Why Study In United States?

Life in the Country
The United States of America is home to beautiful and diverse landscapes with a rich history. It is the third-largest country in the world with about 327 million inhabitants, has six time zones, four between the east and the west coast, and one for Alaska and Hawaii. The United States is made up of 50 states along with Washington D.C. – the nation's capital, each region having a distinct regional identity.

Attitude and Etiquette of the Local People
The citizens play an important role in the governing process of the nation's representative democracy, based on several fundamental values, which include freedom, individual rights, equality, and opportunity. Understanding the basics of the government and US history is important for everyone in the United States.

Language

The United States of America does not have an official language at the federal level, but the most common language used is English along with more than 300 languages spoken or signed by the population. Some individual states list English as their official language.

Part-Time and Post Study Work Opportunities

The US Government takes working illegally very seriously. There are limited work opportunities for F-1 students and before coming to the United States they must prove their finances to pay for tuition and living expenses while studying. If you wish to work, the first step will be to talk to your Designated School Official (DSO).

If you are working without permission, your DSO through SEVIS will report you, meaning the termination of your SEVIS record. This means you will have to leave the United States immediately and will not be allowed to return.

Depending on your program of study and your status, you will be eligible for the following employment opportunities:

On-Campus Employment: For F-1 students whose status is Active in SEVIS may apply for this type of employment. This is specific to work that takes place on campus or at an off-campus location affiliated with the Institute. For example, working at a university bookstore or cafeteria.
F-1 students may apply for on-campus employment up to 30 days before the start of classes. To apply, you will need to talk to your DSO. If approved, you will receive a letter of approval from your DSO. This letter of approval will be required to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). This is a must for students who wish to work.

When in school sessions, you may not work for more than 20 hours per week.

Off-Campus Employment: Work that takes place outside the school campus, available to F-1 students who have completed one full academic year of their program, who have economic difficulties which qualify for the Department of Homeland Security emergent circumstances.
Routes to Permanent Settlement
For a foreign national to settle in the United States on a permanent base, he/she must become a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR), conferred on those foreign nationals who have received approval to immigrate to the United States. They are given immigrant visas and provided with an Alien Registration Card (also called Green Card) as proof of permanent status. Immigration is provided based on family ties, employment, adoption, special immigrant categories, and the diversity visa.

The means to apply for a Permanent Residency in the United States are:

Sponsorship by a US citizen or permanent resident relative
An offer of permanent employment
An application for Asylum
Designation as a refugee
Investment and employment creation
The diversity lottery program, or
An executive order of the President and a handful of other miscellaneous methods.

Top Universities in the USA with varied Course Options

The USA is the most popular study destination hosting the most number of international students in the world. American Universities are considered to be the finest in the world offering a variety of courses and programs to choose from. The US has a diverse environment with people coming from different cultures, ethnicity, and races ensuring that international students feel accepted and included in the community.

American Universities have high academic standards and provide world-class quality education to students. Students pursuing their undergraduate and postgraduate education in the US have the freedom to select the course content as well as the structure of the program from a range of options available. 350 US Universities featured in the QS World University Rankings 2021 with two public universities in the top 5 and seven in the top 30.

The top Universities in the USA are:

Harvard University
Stanford University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
University of California, Berkley
University of California, Los Angeles
Yale University
Columbia University
Princeton University
The US has one of the world's finest university systems, with exceptional programs in every field. Undergraduate programs have traditional disciplines as well as programs in professional fields. Graduate students have the opportunity to work with some of the brilliant minds in their respective fields, with chances to be involved with exclusive research and educational opportunities. The US degree is recognized throughout the world for its exceptional education.

Some of the top study destinations in the US are:

Washington D.C. – Placed 64th in the QS Best Student Cities 2019.

Philadelphia – Placed 62nd in the QA Best Student Cities 2020.

Atlanta – Ranked 57th in the Best Student Cities; earning the top score in University Ranking Indicator (30th) due to its three universities in the world university ranking.

San Francisco – Ranked 35th in the Best Student Cities rank, home to three universities that are part of the prestigious Ivy League group: Stanford and the University of California, Berkeley.

New York – Ranked 19th in the Best Student Cities ranking 2020. New York has two Ivy League universities Columbia University and New York University.

Boston – Boston is placed 12th in the Best Student Cities and is home to two top three universities in the world: Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University.

Top Institutes

The US has a variety of institutions that focus on academics and work experience. The academic calendar usually starts in September and ends in May. It has about 4,000 institutions of higher education at both national and regional levels. There are low-cost public universities in which the strength is much more than that of a private university. There are also two-year degree programs found in community colleges for Bachelor students so that they can be ready for job placements.

Types of qualifications awarded:

Certificate: These programs have 9-30 credits a year with technical training for college students. There are also quick programs for a certain job.
Diploma: This program consists of 30-72 credits that will skillfully lead students to a job.
Associate Degree: This type of degree has different varieties to it and usually takes a minimum of 2 years but not more than 4 years of duration.
Bachelor’s Degree: This degree usually takes a minimum of 3-4 years.
Graduate Degree: This degree is for students that have completed their Bachelor's degree.
Master’s Degree: The duration of these programs is usually 1-2 years.
Post-master’s Certificate: This program consists of 24 credit hours after a Masters's degree and is designed for students who cannot fulfill the requirements for the doctoral level.
Doctorate Degree: This includes degrees like Doctor of Education (Ed.D), Doctor of Juridical Science (J.D), Doctor of Public Health (D.P.H), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).
First Professional: This degree is awarded only after completing a minimum of 2 years of college work and a minimum of 6 years of the academic program.
Fee range in local currency (US Dollars):

Public Universities: The annual tuition fee can vary from USD 5,000 to USD 50,000 for courses like MBA, Medicine, and Law. Public universities have an average tuition fee of USD 3,520 for 2 years, USD 9,650 for 4 years (in-state), and USD 24,930 for 4 years (out of the state).
Private Universities: These universities can charge about USD 33,480 for 4 years of the desired course but the average college tuition fees depends also on the kind of institution.
Employment opportunities after completion of degree:

The higher levels of the education system in the US prepare students in a world-class manner. Employers around the globe look for the kind of knowledge and expert skills that the US provides. Employers with multiple communication skills for negotiations and business purposes are in high demand. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is offered to universities by a sponsoring employer. This alternative is only accessible to F-1 students and is full-time and not bound with a weekly work limit of 20 hours.

Several scholarships are available for students pursuing their education in the US. These are:

Scholarships based on merit:

American University Scholarships
Berea College Scholarships program
Clark University Scholarships
Colby-Sawyer College Scholarships
St. Norbert International Scholarships and Grants
Concordia College Scholarships
Emory College Scholarships
Michigan State University International Scholarships
New York University Wagner Scholarships
Financial Aid Programs:

Amherst College Scholarship Amherst College
Dartmouth College Scholarships
Ithaca College
Carolina University (Covid-19 Relief Scholarship)
Scholarships based on excellence:

International Excellence Scholarship Missouri State University
Columbia College Scholarships
Wesleyan University Scholarships
University of the West Scholarships
Scholarships based on employment:

Bergmeyer Scholarship
Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship
Scholarships based on region:

East-West Center
Cyprus Children’s Fund
Diversity Advancement Scholarship

Migrants who wish to access the country may do so but must obtain either a non-immigrant (temporary) or an immigrant (permanent) visa first. For those wishing to study, the following are some visa types to look for:

The F Visa: Permits you to attend educational institutes like private elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities, seminaries, and conservatories, including a language-training program.
The M Visa: Permits you to attend vocational institutes other than a language-training program.
The J Visa (Exchange Visitor): Permits you to take part in exchange programs in the country. Such programs include Camp Counsellor, Government Visitor, Intern, International Visitor, Professor and Research Scholar, Short-term Scholar, Student, Summer Work Travel, Teacher and Trainee.
The Visa Waiver Program or Visitor Visas: The Visa Waiver Programme or the Visitor (B) Visa permits you to only travel and undertake recreational activities as part of your travel.
The visitor (B) Visa: Permits registration into brief leisure programs- not credited to a degree or academic certificate.
Student Acceptance at a SEVP Approved School
Registration into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) will occur after have been accepted into a Student and Visitor Exchange Program (SEVP) approved school and payment of the SEVIS-901 fee.

New Students: New students holding an F and M visa are granted entry into the country a month before the start date, but the visa may be issued 120 days before the start date.

Continuing Students: Students already possessing an F and M visa may access the country any time before the commencement of classes. It is possible that issuing of such visas will be granted at any time as long as the student is enrolled in a SEVP-approved school and SEVIS

Documents required:

A valid passport
Non-immigrant Visa Application
Application fee payment receipt
Photo
Certificates of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (F-1) Student Status for academic and language students (Form I-20)
Certificates of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (M-1) Student Status for vocational students.
Additional requirements for an F and M Visa:

Records of all educational transcripts and certificates
Plan to leave the country upon the completion of the course
Financial capabilities
Additional Requirements for a J Visa:

The intent of your commute.
Your intentions to leave the country after your travel.
Financial abilities.
Visa preparation and filing steps
The following are the steps for visa application:

Complete the Online Visa Application
Schedule an Interview
Prepare for Your Interview
Attend Your Visa Interview
Student Visa with dependants
Dependents of F and M Visa holder:

Dependents must apply for an F-2 or M-2 visa, respectively, if they intend to accompany you in your stay and must produce a copy of the same along with proof of relationship. They are also required to file Form I-20 individually.
Minors are permitted to attend school in the country while they are there.
U.S Embassies and Consulates will grant visa applications to dependents on same-sex marriage the same way they grant applications for opposite-sex partners.
Dependents of a J visa holder:

Dependents of a J visa holder may apply for a J-2 visa if granted admissions on your exchange program. They will be issued DS-2019 Forms and are required to produce a copy of the visa of the applicant (J-1) and to state their relationship.
Dependents who are minors are permitted admission to schools in the country.
U.S Embassies and Consulates will grant visa applications to dependents on same-sex marriage the same way they grant applications for opposite-sex partners.
A valid U.S passport.

There are many changes throughout the US when it comes to accommodation; hence it is not easy to give an approximate or average cost for it. In rural areas, the cost of living is higher as compared to the city. A normal lifestyle could cost around $700-$1,000 every month. There are also many additional expenses that students need to be prepared for like traveling, health charges, outings, food, and insurance.

Average Accommodation type
There are two accommodation options available:

On-campus options: Universities provide accommodation options like private residences or dorms. Preference is usually given to fresh foreign students.

Off-campus options: These include private rentals, apartments, or homestays. Foreign students will have the opportunity to experience the country’s lifestyles if they opt for this option.