The US Educational System is very different from its Indian counterpart. USA has more than 3,300 accredited colleges and universities, which offer a wide range of graduate and undergraduate programs.
Types of Programs
- Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor Degree)
- Graduate Programs (Master's & Doctorate Degree)
Most US Universities need twelve years of elementary and secondary education. In the Indian context, this implies qualifying in class 12 th examination or junior college as applicable. The acceptable degrees include Indian School Certificate, Intermediate Certificate, Higher School Certificate, Higher Secondary Certificate, All India Senior School Certificate.
Students can either pursue a two-year Associate degree like Associate of Science (AS) or a four-year degree like Bachelor of Science (BS).
Students who are applying for a Bachelor program or another undergraduate course would be required to submit a secondary school report and transcripts (report cards) of the final exams. The report form should be filled out by a school official like the principal, counselor or headmaster. This form should introduce you in the context of your whole school experience in relation to the other students in your class. Admission committees will be interested in learning how you have performed in your own educational system. The school report should talk about your accomplishments and provide a prediction of your chances for success in university-level studies.
Professional programs like the CA, ICWA, part time diplomas from a university such as those in Management, Communication may or may not be accepted. Though many Universities, especially Business Schools, have started recognizing the Indian CA.
Independent certificate courses offered by private institutions like APTECH, NIIT, etc. may or may not be accepted, based on each individual university's evaluation.
One-year education of a two year degree course (like MTech, MA etc.) may not be accepted by most schools. The full course has to be completed for qualification, unless there is a recognized university exam at the end of one year.
No standardized policy exists regarding the acceptance of such programs. Some universities may accept the three-year Indian Graduation Degree for a few programs. Confirmation can only be obtained by either writing directly or formally applying to the universities concerned.
Many Courses and Universities in US require you to take one of the standardized tests like GRE, GMAT (for MBA) along with English Proficiency tests like TOEFL, TWE, IELTS and TSE.
Most Universities need a TOEFL score of 213 and above, GRE score of 850 and above.
Expenses, Tuition Fee & Living Costs
US Universities fall under two major categories: public (state supported), and private (independent) institutions. International students' tuition expenses at state schools are based on nonresident costs, which are still usually less expensive than those of private universities. It's important to note that the cost of a program in a US school does not necessarily affect its quality.
The tuition fee is different for different universities and varies widely with courses. It can vary from as low as $ 5,000 a year for state universities to as much as $ 30,000 per annum for some private universities. For more specific details, please contact the universities.
Part-Time Work/Jobs
Employment opportunities for international students are limited in USA. Students should not plan on earning substantial money from a part-time job to help pay their studies.
