Study in the USA

USA in itself is an alluring bundle for Indian understudies – it is home to the best colleges, fortune 500 organisations, open positions, and a place that is known for huge variety. USA is the biggest worldwide economy and perhaps the most grounded country on the planet. Individuals from various nations have moved to the Unites States of America to live the American Dream. Societies and customs brought to the land by various nationalities have contributed to a great extent to the rich variety the nation brag of.

Why study in the USA ?

The world's most well known worldwide understudy objective.
In excess of 750,000 worldwide understudies concentrate in the USA. That is more than in some other country on the planet.

Most noteworthy positioned colleges on the planet
The USA has a set up, top notch tertiary training framework. The USA brags a noteworthy seven out the world's best 10 colleges as indicated by the 2018 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

Variety of geology, culture and foundations
On account of the sheer size of the USA and the enormous number of establishments, there is an ideal fit for each sort of understudy. Enormous, rambling grounds that vibe like urban communities and little, personal grounds that vibe like an assortment of dear companions. Tropical islands, dry deserts, frigid fields, the Grand Canyon, California, and New York City. In the USA, there is genuinely something for each sort of understudy.

Grounds life
Living nearby in the USA can offer you the chance to advance your instructive experience and meet new companions. You may likewise decide to live off grounds. USA colleges offer a wide decision of scholastic, social and athletic exercises. Your college may likewise have an assortment of wearing groups notwithstanding societies and understudy clubs.

Instruction framework in the USA

All you require to think about the instruction framework in the US
The American school experience is not normal for some other. Host to a-list colleges and exceptional expert organisations, there are a wide scope of study alternatives for undergrad and postgraduate understudies from around the world.

How it works
Higher education in the US is divided into three main types of institutions:
● Junior or community colleges ● Vocational schools ● Colleges or universities.

Junior or community colleges
Community colleges are an affordable option and offer two-year associate degrees. After graduation, you can continue your studies in a university for another two years to complete an undergraduate program.

Vocational schools Vocational schools are a great choice for students interested in practical education and job training. They offer relatively short, career-focused programs to prepare you for work in occupations such as dental hygienist, civil engineer, chef or many other vocations that do not require a degree but do require training.

Universities
Undergraduate education in the US is based on the concept of liberal arts and sciences. Students can take classes in a wide variety of subjects in addition to their major field of study and can be awarded a bachelor’s degree after completing a specified number of credits in their selected major field of study.
The term ‘credit hours’ refers to the number of hours spent per week in a classroom. Every program has a certain number of credits that students can ‘earn’, and each school has its individual requirement for the number of credits required to graduate.
The two main types of universities in the US are:

● Public universities – most of which are state universities. These were established and continue to be run by the state government
● Private universities – a mix of profit and not-for-profit; approximately 20% of students attend private universities.

Graduate schools
Graduate schools in the US are typically known as postgraduate schools in other countries. Graduate schools are often associated with a university that also offers undergraduate (bachelor) degrees. These schools offer master and doctorate-level degrees.
There are two main categories for graduate programs in the US: master and doctoral.
Master’s programs in the US are available in many different areas and have two main course types, academic and professional. The highest degree available in the US is the doctoral degree. Students are required to produce an original piece of research in a doctoral degree. Doctoral students in the US are still required to complete coursework and written examinations rather than just focus on their research.

Academic year
The vast majority of universities and colleges usually operate between August to December and January to April. There are also a variety of summer school studies that are offered between May and August.
Depending on the university, undergraduate degrees can take either three or four years to complete. Master’s programs usually take between one and two years.
Doctoral degrees or PhD programs take a bit longer than in other countries, usually four to seven years. Doctoral degrees typically have several phases including classes, qualifying exams and then the doctoral candidacy when students focus on their dissertation.

Teaching and learning style
American universities attach great importance to diversity, which means that classes are composed of students of different ages, religions, and nationalities. This provides a stimulating and rich learning environment that encourages cross-cultural understanding and networking.
Because the American education system focuses on practical learning and encourages creativity, independent thinking and debate, it is the most popular learning destination.
Your teacher will strive to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject, not just teaching through rote memorisation (through repetitive memory). It is expected that you will develop your own thinking and share your ideas with the class. The focus is on learning and thinking skills, not just scores and completing exams.
The university curriculum is a combination of lectures and tutoring. A lecture can be attended by up to 200 students from different courses in the region.
The tutorials are much smaller, usually only about 30 students. In the tutorial, you will discuss the materials presented in the lecture with each other and the lecturer. The professors are very kind, and students can talk to them in person and visit them in their offices to discuss any problems they may encounter.

Fees and scholarships

Education costs
There’s a great variance in tuition fees for international students across the different states and programs. Tuition will be the most expensive component of your educational costs. The price of tuition can range from US$10,000 to US$55,000 a year.

English language studies

: $700 to $2000 a month

Community colleges

: $6000 to $20,000 per year

Undergraduate bachelor degree

: $20,000 to $40,000 per year

Graduate programs

: $20,000 to $30,000 per year (An MBA degree can cost significantly more, as can professional programs such as law, medicine, dentistry, some design programs, etc.)

Doctoral degree

:$28,000 to $55,000 per year (Most doctoral degrees are 100% funded through research/teaching assistantships, research aid and bursaries.)

You will need to pay tuition fees before you begin your studies. There could also be additional costs such as specific course materials and access to institution facilities. Scholarships
Some American universities and schools offer scholarships and awards to international students who achieve exceptional results. The amount and type of award varies from one university or college to another. It’s important to know that competition for scholarships is very fierce.

Visa requirements for the USA Applying for visas is often seen as complicated, but our trained counsellors are experts in guiding you through the application process.
The visa you need will depend on the type of study you want to do in the United States. The US Government offers three different student visa types:

● F Student Visa: used to study at an accredited US college or university or to study English at an English language institute
● J Exchange Visa: for participation in an exchange program, including high school and university study
● M Student Visa: for non-academic or vocational study or training in the US.
You must first apply and be accepted by a US institution that is certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Once accepted, you will receive a Form I-20 from the institution's international student office, which is a paper record of your information in the database called the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
You will need the following documentation for your visa application:

● A valid passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the US (unless exempt by country specific agreements)
● Acceptance at a SEVP approved school and your Form I-20
● Non-immigrant visa application and the Form DS-160 confirmation page
● One or two photographs in the requested format.
Additional documentation may also be required:
● Academic preparation documents such as transcripts, diplomas, degrees or certificates.
● Evidence that you have sufficient funds to maintain your living expenses throughout the period of your stay in the US. This may include: bank statements, a financial undertaking by a sponsor to cover your accommodation and living costs or a scholarship program.
● Evidence that you will leave the US once you have completed your course of study. This is usually in the form of an air ticket out of the US to your home country.
You may also have to appear for a personal interview at the US embassy or consulate.
You can find out more about each type of visa on the US Government’s Department of State website.
When you arrive in the US, you must:
● Not enter the US more than 30 days before your study program begins
● Contact your designated school official when you first enter the US
● Contact your designated school official again, no later than the program start date listed on your Form I-20
● Make sure your visa remains valid
Once you get your visa, there are a number of things you need to do to ensure it remains valid, including:
● Fulfilling the purpose for why the Department of State issued the visa
● Following the regulations associated with that purpose.
While studying in the US, you will need to observe the following rules:
● You must attend and pass all of your classes. If you are finding your studies too difficult, you should speak with your designated school official (DSO) immediately.
● If you think you will be unable to complete your program by the end date listed on your Form I-20, you must talk to your DSO about requesting a possible program extension.
● You must take a full course of study each term. If you cannot study full-time, contact your DSO immediately.
● You cannot drop below a full course of study without consulting with your DSO.

How IDP can help?

People and culture

Moving to the US? Here's what to expect.
The United States of America, also known as the United States or America, has long been considered one of the world's superpowers based on the country's economic scale and political influence.
As the center of innovation and entrepreneurship, its entrepreneurial spirit has always been the main driving force of the country's cultural and economic growth.

Population and city
With a population of more than 324 million, the United States is the third most populous country in the world.
From a historical point of view, after being discovered by Europeans, it was mainly the United Kingdom and other European countries that immigrated to the United States, and then Latin America and Asia. The five countries that have contributed the most immigrants to the United States in the past decade (2015 data) are Mexico, India, China, the Philippines, and Cuba.
Made up of 50 states, the US faces the North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans and is bordered by Canada in the north and Mexico in the south. Taking up a large portion of the North American continent, the U.S. extends its reach through the states of Alaska in the far northwest and Hawaii in the Pacific.
Given its huge land area, the US is divided into four major regions: the West, the Midwest, the South and the Northeast. Each of these regions are then subdivided into two or more census divisions.
It's impossible to geographically define the US with a single term given the disparity between the country’s bustling city streets, wide open plains, mountain ranges, coastal cities and quiet country towns.

Weather
The climate of the US varies considerably from coast to coast due to the differences in latitude and the country’s varied geographical features.
The seasons in the United States are:
- Winter (December to February)
- Spring (March to May)
- Summer (June to August)
- Autumn/Fall (September to November)
Most of the eastern United States has a humid continental or subtropical climate with four different seasons. The southeast has mild winters, hot and humid summers, and colder winters in the northeast and midwest, with frequent snowfall and snow on the ground.
Hawaii generally experiences tropical climate conditions, with cold and humid winters and dry seasons with warm months. On the other hand, due to the significant changes in temperature between the two seasons, Alaska has experienced very pronounced Arctic conditions in winter and summer.

Politics and government
The founding fathers of the United States who drafted the constitution wanted to ensure that the constitution was written to allow separation of powers or three separate government departments— that is, the legislative body that makes laws, the judicial body that enforces laws, and evaluates laws.
The US government is known for its representative democracy and has two legislative bodies, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate has 100 elected senators — two senators per state who serve a six-year term-while the House of Representatives has 435 voting representatives. The number of representatives in each state in the House of Representatives depends on the population of that state. Each representative has a term of two years and can be re-elected.
The executive branch is composed of the President, Vice President and Cabinet of the United States. The president can only be re-elected for a maximum of two four-year terms.
The judicial branch consists of a court system, including: the Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals, the U.S. District Courts, State Courts, and County Courts.
Any areas that the Federal Government does not directly control are ruled by the state governments which are modelled after the federal government and made up of three branches: Legislative, Executive and Judicial.

Ethnicity and religion
The US is quite possibly the most assorted nations on the planet and its definite breakdown of ethnic variety is amazingly hard to decide as most Americans come from an assortment of ethnic foundations.
Being perhaps the most ethnically different nations on the planet normally brings a wide variety of strict convictions and practices. Numerous Americans accept that religion assumes a vital part in their lives and this is remarkable among created nations.

Indigenous people
The indigenous people in the US are referred to as Native Americans but are also known as American Indians or Indians for short. Native Americans are considered to be the people whose ancestors were indigenous to the lands within the nation's modern borders before Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492.
These people formed distinct tribes, bands, and ethnic groups, many of which are still intact today. Language and accents.
The US does not have an official language, however around 80 per cent of its people are native English speakers.
The use of English in the US is a result of the British colonisation of the Americas. Since the first English-speaking settlers arrived early in the 17th century, American English has been influenced by the languages of West Africa, the Native American population, German, Dutch, Irish, Spanish and other languages of successive waves of immigrants to the U.S.
A wide variety of accents and dialects can be found across the country. As a result, American English might be difficult for a visitor to decipher.
American have their own unique form of slang language, and you’ll find you will soon become familiar with words like ‘buck’ (dollar), ‘bail’ (leaving quickly) or ‘raincheck’ (reschedule).

Accommodation
Finding your home away from home.
If you need to live off campus, or if you prefer to live on campus, there are several options to choose from.
On-campus housing is available at most universities. To secure on-campus housing, you must apply through your institution. Each institution charges differently for on-campus housing and meal plans, so you have to decide if you want a private room and meals included.
Living off-campus is an option if you are looking to save money and want to live in a shared or private house, depending on your budget and preferences. Off-campus housing is generally cheaper, and most universities can help you find the right accommodations for your needs.
Privately rented properties require that tenants sign a lease, which is a legal document defining their responsibilities.
Your accommodation costs will vary depending on your personal preferences, the location of the university, and whether you live on-campus or off-campus. Rooms on campus typically cost between US$1,000 and US$1,500 per month, while off-campus living charges vary from state to state. Additional monthly expenses may include utilities, insurance, phone and Internet usage, as well as other personal expenses.
Researching your options carefully is essential to ensuring you choose accommodations that are within your budget and meet your needs.

Scholarships In The USA
Studying in the USA can be an expensive affair, but with the right planning and counselling, you can apply for one of the various scholarship’s institutes have to offer.
While the most important factor for availing a scholarship is having a good academic score, some applications also consider extra-curricular activities. The application process too varies, and can either comprise a single application, or include a written assignment.
Types of scholarships available

Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation

Indian students who are applying for postgraduates’ programmes and have a strong academic record can apply for this scholarship.

Inlaks Scholarships

Awarded by the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation, this is available to Indians under the age of 30, and wish to take up graduate courses

Foreign Fulbright Student Program

This scholarship is offered to international students looking to pursue their Master’s or PhD degrees. Under this, recipient’s tuition fees, textbooks, health insurance, airfares, and living costs are taken care of.

Microsoft Scholarships

The Microsoft scholarship is available to students applying for undergraduate programmes in the STEM field. This scholarship considers those who are outstanding leaders, have an excellent academic record, and are passionate towards technology.

Humphrey Fellowship Program

Experienced professionals who show potential for leadership, and passion towards public service are allowed to apply for this. The scholarship is granted for a year, and covers all expenses. However, you will not be able to choose a university. It is assigned basis your skills and interests.

Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship

These grants are given to students who wish to study community development, disease prevention, economics, and conflict prevention.