Studying in the US as an International Student

Reasons to study in the US

There are many reasons to study in the US. The education system is excellent, qualifications have an international reputation, and the quality of life is great.

Internationally recognized degrees

Qualifications that you get in the US are world-renowned. This is because American universities are both incredibly well funded and expect the highest standard of achievement.

Cultural diversity

American campuses attract students from around the world. They pride themselves in being inclusive and offering a high level of cultural diversity. Students can interact with people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, nationalities, and religions. This allows international students to feel at home in the classroom, dorm, or after school.

Excellent student support

The US offers excellent support to all its international students. Whether it's English language classes, orientations, or workshops students can be assured they are well-prepared for all their classes. There is also an effort to help students find jobs once they have finished studying. STEM students get 24 months to stay in the US to get work experience.

Innovative education

Schools in the US make every effort to deliver the most innovative education possible. Web-based classrooms, computer-based testing, and access to different labs and resources all enhance the overall experience.

True flexibility

American classrooms strive to be truly flexible. Lecturers and teachers constantly adapt their teaching to suit the classes' strengths and interests. Students are not forced to attend every lecture or stay for the whole thing. If you want to get the most out of your studying in the US, you probably should, however.

Find out more about the American education system.

American universities

There are many prestigious universities across the US. Not only are there very good higher education schools, but the colleges and technical schools are just as good. Some American Universities' names are so well known that just mentioning that you are an alumnus opens all sorts of doors across the world.

Here are the top 5 American universities:

Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

If you haven't heard of Harvard University, where have you been? Harvard is America’s oldest university, dating back to 1636. Its campus has stood on the same hallowed ground for over 400 years. It boasts 45 Nobel laureates, over 30 heads of state, and 48 Pulitzer prizewinners among its previous students, and boasts nearly 52,000 alumni in 201 other countries. On campus, you can find 12 degree-granting schools, the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, two theaters, and five museums.

Stanford University, Stanford, California

Stanford is one of the best universities in America. It opened in 1885, and six years later became one of the first co-educational and non-denominational private institutions in the US. In 1970, it built a linear accelerator and became part of the development of the internet. Stanford is known for producing tech geniuses, billionaires, and industry-leading company starters.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts

MIT is an independent private research-based university known for the sciences and engineering. MIT has been responsible for the development of penicillin, the discovery of quarks and radar, and magnetic memory which paved the road for digital computers.

California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California

Caltech is an innovative, award-winning school that focuses on “finding answers to complex questions, discovering new knowledge, leading innovation, and transforming the future”. Caltech boasts unique buildings and research facilities such as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Caltech Seismological Laboratory, and the International Observatory Network.

Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey

Princeton is one of America's oldest universities, and world-renowned for being one of the best. Founded in 1746, it prided itself on offering accommodation for all its undergrad students, and still does. 98% of students live on campus. The campus itself covers 500 acres, with about 180 buildings. It boasts 10 libraries containing about 14 million books and other items.

If you want to have a look at more top US universities, have a look at this site.

American degrees

There are different types of degrees that you can study for in the US.

Undergraduate

You can get one of two types of degrees when you apply for undergraduate study in the US.

The first, associate degrees, are two-year degrees. These are often taught at a junior or community college. There are various types of associate degrees that can be obtained. For example, you could get an A.A. degree - Associate of Arts degree - or an A.S. degree - Associate of Science degree. Some associate degrees are designed to prepare a student for a four-year university to earn their full degree. Other associate degrees are occupational or vocational and are designed to prepare you to join the workforce after two years.

The second, a bachelor's degree, is taught at a college or university that offers four-year programs. Once you have completed your degree you will be qualified in a specific field. Here you can join the workforce or continue to study for a postgraduate qualification. Bachelor's degrees are offered in two broad fields. BA or bachelor of arts will offer courses based in the arts like social sciences, humanities, and fine arts. A BS or bachelor of science will be math and science-based. You can expect classes like life, physical or mathematical science.

There are numerous subjects that you can take when you are studying for your bachelor's degree. Some of them include:

• Psychology

• Criminal Justice

• English

• History

• Civil Engineering

• Biomedical Engineering

• Industrial Distribution

• Electrical and Electronics Engineering

• Applied Mathematics

• Computer Science

• Information Technology

• Finance

• Petroleum Engineering

• Cybersecurity

• Nuclear Engineering

• Health Informatics

• Management Information Systems

• Game Design

• Mechanical Engineering

• Public Administration

• Liberal Arts

• Marketing

• Accounting

• Business Administration

• Finance

• Management

• Nursing

• Political Science

• Education

Postgraduate

There are two types of post-grad qualifications to study in the US:

• Professional Masters: A Professional Masters prepares you to join the workforce as soon as you are qualified. You won’t need to study any further in your subject to be considered a master. Qualifications for a professional master’s include global hospitality leadership, sports industry management, project management, journalism, human resources management, urban & regional planning, information technology management, and education administration.

• Academic/Research Masters: An academic Masters is just the preparation for a doctorate or further degree. It can take one to three years to complete depending on your subject. Qualifications include Master of Studies, Master of Maths, and Master of English

Ph.Ds.

The final tier of university study in the US is a doctorate or Ph.D. This will allow you to become an internationally recognized expert in your field. It can take between four and eight years to complete a Ph.D. Ph.Ds. in America are well known for their flexibility in terms of final study areas and research. To complete a Ph.D. in the US, students are expected to finish a lot of hours both teaching and marking.

Student Exchange programs

Applying for a student exchange program might be a good way for you to begin your academic journey in the US.  If you’re interested in something like this, here’s some tips to get you started:

1. It’s likely that your local universities may have partnerships with US universities. So begin conducting some research into what partnerships or affiliations there may be and go from there.

2. Look into government exchange programs like The U.S. Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs Exchange Programs. The US State Department is a good resource to begin your search into studying in America from student exchange programs to summer programs.

3. Research other private entities like International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), where they have connections with over 350 colleges and universities from around the world.

How to apply to study in the US?

When you decide to study in the US you need to begin preparing months before. The process is complex and you need to have all your ducks in a row. Follow these steps to make sure you don't miss out on any important information.

1) Choose your schools

Before you do anything you need to choose your list of top schools. Break them down into favorites, states, costs, acceptance rates, and required grades.

2) Get your transcript evaluated

Every college you apply to will need an evaluated transcript. This will determine whether any degrees or qualifications you have earned in your home country count towards points in the US university system.

3) Get your letters of recommendation

To study in the US you will need traceable letters of recommendation. These can be written by your teachers, counselors, or principles, and decide your academic achievements and dedication.

4) Get your language up to speed

If your first language is English then you likely won't have any issues with the language requirements. It is a good idea to get to know what each school you will be applying for needs though. If your first language isn't English you may have to take a standardised test like IELTS or TOEFL.

5) Check what other tests you may need aside from the English test

You may need to take other standardised tests to study in the US. These can range from school to school, so check what your chosen universities may require.

6) Submit the applications

Once you have everything sorted, you can send your applications to your chosen school. Be sure to send as many as you can to increase your chances of being accepted to one of your top choices. Be aware though that an application to a university can cost between $30 to $100.

What visa do I need to study in the US?

There are two types of visas you can apply for to study in the US. You need one of these student visas to be able to study anywhere in the US. You cannot study in the US with a tourist visa.

F-1 Student Visa

The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows international students to enter and live full-time in the US if they are attending an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution. You must be enrolled and accepted by a college before you can apply for this visa. Your chosen course must also end in a degree, diploma, or certificate.

M-1 Student Visa

The M-1 visa (Vocational Student) visa allows students in vocational or other non-academic studies, such as business schools, to apply for one of these. As with the F-1 visa you will need to already be accepted by an accredited college or school.

*Disclaimer. Visa requirements may change unexpectedly. Keep an eye on the US government website for updates.

Cost of studying in the US

The cost of studying in the US will depend on what type of school you want to go to. Ivy League colleges are notoriously more expensive, while community colleges can be quite affordable. A top tier University fees and living costs could add up to an eye-watering US$60,000 per year. But there are ways to get that cost right down to more manageable levels.

• Fees at a state college where you can get an associate degree are $3,660, plus $8,660 for room and board, adding up to $12,320 per year.

• Fees at a four-year university for out-of-state applicants is $26,290. Room and board can be up to $11,140. This adds up to $37,430

• Fees at a private four-year college can be as much as $35,830. Room and board can add up to $12,680. Which all adds up to around $48,510 a year.

Of course, a Masters and a Doctorate will add a significant amount of costs onto these. To learn more about the costs of living in the US, from food to gas to public transport, have a look at our comprehensive WorldRemit guide.

Entry requirements to study in the US

There are a few requirements that you will need to meet before you can even begin the application process to study in the US.

Academic qualifications

The first and most important is an academic qualification. You will need to have a high school diploma with good grades for an undergraduate degree. If you are applying for a Masters or a Ph.D. you will need good undergraduate marks. On top of these you will need your transcript papers to transfer and the grades you have achieved in your country to the US system. If your GPA (grade point average) is not high enough you may be able to join an undergrad program to get your grades up.

Language requirements

As mentioned you will need a certain level of English proficiency to study in the US. Exams like:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT

• Kaplan iBT

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

• IELTS Indicator

• Pearson Test of English (PTE)

• Duolingo English Test (DET)

The higher the level of study, the higher your level of English will need to be. For an undergrad degree, you will need a TOEFL 61 to 89 or equivalent, and for a master's you will need a TOEFL 78 to 100, or equivalent.

There are many reasons to study in the US as an international student. The schools are incredible, you end up with a world-renowned degree, and the entire experience promises to be some of the best years of your life. It’s also an easier way to move to the US permanently if that’s something you’re interested in. If you want to know more about living and studying in America and how much it may cost, or the costs of living in other countries, visit our blog.

Studying in the US: FAQ

Can I study in the USA for free?

Yes. Many universities in the US offer scholarship programs that include room and board. If you can get one of these then studying in the US could cost you nothing.

How much GPA is required to study in the US?

This depends on the school and program you want to apply for. You will need to check what your chosen school requires as a minimum grade. If your GPA is really low you have the option of taking classes to get it up.

How many hours do USA students study?

College students in America study around 10 to 13 hours a week. Of course if you want to get the best grades possible, studying more hours a week is never a bad idea. Only 11% of students study more than 25 hours a week.

The contents of this blog post does not constitute legal or financial advice and is provided for general information purposes only. If you require specific legal and / or financial advice you should contact a specialist lawyer or financial advisor. Information true at time of publishing.