studying in the

USA

tudier en Suisse

Contents
3 Studying
3
7
12
21

Institutions of higher education

Diplomas
Getting in
Distance learning

22 Living
22
22
25
25
26

Conditions for entry in the USA

Costs of living
Student housing
Social security
Working and studying

27 Useful links and addresses

studying in the USA

STUDYING
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
In the absence of a national ministry of education, each institution has been developed according to its own conception of
service.
The official name of an institution is frequently an unreliable guide
to its actual structure or function. Some institutions called
university offer no degree beyond the Bachelors degree, others
offering first-professional and Masters degrees have no doctoral
programmes.
On the other hand, some institutions that are called colleges
offer regular doctoral programs. Furthermore, several technical
institutes have developed the characteristics of a general university, having large doctoral programs which offer training in other
fields than applied sciences (e.g. Massachusetts Institute of Technology).

The University
Many universities place considerable emphasis on graduate
education; they confer advanced degrees in a variety of liberal arts
and professional fields and strongly emphasize research.

Liberal Arts Colleges

Liberal Arts Colleges/Universities offer university-level education
that combines natural and social sciences, as well as humanistic
studies. The term "college" is often used where undergraduate
study is concerned.
A college may be part of a larger university that has graduate and
professional schools. A college may also be an independent institution that specializes in Bachelor's degree programs, with little if
any instruction at the graduate level.

Community and Junior Colleges

Accreditation

Community and Junior Colleges provide a two year course

beyond secondary school. Courses are either "Terminal" (leading
to employment) or "Academic" (preparing the student for
transfer to a four-year college or university where he/she will
complete his/her education). Graduates of junior colleges are
usually awarded an Associate in Arts (A.A.) or Associate in
Sciences (A.S.) degree.

When selecting higher education programs in the USA, students

should always choose an institution that is accredited.

Technical Institutes
Technical Institutes offer two or three-year courses of training for
semi-professional occupations such as dental, engineering or
medical technicians.
Fine Arts and Music are often taught in the colleges and universities described above, but may also be available in specialized
academies, schools and conservatories.

Accrediting agencies must be approved by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and by the U.S. Office of Education.
Accreditation ensures that students diplomas and coursework
will be recognized by other educational institutions, professional
organizations and employers.
An institution is accredited when its program of study, professors
and academic facilities meet the minimum standards established
by the accrediting agency.

studying in the USA

Rankings
Several rankings of universities and colleges on undergraduate as
well as postgraduate level exist. The ranking shows the evaluation
of a certain institution of higher education and its place among
other comparable institutions.
There are rankings comparing universities and colleges on a
general level and there are specialized rankings which evaluate the
achievements of an institution in determined study areas (e.g.
business studies, engineering, architecture, law etc.)

Further information:
U.S. News and World Report: Americas Best Colleges Index:
http://www.usnews.com
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign:
Resource Site for College and University Rankings
http://www.library.uiuc.edu/edx/rankings/rankgrad.html
Council on Postsecondary Accreditation
www.chea.org

studying in the USA

DIPLOMAS
Undergraduate Study
The Bachelor's Degree requires 4-5 years of undergraduate study
in Liberal Arts (B.A. degree) or in Science (B.S. degree). A Bachelors degree (or its equivalent from another country) is required for
admission to a graduate level program.
The B.A. or B.S. degrees are awarded upon successful completion
of a specified number of courses or units. In the U.S., the full degree requirement is usually 120 credits (about 40 courses) for institutions operating on a semester system. For institutions that
follow a quarterly academic calendar, the requirement is 180 credits. A Bachelor's degree program is designed to last four years.
The first year is called the Freshman year, the second Sophomore,
the third Junior and the fourth Senior. Courses offered during the
first two years are referred to as "lower division" courses.
Upper division courses are taken during the third and fourth
years.
In recent years, many institutions have experimented with varia-

tions of the Bachelors degree structure. A typical pattern includes

the following requirements:
A. Basic courses, which are sometimes called "core courses" or
"distribution requirements. These courses must be taken by all
students, usually during the first two years of study. These courses
comprise about one third of the degree and include subjects such
as English, foreign languages, natural sciences, social sciences and
mathematics.
B. Specialized courses in the students chosen field, which are
often referred to as major Courses. These courses are usually
taken during the final two years of study and amount to about
one quarter of the total degree requirements.
C. "Elective courses which the student chooses from any field.
D. Students from other countries do not necessarily enter an
7

Graduate Study
American college or university as freshmen (first-year students).
They may be admitted by the college at a higher level or receive
advanced standing, mainly through placement tests. Each college
or university in the USA determines entry levels for each student on
an individual basis. Students may sometimes complete a
Bachelor's degree in less than four years by (a) receiving credits for precollege work (i.e. the European Baccalaurat) or (b) taking courses
during the summer.

Graduate and Professional Schools provide post-university study

leading to the Master's or Doctoral degree.
Master's degrees, such as the M.A., M.S. or M.B.A. require a minimum of one academic year. More often, 18 months or two years
are needed. Master's and other professional degrees usually require a minimum of 30 credits and a maximum of 60 credits, with
an average grade of "B" for the coursework.
Doctoral degrees may be earned in many fields of specialization
and require a minimum of three to four years of study beyond the
Bachelor's degree and two to four years of study after the Master's degree. Most graduate schools do not require that a student
fulfil the specific requirements for the Master's degree before becoming a candidate for the Doctoral degree, although many students find it desirable to do so. Doctorates in Education, Science
and Law are sometimes labelled Ed.D., Sc.D. or J.D. Most Doctorates, however, are known as Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) degrees.

studying in the USA

Postdoctoral Research

To obtain a Ph.D. degree or other Doctorate, the university generally requires students to:
- Earn a certain number of credits in a required distribution
of courses.
- Maintain an average grade of B.
- Pass a qualifying comprehensive examination after completion of the required courses.
- Pass examinations in one or more foreign languages.
- Write and defend a thesis that is the result of original research.
- Pass an oral examination.
Degree programs vary by institution.

Postdoctoral candidates should direct their inquiries to the Chair

of the appropriate department, with a copy to the Dean of the
School. Please note that postdoctoral research positions are
usually arranged between the student and department through
correspondence, exchange of articles and personal connections
between professors. In general, there are no special forms to be
completed or admission tests to be taken.

Professional Training
Many professions require special training at the post-graduate
level. A law degree (J.D.), for example, requires three years of study
beyond the Bachelor's degree; a medical degree (M.D.) requires
four years of study beyond the Bachelor's degree; and social work
(M.S.W.) requires two additional years of training beyond the
Bachelors degree. In professional fields such as dentistry, veterinary medicine and architecture, four years of general undergraduate work is usually required before admission to the
professional program.
9

studying in the USA

The Credit system:

American degrees, both undergraduate and graduate, are earned
by successfully completing a prescribed number of courses.
Each course carries a certain number of "credits" or "units", which
are also referred to as credit hours, semester hours (for schools on
the semester system) or quarter hours (for schools on the quarter
system). The number of credits assigned to each course usually
relates to the number of hours of classroom work involved.
Full-time students typically attend 15 or16 hours of seminars or
lecture classes a week which, added to personal study, result in
academic work week of 40-50 hours. Students usually need between 120 and 124 semester hours to graduate.

In the USA, students are graded on course work completed and

most colleges and universities use the following letter grades to
characterize students results:
A - Excellent or outstanding
B - Above average
C - Average
D - Below average
F - Failing.
Letter grades correspond to a 4-point numerical scale, which are
used to determine percentages and grade point averages (GPA):
Letter Grade Percentage Grade Points
A 93-100% 4.00
B 80-92% 3.00
C 70-79% 2.00
D 60-69% 1.00
F below 60% 0.00

11

GETTING IN
A student's academic standing is often measured by his or her grade
point average (GPA). This is the average of the grades that a student has earned each term (semester GPA) or throughout the entire academic program (cumulative GPA). The grade point average
is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points by the
total number of credit hours.
Most institutions assign quality points to letters (A=4; B=3; C=2; D=1,
F= 0) to allow the calculation of grade point averages or quality point
indexes. They usually require that students maintain grades of designated quality to continue their studies and to graduate.
The registrar of the university or college keeps a permanent record
of courses taken and grades earned by each student.
This record is called transcript and constitutes the official document proving that a student has attended an institution and achieved a specific status. Transcripts rather than diplomas are primarily
considered by graduate or professional schools as well as by institutions deciding whether to admit transfer of students.
12

Admission to an American institution is never automatic. No certificate or diploma guarantees admission. Applicants are considered on the basis of their academic record, English proficiency,
school references, admission tests, previous experience, proposed
project of study, etc. Since admission is not automatic, it is wise to
apply to as many as 5 to 10 American institutions simultaneously
(even more, if the applicant does not have a good academic record).
Listed below are several factors for consideration when choosing
a college or university:
- Relative selectivity. How competitive is the university? What
percentages of applicants are actually accepted? How important
is prestige or reputation in the choice of university?
- Courses of study. Students wishing to pursue a degree in a professional or more specialized field (such as engineering, forestry
or teaching) must look for universities or professional schools that
offer these degrees.

studying in the USA

- Size of the university. In the U.S., enrolments can vary from

under 1,000 students to about 35,000. Some international
students prefer smaller communities or feel lost in very large
institutions.
- Residential facilities.
- Religion. Many private institutions in the United States are affiliated with particular religious orders
- Geographic location. Some students wish to live in a particular
city or near family or other friends in the United States. Popular
destinations for international students include California, New
York and the Northeast Seaboard. Students may increase their
chances of admission by applying to institutions in less popular
areas of the USA.
Location can also be linked to particular fields of study.
- Costs.
- International students who can go to the United States to visit

campuses may find this helpful in deciding where they prefer to

study and live. Such visits do not influence the universities' decision regarding eligibility for admission.
Undergraduate studies
As the procedures for admission to American institutions of higher education require a lot of time, prospective students should
contact those institutions at least 10-12 months in advance before
seeking admission.
Most American institutions are quite selective, which means that
they determine the conditions for entry often based on specific
scores achieved in 2 major tests:
- the College Boards scholastic aptitude test (SAT) or
- the American testing program assessment (ACT) Many institutions accept the scores of either test.
SAT I measures verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities as well
as the knowledge achieved during secondary education SAT II is
13

a subject test. You may be asked to take one or more SAT II exams
for admission.
There are 5 content areas covering English, foreign languages,
mathematics, sciences, history and social sciences.
The ACT test is an achievement test measuring what you have
learned in English, mathematics, reading and science classes.
Furthermore every foreign student must undergo the TOEFL-Test
of English as a foreign language. A minimum score on TOEFL (at
least 550 points) is usually a criterion for admission.
The test format is multiple choice.

14

Graduate studies
For admission to a graduate school, the applicant is expected to
present a Bachelors degree or its equivalent. Additional requirements are imposed by the department offering the graduate
program.
A considerable number of universities use the GRE-Graduate
Record Examination as criteria for admission. Entry to highly
specialized studies is only granted to students having successfully
achieved one of the following tests: Law Admission Test; Medical
College Admission etc.
The GMAT-Graduate Management admission test is required for
studies leading to the MBA Master of Business Administration.
However, specific knowledge in business administration is not
required.

studying in the USA

Application Procedures
The academic year, which varies from institution to institution,
normally runs from late August or mid-September to early or late
May. Optional summer courses are usually available outside the
academic year. The academic year is either divided into two terms
called "semesters" or into three terms referred to as "quarters.
In the latter case, the fourth quarter can be an optional summer
term that covers a whole quarter's worth of material in six to eight
weeks. It is, therefore, extremely intense and very fast-paced. An
above average knowledge of English is required to successfully
complete these intensive courses. They are not designed to teach
students English. Their objective is to help students catch up on
subject material or advance in their program of study more
quickly.

The Application Process

All students must submit a formal application in order to enrol
in an American institution, regardless of academic status or
degree intent.
The entire application process takes several months. Students
should begin requesting (or downloading) admission applications
in July and August, one year before the expected date of enrolment. Most institutions make application forms available on the
Internet and then request that hard copies of your documents be
sent via post. Forms that are sent via surface mail (by sea) may
not reach universities in time for application deadlines.
Most universities will take no action on an application until it is
complete in all respects, including supporting letters of reference,
certified copies of academic records, required test scores and
payment of application fees. To find application information on
university web sites, follow the links to admissions, prospective
students or international students.
15

Application Deadlines
The deadline for admission applications varies among institutions.
Most deadlines range from December to February for enrolment
in the following academic year. Some institutions set special application deadlines for international students. Final application
dates are firm and apply to all application materials (academic results, application forms, recommendation letters, test scores and
application fees).
Mid-year Admissions
The most typical time to begin academic programs in the United
States is the Fall (September) term. However, some institutions
accept admission applications for each of their academic terms.
If the university operates a semester plan, mid-year admission falls
sometime in January. Universities operating a quarterly calendar
will sometimes admit students at the beginning of Fall (September), Winter (January) or Spring (March) quarters.
Highly competitive institutions and some graduate programs do
not accept mid-year admissions.
Details concerning the rules and requirements of an American
institution are published in a program (often referred to as a university catalogue). These catalogues can be found on the web
sites of individual institutions.
18

Although application procedures vary slightly among institutions,

international student applications usually require the following
materials:
- Institutional application form
- Non-refundable application fee (costs range from $10 to
$100)
- Certified copies of educational documents (academic results)
- Certified translations of these documents if not originally in
English
- Scores for any required entrance examinations
- Evidence of English language proficiency
- Statement of educational purpose and/or biographical essay
- Letters of recommendation from teachers or professional
colleagues
- Financial information, with applications for financial aid if
requested
Most universities require a non-refundable application fee. Payment should be enclosed with the application materials. Students
must use an international money order.
Try to begin working on applications well before the deadline and
submit completed applications two or three months before the
closing date. This will allow the institutions adequate time to eva-

studying in the USA

luate the application before the peak of the selection period. If

applying to a competitive field or to a selective institution, submit
applications as early as possible. Many U.S. admissions officers believe that early applications are apt to be considered more favourably than later ones.
Once the application process has begun, some institutions send a
letter of welcome or a note that thanks students for their interest
in the institution. A letter of welcome from an individual professor or a letter verifying receipt of your application does not constitute an official admission to the university.
Respond promptly to any requests for additional information
from any and all universities to which you have applied. These requests may be for specific course descriptions; additional information about your financial situation, for an additional writing
sample in English or for certified copies of educational documents.
Each institution will specify the type of official records it requires
to evaluate past education.
Usually, admissions officers will want the students entire academic record for secondary courses. U.S. institutions often prefer
that transcripts of previous educational work be sent directly from
the former schools. The institution may also furnish special forms
on which school authorities are asked to write the applicants
grades and academic performance relative to other students in

the institution. If such forms are not provided, the applicant or

the school will be expected to submit official documents that
provide this type of information. If the admissions officer requests
an explanation of the grading and class ranking system or descriptions of courses that have been taken, this information should
be furnished by an official of the applicant's send certified copies
of grade sheets, diplomas, degrees or professional titles, or copies
of the comprehensive examination results administered in your
home country. Do not send original documents unless there is
no alternative; usually they cannot be returned.
If English translations are necessary, they must have been certified.
Students who have taken courses in the USA or at an institution
in their home country can inquire about applying those courses
towards the new degree program.
Certified copies of course transcripts must be included with the
application. In most cases, admissions officers cannot give full estimates of accepted credit in advance of admission.
Applicants must submit officially reported results (scores) for any
required examinations.
Most applications ask students to provide an essay that details
his or her purpose in seeking admission to the chosen field and
institution.

19

This essay should include study plans, research plans, personal

strengths in the chosen field and plans for the future. Be sure to
take this task seriously as it is one of the most important parts of
the application. Essays should be carefully organized and presented in a clear, well-written manner.
When required, the biographical essay helps admissions officers
get to know the applicant. These essays should emphasize individual strengths, interests and goals.
Bear in mind that admissions officers want to know what you
excel at, what you are interested in and what types of activities
occupy your time outside of school.
Overall, they want to know what you are like.
Many students tend to be too modest when asked to present
their interests and accomplishments. Most candidates, in completing the application, will be describing themselves for the first
time in their lives. All applicants should realize that their ability to
persuasively explain their background, interests and assets will
have a significant impact on their application for admission.
If institutions request letters of recommendation, ask two or three
people to write letters on your behalf. The university will specify
the number of letters to be submitted.

20

Try to select references who hold respected positions and who

are familiar with you and your academic work. Present or former
teachers, professors or employers are possible choices. For recommendation letters to be effective, they should contain insights
into your seriousness of purpose, academic promise, motivation,
adaptability, personality and character. Statements about research
ability, as well as preparation and promise in the specific field, are
also necessary.
Recommendations which give an honest appraisal of your capabilities - weak points as well as strong points - are much more
convincing to U.S. admissions officers (and therefore more valuable) than general letters of extreme praise.
These letters should be written in English, or accompanied by a
translation. If a form is provided by the university, it must be used.
Evidence of Financial Resources.
Admissions officers cannot issue the certificates needed to
request a visa for study in the United States until they are
satisfied that an applicant has enough money, from whatever
sources, to cover all expenses during the period of stay in the
United States. Most institutions require applicants to submit
financial forms or bank statements that list the amounts and
sources of funds available to pay educational and living expenses
in the U.S. Usually, this information must be confirmed or

studying in the USA

witnessed by a responsible individual, such as an officer of the

bank where the applicant's funds are on deposit. If a sponsor or
parent is contributing financial support, they will be asked to
attest to the availability of funds. In some cases, notarization of
these documents may be required.
Academic year
The average semester lasts 15 weeks and is usually followed by a
brief examination period.
The academic year is divided in periods of study, called
semesters. The Fall semester starts in August and lasts until
around the middle of December. After a vacation period of
approximately a month, universities begin again around the 15th
January for the Spring semester finishing in mid-May. A summer
semester completes the academic year between the beginning of
June and mid-August.

DISTANCE LEARNING
Many institutions of higher education in the USA offer degree
courses (Bachelors degrees, Masters degrees) by distance
learning. However it should be pointed out that not all
institutions or courses are necessarily recognized and accredited.
It is advisable to check if this is actually the case before you start
applying for such courses.
21

LIVING
CONDITIONS FOR ENTRY IN THE USA

COSTS OF LIVING

American Visas
A valid passport and U.S. visa are needed to enter the United
States. Students and scholars generally fall under the NonImmigrant classifications of "Exchange-Visitor" (type J) or
"Student" (type F).

Higher education is very expensive in the United States. Tuition

alone varies from $5,000 in state-supported institutions to
$30,000 in some large private institutions.

The possibility for employment is governed by the type of visa

issued. Under no circumstances is it possible to cover all
educational expenses by working in the United
States during your studies. Information concerning U.S. visas is
available from:
The Consular Section of the United States Embassy
Boulevard Emmanuel Servais 22
L- 2535 Luxembourg
http://luxembourg.usembassy.gov/consular.html
N.B.: not every visa allows you to work in the USA. If you are
considering work while studying, check whether your visa allows
it. For further information: American Embassy in Luxembourg,
The Consular Section.

22

These figures cover only tuition and do not include

transportation, books or living expenses. The following chart is
an estimate of costs for one academic year (9 months) at public
(state-supported) universities and private universities. The range
reflects the differences between low-cost and high-cost
institutions.
Tuition & Fees
Books & Supplies
Room & Board
Health Insurance
Incidental Expenses
TOTALS

Public University
$5,250 - 12,500
$525 735
$7,000 - 10,500
$210 420
$2,100 - 3,150
$15,085 - 27,305

Private University
$8,500 - 26,250
$525 735
$7,000 - 10,500
$210 420
$2,100 - 3,150
$18,335 41,055

How to get a financial assistance?

You may apply to CEDIES in Luxembourg for financial assistance
granted by the Luxembourg State (www.cedies.lu).

studying in the USA

Financial aid by American institutions

The number of US scholarships available for foreign students
who want to study in the USA is quite limited. Despite the sharp
competition for funds, financial aid is sometimes available from
public and private educational institutions, private foundations
or organizations.
There are eight general types of financial aid in the United States:
administrative assistantships, fellowships, grants, loans, research
assistantships, scholarships, teaching assistantships and workstudy programs.
Please note that most assistantship forms of aid are reserved for
graduate level students.
Administrative assistantships are rare and are based on student
need and academic qualifications. These assistantships usually
require 10 to 20 hours of work within the administrative offices
of the university and may provide a tuition waiver or modest
salary.
Fellowships are typically based on academic merit and carry no
teaching or research obligations. Fellowships usually cover
tuition plus a cash stipend.

The Commission for Educational Exchange administers the

Fulbright Grant Program for citizens of Belgium and
Luxembourg.
Grants are available for graduate level studies and post-doctoral
research and lecturing. Candidates must demonstrate academic
excellence as well as a strong knowledge of English. A more
detailed hand-out about Fulbright grant opportunities is
available at the Commission and at CEDIES.
Application should be made one year before starting studying in
the USA!
Research assistantships (RAs) are based on academic
qualifications and research interests.
The student assists a faculty member in conducting research and
is usually compensated with a tuition waiver and modest salary
or stipend. Again, RA positions are generally reserved for
advanced masters or doctoral students.
Scholarships are based on academic merit and generally require
no repayment obligations.
Depending on the sponsor, scholarships may cover partial or full
tuition costs.

Grants are often based on financial need and academic merit

and do not carry work or research obligations.
23

Teaching Assistantships (TAs) are based on academic

qualifications. TAs usually require a student to work 15 to 20
hours per week in such areas as lecturing, grading papers,
supervising laboratory classes, etc. Students usually receive a
tuition waiver and a modest salary or stipend. TA positions are
often reserved for advanced level students (some masters work
completed or doctoral level studies).
Work-study programs provide jobs for students with financial
need. The program encourages community service work or work
related to each students course of study. Students who are
interested in obtaining financial assistance from American
institutions must request specific applications for financial aid.
Students should direct their inquiries to the universitys Office of
International Admissions or Office of International Student
Services. At some institutions, applications for financial aid must
be submitted earlier than the regular admission deadline.
Applicants for financial assistance may have to take additional
tests, provide additional proof of eligibility for aid, obtain
additional recommendations and sometimes meet an earlier
application deadline.

At the undergraduate level, scholarships might be:

- merit-based (exclusively based on the students academic
achievements)
- need-based( based on the students financial needs and
partly on his academic achievements)
At the graduate level, there are:
- scholarships (based on the students academic
achievements)
- fellowships (also based on the students academic
achievements). Fellowships normally cover tuition fees and
living expenses
- grants (based on the students academic achievements and
his financial needs)
- teaching assistantships (based on the students academic
qualifications). Those assistantships are given in return for
teaching, laboratory work or other services
- research assistantships (based on the students academic
qualifications and his capability for research)
- administrative assistantships (based on the students
financial needs and qualifications)
Those assistantships require the student to work in the
administrative department of the university.

24

studying in the USA

SOCIAL SECURITY
Applications for financial assistance from US institutions should
be done before the end of January of the year before entering
university/college.
However as there are various scholarships and grants their
criteria and their deadlines are frequently quite different.
Further information: www.educationusa.state.gov
- Commission for Educational Exchange with the USA,
Bruxelles
- Miami University (Differdange) for the
Miami scholarships

STUDENT HOUSING
Practically all American universities/colleges are located on a
campus with housing facilities (Residence halls). Trying to get a
room in one of the Residence halls is the best solution for
students who start their studies. However, with the number of
students increasing, there is no guarantee that you will be
allocated a room.
Student housing departments on the campus provide
information on housing in and outside the campus.

School Insurance Requirements

If you are an international student planning to study in the USA,
you will need health insurance, and most US colleges and
universities require that your insurance plan meets certain
requirements.

Health Care on Campus

Most college and university campuses offer some type of general
medical care; services vary from basic first-aid and treatment of
minor ailments to sophisticated multi-doctor primary care
centers offering x-rays, laboratory tests, prescription drugs and
access to specialists. The cost of on-campus medical services is
normally not very expensive.
During your first week on campus, take a copy of your medical
records (including immunization and vaccination records and
prescriptions) to the school's health care center or infirmary.
Going off campus for health care If you prefer to visit a medical
practitioner off-campus, you have several choices (though the
cost is generally higher). Private doctors treat non-emergency
patients by appointment during regular office hours, typically 9
a.m. until 5 p.m. Minor emergency clinics do not require
25

appointments, and are usually open on weekends and holidays.

Please contact the Centre commun de la scurit sociale in
Luxembourg for further information on that topic
(http://www.ccss.lu/joindre.htm)

WORKING AND STUDYING

International students should not rely on earning money in the
United States to pay for their higher education. American visas
require international students to study full-time and limit
employment to supervised work that is directly connected to their
field of study. Some international students may be permitted to
work part-time on campus after their first year of study, but the
amount of money earned is only enough for pocket money or
miscellaneous expenses. It is not possible to cover living expenses
with the part-time salaries earned on campus.
In the USA there are now numerous restrictions on employment
for foreign nationals.
Even when employment is permitted, it is usually limited to no
more than 20 hours per week. Most international students are
limited to on-campus employment.

26

If you are studying on a F1-visa, you may not accept off-campus

employment during the first year of study. You may however
take an on-campus employment limited to 2o hours per week.
Full-time employment is allowed during vacations if you will be
returning to school at the end of the vacation period.
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) permission is not
required for an on-campus employment, but you must apply for
a Social Security Number and complete a form I-9 (Employment
Eligibility).
After the first year of study, a student on an F - 1 visa may ask the
INS for permission to accept an off-campus employment. The
student must be in a good academic standing and enrolled as a
full-time student and the students advisor must certify the
students Form I-538.
The student must submit Form I-765 (Application for temporary
employment authorization) and filing fee, along with the Form I538 and the student copy of Form I-20,to the INS for work
authorization. This authorization is valid for one year.

studying in the USA

USEFUL LINKS AND ADDRESSES

Important addresses:

Prospective students are advised to check the following web

sites:

Commission for Educational Exchange between the

USA, Belgium and Luxembourg
Bvd. de lEmpereur 4, B-1000 Bruxelles
Tl. 0032 2/519.57.72
www.fulbright.be
email:adviser@fulbright.be

College Net: www.collegenet.com

College View: www.collegeview.com
EducationUSA: www.educationusa.state.gov
GradSchools.com: www.gradschools.com/search.html
Hobsons U.S. Education Guides: www.useduguides.com
Petersons School Search:
www.petersons.com/ugchannel
College Opportunities Online Locator:
http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool/
and:
www.usnews.com
www.usjournal.com/en/students
www.edupass.org/immigration

American Embassy
The Consular Section
22, bvd. E.Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg, Tl. 460123
Ministre de lEnseignement suprieur et de la Recherche
(bourses trangres)
20, monte de la Ptrusse,
L-2273 Luxembourg, Tl. 247 85135
Centre de Documentation et dInformation
sur lEnseignement suprieur (CEDIES)
209, route dEsch, L-1471 Luxembourg
Tl. 247 88650

27

Timeline for preparing to study in the USA

12 to 18 months before departure:
- Evaluate your reasons for wanting to study in the U.S., consider the following:
- Motivation and objectives. Why the U.S. and not elsewhere?
- Future plans, academic interests and employment goals
- English proficiency and academic ability
- Time required to earn an American degree
- Estimated cost of study and financial aid opportunities

June-September:
- Select 5 to 10 universities on the bases of their programs, degrees offered, accreditation, level of selectivity, cost, location
and size.

July-August:
- Find out which standardized tests are required for admission (TOEFL, ACT, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.)
- Register to take the exams in October or November

August-September:
- Write to 5 to 10 universities to request application forms for admission and financial aid (or download information from
the institutional web sites)
- If you have specific questions about an institutions admissions procedures, send a letter of inquiry or email message
to admissions staff well in advance of the application deadline

28

studying in the USA

October-February:
Request official transcripts from your department or university and prepare English translations.
Have the English translations and transcript copies certified at the Commission.
- Apply for financmial aid in the United States
- Ask professors or other colleagues to prepare and send recommendation letters directly to the selected institutions
- Send application forms and other application materials to universities well in advance of the application deadlines
Keep copies of all application forms for your records

February-April:
- Wait for acceptance and rejection letters from the universities

March-April:
- Contact the institutions from which you have not yet received a response to your admission applications

April-June:
- Accept the offer of admission from your preferred university. (This can be done via e-mail, telephone, fax or letter.)
- Decline offers from other universities
- Contact the universitys housing office to reserve university owned housing
- Contact the universitys International Student Adviser for any specific information
concerning arrival and orientation
- Contact the Commission for pre-departure information

Upon Arrival in the United States:

- Contact the International Student Adviser and register your U.S. postal and email address with the university

29

tudier
studyingen
inSuisse
the USA

Edition 2011/2012
05 04 03 02 01
Cedies
www.cedies.lu
209, route dEsch
L-1471 Luxembourg
Illustrations: Fotolia.fr
Clture de rdaction: 15 avril 2011.
Toute modification postrieure cette date est
annonce sur le site www.cedies.lu
Dans la prsente publication le masculin est
utilis dans un souci de lisibilit sans volont
de discrimination.

32

Centre de Documentation
et dInformation sur lEnseignement Suprieur
209, route dEsch
L-1471 Luxembourg - Gasperich
Tl.: 247-88650 Fax: 26 19 01 04
www.cedies.lu
e-mail: cedies@mesr.etat.lu

Edition 2011/2012