WHY STUDY IN USA?
USA is the land of dreams and opportunities. It is also the most popular study destination for international students, welcoming one third of all international students around the globe. More than a million international students join American Universities and colleges each year.
STUDY IN USA FAQ
The best fit educational institution for you depends upon the availability of the course you wish to take, cost, location, probability of finding jobs suited for your skills etc. You must research a lot before choosing the best Universities and colleges in USA for you. Do not forget to check if or not the institution of your choice is accredited by the Department of Education by visiting this Database of Accredited Post Secondary Institutions and Programs.
Colleges are those educational institutions that only offer undergraduate degrees but Universities offer graduate degrees too.
Cost of studying in USA varies greatly between Universities and colleges. It can cost anywhere between $5,000 to $50,000 per year.
The cost of living in USA for students is generally $8,000 to $12,000 per year. This estimate covers accommodation and food. You will need more money for course books, travel and entertainment.
You cannot work off the campus for the first year. However, you are eligible for on campus jobs. You can work outside campus after one year. The limit is 20 hours per week. You can work more during session breaks and holidays.
It is close to impossible for international students to get educational loans in USA. It is advisable that you apply for the loan at your home country and not in USA.
Outstanding students are chosen as research assistants for professors. You will be paid for this work and will also be waived of your tuition fee (Either full or partial). You will also be provided a waiver on tuition fee if you display exceptional academic performance during your study. Sports is a matter of pride for American Universities and you will be provided free education if you are good at some selected sports. This is however decided before you attend the college and it is generally difficult for international students to get sports scholarships in USA.
There are scholarships like the Fulbright Scholarship, Humprey Fellowship and the Tortuga Backpack Study Abroad Program for international students. Individual Universities also have their scholarship programs like the Harvard University Scholarships, Clark University Scholarships, Chicago College Scholarships etc.
It's not impossible but it will be very difficult given the difference in the quality of education between USA and Nepal. Some Universities allow you to do so but you won't be able to transfer all your credits. The amount of credit you are allowed to transfer depends upon the similarity of the course in Nepal with the one you will be taking in USA, the reputation of your educational institution in Nepal, your performance etc. Contact the Universities for more details.
Community colleges in USA are state funded schools that provide two year courses for high school graduates. You must join a college or a University to complete the undergraduate degree after attending a community college.
You can but it depends upon many factors decided by the University you wish to transfer to. It is generally advisable to start correspondence with Universities much earlier into your course at the community colleges.
If you are coming to study in USA from a non English speaking country, then you must take the TOEFL test. It's mandatory for Nepali students. Normally, you must secure at least 90 marks in your TOEFL exam. For admission at better Universities, you will need to score 100 or higher out of the 120 full marks of TOEFL iBT test.
GRE is required if you are planning to attend graduate courses in USA. GMAT is required for those who wish to graduate in Management. SAT is required for those who wish to take undergraduate courses. Few Universities will accept you without these exams but it is generally required for good educational institutions. The score of these examinations are a big factor in consideration for admission at reputed Universities.
Grade Point Average (GPA) is a numerical indicator of your educational performance. The highest value of GPA is 4.0.
They are the metric of your performance. Your teacher will distribute you letter grades. This will then be converted to GPA.
It is not compulsory to purchase a health insurance plan before coming to USA on a F1 visa (Study visa). However, it is advised that you have one as medical cost in USA can be very high without an insurance. Doctors and hospitals might also refuse to admit a patient without an insurance coverage. Some Universities have health insurance plan included in their tuition fee while you will need to make your own arrangements in other cases.
You won't. You will need a clean criminal record to get a visa for the United States.
The visa application fee is $160. You will also need to pay the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee of $200 apart from the visa application fee.
DOCUMENT CHECKLIST FOR USA STUDENT VISA
Students applying for Canada student visa from Nepal must have the following documents with them at the time of visa application:
- Passport valid for your entire duration of study in USA.
- Couple of passport size photographs.
- Birth Certificate.
- Citizenship Certificate.
- All Academic Transcripts and Character Certificates till date.
- Police Record.
- Proof of finance. This must either be in the form of bank balance, source of income or sponsorship. The bank balance must show good transaction history and you will need a relationship certificate if the bank balance is in the name of your parents. You will need a certified property valuation report if fixed asset is one of your proof of finances. Tax clearance report is necessary for income sources. You will need a letter of intent from the person or organisation who is sponsoring your study in USA, in case you are about study with sponsorship.
- Certification of TOEFL score.
- GRE/GMAT certification for graduate students.
- SAT Certification for undergraduate students.
- I-20 letter from your college or University in USA.
- Receipt of payment for visa application fee and SEVIS fee.
- Recommendation letters.
- Statement of purpose.
- Certificates for extracurricular activities and social works, if any.
FACTS ABOUT USA
- Washington D.C. is the capital of USA. New York is the largest and most populous city. Philadelphia was the temporary capital of USA following independence until the construction of Washington DC was completed.
- The total area of USA is 9,833,580 square km. It is the third largest country in the world.
- The population of USA is 325 million. It is the third most populous country in the world.
- The total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the United States is $ 19.3 trillions. Its nominal per capita GDP is $59,501, one of the highest in the world.
- USA is the richest country in the world with 33.4 % of total global wealth.
- US Dollar is the currency of USA. It is the most widely accepted currency in the world. It is the default currency for international trade and finances.
- Mount McKinley (6,194 m) in the state of Alaska is the tallest mountain in USA.
- The tallest mountain in the world, if measured from sea floor, lies in USA. It's Mount Mauna Kea in Hawaii.
- Alaska is the largest state in USA. It was purchased from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million.
- Rhode Island is the smallest US state.
- USA is the only country to land man on the moon. The first landing took place on 21st of July, 1969 when Neil Armstrong touched the surface of the moon.
- The Statue of Liberty is a gift from the French people to the people of USA. It was designed by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel, the man who designed the Eiffel tower in Paris.
- Pentagon, headquarter of the US Department of State, is the largest office building in the world by area. It covers an area of 600,000 square meter.
- Harvard University is the oldest institution of higher learning in USA.
- The national anthem of USA is 'The Star-Spangled Banner'.
- The flag of USA is nicknamed 'Old Glory'. It is also called 'The Star Spangled Banner' and 'Star and Stripes'.
- Americans eat over 100 acres of pizzas each day. Three billion pieces of pizza are consumed in USA each year.
- Bald Eagle is the national bird of USA. Its national animal is the American Bison.
- There is no official language in USA. English and Spanish are the most commonly used ones.
- USA has won the most number of medals in summer Olympics.
- Eight US Presidents were born in Virginia, the most from any single state.
- USA has the largest population of tigers in the world. There are 5,000 captive tigers in USA. This number is larger than the total number of tigers in the wild in the world - 3,200.
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