Study in USA: A Complete Step-By-Step Guide

“Study in USA” is a popularly searched keyphrase by international students aspiring to study abroad. That’s no surprise because most top-ranked institutions in the world are located in the US.

You probably are one of the multitude searching for the best tips on how to secure admission in a top school in the US and wondering how to get started. You are at the right place. We have provided a comprehensive guide that will help you accomplish your study abroad dreams.

Why Study in USA

The major reasons why foreign students choose America as a study destination include:

• Cultural diversity
• Academic excellence
• Flexible education system
• Excellent support system for Foriegn students
• Lively and vibrant campus life

Cultural diversity

American Universities place great importance on diversity, which means classes are made up of students of different nationalities, religions, ages, and cultures. In other words, it also provides a stimulating and rich learning environment that encourages intercultural networking and understanding.

The diverse environment ensures that there is acceptance in all communities and that all forms of discrimination are excluded. You will learn with students from different regions of the world which makes it a rich and stimulating educational experience.

Growing among diversity will give you strong personality traits and skills that will be valuable in the international marketplace. Nowadays employers prefer students with a multicultural background that you can get to know in the United States. The USA is unique international fame and it also helps you discover a wide variety of cuisines, customs, festivals, and arts.

Academic excellence

The US has some of the best universities, many of which are regularly ranked in global university rankings. American institutions are also known for having high academic standards, adhering to rigorous quality maintenance practices, and are well supported to provide excellent education to their students.

According to the QS world ranking list 2019. 33 of the top 100 universities come from the USA. Similarly, the Times Higher Education Ranking has placed seven of America’s universities in the top 10 universities.

Flexible education system

Universities and colleges in US offer a large number of courses and programs to choose from. You have the freedom to choose not only the content of the course but also the structure.

In the undergraduate degree, you have the freedom to take various courses before declaring your major at the end of the second year. This helps to explore your topic interest and then to decide without too much rush. Likewise, for your final research, you can choose your preference and focus on the ideas you want to focus on as you progress your dissertation.

Excellent support system for Foreign students

Universities in the US understand the struggles of international students and therefore regularly run orientation programs, workshops, and training to provide assistance. In fact, the International Student Office helps students like you get used to a new lifestyle – be it academic, cultural, or social, the staff is available 24 hours a day.

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Lively and vibrant campus life

Campus life in the USA is known to be unsurpassed. Whichever university you attend, you will find yourself surrounded by new cultural experiences and the American way of life. Take it and open yourself to new ideas and new people.

Study in USA Cost

Universities and colleges in the USA are the most expensive in the world, still, millions of international students apply every year.

There are multiple institutions available in the US such as community colleges, private colleges, and public colleges. costs vary depending on the colleges and courses.

Public colleges charges between $35,000 and $45,000 and private colleges charge from $50,000 to $75,000 per year.

Public and community colleges charge fewer tuition fees as compared to private universities that are so because Public and community colleges get their funding mostly from the state government and private colleges get their funding from private organizations and donations. 

Courses like medical sciences, engineering, technology, tend to be more expensive than education, arts, humanities, and other similar subjects

The college tuition fees differ from college to college. Higher courses like masters are usually more expensive than undergraduate courses. However, international students almost always pay significantly more than American students.

Here is the list of courses and their cost depending on the college and the course you are planning to pursue.

Undergraduate Courses

International students pay $25,000-$35,000 per year at a public university and $30,000-$45,000 at private colleges on average.

The cost can reach up to $50,000-$55,000 per year for some private colleges. The cost of undergraduate degrees in the US varies greatly between institutions

Postgraduate Courses

The fees depend on the courses that you choose. International students usually pay $20,000-$35,000 for public colleges and $35,000-$50.000 for private colleges per year. In general, the MBA, JD, or MD courses will cost more than the Ph.D. or master’s courses

For a cheaper option, you can go to a community college, you will not receive a bachelor’s degree instead you get an associate’s degree because community colleges provide 2-year courses. They can charge you $2500-$3000 per year. 

Accommodation cost:

Most colleges offer accommodation to their international students.. daily essentials like electricity, water, and the internet are being provided. On average the cost is between $5000-$8000 per year.

However, you can choose to stay off-campus where You can share an apartment with other students or you can live alone as well. the rent differs on the location you are staying.

The East and Northeast region is expensive than The Midwest region in the US The cost for a single-bedroom apartment is between $6,000-$15,000 per year. But, you have to pay your electricity, internet, and water bills along with the rent.

Study in USA for Free

Everyone deserves the right to an education, and that no one should be left behind due to financial constraints.

With the help of scholarships from universities and colleges, government institutions, and private institutions, getting your degree in the USA for free is highly possible.

American universities and colleges have provided a wide range of scholarships as they are many schools to choose from. the scholarship program avails a full scholarship for higher education in the USA.

However, there are various options and opportunities available for you as an international student, so you can choose from the options listed below if you wish to study in the USA for free.

• International student financial aid
• International scholarships
• Help from private organizations
• International student loans
• Help from government organizations

Universities and colleges international students can study for free.

Here is the list of universities and colleges that international students can study in the USA for free.

• Webb Institute
• College of the Ozarks
• Curtis Institute of Music
• City University of New York (CUNY)
• U.S. Academies
• State of Washington Universities
• Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
• Deep Springs College
• Berea College
• Alice Lloyd College

Study in USA With Scholarship

Pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the United States of America is expensive. Do you want to study on scholarship in the USA? they are the number of American universities and organizations that offer undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. scholarships.

There are lots of expenses involved when you plan to study abroad, but effective budgeting can help you manage your expenses better. so you should do proper estimates that cover additional expenses like food, health, and accommodation.

Here is the list of scholarships for international students to study in the USA

• American university scholarship
• Amherst college scholarship
• Berea college scholarship
• Clark University scholarship
• Columbia College scholarship
• Concordia College scholarship
• Dartmouth College scholarship
• East Tennessee State University scholarship
• Emory College scholarship

Institutions that fund international scholarships for study in the US.

• Joint Japan World Bank
• AAUW International Fellowship
• Fulbright Scholarship

How to Apply for College in the USA for International Students

Choosing the perfect study destination is as important as deciding on the right course and university.

To apply for college in the USA for international students Requires the completion of an online application and submission of supplementary materials. but the criterion is a good academic score.

However, it also depends on factors like subject, level, and your chosen destination. in some scholarships, factors like volunteering, and extra curriculum activities can also be used to an advantage.

The American education system provides an opportunity for international students to study in the country but first of all, you will have to obtain a student visa.

The visa you need will depend on the course of study you want to pursue in the country, ensure that you have all the latest information first.

This will guide you with the visa updates and also help you make your application, while also prepping you up for the visa interview.

How to apply for the study and exchange visa

The study and exchange visa is for people who wish to study in the united states. There are three basic categories: F, M, and J.

Your course of study determines if you need an F or an M visa. The most common study visa is the F visa.

The F visa is for students attending a university, college, high school, private elementary school, seminary, conservatory, or another academic institution including language training programs. 

While the M visa is for students attending a vocational or other recognized non-academic schools.

You can only apply for your visa if you have been accepted by the program or school you intend to study. Hopefully, this helps you understand which category you fit under and will guide you through the process of finding the correct visa to apply for.

See a Complete Step By Step Guide To Getting A US student VISA

How to apply for colleges in the USA- Step-by-Step process

Each university and college has its own admission standards and decides which applicants meet those standards. Therefore, you must apply separately to each university or college.

To ensure that your application process goes smoothly, make sure you meet the qualifications before sending your application to avoid any disappointments and inconveniences.

To increase your chances of getting accepted, you should apply for as many scholarships as you can as Scholarship providers can be very selective to their recipients.

Follow these helpful steps as you apply for admission to U.S. universities and colleges:

• Write to several schools
• Send application forms
• Register for admission test
• Take the admission test
• Pay your deposit
• Write an awesome essay

Most applications will request the following information:

• Personal information
• Activities
• Educational plan
• Essay
• Letters of recommendation

Test-Taking Tips

Education plays a key role in your quest to achieve your dreams and become proficient in a skill. To succeed in your academic pursuit, you need to learn the exams/test-taking tips to enable you to perform well in your studies

• Take plenty of time to prepare for each test.
• Use available sample questions and exercises. 
• Simulate the test situation. 
• Take advantage of all the resources available to you.
• Follow directions

See the top 20 study strategies every student should adopt.

List of the Most Affordable U.S. Colleges for International Students

Universities	Estimated tuition and fees
Brigham Young University	$34,740
Truman State University	$14,842
Florida State University	$21,683
California Polytechnic State University	$23,349
Binghamton University	$26,328
University of Iowa	$29,770
Asbury University	$28,631
University of Minnesota	$28,910
University of Georgia	$30,392
James Madison University	$30,800
Purdue University	$30,954

This list highlights the cheapest universities in the USA for international students based on tuition data

China is another great study destination for international students. See the best tips to study in China

List of U.S. Colleges Awarding the Most Financial Aid to International Students

• University of Chicago
• Columbia University
• Skidmore college
• Williams College
• Trinity College
• Harvard University
• Stanford University
• Amherst College
• Wesleyan University
• Yale University

Conclusion

For many students, studying abroad is a preferred option. That is because studying abroad offers affordable programs and gives you amazing opportunities to experience and learn different styles of education. The study abroad program will help you to make independent decisions that’s because you develop critical and logical problem-solving skills.

Follow our step-by-step guide to studying in the USA. It will certainly leave you with an unforgettable experience with the host country.

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