 Information about US
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  Education System
Exams
Entry Requirements
Admission Process
Intake
Education System
The U.S. educational system is very different from its Indian counterpart. U.S.A. has more than 3,300 accredited colleges and universities, which offer a wide range of graduate and undergraduate programs
There is no central ministry of education in the U.S. and each institution can determine its own programs and admission standards. There are private as well as state funded colleges.
Universities are academic institutions that include one or more undergraduate colleges, as well as any number of graduate and professional schools, i.e. schools offering study for a single profession such as law.
Four year colleges are undergraduate institutions offering academic programs leading to a bachelor's degree. Community colleges or junior colleges are undergraduate institutions offering upto two years of academic instruction beyond secondary school at a relatively low cost. These offer certificate programs that last for a few months to a year as well as associate degrees.
Institutes of technology or polytechnic institutes offer specialized programs in sciences and engineering, in addition to basic sciences, humanities and the social sciences, at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Any one who has a consistently good academic record, firm financial support and proficiency in English can apply to Universities in USA.
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Exams - US Admission
GRE
Graduate Record Examination [GRE] is required for students for admission into Master's or Doctoral degree. The GRE is a competitive examination that needs at-least 3 months of preparation.
The total score of GRE is 1600 and of each section will be 800. Different schools have different GRE score requirements. Good score means crossing the 1400 mark, which assures you a paid assistantship. The GRE score is valid for 5 years. The GRE test is India is now a computer-based test. There is no specific test date or test month neither are there any registration deadlines. Plan your test well in advance to meet all your financial aid deadlines.
GMAT
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a computer-adaptive test (CAT) that is available year-round at test centers throughout the world. The GMAT includes basic verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills. This test helps graduate schools in assessing the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in business and management. GMAT is so popular that, its scores are used by nearly 1,700 graduate management programs.
Total GMAT scores range from 200 to 800, with two-thirds of the test takers scoring anywhere between 400 and 600. For the Verbal and Quantitative section the scores ranges from 0 to 60. The Verbal and Quantitative scores measure diverse and different. They cannot be compared to each other.
For the Analytical Writing Assessment the score is an average of the ratings
1.Of the Analysis of an Issue
2. Of the Analysis of an Argument sections
The scores for Analytical Writing Assessment range from 0 to 6 in half-point intervals. The writing scores are computed separately.
TOEFL
Test of English as a Foreign Language [TOEFL] aims to evaluate the English proficiency of people whose native language is not English. TOEFL scores are required for the purpose of admission by more than 2,400 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. TOEFL test includes reading, listening, speaking and writing sections. TOEFL is administered on two levels - iBT [Internet Based Test] and PBT [Paper Based Test]
SAT-I
The Scholastic Aptitude Test [SAT] is for students applying for the Bachelor's Degree. It evaluates the student's scholastic aptitude. SAT test scores are important to determine colleges into which admission is sought, and for getting scholarships and financial aid awards. It includes two levels - SAT I and SAT II.
SAT-I is a three-hour, primarily multiple-choice test that measures verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities.
SAT II tests the subject knowledge and ability to apply this knowledge.
With our success rate, experience and expertise, we make a quality choice for those who don't just want to be served like "one in many" but like "the one".
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Entry Requirements
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A = Entrance Tests
B =Application Calenda
C = Tuition and Living costs |
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Entrance tests
US colleges and universities require that all their applicants take one or more standardized tests. These tests include the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), ACT 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 I tests. Some schools will also require the SAT II. There are also many schools that will accept the ACT in place of the SAT I.
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. Find out directly from the schools to which you would like to apply what tests are required. A brief description of each of these standardized tests is given below.
A = Entrance Tests
B = Application Calender
The following information will help you plan for the college application process by giving you dates by which each of the necessary steps should be completed. Following a schedule will help you make sure that everything is done on time and that no items or steps are forgotten.
18 months before beginning your studies in the US:
Begin your search of possible US colleges or universities that you would like to attend. Read through college reference guides and visit college websites. Also talk with your relatives and friends who have studied in the US. Request information from 10 to 20 different schools so that you can make a good decision on where to apply. For more help and information on the search process, go to Choosing a school. To have some of the best US colleges contact you directly, click here.
Register and start preparing for the TOEFL and other entrance tests (such as the SAT or GRE).
Continue to work hard at your subjects at school. Good grades in the courses you are taking now will count heavily in the admissions decisions.
15 months before:
Take the TOEFL and other entrance tests. Most universities require you to take the test before December, so taking it now gives you an opportunity to take it again in November and improve your score.
12 months before:
Send letters to colleges you have selected requesting applications and information, or obtain this information and necessary forms from their websites. You should choose: (a) one or two schools that you really like, but may be too difficult to get into; (b) two or three that you also like and which you think will accept you; (c) one or two which may not be your favorites, but you are quite sure will accept you.
Identify two or three teachers or other people whom know you well and ask them to write recommendation letters for you.
For undergraduate applicants the best references are teachers and your school principal. Family friends, religious counselors, and others should be used only if they know you very well and can speak specifically about your academic goals and potential.
Graduate students should obtain letters from their teachers or professionals in their field whom they have worked with and who can speak specifically about their academic potential and relevant accomplishments.
Ask the schools you have attended to start preparing your transcripts. These are official school documents that show the courses you have studied and the grades you have received in those courses.
If your previous TOEFL, SAT, or GRE scores were not satisfactory, register for the test again.
11 months before:
If you have not yet received the application forms you requested from the schools you wrote to, send another letter repeating your request. · Study the applications you have received. Note carefully the deadlines on each of them. Remember to allow time for delays in the mail.
Ask your schools to send certified copies of your academic transcripts to each of the schools where you are applying. · Ask your teachers to write their letters of recommendation for you. Give them the forms provided by the schools and a stamped, addressed envelope for each letter they will be mailing.
Undergraduate students should write their application essay. This essay is an important part of the application. It should reflect who you are and what you feel is important. Try not to repeat information you have provided in other parts of the application, but instead work to make the essay unique and personal. Get comments on it from an English teacher. For more information on writing your essay, refer to Personal essay. · Graduate students should write their statement of purpose if the schools have indicated that they require one. This is an important part of the application. You should show in your statement how your education so far has created a foundation for your goals, and how your proposed coursework in the US will help you achieve those goals. You should be as specific as possible about your research interests and past accomplishments.
Make photocopies of the applications and begin to fill in the required information on the copies. You will later transfer the information to the originals. If any questions confuse you, seek help from your teachers, or from someone who has studied in the US.
10 months before:
Complete your essays and application forms, including the financial aid application forms, using the originals (not the copies). Type or write by hand very neatly and carefully. The finished applications will be your introduction to the schools, so you want to make them look good. Keep a copy of the completed applications for your records. Mail the originals by airmail in time to meet the deadlines.
Take the TOEFL and other exams again, if you need to improve your scores.
Check with your teachers and your school to make sure your recommendations and transcripts have been mailed in time to meet the deadlines.
9 months before:
It is not unusual for schools to request more information or resubmission of something you have already sent. Respond promptly to any requests you receive.
4-5 months before:
You will start hearing decisions from the schools. Contact the admissions office at any school that you do not hear from.
Accept only one school's offer, and let the other schools know of your decision. Ask the school you have chosen to attend to send you the I-20 form. o Make housing arrangements.
Apply for a passport if you do not already have one.
3 months before:
Get a visa application form from the US embassy or consulate nearest you. For a complete description of the visa application process, go to Immigration.
Make travel arrangements. Schedule your trip so you arrive at least 15 days prior to your school's orientation.
Average Tution Fees
| University Type |
Average Tuition Fees
(annual in
U.S. Dollars) |
| Private Institutions (High Cost) |
$ 25,000 |
| Private Institutions (Low Cost) |
$ 15,000 |
| State Institutions (High Cost) |
$ 20,000 |
| State Institutions (Low Cost) |
$ 10,000 |
C = Tuition and Living Costs
Calculating costs
Note that the yearly costs given below are rough estimates. Costs such as tuition and fees will vary between different schools. Costs such as travel and room and board will vary between different cities in the US. Also, you should assume about a 5% increase per year for each cost. This is due to inflation.
Tuition
Tuition will be the largest component of your education cost. It will vary widely between different schools, so it is best for you to refer to the schools where you are planning to apply to get a realistic amount. As a very rough guideline, the cost for tuition can range from $5,000 to $25,000 per year. Public schools will typically charge lower tuition than private schools, and community colleges usually have the lowest tuition costs of all public schools. For an explanation of the differences between public and private schools, refer to Bachelor's Degree .
Room and board
This is normally the second largest component of your education cost. The cost for room and board can also vary widely between schools, so you should check with the schools where you are planning to apply to get the right estimate. A rough guideline is between $3,000 and $8,000.
Fees
In addition to tuition, most colleges and universities will also charge fees, such as student activity fees. These help to support student clubs and organizations on campus. They are usually relatively small, only a few hundred dollars per year.
Books and supplies
Students must pay for all their text books, as well as supplies such as notebooks, paper, pens, etc. You can sometimes lower this cost by buying used books from the school's bookstore. A good estimate for this cost is between $500 and $1,500.
Medical insurance
Because the cost of healthcare in the US is very high, many schools require international students to purchase medical insurance. It is a very good idea to buy insurance even if your school does not require it to protect yourself from extremely high medical bills should you become ill or have an accident. A comprehensive insurance policy (which covers doctor's visits, medication, hospitalization, and surgery) will cost between $500 and $1,000 for one person.
Travel
You should calculate how much it will cost you to travel between your school and your home country. You will need to determine how many times during the length of your education you will go home and multiply that by the cost of airplane fare between the two locations.
Personal Expenses
These expenses include clothing, entertainment, and telephone bills. This will vary depending on where you will live and on your personal lifestyle; therefore, it is difficult to provide an estimate.
| Rent |
$ 400 per month
(you can
live alone with that amount in a place like Auburn or share an apartment with 6
people in NY) |
| Groceries |
$ 100 per month |
| Utilities |
$ 100 per month |
| Phone |
$ 100 per month |
| Sundry |
$ 200 per month |
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Admission Process
At least 18 months in advance of your intended date of enrollment at a U.S. university. For example, if you wish to enroll in August/September 2006, you should start the process around April 2006.
Cost of Admission Process
Approximately, Rs.50,000 for applying to an average of 7 universities. This includes test fees, application fees, communication, and mailing expenses
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Intake
US universities offer two main semester intakes:
Fall Semester (September/October):
This is the main intake and almost all programs are offered at this times. More financial aid is also available for this semester and as funds are allocated for the entire year during this time.
Spring Semester (January/February):
This is the mid-year intake. There is limited financial assistance available for this semester as most universities allocate funds to projects in the Fall semester.
Some universities also have a Summer intake around July |
