The United States is one of the most popular destinations for higher education in the world. The United States is also known as the “Land of Opportunities” due to the abundance of study and work opportunities. In 2013-14, the US welcomed nearly 9,000 international students. Hence, the United States is one of the best destinations for higher education in the world. This article will explain all aspects of higher education in USA to the Asian students.
Types of College Degrees in the United States:
Four types of degrees are offered in the United States. These courses can be completed successively. The following are the types of degrees offered in the United States:
Associate Degree: Associate degrees are two-year undergraduate programs that prepare a student for a specific career or for a bachelor’s degree. Students pursue associate degrees to earn more credits towards a bachelor’s degree, although certain jobs only require an associate degree.
Bachelor degree: The bachelor’s degree is a four-year bachelor’s program that provides in-depth study of a specific major. It is an extension of an associate degree. The completion of a bachelor’s degree entitles you to take up a master’s degree. Bachelor degrees include Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and Bachelor of Science (BS).
Master’s degree: The master’s degree is a two-year postgraduate course that is completed after the completion of the bachelor’s degree. It serves to deepen the fields of study chosen by the students in the bachelor’s degree. It prepares for the doctoral programs. Examples of master’s degrees are Master of Science (MS), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Arts (MA).
PhD: The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) is the highest academic degree offered to students. To pursue a PhD in a specific field, a student must have a master’s degree in the same field. It involves writing a dissertation based on research and advanced study of the subjects. A Ph.D. Depending on the type and complexity of the research work, it lasts three to six years.
Types of educational institutions in the United States:
There are two main types of educational institutions in the United States. They are:
Community College: A community college is a college that offers general and technical associate degrees. Students pursuing an associate degree to earn additional credits towards a bachelor’s degree typically come to community colleges. Community college courses are very affordable, and many students use community college courses to earn credits toward a four-year bachelor’s degree.
University: A university is an educational institution that mainly offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Students who want to further improve their academic qualifications go to universities. Those who complete associate degrees at community colleges can go to universities to pursue their bachelor’s degrees.
Admission Types:
Admissions in autumn: Autumn entry begins at the end of August and ends at the end of December. Most universities only accept applications during the fall semester. Students will receive a greater number of course options during fall admission. Also, most students will apply for fall admission as their undergraduate degree ends in June. Therefore, most students opt for fall admission.
Spring shots: The onset of spring begins in early January and ends in early May. The number of courses offered for spring admissions will be reduced. Almost 25% of universities in the US do not have spring admissions for a majority of the programs they offer. Many universities do not provide study grants in the spring semester. Those applicants who were not offered admission in the fall but the university wishes to accept the applicant as an undergraduate will receive delayed admission in the spring.
Application guidelines and requirements:
You must take your TOEFL and SAT exams for admission to the various courses and GMAT for admission to MBA programs.
Application forms: It is better to send requests at least 18 months before the admission date. Students can request application forms by email or airmail, or students can go to the university/college website and download the application form.
Testimonies: Students must present their school transcripts for admission to undergraduate courses. Qualifications acceptable include Indian School Certificate, Intermediate Certificate, Higher School Certificate, Higher Secondary Certificate and All India Senior School Certificate and their Graduation Certificate from an accredited university for admission to Postgraduate or Doctoral programs.
Letter of recommendation: Not all universities require a letter of recommendation, but providing one increases your chances of admission. A letter of recommendation must be submitted by a person who has taught the student or who knows the student professionally. It must indicate the positive and negative qualities and strengths of the student. The author must also indicate his position and how long he has known the students and in what capacity.
Explanation of purpose: A declaration of purpose must also be submitted. It is an essay written by the applicant explaining why he/she wants to do the course at that particular university. It is heavily considered by the university when selecting their candidates.
Application for financial support: If the student wishes to apply for financial aid or scholarships, the student must submit the appropriate applications.
Student Visa: The student wishing to study in the United States must apply for a Class F nonimmigrant visa to the United States.
In summary, the USA is a wonderful country to study in thanks to the high quality of universities and the availability of a plethora of job opportunities. All the best!!!
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