Comprehensive Guide to Studying in the USA with ImmiEd Global Study Consultants
The academic and life experiences you get from studying abroad will help you improve your personality and skills. An international qualification makes you more noticeable among employers. The decision to study abroad can have a significant impact on your future. Hence, proper groundwork and vigilant preparation are necessary. An efficient study abroad consultant will provide an accurate roadmap for a seamless process of moving and settling in a foreign country for studies.
ImmiEd Global Study Consultants will ensure you do not experience setbacks while moving to another country. Our team comprises qualified and competent professionals who examine each individual's academic and career objectives and provide service accordingly.
Why Study Abroad?
The scope of studying in a foreign country is enormous. A change of place, culture, language, community, academic methods followed, technology, resources and so on can broaden your mindset and enhance your overall growth. Through international education, you will be able to attain global skills and gain access to high-quality education and practical training with industry leaders. Students with international qualifications have a competitive advantage in the job market since they are known to have cultural insights, adaptability skills, linguistic proficiency, exposure to innovative technology, etc.
Crossing borders to study at a prestigious institution and gaining a globally recognized degree is easy with the help of ImmiEd Global Study Consultants. Our team ensures you adhere to the laws, guidelines, and criteria your chosen country and institution sets forth. We execute each course of action required for study abroad with utmost attention and dedication, reflecting our expertise and professionalism in our high success rate and client testimonials.
Education System
The higher education system in the United States of America (USA) comprises Associate Degrees, Bachelor's Degrees, Master's Degrees and Doctorate or PhD. The duration of an Associate Degree is two years, and students get a primary insight into the subject and get training for entry-level jobs. Community colleges offer Associate Degrees. It is equal to the first two years of a Bachelor's program, and students can complete a Bachelor's Degree after getting an Associate's Degree by proceeding with two years of education at a university or a college. Most Bachelor's Degrees are 3 to 4 years, providing students with deep subject knowledge required to pursue a promising career. The duration of a Master's Degree depends on the type of specialization and can take around 1 to 2 years to complete. A full-time Doctorate or PhD program can take around 4 to 8 years to complete.
There are different types of higher education institutions in the USA, such as Community Colleges, State Colleges or State Universities, Private Colleges or Private Universities, Institutes of Technology, Ivy League Universities and Liberal Arts Colleges.
The American institutions have three intakes:
- Fall intake - August/September
- Spring intake - January/February
- Summer intake - May and August
The Fall intake is the major and primary intake, with institutions accepting a large number of applications. The spring intake is the second major intake, and the summer intake, which is the additional intake, is only offered by limited institutions. Only a few programs and scholarships are available.
Further, there are many more things, such as grading, choosing Majors, Minors and Concentrations, the Semester vs Quarter system, etc., which a student must understand before proceeding with their study abroad process. At ImmiEd Global Study Consultants, we possess comprehensive knowledge about the current education system in the USA and stay updated about any changes. Students need not worry about anything regarding the education system we will provide precise and significant insights about it.
Popular Study Programs
Universities in the USA provide a wide range of courses. Choosing the right course is the only thing you can do. Here, let us find out some excellent USA study abroad programs.
Business and Management
Business and Management programs in the USA are trendy among international students. The institutions offering exceptional business and management programs offer students highly valued qualifications and excellent career possibilities. Many American business schools top the chart among the best institutions worldwide. For instance, as per QS World Ranking 2024, Harvard Business School is in the number 1 position, Stanford Graduate School of Business is in the number 4 position, and MIT Sloan School of Management is in the 5th position. Other well-known institutions include the University of Pennsylvania, Yale University, New York University, Northwestern University, Webster University, University of West Florida, etc. Some of the specializations in the field of business and management which the students can pursue are Human Resources, International Business, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Marketing and so on.
Biotechnology
Students pursuing a biotechnology program in the USA can access top-notch facilities such as high-tech laboratories, outstanding faculties, immense research opportunities, and broad career possibilities. The scope of studying biotechnology is vast, and with a degree from the USA, which has an excellent biotech ecosystem, the students have the prospects to work in world-famous biotech companies, research institutions and pharmaceutical companies. Students completing the program can work as clinical research coordinators, research scientists, biotechnology technicians, molecular biology research associates, etc. The broad spectrum of specializations available in biotechnology are Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology, Marine Biotechnology, Medical Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Agricultural Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry and many more. Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of California, Stanford University, Berkeley (UCB), University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Florida Institute of Technology, etc., are a few of the top institutions offering different biotechnology programs.
Computer Science
Computer Science programs are very much sought after by international students, and American institutions provide a strong foundation in the subject through basic and advanced studies. Computer Science is an evolving field with a high employment rate, job security, and pay scale. Students can specialize in Scientific Computing and Data Analysis, Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, Computer-Human Interface, Cloud Computing, etc. After completing the program, students can work as data analysts, IT consultants, network architects, applications developers, software developers, etc. Some of the best institutions for studying the program are Carnegie Mellon University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, Columbia University, Harvard University and Cornell University.
Engineering
The USA is one of the best countries in which you can opt to study engineering. Many American institutions rank top among the world's finest institutions for engineering programs. Some include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard University, Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley (UCB), Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Michigan, etc. Students can select from various engineering specializations such as Civil, Industrial, Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, and many more.
Healthcare
The USA has an excellent healthcare system, and healthcare jobs are in high demand, offering job stability and high income. American institutions provide students with outstanding research opportunities and access to cutting-edge technology and innovations. Studying healthcare programs, therefore, opens the door to a lucrative career. The different healthcare programs the students can choose from are Nursing, Health Administration, Nutrition, Public Health, Health Informatics, Doctor of Medicine, etc. The healthcare field offers work opportunities such as public health analysts, health educators, nurses, dentists, doctors, etc. American institutions famous for providing healthcare programs include Harvard University, Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, Yale University, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Washington, etc.
Admission Process
The United States of America is home to many distinguished educational institutions, so the competition for admission is high. Students who want to study in USA must take a reasonable amount of time and start the process very early to ensure that they adhere to all the criteria, apply on time, and get accepted into the institutions. The procedures for admission differ according to the institution and the program. It is necessary to thoroughly research everything concerning studying abroad to avoid any errors and complications.
ImmiEd Global Study Consultants will familiarize you with the admission process. Our team will shortlist the best institutions and programs that align with your professional plans and preferences. We will manage the paperwork and documentation required for admission and visa. Our team will also guide you with entrance tests, language proficiency tests, interviews, scholarships, financial advice, orientation, accommodation, etc.
Cost of Living and Tuition Fees
The average cost of living for international students in the US will be around USD 10,000 to USD 25,000 per year, including accommodation, insurance, transportation, food, and other personal expenses. There are many options for accommodation, such as residence halls, apartments, studios, on-campus hostels, etc. Accommodation costs can range between USD 300 to USD 2000 per month. The cost of living depends on the place as well as the manner of spending of the individual. Metropolitan places such as New York, Boston, California, and San Francisco have higher living costs than suburban areas such as Texas, Seattle, Illinois, etc.
Tuition fees vary depending on the city, level of education, program, and institution. The average annual tuition fee for an Associate Degree program is around USD 3800, a Bachelor's Degree around USD 8,000 - USD 40,000, a Master's Degree around USD 10,000 - USD 60,000 and a Doctorate or PhD around USD 28,000 – USD 55,000. MBA annual tuition fees can cost between USD 50,000 – USD 60,000, and engineering yearly tuition fees can cost between USD 30,000 – USD 75,000.
Scholarships offered to students wanting to study in USA include Government-funded scholarships, non-governmental scholarships, and institution-specific scholarships. International students can apply for scholarships such as the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Programme, Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships, AAUW International Fellowships, International Student Financial Aid (ISFA), University of Minnesota Fellowship, etc.
Through smart and efficient financial management, students can reduce various expenses while studying in the USA. The ImmiEd team will provide guidance regarding student loans, scholarships, and other costs. We will direct the students through the most affordable path by helping them with budget planning for their overseas studies.
Work and Stay Opportunities
There are three types of visas for international students: an F-1 visa for students pursuing full-time academics, a J-1 visa for academic exchange programs and an M-1 visa for non-academic or vocational studies.
International students on F-1 visas enrolled for full-time programs in the USA can work part-time for 20 hours per week when their classes are going on, and when there are no classes, they can work full-time for 40 hours a week. The different part-time jobs the students can take up on-campus and off-campus include academic department assistant, library assistant, teaching assistant, peer tutor, store associate, etc. F-1 visa holders can work off-campus only after one year of academics. For off-campus work, students can apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT). After completing the program, the F-1 visa holder can stay back for one year and find a job with a Post-completion OPT. After getting an H-1B visa (mostly issued for three years), the student can work in the USA. Then, upon residency in the USA for 3 or 5 years, the individual can apply for a green card or permanent residency.
The work and stay regulations governing J-1 and M-1 visa holders are different. For instance, they can only stay 30 days after completing the program. The common visa type applied for by international students is F-1.
Life in Abroad
Life in the United States of America can be an enriching experience for students. The country has an excellent academic environment with programs focusing on problem-solving, practical learning and critical thinking. The flexible educational environment allows students to choose from a diverse and vast number of courses, and students can also select subjects according to their preferences. The institutions provide good support to international students, making it easier for them to settle in the country. The diversity of the country allows students to gain cultural understandings and new views about the traditions, customs, and lifestyles of people from different backgrounds. The Americans give importance to individuality and equality. They are also direct and informal in the conversations and are punctual. The country has a strong economy and immense job opportunities.
Conclusion
The institutions in the United States of America are renowned for academic excellence. Study in USA gives students the option to choose from a vast number of programs. The students get to learn in an interactive learning atmosphere. The classrooms are smaller, with only around 20 students, and the faculties give personal attention to the students. The outstanding research opportunities, excellent student support, internationally recognized qualifications, diversity, etc., make the United States of America a worthwhile option for pursuing higher studies.
Students may find it challenging to comprehend the nuances of the education system and the regulations, guidelines, and criteria for the admission process. With the resources, knowledge, and experience, ImmiEd Global Study Consultants provides holistic study abroad services. We will ensure that your aspiration to study in the USA is fulfilled.
