Higher Studies in The United States of America:

United States is the premier destination for higher education. It has the highest no of universities scattered over its 50 states. Students from India as well as from many other countries fly to the US to pursue higher studies and according to the present data more than 80,000 Indian students are currently enrolled in different college and university graduate as well as undergraduate programs. The total number of Indian students constitutes around 14% of the total number of foreign students studying in US.

US has a total no of 248 National Universities out of which 162 are public and 86 are private.

The country provides for the highest level of divergence in terms of the types of universities, campus locations, programs and faculty structures. You generally find four types of universities and colleges in US.

Public Colleges & Universities: These are colleges & universities the courses, programs and activities of which are funded primarily by the govt. Scholarships or any other forms of aid are both need based and merit based. In most of the colleges & universities, both graduate and undergraduate programs are available.

Private Colleges & Universities: These colleges & universities are primarily funded by the private agencies, corporate or the non-governmental organizations. Graduate and undergraduate programs are diversified and the areas of research and expertise are many. Overall, the entire research ambience is congenial and the internal organizational structure is varied and unique. Fellowships, scholarship or any other forms of funding is primarily merit based.

Community Colleges: Community colleges are two-year colleges that are publicly owned and funded. Community colleges are assisted largely by the local community bodies and associates. Community colleges were designed earlier to meet the requirements of those students who for some personal, educational or professional reasons are unable to register themselves for a four-year undergraduate degree course. The degree that is offered is an associate degree and the number of courses in these colleges is limited. Presently, community colleges are playing a pivotal role in the creation of avenues and opportunities for a number of national and international students.

Online Colleges & Universities: With the growing usage of Internet and related technologies, many universities and colleges are providing on-line degrees and diplomas. Online Colleges & Universities do provide for interactive online classes, practice and training sessions using CD ROMS. Some courses and programs are accredited by the IVY League group of Universities. In many online Colleges & Universities, both graduate and undergraduate programs are available.

Admission Overview:

International admission to different courses and programs in US colleges and universities is primarily based on merit and the students are judged on the basis of certain criteria and requirements. Most of the higher education institutions do follow a formal admission process and the admission decisions are generally taken in a month's time. Universities that endorse upon a rolling-processing admission process give admission faster and with least possible documentation.

For detailed information relating to admission and scholarship, please refer to USEFI and USIS.

Entry Requirements for UNDERGRADUATE Admissions:

Application fee: Most of the universities and colleges undergraduate programs have a meager application fee that students are to pay for admission enrollment. Some institutions waive the application fees if the student meets certain conditions and requirements. Most of the community colleges do not have an application fee at all.

Academic Requirements: To join an undergraduate program or an associate degree program, you need to complete 12 years of complete study with good academic grades.

Academic Transcripts: To apply to undergraduate admission office you need to collect academic transcripts from your respective schools. Sometimes colleges / universities provide the students with transcript request forms. Sometimes the high commissions, embassies and consular offices help in transcribing the documents.

Language requirements: Any Indian student or student from any non-native English speaking countries who wishes to join an undergraduate program in a US college or a University has to clear TOEFL or IELTS (academic). The approximate requirement of TOEFL iBT scores for mid ranking colleges or universities is 80 out of 120 (Internet Based Test). For higher universities, the TOEFL iBT cut off score is approximately 90-100 out of 120 (Internet Based Test). For IELTS, the general requirement is 6.5 Band out of 9 (achieved by academic module) with a sub score of no less than 6 in individual bands. Most of the US undergraduate programs prefer TOEFL to IELTS.

Standardized scores: For undergraduate admissions, a competent SAT or an ACT score is required in most of the cases. SAT is broadly classified into SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject tests. The approximate SAT Reasoning score requirement for mid ranking colleges or universities is 1680 out of 2400. For high rung colleges and universities, the SAT Reasoning cut off score is approximately 2000 out of 2400. For SAT Subject tests the score requirements vary from university to university. As an alternative to SAT universities accept ACT with writing score.

Letters of Recommendation: Sometimes, colleges and universities require you to submit letters of recommendation that you should collect from your high school teachers. These letters of recommendation will focus on your academic strengths and weaknesses, your area of expertise and your general understanding about the course and study.

Interviews: Many undergraduate admission programs require the international students to appear for an interview before they enroll themselves. Sometimes interviews are carried over through telephones.

Entry Requirements for GRADUATE Admissions:

Application fee: Application fees vary across universities. Application fee for public university graduate programs are lesser as compared to private universities. In general, fees range between 30 US Dollars to 100 US Dollars.

Academic Requirements: For joining a graduate program, you need to complete at least 16 years of study. So Indian students wishing to do MA or MS in any of the academic fields are supposed to complete at least one year of their Masters to be qualified for Graduate studies in the US.

Academic Transcripts: To get entry, you need to provide academic transcripts that bear the testimonial of your study period, the grades that you obtained, the courses and the credits assigned for each course. For getting the transcripts from your schools/colleges/universities, you can either use the US college/university transcript request form or make an appeal before your school/college/university to issue the same. Please note that your school/college/university has every right to send the transcripts directly to the institution you have applied for. In mutual satisfaction your school/college/university can also hand over the sealed and signed transcripts to you and it depends upon your goodwill to send the same for evaluation.

Language requirements: Any Indian student or student from any non-native English speaking countries who wishes to take up a course with a US college or a University has to clear TOEFL or IELTS (academic module). The approximate requirement of TOEFL iBT scores for mid ranking colleges or universities is 80 out of 120 (Internet Based Test). For higher universities, the TOEFL iBT cut off score is approximately 100 out of 120 (Internet Based Test). For IELTS, the general requirement is 7 Band out of 9 with sub scores no less than 6.5.

Standardized scores: For getting graduate admission in most of the colleges and universities in US, it is essential to have a good score in GRE (Graduate Record Examinations),/ GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) or both. Most universities and colleges ask for GRE General though some university departments may ask for GRE Subject scores. The approximate GRE General score requirement for mid ranking colleges or universities is 1000 out of 1600. For higher universities, the GRE General cut off score is approximately 1300 out of 1600. The approximate requirement of GMAT for mid ranking colleges or universities is 500 out of 800. For higher universities, the GMAT cut off score is approximately 700 out of 800.

Letters of Recommendation: Colleges and universities in the US do ask for two to three letters of recommendation from academic supervisors, teachers, professors and in some cases from work supervisors. Most of the institutions accept these letters of recommendation in sealed envelopes so as to maintain confidentiality. Admission and scholarship decisions depend a lot on the strengths that these letters carry.

Statement of Purpose: A brief outline of your academic interests, your proposed degree program, your skills and experiences put up in cumulative statement form is required in order to get entry into a course. A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is a brief sketch about you, your academic understanding and the purpose of joining a desired course. A good SOP ensures higher chances towards your degree enrolment.

Research Outline: Higher research or PhD candidates and post-doctoral students have to forward their research outline in brief. The research outline would embody the research statement, the research questions, hypotheses, research methodology, methods and sources of data collection & the average time of completion of the investigation. An integrated four to six page research outline is what the universities look forward to.

Relevant Publications: Though it is not obligatory to have certain publications if you are joining a doctoral or a post-doctoral course but it is always better to have some relevant publications in your name. Publications in your desired field of research will brighten your chances of both admission and scholarships in higher-grade universities.

Curriculum Vitae: Some universities and colleges do ask for personal resumes to identify the professional accomplishments and career goals of the fellow students.

Degrees and Programs offered:

There are five main degrees in the US. The certificate degree, the Associate degree, Bachelors, the Master's degree and the higher research degree or the PhD. Some universities also provide for some post-doctoral programs. Programs differ across Colleges & Universities. Programs are designed in accordance with the degree requirements, the university's financial position and the faculties that are available. The major programs offered in most of the Colleges & Universities are:

Science and Engineering

Business Administration

Information Systems

Social sciences

Life and Biological sciences

Genetics and Molecular engineering

Management, Organizational principles and practices

Community service and Community health

Hospital and Healthcare administration

Molecular robotics, Space science and Integrated technologies