EduFlyHigh

The Experience of Studying in the USA

The US is very large and you’ll find a whole spectrum of attitudes, people, climates and cultures. There is so much to take in – in fact, most Americans don’t leave their own state in their lifetime! America is a complicated nation due to its size and diversity of opinions, but this makes studying and living there a constant discovery. “The American Dream” is an ideal that in the US, anyone can start off with very little, and through hard work, can elevate themselves in society. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Oprah Winfrey and Jay Z are some real-life embodiments of this “Dream”. However, you don’t have to be a superstar celebrity to achieve this dream; as an international student, you can too! Many students come to the US on their own, sometimes through scholarships, with aspirations to be educated, start their career, settle down and change their (and their family’s) lives. Home to diverse ethnicities, highest number of top ranked universities, and picturesque landscapes, the USA is truly a land of opportunities. Choosing to study in the USA offers you the wonderful avenue of growing academically, culturally and socially.

Education System in the US

Education systems do vary from one country to another. Differences can include how academic years are structured, how much tuition fee are and even the names for things – some are vital to know, while others will save you from moments of confusion. ‘University’ is usually referred to as ‘college’ and even ‘school’, while ‘going to class’ also includes lectures and other course commitments.

Study Level	Duration
Associate’s degree	Last 2 years in community college You can transfer to study bachelor’s degree for another two years.
Undergraduate (bachelor’s degree)	Last 4 years
Graduate (master’s degree)	Last 2 years
Graduate (doctoral degree)	It Varies 4 – 6 years based on the program!

*For more information, please speak to our EduFlyHigh Admission Counselor (EAC) for more information.

Know all about intakes available in the USA

Intake	Duration
Fall Term	From August to December
Spring Term	From January to April
Summer Term	From May to August

*Intakes vary based on university and program, please speak to our EduFlyHigh Admission Counselor (EAC) for more information.

How much does it cost to study in the US?

Course fees will vary depending on the study level, course, and university; Medical and Law degrees are normally substantially more expensive, while the higher-ranking universities will have higher fees too. Always confirm course fees with the university you are interested in applying to. However, for a rough guide, undergraduate fees are around $22,000-$28,000 per year, while graduate fees are around $28,000-$38,000 per year.

School	Tuition fees in USD (indicative)
English language studies	$700 to $2,000 a month
Community colleges	$6,000 to $20,000 per year
Undergraduate (bachelor’s degree)	$20,000 to $40,000 per year
Graduate (master’s degree)	$20,000 to $45,000 per year
Doctoral degree	$28,000 to $55,000 per year

@ Apply

Applying to an American university

You must apply to an American university directly (though some universities allow you to apply through the Common Application service as well). Applying to an American university can seem a little overwhelming, with so much emphasis being placed on things like GPA scores (calculated from your own country’s academic system and the grades you have achieved) and demonstrating effectively your passion for the field you are applying to.

1. Academic Records: You will need to provide evidence of your academic records so far so the university can evaluate whether you meet the requirements of the course you are applying to. This may involve getting these translated by an accredited translator. Our EduFlyHigh Admission Counselor will guide you in gathering the evidence and help you get it translated (if required).
2. Admission Tests: You will need to show that you are proficient in English to a certain standard to study in the US. This is evaluated through an English language test which you can take in your own country at a test center. The most common English language tests are IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo which are widely accepted. Different universities will have slightly varying language test score requirements or accept certain language tests only. For more information, contact our EduFlyHigh Admission Counselor. This is one of the prerequisites to fulfill your aim to study abroad. Our EduFlyHigh Admission counselors are trained to assess these prerequisites and will provide you information about our “Prerequisites Coaching Programs” that will help you to meet the basic criteria and scores that universities will be looking for as well as scores that you should be aiming for in order to target an institution.
3. Language Tests: EdyFlyHigh provides incomparable training for prerequisites online using our coaching suite. You can request for one-on-one training or group training as per your need.
4. Personal Essay and Letters of Recommendation: This is often assessed through a personal statement or essay which you write, explaining why you are interested in the course; in American admissions this is a very important part of the application. You should demonstrate relevant real-life examples which have contributed to your current knowledge of or interest in the field; these can include personal endeavours, volunteering and work experience. Our EduFlyHigh Writing Counselors (EWCs) are professionally trained to help you draft a personal essay and guide you to seek the best letters of recommendation. Please speak to our EWCs for more information.
5. Interviews: On some occasions international applicants will be interviewed by the institution they are applying to before a decision can be made regarding their admission. Do not worry if you are asked to do so; this is normal and simply means that they want to learn more about you. Interviews can be conducted in person in your country by a university representative who will report back to the admissions team at the university. Interviews may also be conducted over the phone or via Skype/Google Hangout. These interviews are normally rather brief. You can expect to answer questions about why you want to study the course you’re applying to, as well as some other questions about your interests and goals in life. Our EduFlyHigh Counselors will advise and conduct mock interviews before you take the interview.
6. Other Documentation: As part of your application to an American university, you will need to provide several documents. Ensure you have access to the following (providing either original or translated copies where appropriate):

a. A valid passport (valid 6 months after your course completion date)

b. Evidence of how you expect to fund your studies and lifestyle e.g. notifications of scholarships and bursaries, bank statements (yours or your parents/guardians) etc.

c. A passport-sized photo of you (it’s good to have a few of these when applying to study abroad – you never know when they’ll come in handy)

d. Academic transcripts with grades achieved.

e. Transcripts with scores from admissions and language tests

f. Resume or CV (sometimes)

g. Reference or recommendation letter x 2 (at least one being an academic reference)

Student Visa Requirements for the US

The US government offers three different student visa types

Types of Visa	Description
F-1 Student Visa	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

Most students who wish to pursue their studies overseas opt for the F-1 Student Visa. There are three major steps to its procedure, being:

STEP 01

SEVIS fee and I-20 form collection
Once you pay the SEVIS fee, you are given an I-20 form from your new school or college. Duly fill the form and bring it along for your F-1 interview. There is now a US$350 SEVIS fee on F and M visa applications and US$220 on most of the J Visa applications.
STEP 02

VISA fee and form collection
Pay your visa fee at the designated bank and collect the visa form. Duly fill the form and bring it along for your interview. As an applicant from outside the US, you will have to pay US$160 as an application visa fee (check the latest fee when applying here).
STEP 03

VISA Interview
Schedule a visa interview with the US embassy in your country. The waiting time may vary depending on the visa type. Once you complete the interview successfully, you’ll receive your visa 120 days in advance.

You must then pay the SEVIS I-901 fee to apply for your actual student visa. Once your payment has been processed, you will be issued a receipt which you should print. You will need to apply for a specific type of student visa. Next, you must submit a DS-160 form electronically, again printing the receipt you receive. You will also be required to pay a visa application processing fee and schedule a visa interview at the US embassy in your country. Our EduFlyHigh Writing Counselors will guide you through this entire process.

When you attend your interview, it is best to take the following documents with you (these are the essential documents required for applying for a student visa, so check that you have access to these):

A valid passport (valid 6 months after your course completion date)
Your Form I-20
Receipt for your I-901 fee
Receipt for your DS-160 processing fee
Evidence of how you expect to fund your studies and lifestyle e.g. notifications of scholarships and bursaries, bank statements (yours or your parents/guardians) etc.
A passport-sized photo of you (it’s good to have a few of these when applying to study abroad – you never know when they’ll come in handy)
Letter from your institution confirming your acceptance/enrolment
Academic transcripts with grades achieved
Transcripts with scores from admissions and language tests
You should also bring these with you when you arrive in the country

*Please note that these are the basic requirements, speak with your EduFlyHigh Visa Processing Officer for a detailed list of documents required for visa processing.

Explore Study Areas

With so many courses and universities to choose from, deciding where and what to study abroad can be a daunting task. Don’t worry, we are here to guide you during the entire process. Our experienced EduFlyHigh Admission Counselors (EAC) work with you to understand your goals and aspirations to help find the perfect fit for you. Register now for a free counseling session anytime!