Study in USA- The Career Counsellor

Study in USA is an extremely popular choice for international students because of its cutting-edge research, entrepreneurial prospects, and innovation. The United States comes in third position globally for luring international students to study abroad, behind only Canada and the United Arab Emirates. Over 1.1 million people apply annually to study at the top institutions in the USA, according to an IIE poll.

Even while it is practically impossible to pinpoint the precise reason for foreign students’ love for the US, there are a number of reasons that make the country a popular choice. The USA as a country offers everything, including the top 17 schools out of the top 50 major universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023) as well as an endless variety of courses, a diverse environment, and a variety of employment opportunities.

Indian nationals make up about 21% of the more than a million international students studying in the US. According to the Open Doors Report released in November 2022, about 200,000 Indian students choose to pursue higher education in the United States in the academic year 2021–2022, an increase of 19% from the preceding year (2020–2021).

Study in USA Highlights

Universities in USA

3,000+

Average Study Cost

40,000 – 50,000 USD

Average Living Expense

12,800 USD

Part-time Work Allowance

20 hours/week

Work permit in USA post-study

12 months

USA Study Visa cost

$ 510

Visa Approval Rate

80%

Minimum TOEFL score

85 (iBT)

Minimum IELTS score

6.5

Minimum PTE

59

Why Study in USA?

Choosing a nation to study in hundreds of miles from home is a dream for some people and a lifetime investment for many. This is why students from throughout the world have long ranked the United States as one of their top destinations for higher education. According to U.S. News & World Report, out of the 100 Global Universities, about 48 of the top universities are situated in the US.

To find out why the USA is so well-liked by students, let’s go into detail about the advantages of studying there.

  • Top  Universities

When it comes to some of the top-ranked universities in the globe for higher education, the United States of America holds the lion’s share. 15 American colleges are among the top 20 universities in the world according to Times Higher Education. The top four universities in the world are MIT, Stanford, Harvard, and Caltech, according to QS World Ranking.

  • Education System in USA

The US educational system is divided into various categories. Primary school comes first, then middle school, then post-secondary education. There are four different sorts of institutions that make up the US higher education system: State Colleges or Universities, Private Colleges of Universities, Community Colleges, and Technology Institutes.

  • Wide Variety of Courses

 More than 2 million programmes are available in the nation through 4- and 2-year universities, including Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees as well as programmes for doctoral, vocational, associate, and certificate degrees.

  • OPT STEM

The USA offers a wide range of degrees that are “STEM eligible,” giving overseas students the assured option to remain in the country for an additional two years after receiving their degrees. Students who enrol in STEM programmes in the US receive practical instruction that goes beyond the required one year, and they can also work for a company with US headquarters.

  • A search and Innovation

 In terms of development and research, the United States is the world leader. NSF estimates that universities spent about 22 billion dollars overall in 2015 on research and innovation.

  • Employment Opportunities

 62% of international students land jobs in the USA after earning their degrees. The average salary in the USA for someone with a four-year degree ranges from 61,000 to 1,20,000 USD at the mid-career level.

Popular Courses to Study in USA

Although the USA has a wide range of courses in almost every relevant discipline, there are a few favourites among overseas applicants that are at the top of practically every applicant’s list. However, other programmes are similarly exceptional and are highly regarded by many. The list primarily contains STEM degrees in the USA.

If you are an international applicant, you may want to consider applying to some of the top courses available, such as:

MBBS

Masters in International Business

MS in Data Science

MBA

Masters in Finance

MS in Computer Science

MS

Masters in Management

MS in Civil Engineering

B.Tech

Masters in Business Analytics

MS in Engineering Management

B.Sc Computer Science

MS in Data Analytics

Masters in Cybersecurity

BBA

MS in Artificial Intelligence

Masters in Mechanical Engineering

Masters in Digital Marketing

Masters in Economics

Masters in Information Systems

M.Arch

Masters in Supply Chain Management

Masters in Project Management

Admission Process for Study in USA

The following list includes the step-by-step admission application process as well as before and after measurements:

Explore your choices:

You must conduct extensive research on the variables that are most important to you before making this crucial decision because the USA is home to some of the best and most prominent universities in the world. Rankings, costs, prestige, the availability of the programme of your choice, the organization’s average acceptance rate, and its admission standards are just a few examples of the variables that may be involved.

Make a financial plan:

Programmes, institute type (private or public), and degree level (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate) all affect how much education costs in the USA. A master’s programme can cost between 15,000 and 30,000 USD year, compared to between 15,000 to 55,000 USD for a bachelor’s degree from the USA.

Get your application ready:

Plan your application properly in advance and take into account the factors that the institute’s admissions procedure is most influenced by. Work on your entire application while giving your interview, personal statement, statement of purpose, and recommendation letters a lot of attention.

Find recognised exams to study for in the USA:

International applicants must present IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or a comparable test as evidence of their English language skills. Depending on the course and level of programme you select, additional test results like the GRE, GMAT, or SAT/ACT may also be required.

Apply for Study Visa to Study in USA:

International applicants must have a current visa in order to study in the United States. The next step is to apply for a student visa at the closest US Embassy or through the consulate after receiving an acceptance letter from the university and an I-20 form.

Be ready for leaving:

 Pack your luggage, let your university know, and be ready for a flight to your preferred location once the visa has been issued.

Application cycle for studying in the USA

Students who want to study in USA must follow a semester-by-semester application procedure at US universities. Three semesters are dedicated to admissions: Spring, Summer, and Fall. January through May is when applications are accepted for the Spring intake. The deadline for summer intake applications is in May, while the deadline for fall admission applications is from September to December.

Cost of Study in USA

For overseas students, the expense of studying in the US is a problem. The combined cost of studying in the USA is covered by the cost of living and living expenses. The average cost of the first year of an MS programme in the United States, including living expenses and tuition, is about Rs 34.12 L. While the first year of an MBA programme in the USA costs Rs 38.26 L. In the United States, an MBA course typically costs generally Rs. 27.77 L in tuition.

Costs of living in USA

The two main parts of living expenses are lodging and food prices. The average annual cost of lodging and meals in the USA is roughly Rs 6.65 L for lodging and roughly Rs 3.85 L for meals. The yearly inflation rate for US higher education institutions is 8%, according to EducationData’s report on college tuition inflation rates.

Compared to students living in the US’s suburbs, living expenses are higher for students who live in cities. Before travelling there, students should get a thorough understanding of the cost of living in the USA in order to better arrange their budget.

Student Visa for Studying in USA

The F1 visa is the most common of the various types of US student visas. For applicants to studies requiring more than 18 hours of study per week, an F1 visa is required. An F1 study visa is necessary for those who want to pursue both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the USA. In addition, students who are attending technical or vocational schools need an M1 visa.

Student visa requirements for Studying in USA

Some of the conditions needed to get a student visa for the United States are listed below.

  • A current passport.
  • A copy of the photo you’ll be using for your visa.
  • your DS-160 and I-901 SEVIS payment confirmations, printed out.
  • I-20 form.
  • Transcripts from universities
  • Scores from any official tests, including English language tests, that are listed on your university application.
  • (If applicable) A diploma
  • Statements from your bank or other types of financial records.

United States of America Permanent Resident Permit

You can obtain formal immigration status in the US with a green card, also known as a USA permanent residence card. You have particular rights and obligations as a result. To become a citizen of the US, you need a green card. Who you can sponsor to live and work in the US depends on whether you are an immigrant or a citizen. Your spouse and unmarried children may be sponsored if you are a permanent resident.

Admission requirements for universities in the USA

US institutions have varying entry requirements for UG and PG programmes. The general requirements for enrollment at US universities are listed below.

  • A record of grades
  • SAT or ACT test results that are standardised
  • GMAT and GRE standardised test results
  • Test results for English proficiency (TOEFL, iTEP, IELTS, PTE Academic)
  • Essay Purpose Statement
  • Recommendation letter
  • A copy of your passport
  • Financial verification

Scholarships for Study in USA Universities

The most comprehensive list of study abroad scholarships can be found on our website for candidates looking for scholarships to study in the USA. Our website now contains more than 200 scholarships, totaling more than INR 1,315 crores and dispersed across 11 countries.

Study in USA with Scholarship: For Indian Students

Universities in the US are quite generous with their financial assistance awards to qualified applicants who excel in the classroom. Given the variety of possibilities available, the nation provides the ideal match for any taste and background.

The merit- and need-based scholarships that are offered to international students in the USA are broadly divided as follows:

Merit-based funding

Merit based scholarship offered to deserving students who achieve in both academic and extracurricular pursuits. For these honours, applicants must have impressive GPAs and exam results on the SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE.

Need-based funding

Need based scholarship given on the basis of financial necessity to deserving students whose families’ incomes are insufficient to meet the institute’s tuition charges.

Even though the number of need-based scholarships available to overseas students may be small, there are numerous merit-based grants available for the smartest students in the world to study in the United States with a scholarship.

Top Universities for Indian Students to Study in the USA

Some of the top colleges for studying in the US that are well-known internationally are included below, along with their admittance rates and QS World University Rankings 2023:

Rank

Universities Name

Acceptance Rate

1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

6.70%

3

Stanford University

3.75%

5

Harvard University

4.70%

6

California Institute of Technology

6.40%

10

University of Chicago

7.30%

13

University of Pennsylvania

8.40%

15

Princeton University

5.50%

18

Yale University

6.30%

20

Cornell University

10%

22

Columbia University

5.40%

24

Johns Hopkins University

11.20%

25

University of Michigan- Ann Arbor

20.20%

27

University of California- Berkeley

17.50%

32

Northwestern University

8.50%

39

New York Universtiy

12.20%

44

University of California- Los Angeles

9%

USA post-study work permit

To study in the USA, foreign students need an F1-Visa. With this visa, they are able to remain in the country for 60 days following their graduation. After finishing their education, F1 visa holders can apply for OPT (Optional Practical Training). When an overseas student completes a degree programme in the US, they are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT), a one-year work and stay-back permit.

Jobs and Salary after Studying in USA

The Bureau of Labour Statistics projects that between 2021 and 2031, the American economy will add 8.3 million new employment. Of those, the leisure and hospitality sector will likely account for 1.9 million jobs, or 23.1% of all anticipated new positions.  The median salary in the USA is highly dependent on the industry, position, age, experience, education, and region. The median monthly salary in the United States is $6,228 a month, or $74,738 annually, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labour and Statistics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the USA is no different from other nations in having advantages and areas for improvement. Despite the pandemic’s continued global spread and the country’s deteriorating political climate, the United States has managed to maintain its reputation and is consistently ranked among the top three most popular countries for study abroad.

Because, let’s face it, there is only one each of Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford, and these names have become a symbol of intellectual excellence. Therefore, the United States of America might be a good choice to be included in your list of worthwhile destinations for higher education if you are an international applicant wishing to study abroad.

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