5 Steps for Study in USA

Step One (Research your Study
Options)

The first step to studying in the
United States is researching your options to find a college or university that
best fits your needs. You shouldn’t try to match yourself to the school, but
rather find the school that matches you and your priorities and long-term
goals.

Remember that no official ranking
system exists for colleges and universities in the United States. The best
college or university is the one that is best for you and meets your
requirements—academic, financial, and personal.

At least 12 to 18 months prior to
the academic year in which you hope to attend a U.S. college or university, you
should begin your research. Start by answering these basic questions and
looking at the more specific ‘define your priorities’ pages under each level of
study in this section:

• Why do you want to study in the
  United States?
• Where will you fit in
  best? 
• Which colleges or universities
  will meet your needs? 
• Will you need financial
  assistance?
• What are the application and
  financial aid deadlines?
• Where do you want to live in
  the United States?

Choose your level of study (e.g.
undergraduate, graduate, etc.) to learn more about researching your options.
Keep in mind that the schools you apply to must be certified by the Student
Exchange Visitor Program. You can find a searchable list of certified schools
on the Department of Homeland Security’s
Study in the State’s website.

Step Two (Finance Your Studies)

Invest in yourself ! The
cost of living and studying varies across the United States. With the right
amount of planning and research, pursuing a U.S. higher education can be
made affordable with high returns on your investment.

Start
your financial planning as early as possible. Each year international
students receive significant amounts of financial assistance for their
studies. However, competition is high. Applications for financial aid go
together with applications for admission.

When looking into studying
in the United States, evaluating your finances should be one of the first
things you do. As with any investment, you need to evaluate what’s
best for your educational and career goals and what you are willing to
spend. 

Look for Special Opportunities and Financial Aid

U.S. institutions offer a wide
array of programs with a wide array of tuition and fees. Find information
about special opportunities and financial aid provisions
that U.S. higher education institutions offer international students, such as
scholarships, in-state tuition benefits, waived application fees and deadlines,
and similar provisions.

Keep in mind that the United
States is a large country and the cost of living varies greatly from place to
place. You need to assess your funding and what you are able to spend on
your education and living expenses. 

Choose your level of study (community college, undergraduate, graduate, short-term, English language) to learn more about
financing your options.

Step Three (Complete your
Application)

Complete Your Application. This
step covers the general application requirements for U.S. colleges and
universities. 

Applying for U.S. study is a task
that takes time and concentration as each application is different and involves
collecting recommendations, writing essays, and routing the results of required
standard examinations. Plan to give this step the time it deserves for a
successful result.

Choose your level of study to learn
more about completing your application.

Step Four (Apply for Student Visa)

Applying for your U.S.
student visa. This next step will cover F, J and M student visa types.

Information pertaining to visas
and travel can be found on the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website and the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security’s Study in the States.
 

Choose your level of study to
learn more about applying for your student visa.

Because visa interviews are short,
do your best to explain why you want to study in the United States, how you
plan to support yourself while in school, and what your plans are for when your
studies are finished.

Step Five

You’ve made it to Step 5!
Preparing for your departure is the final step to Your Five Steps to U.S.
Study.

Key components to this final step
include making your travel arrangements, attending a pre-departure orientation
at your local EducationUSA center or online, gathering pre-departure materials
and documents for arrival, as well as reporting to your school and attending
orientations.

Check your new institution’s
website for additional pre-departure information that will be more specialized
and have information about health insurance, average local temperatures
throughout the year, local transportation options, housing, and more.

Attend Pre-Departure Orientation
EducationUSA advising centers organize pre-departure orientations for students
getting ready to depart for the United States. EducationUSA advisers and U.S.
alumni provide information and resources that will help you prepare for new
experiences and develop skills to adjust to new challenges. Topics discussed
include cultural differences, motivation, changes from your home environment,
academic systems and expectations, housing, and coping in a new cultural
setting. Contact your closest EducationUSA advising center to attend a
pre-departure orientation.

Pre-departure orientations are offered by EducationUSA
Advising Centers to students making final preparations to depart for their
studies in the United States. Contact your local center now!