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Benefits of USA -
Education System -
Entry Requirements
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Scholarships
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Admission Procedure
Universities - Visa Procedure -
Accommodation
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Pre-Departure Info
 Entry
Requirements
TA = Entrance Tests
B = Application Calenda
C = Tuition and Living costs
Entrance tests
US colleges and universities require that all their
applicants take one or more standardized tests. These
tests include the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), ACT
test, GRE (Graduate Record Examination), and GMAT
(Graduate Management Admission Test). Additionally,
applicants who are not Americans are required to also
take the TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language).
International students applying for an undergraduate
program (bachelor’s degree) will be required to take
the TOEFL and the SAT I tests. Some schools will also
require the SAT II. There are also many schools that
will accept the ACT in place of the SAT I.
Graduate students applying to an arts or science
program will be required to take the TOEFL and,
usually, the GRE. Graduate students applying to a
business program will be required to take the TOEFL
and, usually, the GMAT. Find out directly from the
schools to which you would like to apply what tests
are required. A brief description of each of these
standardized tests is given below.
A = Entrance Tests
TOEFL
In most parts of the world, the TOEFL is a
computer-based test. In some areas, paper-based
testing is also available. Paper-based tests are
administered on predetermined dates; computer-based
tests can be taken on an appointment basis. The test
consists of mostly multiple-choice questions. An essay
question is also required. The computer-based test
contains four sections:
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Listening – This
section is designed to test your understanding of
English as it is spoken inAmerica. You will listen
to dialogues, conversations and speeches using
headphones. Then you will answer multiple-choice
questions about the material. |
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Structure – This
section is designed to test your ability to
understand written English. It covers formal
English, rather than casual, or conversational
English. The questions are multiple-choice. |
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Reading – This
section is designed to test your understanding of
written passages similar to what you will have to
read in an American school. The questions cover
reading comprehension as well as vocabulary.
Again, these questions are multiple-choice. |
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Writing – This
section asks you to write an essay in English.
This section is designed to test your ability to
write in English, as well as to develop, organize
and support your arguments effectively. |
To find out more about the TOEFL test, including how
to register, where to take the test, and how to obtain
preparation materials, visit
www.toefl.org
SAT
There are two versions of the SAT test. The SAT I is
the called the Reasoning Test and is designed to
evaluate your mathematical and verbal skills. It
consists mostly of multiple-choice questions. The
questions in the math sections cover arithmetic,
algebra, and geometry, as well as logical reasoning,
probability and counting. The questions in the verbal
sections fall into the following categories:
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Analogies – These
questions test your knowledge of the meanings of
words and your ability to see relationships in
pairs of words. |
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Sentence
completions – These questions test you knowledge
of the meanings of words and your ability to
understand how different elements in a sentence
fit together logically. |
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Critical reading – These
questions measure your ability to read a passage
and think about it. |
The SAT II, on the other hand, contains 22 separate
tests called Subject Tests. Each subject test covers a
specific area such as world history, Spanish, or
chemistry. These tests are designed to determine your
level of knowledge in each area and your ability to
apply that knowledge to answer questions. If the
school you are applying to requires the SAT II, you
will generally be able to choose which subject test(s)
you would like to take. You can take up to three
subject tests in one day. However, you cannot take the
SAT I and the SAT II on the same day. For more
information on the SAT tests, including registration
and preparation information, visit
www.collegeboard.com
GRE
The GRE General Test is similar to the SAT I in that
it evaluates your mathematical and verbal abilities.
It is designed to measure your reasoning skills,
rather than your knowledge of any specific subject
matter. Subject matter testing is done with the GRE
Subject Tests. These tests should be taken by students
who have a bachelor’s degree (or very extensive
training) in that subject. They cover eight different
subject areas: (1) biochemistry, cell and molecular
biology; (2) biology; (3) chemistry; (4) computer
science; (5) literature in English; (6) mathematics;
(7) physics; (8) psychology. To find out more about
the GRE tests, including how to register, where to
take the tests, and how to obtain preparation
materials, visit
www.gre.org
GMAT
The GMAT is designed to assess your mathematical,
verbal and analytical writing skills. Again, it
measures your ability to apply knowledge, rather than
the amount of knowledge you have. It is a
computer-based test and contains both multiple-choice
and essay questions. For more information on the GMAT,
including how to register and prepare for the test,
visit www.mba.com
B = Application Calender
The following information will help you plan for the
college application process by giving you dates by
which each of the necessary steps should be completed.
Following a schedule will help you make sure that
everything is done on time and that no items or steps
are forgotten.
18 months before beginning your studies in the US:
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Begin your search
of possible US colleges or universities that you
would like to attend. Read through college
reference guides and visit college websites. Also
talk with your relatives and friends who have
studied in the US. Request information from 10 to
20 different schools so that you can make a good
decision on where to apply. For more help and
information on the search process, go to Choosing
a school. To have some of the best US colleges
contact you directly, click here. |
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Register and start preparing for
the TOEFL and other entrance tests (such as the
SAT or GRE). |
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Continue to work
hard at your subjects at school. Good grades in
the courses you are taking now will count heavily
in the admissions decisions. |
15 months before:
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Take the TOEFL and
other entrance tests. Most universities require
you to take the test before December, so taking it
now gives you an opportunity to take it again in
November and improve your score. |
12 months before:
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Send letters to
colleges you have selected requesting applications
and information, or obtain this information and
necessary forms from their websites. You should
choose: (a) one or two schools that you really
like, but may be too difficult to get into; (b)
two or three that you also like and which you
think will accept you; (c) one or two which may
not be your favorites, but you are quite sure will
accept you. |
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Identify two or
three teachers or other people whom know you well
and ask them to write recommendation letters for
you. |
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For undergraduate
applicants the best references are teachers and
your school principal. Family friends, religious
counselors, and others should be used only if they
know you very well and can speak specifically
about your academic goals and potential. |
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Graduate students
should obtain letters from their teachers or
professionals in their field whom they have worked
with and who can speak specifically about their
academic potential and relevant accomplishments.
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Ask the schools you
have attended to start preparing your transcripts.
These are official school documents that show the
courses you have studied and the grades you have
received in those courses. |
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If your previous TOEFL, SAT, or
GRE scores were not satisfactory, register for the
test again. |
11 months before:
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If you have not yet
received the application forms you requested from
the schools you wrote to, send another letter
repeating your request. · Study the applications
you have received. Note carefully the deadlines on
each of them. Remember to allow time for delays in
the mail. |
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Ask your schools to
send certified copies of your academic transcripts
to each of the schools where you are applying. ·
Ask your teachers to write their letters of
recommendation for you. Give them the forms
provided by the schools and a stamped, addressed
envelope for each letter they will be mailing.
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Undergraduate
students should write their application essay.
This essay is an important part of the
application. It should reflect who you are and
what you feel is important. Try not to repeat
information you have provided in other parts of
the application, but instead work to make the
essay unique and personal. Get comments on it from
an English teacher. For more information on
writing your essay, refer to Personal essay.
Graduate students should write their statement of
purpose if the schools have indicated that they
require one. This is an important part of the
application. You should show in your statement how
your education so far has created a foundation for
your goals, and how your proposed coursework in
the US will help you achieve those goals. You
should be as specific as possible about your
research interests and past accomplishments. |
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Make photocopies of
the applications and begin to fill in the required
information on the copies. You will later transfer
the information to the originals. If any questions
confuse you, seek help from your teachers, or from
someone who has studied in the US. |
10 months before:
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Complete your
essays and application forms, including the
financial aid application forms, using the
originals (not the copies). Type or write by hand
very neatly and carefully. The finished
applications will be your introduction to the
schools, so you want to make them look good. Keep
a copy of the completed applications for your
records. Mail the originals by airmail in time to
meet the deadlines. |
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Take the TOEFL and other exams
again, if you need to improve your scores. |
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Check with your
teachers and your school to make sure your
recommendations and transcripts have been mailed
in time to meet the deadlines. |
9 months before:
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It is not unusual
for schools to request more information or
resubmission of something you have already sent.
Respond promptly to any requests you receive. |
4-5 months before:
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You will start
hearing decisions from the schools. Contact the
admissions office at any school that you do not
hear from. |
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Accept only one
school's offer, and let the other schools know of
your decision. Ask the school you have chosen to
attend to send you the I-20 form. o Make housing
arrangements. |
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Apply for a passport if you do
not already have one. |
3 months before:
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Get a visa
application form from the US embassy or consulate
nearest you. For a complete description of the
visa application process, go to Immigration. |
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Make travel arrangements.
Schedule your trip so you arrive at least 15 days
prior to your school’s orientation. |
C = Tuition and Living Costs
Calculating costs
Note that the yearly costs given below are rough
estimates. Costs such as tuition and fees will vary
between different schools. Costs such as travel and
room and board will vary between different cities in
the US. Also, you should assume about a 5% increase
per year for each cost. This is due to inflation.
Tuition
Tuition will be the largest component of your
education cost. It will vary widely between different
schools, so it is best for you to refer to the schools
where you are planning to apply to get a realistic
amount. As a very rough guideline, the cost for
tuition can range from $5,000 to $25,000 per year.
Public schools will typically charge lower tuition
than private schools, and community colleges usually
have the lowest tuition costs of all public schools.
For an explanation of the differences between public
and private schools, refer to Bachelor’s Degree .
Room and board
This is normally the second largest component of your
education cost. The cost for room and board can also
vary widely between schools, so you should check with
the schools where you are planning to apply to get the
right estimate. A rough guideline is between $3,000
and $8,000.
Fees
In addition to tuition, most colleges and universities
will also charge fees, such as student activity fees.
These help to support student clubs and organizations
on campus. They are usually relatively small, only a
few hundred dollars per year.
Books and supplies
Students must pay for all their text books, as well as
supplies such as notebooks, paper, pens, etc. You can
sometimes lower this cost by buying used books from
the school’s bookstore. A good estimate for this cost
is between $500 and $1,500.
Medical insurance
Because the cost of healthcare in the US is very high,
many schools require international students to
purchase medical insurance. It is a very good idea to
buy insurance even if your school does not require it
to protect yourself from extremely high medical bills
should you become ill or have an accident. A
comprehensive insurance policy (which covers doctor’s
visits, medication, hospitalization, and surgery) will
cost between $500 and $1,000 for one person.
Travel
You should calculate how much it will cost you to
travel between your school and your home country. You
will need to determine how many times during the
length of your education you will go home and multiply
that by the cost of airplane fare between the two
locations.
Personal Expenses
These expenses include clothing, entertainment, and
telephone bills. This will vary depending on where you
will live and on your personal lifestyle; therefore,
it is difficult to provide an estimate.
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