As with immigrants, foreign students contribute to America's diversity. Every year, approximately half a million young men and women from all over the world come to study in America's institutes of higher education. The over 3,500 colleges and universities in the United States offer different subjects ranging from liberal and fine arts to computer science and engineering.

There are various types of schools in the United States. A university is different from a college in that while a college is only for undergraduate education, a university usually comprises a college, a graduate school and maybe even a professional school. A university is also more involved in research.

In America colleges and universities are publicly funded or private. "State universities" (or "public") are generally state or city-owned. They are relatively inexpensive, especially if you are a resident of the city in which they are located.

Private schools, on the other hand, are quite expensive. They are also very selective as to students as well as faculty. Prestigious private universities are Harvard, Princeton, Yale. If you are an extremely good student, you may be able to compete for a scholarship to one of these universities.

Although you may have an idea of what field you want to major in as an undergraduate, keep in mind that in the U.S. you will be encouraged (and required) to take different subjects for a year or two before actually concentrating on a specific field of study.

You may also need to take ESL (English as a Second Language) classes or enroll in a ESL program, especially if your TOEFL scores are modest.

Admission to U.S. colleges and universities is mostly based on academic performance and standardized tests. Recommendations, extra curricular activities and publications (for graduate school) are also important.

There are so many things to be considered when applying to a college or university that you may want to speak to an advisor. There are advising centers at U.S. embassies and consulates in many countries. That is also where you can also receive information on various schools of interest to you.

Requirements vary from school to school but you must be prepared to produce a certain amount of documents, take tests and prove financial ability. Bear in mind that the application process begins a year before the actual time you would like to actually start your studies. This means that if you intend to start your education in September 2001 you must begin the process by September-October 2000.

The first step is contacting those colleges and/or universities you are seriously considering and that are right for you. The Application Form is usually a detailed questionnaire about your background that you need to answer as precisely as possible. It is important that you give as much information as you can in order to present yourself in the best possible light.

You will also be required to present your academic records, which should be translated and presented according to the school's requirements. Teacher's recommendations are also required by most schools so you must be prepared to have them sent to the institution to which you are applying.

There are tests that you may need to take. The TOEFL measures your knowledge of English although not all schools will require it. Undergraduate institutions usually want you to take the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), while graduate schools require the GRE (Graduate Record Examination). MBA applicants may have to take the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test).

Important addresses

Admissions Testing Program of the College Entrance
Examination Board
P.O. Box 6200
Princeton, NJ 08541-6200
U.S.A.

GRE
P.O. Box 6000
Princeton, NJ 08541-6000
U.S.A.

GMAT
Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6101
Princeton, NJ 08514-6101
U.S.A.

Visa Concerns
In order to receive a student visa to the United States you must prove you have the ability to support yourself while pursuing your studies in this country. For State schools tuition plus room, board, books and other expenses may range anywhere between $9,000 and $20,000 per year. For private schools this amount may jump to $12,000-$30,000. Financial aid is rarely available to foreign students on the undergraduate level. For graduate students, there are fellowships and assistantships

There are three kinds of student visas:

These visas are restrictive as to employment. F-1 students may work on the campus of the school and must be employed either by the school itself or by a company providing services to students on the campus itself. F-1 students may work up to 20 hours a week. J-1 students may also work in the same way but require special permission.

If you are on a F-1 visa, you may be allowed to do practical training for up to a year either during or after completing your studies. Again training is limited to 20 hours a week and you must have been a student for at least nine months in order to be eligible.
J-1 students, on the other hand, may undergo up to 18 months of training.

TERMS TO KNOW

Academic Year: Usually consists of two terms (semesters), three terms (tri-mesters) or quarters (four terms). There are also summer semesters for students who wish to take extra credit.

ACT: Achievement test required by some schools to measure subject ability.

Credit: Unit of academic work successfully completed. A course may be worth 1, 2 or 3 credits, depending on its duration.

Faculty: The professors and teachers working in the school.

Graduate student: Same as post-graduate. A student who is studying towards a Master's or Doctoral degree.

 

IMPORTANT WEB SITES

www.ies-ed.com - finding the appropriate educational institution in the United States

www.toefl.org - everything you need to know about the TOEFL

 

By Dimitrina Korcheva