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A guide to the application process in American Universities and the requirements behind the process.
Contents:
Topic Why apply to the US? ... Types of Colleges and Universities Requirements . Entrance Exams & Preparation ... Intro to the Common App ... Accepting Offers & Choosing a University ... Getting a Visa References 1 2 2 3 7 7 7 8
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A Diversity of Cultures:
Only in America can you truly experience a diversity of cultures from various ethnic backgrounds.
Accreditation:
Most universities in the US are accredited by prestigious institutions and help you suite yourself to globally recognized standards.
A broad education:
Meaning that you will not only learn about your chosen major but topics from humanities, social sciences and physical education.
A Global Community:
America is the first choice of 25% of students wanting to pursue higher education outside their native country meaning you will interact with range of students and become a global citizen.
Flexible Education:
An advantage of studying at most US universities is that you will not choose your major till the second year meaning that you can try out all the courses you like without committing to a fixed one.
Cheaper Education:
US is recognized as having one of the cheapest education in the world meaning that you dont have to keep a very tight budget.
98% of the graduates not pursuing further education secure positions in their chosen careers within six months of graduation from the University. Wide variety of programs:
When you begin university, you will study a variety of subjects, including literature, philosophy, history, mathematics, and science. Only later in your program will you specialize in one
A wider choice:
Due to the large variety of American universities present you can choose from over 3800 universities and colleges providing every sort of course a student can imagine.
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You may wonder about what are the differences between these two in the USA. Here is a brief overview[3]:
associate's degree, as well as certificates. A four-year college or university offers a bachelor's degree. Programs that offer these degrees are called "undergraduate" schools.
through the Common App system visit For Medical and Dental courses it is their website[4].) However some highly recommended by universities that the students attain some sort of universities maintain their own Most universities in the US usually experience either at a local hospital or application systems and a separate require the students to have had an application needs to be sent to them. at a charity organization a great education up to year 11, but due to the opportunity at Doha College is the You are also recommended to send in high level of competition in Hamad Work Experience (Contact the universities it would be a good idea to all your test results but (including Biology Department for further wait till you finish your A Levels IGCSE and A- level) but some information). universities do not require them, it is before attending a university. better to check the university website Since American Universities prefer a It doesnt disadvantage you if you well-rounded student they will be before taking any action. Most have taken an A Level rather than an American universities also require putting high emphasis on your extraAP which is the American equivalent students to send in their SAT or ACT curricular and out of school activities, since most universities offer college as well as 3 SAT II results but not all. Doha College offers various such credit for the A level subjects (These tests are further discussed I the activities namely, DCMUN (contact offered, in a few it is possible to skip t next section.) Mr Butler), Debating (contact Mr up to half a years lectures with the Henly), International Award (Mr Universities also require you to send I credit. Kerr), World Challenge (Mrs your school transcript which should be Thompson) and the Extra Curricular Like the UCAS in the UK, most requested them from (Miss Anna Activities (EA Notices). These American university accepts Trache atrache@dohacollege.com schools are also interested in the applications through the Common sports activities of the students and App which is a combined application some universities highly value them. system for the universities. (For the
Requirements
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and the student receives the average overall as their score out of 36. The student is allowed 4 free reports to be sent before getting the results but most students spend $11 to send each report after they know their SAT score. Score remarking and verification are offered by the exam board at an extra cost and involve the papers being marked by a person.
The main differences are: There is no penalty on the ACT while on the SAT there is a penalty of mark as well as 0 for the question. This means that the students can guess on the questions they dont know. The SAT is usually more accepted but now a days ACT is also accepted by nearly all universities (check with separate university). The ACT is shorter overall meaning less time being stressed
Which one to do
The marks the student achieves in each test varies by their ability in each section and student reviews can be found online.
There is an extra cost for the writing section on the ACT and isnt mandatory. The ACT is preferred by more mathematically oriented students. The ACT is more school curriculum based while SAT places emphasis on Critical Thinking and Problem Solving. It depends on individuals, as to which one they do better, if you have time and can spare enough money you can try out both but universities just require just one of the tests
what test you take but it usually Mandarin. The tests needed by the depends at what time you take it. university is based on what type of course you might want to study but is On a given day a maximum of 3 tests usually 1 maths and 2 sciences. A few universities also require 2 or can be taken with a 5 minute break in more SAT II tests which focus on a There are 2 SAT II maths tests Maths1 between each. Similar to the SAT the certain subject and are around 2 hours and Maths2, where Maths2 is based SAT Subject Tests allow Score long each and worth 800 marks. The on AS knowledge while Maths1 on Choice (ability to choose what scores subjects range from Maths to US IGCSE knowledge. It doesnt matter to send to universities). History, to English Literature and
available on special request in Doha Others require the students to take an which has to be made while Other Tests English IELTS or TOFEL. These are basically registering. Language two different tests serving the same purpose of assessing the English The test costs around $230 in Qatar There are 2 different English language proficiency of students. st but ranges from $170 to $250 in other tests offered for students not from 1 countries, and it can be taken in any language English countries; First Even though both are meant to test location you are in. Language English countries include: English language they do so in US different ways. The test is available 3 times a week UK and is taken at Qatar Foundation. The Canada test contains the following sections: OFEL is conducted by an Australia [9] American institution (ETS ) and New Zealand Reading: 60 -80minutes containing Zimbabwe (limited to some therefore require the test taker to spell 36-56 questions in US English but will not penalize for universities) Listening: 60-90 minutes containing using UK English. There are 2 types Nigeria (limited to some 34-51 questions of TOEFL available the TOEFL ibt universities) Break which is done on computer and a Speaking: 20 minutes containing 6 Some universities accept a B at GCSE TOEFL which is done on paper. tasks as an Evidence of English proficiency Writing: 50 minutes containing 2 Both tests are usually of the same (check with individual university). level but the paper based test is only
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tasks Unmarked Questions For the reading questions paragraphs are given after which questions are asked. For Listening the student hears a prerecorded speech twice from which questions are asked, you cannot listen to it again or skip part of it. The speech can also be various English accents such as US, UK, Australian, etc. The speaking section requires the person to record answers into a mike for the 6 tasks given.
Each section is heard only once. Section 1 A conversation between two people set in an everyday social context. Section 2 A monologue set in an everyday social context e.g. a speech about local facilities. Section 3
Speaking 11 to 14 minutes The Speaking component assesses your use of spoken English it is conducted as a face to face interview. Part 1 The Examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between four and five minutes. Part 2 You will be given a card which asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic to finish this part of the test.
A conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context, e.g. a university The writing section asks the student to tutor and a student discussing an write 2 short essays on the topics assignment. given. During the test there are some unmarked questions which the test taker doesnt know about.
Part 3 Section 4 A monologue on an academic subject You will be asked further questions e.g. a university lecture. connected to the topic in Part 2. These questions will give you the The scores are available within 12 Reading 60 minutes opportunity to discuss more days online and range from a scaled of The Reading component consists of abstract ideas and issue. The part of 0-30 on each sections and a total of 040 questions. the test lasts between four and five 120. Includes three long texts which range minutes. from the descriptive and factual to The TOEFL is accepted all over the The results are available 2 weeks world in the US, UK, Australia, New the discursive and analytical. later and include 4 free reports which Zealand, etc. can be sent after the test has been Writing 60 minutes taken. It costs QR 875. ELTS is conducted by the British Topics are of general interest. Council and Cambridge English Overall: Language Assessments, therefore is Task 1 conducted in British English. You will be presented with a graph, Doing either test doesnt make a table, chart or diagram and asked to difference since there isnt a Again there are two versions of the describe, summarise or explain the preference by universities. But test but this time they are either information in your own words. You different universities have different Academic or General Training. may be asked to describe and explain requirements for the test marks. Students are required to take the data, describe the stages of a process, Academic test. how something works or describe an As well as these it is a students selfpreference, as some prefer talking The test is conducted on paper 3 times object or event. with an actual interviewer while Task 2 a month, the whole year around. others get nervous while talking in You will be asked to write an essay front of a person. Listening 30 minutes in response to a point of view, You will listen to four recorded texts, argument or problem. Responses to On the other hand some universities monologues and conversations by a both tasks must be in a formal style. waive the English Language test range of native speakers, and write based on your SAT scores such as your answers to a series of questions. Carnegie Mellon which waives it if
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Test Preparation:
Preparing for the tests?
TOEFL o TOEFL offers many books online as well on their website. Courses- The 2 biggest providers are Princeton & Kaplan o Princeton Course at Test Prep Doha.
infoqatar@scoreplus.com
Free Exam Papers Web: www.freeexampapers .com Xtreme Papers Web: http://www.xtremepa pers.com/ SAT Free Practice Web:
Online Classes o Kaplan also offers online classes with a great online system and online practice papers... o Web: http://www.kaplan.co m/ o Arbor Bridge offer online coaching at 24 hours a day Web: http://www.arborbrid ge.com/ o Geometric Qatar offers exam preparation classes Web: http://geometriccentre.com/ o Veritas Prep was founded by a 2400 student and offers online classes: Web: http://www.veritaspre p.com/ Free Preparation: These offer free SAT/ ACT/ IELTS and TOEFL revision o I Need A Pencil Web: http://ineedapencil.ck 12.org/
http://www.collegebo ard.org/ o ACT free practice Web: http://www.actstudent .org/ Other Ways of Preparation o The maths section for SAT I goes up to CH2 in C2 maths. While for ACT its the whole of C2. o For SAT II the science the topics covered are up to AS sciences while for maths II they go up to FP1 whereas Maths I is till C3. o The ACT also tests Sciences which is usually till the IGCSE sciences knowledge. o Some people just prefer studying from textbooks from school and hope to do well. Suggestions: o It is a good idea to do at least 1 practice paper before to know the test format o For SAT and ACT you should try and do them more them once since most people raise their score up to 100 points in the SAT but after 3 tries they usually go up by 10.
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Visas
A bank statement showing sufficient funds for living costs. For the interview you will require the To start the process[13] fill your After the interview you will have to following documents: university will send you a SEVIS wait for your Visa to be processed and generated I-20 form which you will Passport (Valid for at least 6 receive a confirmation from your need while finning out the Online months) Local Embassy. Non-Immigrant education IS-20 form. SEVIS I-20 form After you receive your confirmation After this you will have to apply to the Proof of English language you will have to go to the embassy to American Embassy in Qatar[14] (TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, ACT get the visa. through their website for an or an exempted nationality) appointment. Visa Application confirmation page You will also have to pay the Visa 2 Passport photos application fee before you attend your Application Fee payment interview which is usually $160 but receipt can vary from nationality to School Transcripts nationality, during the application Departure dates
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The visa type you will be applying for process you will receive the exact amount you have to pay. will be the F1 visa for students.
References
1. http://www.universities intheusa.com/americaneducation.html 2. Rankings: http://www.timeshighe reducation.co.uk/worlduniversityrankings/201314/world-ranking 3. Universities and colleges list: http://studyusa.com/en /a/107/what-is-thedifference-between-aschool-college-anduniversity-in-the-usa 4. https://www.commona pp.org/Login#!PublicPa ges/AllMembers 5. Optional or Not Required Sats University:
http://fairtest.org/unive rsity/optional 6. Sat Subject Tests Universities: TO see which universities require these tests: http://professionals.coll egeboard.com/testing/s atsubject/about/institutio ns 7. College Board Website: http://sat.collegeboard. org/home 8. ACT Website: http://www.actstudent. org/ 9. TOEFL Website: http://www.ets.org/toe fl 10. Over here you can find the application Fee and requirements for each
university https://www.commona pp.org/Login#!PublicPa ges/ApplicationRequire ments 11. To see what schools are Members: https://www.commona pp.org/Login#!PublicPa ges/AllMembers 12. Questions and advice: http://collegeapps.abou t.com/od/essays/a/com mon-application-essayprompts.htm 13. For detailed steps: http://travel.state.gov/c ontent/visas/english/st udyexchange/student.html 14. Their Website: http://qatar.usembassy. gov/
If there are any problems or inaccuracies you can contact me at ashakil@dohacollege.com.qa For More Information on applying to universities please see Mrs Iram Lone in the careers office or contacting her by ilone@dohacollege.com.qa
Hope you find the information Helpful!! Wishing you best of luck in your life ahead.
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