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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 3
Levels of education in US 4
Levels of Education in US
There are various types of degrees offered by the institutions in the US. The major among them are mentioned
below:
The Associate degree in the US is the first academic or professional degree that can be awarded in US post
secondary education. Holders of this degree may apply to enter higher degree programmes at the Bachelor’s level,
but are not qualified to apply directly for advanced (graduate) studies programmes. This degree is an award that
requires the completion of an organised programme of study of at least 2 but less than 4 years of full-time
academic study. Most associate degrees earned in academic programmes are Associate of Arts (AA) or Science (AS)
degrees; those earned in professional, technical or terminal programmes are frequently called Associate of Applied
Science (AAS) degrees.
Bachelor’s Degrees
The Bachelor’s degree in the US requires the completion of four to five years of full-time equivalent college level
work. However, many degrees take longer to complete, including those in architecture and other fields; and given
the structure of academic programmes of study, a bachelor’s degree may be achieved in less than 4 years by highly
qualified and motivated students.
Master’s Degree
The Master’s Degree in the US is the first graduate-level qualification in the US higher education system. These
degrees generally take two years to complete, but the time period may be shorter or longer depending on how the
degree programme is structured (12-month versus 9-month academic years, for example), whether the student is
enrolled full-time or part-time, the degree requirements and the prior preparation of the student.
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and its equivalent titles, represent the highest academic qualification in the US
education system. The degree is awarded after the student has fulfilled the preliminary advanced study that leads
to doctoral candidacy and successfully completed and defended the independent research presented in the form of
the doctoral dissertation (thesis).
There are many Indian students who do PhD from the US. In the 2011/12 academic year, 100,270 students from
India were studying in the United States (down 3.5% from the previous year). India is the second leading place of
origin for students coming to the United States.
Academic Level: The majority of Indian students study at the graduate level. In 2011/12,
their breakdown was as follows:
13% Undergraduate
1.50% Other
Historical trends: The number of Indian students in the US in 2011/12 dropped 3.5% compared to the previous year,
marking two consecutive years of decline.
For admission to graduate programmes, again the basic qualification is an undergraduate degree. However, Indian
degrees are often of three years’ duration while US degrees are at a minimum of four years’ duration. Hence there
are many programmes that will require an additional year of study in a Master’s programme or the completion of a
Master’s programme for a student to be eligible for admission. This is what is commonly referred to as the 16th
year requirement!
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Undergraduate admissions criteria in the US
The undergraduate admissions process in the US relies on a number of factors but the basic criteria used to
evaluate students are:
Academic potential and performance: As evidenced by the student’s class rank and marks, the rigour of the
programme pursued and the reputation of the school.
Strengths and weaknesses as represented by the applicant’s participation in extra-curricular activities
Performance in standardised admissions tests administered to students globally
The first two factors are rather subjective as they represent great diversity – courses and grading standards vary
from school to school and region to region.
Again the admission process in the US relies on a number of factors but the basic criteria used to evaluate students
are:
Academic potential and performance: As evidenced by the student’s performance in his or her
undergraduate education, class rank and marks, the rigour of the programme pursued and the reputation
of the school.
A number of science and arts-based programmes require experience in the area of study you are interested
in such as in projects and internships that convey your focus, achievement and dedication.
Strengths and weaknesses as represented by the applicant’s participation in extra-curricular and
community activities
Performance in standardised admissions tests administered to students globally; these tests vary depending upon
the programmes you apply to. Applications to Business schools demand GMAT scores while those to MS and MA
programs in the US require GRE scores. Professional programmes require yet more specific scores.
Some programmes like the MBA specifically require you to have worked in the industry for a minimum of two
years.
Engineering 36.7
Education 0.6
Humanities 0.7
Source: Open Doors Report 2011/21012
You are expected to have completed all testing requirements by the time your applications are submitted. Hence, if
desirous of a good US education start your preparation at least two years ahead.
Keep in mind that your application is your marketing tool, so presentation is very important. You will not get the
opportunity to convey your strengths in person. Hence, make the best impression through excellently packaged
information that highlights your strengths and camouflages your weaknesses.
There is no single most important criterion for admission. The decision is made on the basis of your entire packet –
previous academic background, test scores, work experience and essays, all of which together are meant to give the
admissions committee an overview of your capabilities, interest, and accomplishments. While requirements vary
from university to university, organisation of thought, legibility and vocabulary are very important.
Cover letter
Checklist of documents
Application form: Most schools require an online application now. While your application can be submitted
online instantaneously, you need to have sent the rest of the documents like transcripts, letters of
recommendation etc. through courier. The timing has to be such that they receive the packet and
application before the deadline.
Application fee
Résumé
Essays: This is a very important part of your application as it gives you the opportunity to write whatever
you wish. So be judicious! Strictly adhere to the given topic and keep it simple. Don’t repeat information
from other parts of your application. Repetitions are indeed boring! Keep in mind that bad English prose
and grammatical errors put readers off. Stick to the word limit.
Transcripts: Applicants are required to submit official records from each academic institution attended.
Official records are original documents issued by the institution that bear the actual signature of the
registrar in ink and the seal of the issuing institution. Certified copies and notarized documents are not
acceptable. To be considered as official, some schools request that these documents be sent directly to
them from the issuing institution. Grades must not be converted to a US scale. Some MBA programmes do
not require transcripts immediately but ask for them later.
Test scores
Need-based aid is of two types – applying for one does adversely impact your chances of admission if you are an
international student. Stanford states clearly that if you are an international student and are applying for financial
aid, it will have an impact on your admission. Then there are a few, read very few, schools which are said to be
need-blind. Harvard and MIT fall in this category. Your request for aid is treated separately and hence your
admission decision is based totally on the credentials you present and your competition.
At the graduate level, there are many scholarships and assistantships. The former is awarded with no strings
attached and the latter pays the tuition and a stipend but expects students to put in up to 20 hours of work
according to their commitment.
But there’s tough competition for all types of financial aid. The student should request financial aid information
from the university at the initial stage of the application. One has to read very carefully the instructions and
information related to financial aid. The student has to make it clear to the university that he/she is applying for
financial aid while filling out the application forms for admission. The criteria for selecting applicants for the
different forms of financial aid vary.
Scholarships
Flagship Scholarship Award/Key Benefits Remarks
Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships J-1 visa support; round-trip For Master’s programme in the area of
for Leadership Development airfare from fellow’s home city Business Administration, Communication
www.usief.org.in and related costs; accident Studies, Economics, Environment and Public
and sickness coverage Administration
Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Monthly stipend, round trip PhD scholars in various disciplines in India
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and Professional Research air fare, applicable allowances, willing to conduct research and gain
Fellowship accident and sickness coverage practical work experience in US
Source: USEIF
CPT is an employment option available to F-1 students (academic students) where the practical training
employment is considered to be an integral part of the curriculum or academic programme. According to the
immigration regulations, this employment may be an internship, cooperative education job, or any other work
experience that is either required for the degree (as defined in the course catalogue) or for which academic credit is
awarded.
Many US universities offer partial to full funding to outstanding undergraduate students. Need-based scholarships,
merit-based scholarships and sports scholarships in the US would be some of the options for undergraduate
students.
A non-immigrant is someone admitted to the US temporarily for a specific purpose; who fully intends to return to
the host country upon completion of that purpose.
The United States issues different types of visas to non-immigrants. Students heading to the United States to
pursue full-time academic studies are usually admitted in the F-1 category that includes academic students in
colleges, universities, seminaries, conservatories, academic high schools, other academic institutions, and in
language training. People who will be participating in an exchange visitor programme in the United States need to
apply for the ‘J’ visa. Students, who want to study or train at nonacademic institutions such as vocational schools,
need to apply for an M-visa. The F-1 visa is the focus of this article.
As per the Immigration and Nationality Act, US law requires consular officers to view every visa applicant as an
intended immigrant until the applicant proves otherwise. The onus of proving that you are a bona fide student and
The Immigration and Nationality Act defines the F-1 non-immigrant alien as one who has not abandoned his
residence in a foreign country and who is a bona fide student coming temporarily and solely to the United States to
pursue a course of study at a recognised institution of education.
You are not allowed to take anyone with you for the interview. The officer who interviews you is highly trained and
has at his or her disposal only the facts that you furnish. No one can read your mind or guess your intent so it is
critical that you be alert and answer questions with confidence and support your assertions with appropriate
documents. However, it is not the documents that will get you a visa. More emphasis is paid on what and how you
answer questions rather than any papers that you are carrying. Documents are to support your statements. During
the interview, you must be prepared to demonstrate:
Academic preparation for the programme of your choice: This is demonstrated by the relevance of your
preparation to the course you would be pursuing in the US and by taking the tests that different US
academic programmes require.
Your financial capability to pay for your academic and other expenses in the US for the entire length of the
proposed study. The consular officer requires credible documentary evidence of readily available funds to
defray all expenses. A US education is rather expensive so you must be prepared to explain how you will
pay for the same.
Evidence of English Proficiency: This is mostly done by taking the TOEFL. However, of late, many
institutions have started waiving this requirement for Indian students who demonstrate this proficiency
through their marks.
Your ties (professional, financial, social) to India; your long-term career goals and how education in the
United States will help you in pursuing the same, will help in establishing credentials. You will generally be
spending a lot of money for this education especially in comparison to pursuing the same degree in India.
You will be required to justify why this education is so critical.
Also, because each student’s personal and academic situation is different; two students applying for same visa may
be asked different questions and for different documents. Your visa interview will typically last for five minutes but
can go up to 15 minutes! Be forthcoming in the interview. Don’t try to give evasive answers, which will only help to
hurt your chances.
May, June, July, and August are the busiest months in most consular sections. So begin early and be prepared.
Form I-20: It is a government form that is issued by the educational institutes once you are admitted to an
approved programme. This is the document that is carried for the visa interview.
It tells the US government that you are eligible for F-1 Student Status and certifies that the school is convinced
that you are or expect to be a ‘bona fide’ student who will pursue a full course of study and that you have
enough money to support your study and you will be able to manage your living in the US without working
illegally or facing any financial hardships.
SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System): is a mechanism for electronic verification of
prospective student status. All I-20’s issued by academic and vocational educational institutions are created
within this system. This information is then accessed by US consulates worldwide. There is a one-time SEVIS fee
which is separate from and in addition to the visa application fee.
FACTS TO REMEMBER:
Procedure to apply for the student visa begins not before 120 days of the commencement of the
academic programme
Your passport must have the validity for at least six months after your proposed date of entry into the
US
You are not allowed to arrive in the United States more than 30 days before the start of your
programme