An Easy Guide for Studying Abroad in the USA
by Carla Botha
The USA is currently ranked as one of the top academic countries in the world and in 2015 an estimated total of 974,926 international students from all across the world were studying in the United States.
Why Study in the USA?
For most students, the incentive to study abroad in the US means a way to gain a quality education outside of their home countries. The US has an adaptable education system receptive to the needs of the multi-cultural student. Studying abroad often means expanding career opportunities for students as well as a whole mindset change for the young and daring.
Where In The World Do I Start?
With top technology at everyone’s fingertips nowadays it’s not very hard to search for universities abroad but there is an easier way. SchoolApply.com makes it almost effortless for the international student to find a variety of universities across the USA. When making use of this service it quickly helps the student narrow down universities by implementing the grades a student got during high school. With this simple and easy-to-use grade conversion guide from World Education Services any student can quickly figure out their current GPA and whether it’s applicable for applying to certain universities. For a minimum fee, a student can apply to various universities in the US through the SchoolApply website and will receive assistance with the whole process. Most international university applications bring along loads of stress and administration for students and parents but by making use of SchoolApply.com students are certain of help and support. It is not always an easy task to choose a university abroad but thinking about these three things could lead you in the right direction and should help you narrow down your search :
! Cost of studying in the US
! Career prospects
! Safety and welfare.
A few more things to consider are the type of lifestyle you would like to have while abroad. Do you prefer small towns or big cities? What are your personal interests, as these would lead you to make the right choices when it comes to choosing the right university.
Tips On Studying in the USA
Every country has its own educational system and a British curriculum differs quite a bit from a US curriculum.
• As an international student in the US, you’ll be exposed to studying and learning in many innovative ways.
• Aspiring international students should keep in mind what they do outside the classroom is just as important as what they do inside the classroom.
• Extracurricular activities matter as universities in the US are often looking for well-rounded students – sometimes grades alone are not enough. Show them what you have done outside the classroom.
Remember, as an applying international student, you are competing with international students from all over the world. Don’t just focus on well-known universities when you apply – shift the focus to lesser-known universities.
Other Requirements To Keep In Mind
Most universities have specific academic prerequisites that need to be met by all international students applying whether graduate or undergraduate. Usually, the SAT standardised test score is required for admissions. Some universities also require students to take standardised tests like TOEFL or IELTS to ensure all international students are proficient in their English language skills. A lot of universities have a set cut off score of 79 while other universities have a minimum requirement of 80. The minimum requirement scores can be found on the SchoolApply.com website under ‘Application Information’ as well as the required GMAT scores although not all schools ask for a GMAT score. SchoolApply.com makes it easy for students to take the practice GMAT tests online with their new added feature on the website where Micro-, Mini- and Full tests can be found. International students should remember the US works on a Grade Point Average (GPA) system to grade students. This means international students with a high GPA have a greater probability of being accepted at a US university while a lower GPA might make acceptance harder for international students into the university system abroad.
After being accepted by a US university your next step would be applying for a student visa in your home country. Getting through the visa interview process can be a nerve wrecking and time-consuming process. Once accepted the university will send you an I-20 form, which means you can now apply for your student visa. You will need to go online and fill out a DS-160 form and bring that with you to the interview. It’s up to the student to make an appointment for the visa interview and pay certain required fees. It’s always smart to apply as early as possible for your student visa as students can apply up to 120 days in advance. Soon you will be preparing for the interview process
• Make sure to show confidence - make eye-contact
• Be prepared to answer a lot of questions with regards to your intentions of studying in the US
• Remember to bring prove of your ability to afford tuition and other expenses while abroad. Don’t forget any documents – even when you think it might be irrelevant, bring everything.
Studying in the US is an experience unlike any that you’ll ever read or learn about in any textbook.
