USA

Student centred:

The American school system, like US values in general, is centred on a belief in individualism, on personal growth, and on opportunity for anyone – regardless of race, class, or other differences – to achieve a quality education. From an early age, students are encouraged to voice their opinions, and to participate actively in their learning. They receive a broad-based education from the day they first enter school as children to high school and even into the first years of college. Extracurricular activities and social skills are prioritized alongside academics.

Well Rounded:

Students are viewed as individual human beings most of all, and while grades are important, American educators believe strongly that students being active in social, sports, and cultural activities is crucial to their wellbeing and eventual success in their lives and careers.

USA Education System

The American university system is diverse – with over 4,000 degree-granting institutions delivering a wide range of programs and offering unique experiences for international students.

Part of the reason the higher education landscape is so diverse in the US is that the federal government is not involved in recognizing educational institutions, programs or curriculums, or degrees or other qualifications. The education system is “decentralized” as a result: state governments are responsible for overseeing the activities of higher education institutions.

Within the overall university system, there are public universities and private ones.

Public Universities

Most public universities are operated by the states and territories, usually as part of a state university system (which is a group of public universities supported by an individual state). Each state supports at least one state university and several support many more. California, for example, has 9 campuses in the University of California system, 23 campuses in the California State University system.

Private Universities

Private colleges and universities are those that do not receive their primary support from the government. Among these, some are secular while others have a religious affiliation (e.g., Roman Catholic, Judaism, etc). In general, religiously affiliated institutions welcome students of all faiths, and religious courses are minimal or optional.

Private institutions are either non-profit or for profit. For-profit institutions are often more focused on careers and technical education.

The Undergraduate Journey

t generally takes four years to earn a bachelor's degree in the US. Each year has a word associated with it to easily identify the student's academic standing: Year 1 = Freshman, Year 2 = Sophomore, Year 3 = Junior, and Year 4 = Senior.

Most undergraduate programs require that students take courses – sometimes called prerequisite courses – across several disciplines (for example, literature, history, science, the arts) before they specialize in a “major.” These initial courses are meant to create a foundation for more specialized study within a degree program and they are aimed at producing well-rounded graduates with more than just specific knowledge.

The focus becomes more specialized with each year of study, and postgraduate and professional programs are the most specialized.

At the start of their third year of study (their Junior year), students declare a major (the main focus of their study in a degree program).

Two examples of majors: A Major in Anthropology as part of a BA program, a Major in Biochemistry as part of a BS program. To complete their Degrees, students must take a certain number of courses within their major focus.

Credits and Grades

A bachelor’s programs require that students complete around 120-125 credit hours of coursework. Given that it usually takes students 8 semesters (4 years) of study to complete a bachelor’s degree. To be considered a full-time student one would have to pass a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester for undergraduate programs. Most college courses are worth three credit hours.

Students receive a new GPA every semester, but every course the student has taken toward completing their credential is reflected in it (GPAs are cumulative, so will reflect past semesters as well). A perfect GPA would be 4.0, and it would mean the student had achieved an "A" in every course completed.

In USA, Higher education institutions divide the academic year either by a semester or a quarterly system. Individual institutions will have different start and end dates, so it is important to get a detailed calendar from the schools under consideration.

Semester: This approach considers the year to fall under two semesters (16 weeks in fall, which begins in mid-August or September, and 16 weeks in spring, which begins in January, with a short winter break and a longer summer vacation.

Quarter: Here, the academic year is divided into three quarters, and the start date is usually late September until mid-June. In each system, there is an optional summer session in which students can choose to study.

The Graduate Journey

Master's programs can take as short a time as 1 year to complete and as long a time as 6 years, with 2–3 years being the average. Some programs will require a thesis for graduation and others will not (the latter being more dependent on course work or practical work). Most programs will require (1) a bachelor’s degree for admission, (2) a minimum GPA score, and (3) minimum standardized test (e.g., GRE or GMAT) scores for admission. Some will also require work and/or research or publishing experience.

Some students will go on from master’s degrees to doctoral degrees, while some will complete their school careers after the master’s and use it to help them get the job they want in a certain field. Some doctoral degrees in the US require master’s degrees as a prerequisite, while others require only a bachelor’s degree.

How to Apply to American Universities

There is no limit on the number of universities and colleges a student may apply to in the US, but applying is both time consuming and expensive, so it can be a good idea to set a maximum of 6 schools to apply to.

Process to Apply – ALL ABROAD STUDY team helps you at each step for application

Standardized Testing in the US Admissions Process for Undergraduate & Postgraduate Degrees may be required like – IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/SAT/ACT/GRE or GMAT

paying for Education

For tuition, accommodation, and food, undergraduate international students in The US can expect to pay anywhere from $15,000 to over $50,000 a year. There are numerous scholarships to be availed.(It varies accordingg to the updates)

The United States visa regulations stipulate whether or not international students are eligible to work in the US, and what type of employment they can hold. The students can work 20 hours a week during college days & 40 hours a week in holidays.

There are 3 types of student Visas – F1, M1 & J1.

As such, international students who want to work must know their visa rules and regulations. Limited work permission is possible for students in F1 and J1 status. But, employment is not guaranteed and cannot be used as part of students’ financial support for visa purposes.

M1 visa holders in technical and vocational programs cannot work during the course of their studies. M1 student visa applicants must prove that they have sufficient funds immediately available for all costs associated with their entire course of studies.

On-Campus Employment

International students on F1 status can work on campus 20 hours a week while school is in session, and full-time during scheduled breaks, such as winter and summer breaks. This work can occur on the school’s campus or at an off-campus location “educationally affiliated with the school.” In the latter case, the work must be “associated with the school’s established curriculum or related to contractually funded research projects at the postgraduate level.”

Off-Campus Employment

In addition to practical training, F1 students may be authorized to work off-campus, but only after having been in F1 status for one academic year, and only if they meet certain criteria. Students who are experiencing unforeseen economic hardship and students who have a job offer from an international organization may apply for work authorization from the DHS.

Social Security Number (SSN)

Once an international student has been approved for employment in the US and starts working, they need a Social Security Number (SSN). Students should wait until they are in the US for at least 10 days and have reported to their educational institution, before applying for an SSN. Students can visit their local Social Security Administration (SSA) office to apply for an SSN. The Social Security Office Locator (https://secure.ssa.gov) will help to find the nearest office. More information is available on the Social Security website (http://www.socialsecurity.gov)

Practical Training - OPT and CPT

Practical training is available to F1 students who have been attending a college, university, or conservatory fulltime for at least one academic year (in other words, nine months). High school and English language program students are not eligible for practical training even if the program is part of a college or university.

Practical training is divided into two types, “curricular” and “optional:”

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) describes work that is an “integral” (essential) part of the established curriculum and is usually required or for credit. CPT is designed to provide students with an opportunity to gain actual employment experience in their area of study.

The Designated School Official (DSO) at the institution completes the employment authorization in SEVIS by indicating who the employment will be with, the location of the employer, the dates of employment, and whether the employment is full time or part-time. Employment of 20 hours per week or less is considered part time. Anything over 20 hours a week is considered full time.For the most part, only part-time CPT is permitted for undergraduate students while they are studying unless the CPT is part of an internship component of their program.

Fulltime CPT is generally permitted only when school is not in session. The student’s I20 form, I94 card and unexpired foreign passport is the employment authorization. No authorization is needed from the Department of Homeland Security.

Students are not limited in the amount of curricular practical training they may use. However, students who have engaged in one year or more of full-time curricular practical training are not eligible for Optional Practical Training. Students should ensure they track the hours they spend in CPT for this reason.

PLEASE NOTE: CPT requirements differ for undergraduate students and graduate students. Students should check with their International Student Office to be clear on all the details of CPT opportunities.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

OPT is an opportunity for F1 students to gain work experience to complement their academic program; as such, the work must be directly related to the student's a major area of study.

All F1 students are entitled to one year of Optional Practical Training for each higher education degree they receive. Students must have completed one academic year of their degree to be eligible for OPT.

Students who complete a degree on the STEM Designated Degree Program List may be entitled to a 24month extension of OPT (36 months total) . STEM refers to degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and includes:

• Actuarial Science
• Computer Science (except data entry/microcomputer applications) Engineering
• Engineering Technologies
• Biological and Biomedical Sciences
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Military Technologies
• Physical Sciences
• Science Technologies
• Medical Scientist

To qualify for the 24month extension, the students’ employer must be enrolled in the E-Verify Employment Verification Program operated by US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

OPT for F1 students can occur under four circumstances:

1. During the student’s annual vacation and at other times when school is not in session if the student is eligible, and intends to register for the next term or session;
2. While school is in session provided that the OPT does not exceed 20 hours a week;
3. Full time after the student has completed all course requirements for the degree (excluding thesis or the equivalent), if the student is in a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree program;
4. Full time after the student has completed a program of study.