL® CBT
|
TOEFL® PBT
|
CCEL English level
|
|
Maximum score
|
120 |
300 |
677 |
|
|
Graduate Programs
|
100 |
250 |
600 |
Upper-Advanced
|
|
Maximum Undergraduate
|
92 |
237 |
580 |
Advanced |
|
Minimum Undergraduate
|
86 |
227 |
567 |
Upper-Advanced
|
|
College |
80 |
213 |
550 |
Intermediate
|
|
Community College
|
61 |
173 |
500 |
Intermediate
|
|
Fee (US $) |
165 |
110 |
140 |
|
|
Time Length |
4:30 Hrs |
3:30 Hrs |
3:45 Hrs |
|
|
|
|
|
IELTS vs TOEFL |
|
IELTS |
TOEFL |
|
IELTS |
Paper Based |
Computer Based |
Internet Based |
|
7.5 |
627 |
263 |
107 |
|
7 |
600 |
250 |
100 |
|
6.5 |
577 |
233 |
90 |
|
6 |
550 |
213 |
79 |
|
5.5 |
525 |
197 |
71 |
|
5 |
500 |
173 |
61 |
|
|
|
About the GRE® test
GRE® test stands for GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATIONS®. There are two types of GRE® tests: (1) GRE® General test, and (2) GRE® Subject test
GRE general test
The GRE® General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study. The GRE® General Test is required by many graduate and professional schools in the U.S and is an important criterion for admission to their graduate programs. Applicants must submit their GRE® scores together with certain other records/requirements as part of the process of admission to graduate schools. The GRE® is administered by Educational Testing Services (ETS). ETS is responsible for conducting the GRE® test under the guidance of the college education board of the U.S. GRE is a multiple-choice Computer Adaptive test and it is a mandatory for students seeking Masters Degree or PhD degrees in the USA for most of the Universities.
Test pattern
Verbal section
The skills measured include the test taker's ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it analyze relationships among component parts of sentences recognize relationships between words and concepts.
• 30 questions in 30 mins.
• Score range: 200 – 800 Analogies, Antonyms, Sentence Completion, Reading Comprehension.
Quantitative Section:
The skills measured include the test taker's ability to understand basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis reason quantitatively solve problems in a quantitative setting.
• 28 questions in 45 mins.
• Score range: 200 – 800
• Quantitative Comparison, Discrete Math, Data Interpretation
Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)
The skills measured include the test taker's ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively examine claims and accompanying evidence support ideas with relevant reasons and examples sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion control the elements of standard written English.
• 2 essays
• Analysis of an Issue (45mins.)
• Analysis of an Argument (30 mins.)
Total score range for the test: 400 – 1600 (Verbal + Quantitative); 0 – 6 (AWA)
The GRE® scores are technically valid for five years However, most of the top universities do not consider scores more than two years old .Being a Computer Adaptive Test, it is conducted throughout the year, on all weekdays you can register for the test online at www.gre.org OR by post/ telephone/ fax.
Test fees are US$140 (from 1st July 2006, the test fees will be US$160) This includes reporting your scores to 4 universities of your choice, on the day of the test If you want to report your scores to additional universities (or if you do not report your scores to any university on your test day, and would like to do so later), the fee is US$15 per university.
The GRE is a computer-adaptive test, which means your performance on previous questions determines which question you'll be asked next. The change to GRE has been cancelled.
What we refer to as the 'post graduate' level in India is called the 'graduate school stage' by Americans.
GRE Subject Tests
ETS also administers the GRE Subject Tests that gauges undergraduate achievement in specific fields of study and can help forecast a candidate's potential for success in graduate school. Each Subject Test is intended for students who have majored in or have extensive background in that specific area.
The GRE Subject Tests assess and evaluate your undergraduate achievement in the eight disciplines listed below.
Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology
Chemistry Computer Science
Literature in English Mathematics
Physics Psychology
Not all graduate programs require you to take the Subject test. So, before you register yourself make sure that you've checked with the programs to which you're applying. Or else, consider taking the Subject Test if you're applying to courses outside of your undergraduate major.
In simple terms, the Test goes a long way in adding value to your score line. Once you have factored in your chances to make it to your college of choice, the Subject Tests become the launch vehicle to drive up your grades. Of course, we are not saying the Tests are going to be a cakewalk, but you can practice hard and get round to answering the questions with depth and clarity.
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a computer based standardized test that assesses the aptitude abilities in a person for accomplishing the academic of business curriculum. Students from different backgrounds belonging to different countries in the world can take the GMAT test. This test is a decisive part for admissions in more than 4000 graduate programs in 1800 schools around the world. Presently, several leading Business Schools in India also require GMAT scores for admission.
Test Modules
The GMAT test consists of following three modules that determines fundamental verbal, mathematical and analytical writing skills in the test taker. The maximum score for GMAT is 800 and the mean score is 533 in 2005-06. The test score is valid for 5 years.
Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)
In this module test taker has to prevail two writing tasks, Analysis of an Issue and Analysis of an Argument. The maximum time limit will be 30 minutes for writing each essay. The range of test score in AWA range from 0-60 points, representing the average ratings of two essays.
Quantitative section
This module consists of 37 multiple choice questions, which has to be completed within 75 minutes. The test evaluates the competence of arithmetic, elementary algebra, and common geometry which are categorized into two types of tasks: Data Sufficiency and Problem Solving. The range of test score in Quantitative section range from 0-60 points.
Verbal section
This module consists of 41 multiple choice questions, which are categorized into three tasks - reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction. The maximum time limit for completing this module is of 75 minutes. The range of test score in verbal section range from 0-60 points. Moreover, there will be few pretest questions (they are not scored) assorted in verbal and quantitative sections, which cannot be identified. Therefore you have to answer all the questions in the test.
|
|
Maximum Time Limit
|
: |
3 Hours and 45 Minutes
|
|
Maximum Test Score |
: |
800 |
|
Mean Score (2005-06)
|
: |
533 |
|
Test Fee |
: |
U.S. $250 worldwide
|
|
|
|
|
Structure of the GMAT Test
|
|
Modules
|
Number of Questions
|
Time Limit
|
|
Analytical Writing
- Analysis of an
Argument (30
minutes)
- Analysis of an
Issue (30 minutes)
|
2 Essays
|
60 Minutes
|
|
Optional 5 Minutes
Break
|
|
Quantitative Section
- Problem Solving
(23 to 24 questions)
- Data Sufficiency
(13 to 14 questions)
|
37 |
45 Minutes |
|
Optional 5 Minutes
Break
|
|
Verbal Section
-Critical Reasoning
(14-15 questions)
-Sentence Correction
(14-15 questions)
-Reading
Comprehension
(4passages with
12-14 questions)
|
41 |
75 Minutes |
|
|
|
|
Difference between GRE and GMAT
|
|
|
GRE |
GMAT |
|
Quantitative Section
|
|
Time |
45 min |
75 min |
|
Question Types
|
Word Problems
Quantitative Comparison
|
Word Problems
Data Sufficiency
|
|
Verbal Section
|
|
Time |
30 min |
75 min |
|
Question Types
|
Analogies
Antonyms
Sentence Completion
Reading Comprehension
|
Critical Reasoning
Sentence Correction
Reading Comprehension
|
|
Writing Section
|
|
Time |
75 min |
60 min |
|
Question Types
|
Issue Task
Argument Task
|
Analysis of Issue
Analysis of an Argument
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUCCESS STORIES |
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