Study in the USA
Whether you're interested in jumping headfirst into the entertainment and media business of California, learning about politics and American history in Washington D.C., or expanding your business and finance knowledge in New York City, you're sure to have an unique experience studying in the United States of America. The USA is home to some of the world's top universities, offering cutting-edge research facilities and diverse academic programs for international students.
New York City
Alicia Keys and Jay-Z once said: New York is a “concrete jungle where dreams are made of…[a city where] big lights will inspire you.” NYC, or the “big apple,” does inspire many to be bigger and better. Whether you’re in Times Square, the MET, or the M&M Factory, everything is bright and energetic. Not only is this environment conducive to discovering cultural novelties, but also it is also ripe with educational resources.
Boston
Boston is arguably one of America’s most popular college cities. The city combines rich history (the “freedom trail” passes through sixteen historical landmarks) with a progressive visual arts culture. Home to Fenway Park, the symbol of American sports, downtown Boston is a popular hub for friendly competition between Harvard, Boston College, and MIT students.
San Francisco and the Bay Area
The Bay Area is home to top-tier institutions like Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and the University of San Francisco. Moreover, Silicon Valley, the current homes of Facebook, Google, and a zillion other start-ups are very close (including Go Overseas!).
How to Choose a Program
There are approximately 3,000 higher-education institutions in the United States. Whether it’s a university in Boston or New York, there are plenty of chances to experience the American educational system. When looking at universities in the USA, size, location, and housing are a number of factors to ponder.
Academic Life
There’s no standard grading system in America. Schools on the semester system usually begin in late August and end in May. Those on the trimester system begin late September/early October and finish in June. Compared to many international schools, universities in the USA encourage small-group discussions and class participation if the class size permits. Although grades are important, asking your professor insightful and creative questions is a very valuable skill to have as a student.
Language
A very high percentage of American universities are English-taught. However, some program offer private or group-orientated English language lessons.
Student Visas
Applying to stay in the US for an extended period of time is tedious. The government is quite rigid and demanding, but if you submit all required documents and adhere to the US government’s instructions, studying in America will be as easy as eating a bucket of KFC.
The following are required to obtain an American student visa:
- An I-20 form from the American school
- An online nonimmigrant visa application (a.k.a. form DS-160)
- A valid passport for temporary travel
- For more information, visit the US.gov website
American universities are not cheap. In fact, they may rank as some of the most expensive in the world. But, do not let that deter you from studying in America! There are scholarships to help you cope with high costs.
- The Academic Scholarship Award with InTuition covers costs of a full four-year program for UK or Irish students studying at an American liberal-arts institution
- Federal Pell grants are great for international graduate students
