USA

United States of America At a Glance :

• The higher education sector in the US is a buyers market. You can actually demand, and get, what is best for you.
• Nearly 600,000 students from all over the world came to the United States last year to study at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Without a doubt, America offers very high quality postsecondary education. There are more than 4,000 public and private colleges, universities, and community colleges in the United States, including over 600 public four-year colleges and universities and over 1,650 private four-year colleges and universities. These traditional institutions enroll nearly 15 million students. In addition, more than 6,250 other non-collegiate postsecondary institutions offer specialized vocational and technical training.
• Any student can find an appropriate program within the rich and diverse higher education system. This is true whether you are seeking career-oriented vocational and technical training from a community college, a liberal arts education from a small private college, an undergraduate science degree from a prestigious research institution, or one of a variety of programs offered by a multipurpose university. High quality educational programs are offered in all types of institutions at prices that vary as much as the programs and institutions themselves.
• The United States also offers limitless opportunities for sports, recreation, and entertainment. Cities large and small offer numerous indoor and outdoor opportunities. Almost every city or town in the United States with college and university students will likely offer those students ways to kick back, run around, and have a good time.
• World class learning institutions with cutting edge technology, endless study choices, worldwide recognition, a diverse mix of people and culture, flexibility in terms of course schedules and hours, and a globally focused course curriculum, all make the US one of the most attractive student destinations in the world.

Some Salient Features :

• America is a melting pot of cultural history.
• USA is the largest, most technologically and powerful economy in the World.
• Unemployment rate is very low at 4%.
• Its literacy rate is 97%.
• Wide choice of Universities and Colleges and variety of interesting courses to apply.
• Extremely flexible education system and high quality of education.
• Affordable education.
• Part time employment possibilities with on-campus jobs. Earn while you learn.
• Financial Assistance in the form of scholarships and assistantships.

Major Cities :

• New York, N.Y., California, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco.

Geography & Climate :
USA is country that enjoys a cool climate almost round the year. The USA shares its borders with Mexico in the south and Canada to the north. To the west is the Pacific Ocean, to the south - the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, to the east - the Atlantic Ocean. The geography of the USA is hugely diverse ranging from glacier and tundra to sub-tropical forest and desert, vast plains and lofty mountain ranges.
Currency :
The official currency of USA is Dollar ($).
1 $ = Rs.63 /- (Approx. as on AUG. 2013).

Education System :

• There are four levels of degrees one can study for at an American college or university. They are:
  The A.A./A.S. degree or Associate's Degree
  The B.S. (Bachelor or Arts) or B.S. (Bachelor of Science) Degree
  The Master's Degree
  The Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) or Ed. D. (Doctor of Education) Degree Types of U.S. Colleges & Universities 
  "Public" Universities : These are state-affiliated institutions that are publicly supported (financed by public taxes) and they're usually large in size. They normally offer all levels of degrees and many different fields of study. Public colleges and universities are relatively inexpensive for residents of the state where the schools are located (since they're funded in large part by state tax revenues). Foreign students pay "out-of-state" tuition, which is higher, often significantly so. 
  Small Liberal Arts Colleges : There are hundreds of small liberal arts colleges throughout the United States enrolling anywhere from fewer than 1,000 students to several thousand. They are usually dedicated primarily to the undergraduate study of the traditional arts and sciences disciplines: humanities, sciences, and social sciences.
  The Ivy League : Although these schools are among the oldest and most famous in the country, the Ivy League itself was not officially formed until the 1950s--as an athletic conference! Members of the Ivy League are: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania (a private college, not to be confused with Penn State University). All these schools are in the Northeastern U.S. Ivy League colleges stress undergraduate liberal arts education, but they also have noted graduate and professional schools. Tuition at these private schools is among the highest in the country, and admission is generally highly competitive.
  Denominational or Religiously-Affiliated Schools : There are a large number of colleges and universities in the United States that were formed by religious groups and organizations and which continue this active affiliation. They are not limited in admission, however, to members of that religious group, however. They are, however, administered by members of their religious group and are often run in line with their religious precepts. Among well-known schools in this category are: Notre Dame and Georgetown (both Catholic), Brandeis and Yeshiva (Jewish), Brigham Young (Mormon), Southern Methodist University, (Methodist) and Earlham (Quaker).
  Technical Institutes : These are schools specializing primarily in engineering and science and particularly noted for their research and graduate programs. Most international students who attend these schools are admitted at the graduate degree level.
  College or University?
  Americans love to have variety in their personal lives and always like to have choices. This is reflected in the wide variety of institutions of higher learning existing in the U.S. The most prominent types are:
  University - The broadest type of educational institution, comprising both undergraduate and graduate schools. Universities often have several colleges, schools, or faculties (e.g. School of Engineering, College of Business, College of Liberal Arts, Faculty of Arts & Science) and offer several levels of academic degrees (B.A./B.S., M.A./M.S., M.B.A., M.D., J.D., Ph.D.)
  College - generally a four-year undergraduate academic institution (that's less complex and often smaller than a university.) Colleges primarily offer Bachelor's degree programs and sometimes a limited number of Master's-level programs. (Colleges do not usually offer Doctoral programs.) Sometimes the term "college" is used for a specialized kind of degree-granting institution, such as a teacher's college or a technical college.
  The oldest U.S. colleges are generally liberal-arts colleges, meaning that they provide a broad education in a variety of Arts & Sciences subjects, rather than specific technical or vocationally oriented programs.
  Professional school - is a graduate program where people study for specific professions, such as: lawyer, (law school), doctor (medical school), veterinarian (veterinary school), dentist (dental school) or business person (business school). Usually professional schools function as part of a larger university, but some are "free-standing" and function on their own. In the U.S., people generally attend professional schools only after completing an undergraduate program. (Some universities offer programs where students can attend a professional school at the same time as an accelerated college program.)
  It is important for the international student to understand that the U.S. education system is highly decentralized. Unlike most other countries, the United States does not have a Ministry of Education in Washington, D.C., which standardizes education across the country. There is a cabinet-level post of Secretary of Education, but it is a position with very little authority over day-to-day functioning of universities and their programs. The Secretary of Education cannot dictate uniform educational curriculum across the country.
  Each of the fifty states in the United States is autonomous regarding policy of its own colleges and universities. Each state and each school operates independently of the others. Therefore, there are various systems in place, which are often quite different from state to state. All states make some form of public - I.e. partially government-funded--college and university education available, but these systems are all organized differently. Colleges and universities are accredited by voluntary, self-governing, regional associations (for example the Middle States Association of Colleges and Universities, the New England Association of Colleges and Universities, etc.) and not by governmental agencies. This accreditation is very important however, since many educational programs will only recognize other accredited programs.

Admission :

• Approximately 500,000 international students pursue academic degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, or professional school level at U.S. universities. Students considering attending a U.S. college or university, need to get started by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
  Students may also need to take the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT), if they are seeking admission to undergraduate programs. Many undergraduate institutions in the United States require both the SAT and TOEFL of international students. There are over 2,700 accredited undergraduate institutions in the United States, so selecting the correct undergraduate school can be a confusing task for anyone. Students will need to get help from a good advisor who explains the different types of programs and gives some information on how to choose wisely. Admission to many undergraduate programs is quite competitive. Students should begin the application process at least a year in advance. An increasing number of schools accept applications year round. Although September (the fall semester) is the traditional time to begin university study in the United States, at most schools students can also enter in January (the spring semester). Finally, students will need to obtain an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility in order to obtain an F-1 Student Visa to study in the United States. The school will send the I-20 document once the student has been accepted.
  The right application campaign can make the difference between acceptance and rejection in an American university. Our admissions experts provide one-on-one attention as well as literature and software to guide the student through the admissions process. For many students, the college admissions process starts one or more years in advance, and doesn't let up until they get admitted. But there are many questions. What are the American universities looking for, anyway? Is it true that if the numbers aren't high enough, the application is automatically dumped in the "reject" pile? Are universities looking for people with a two-page resume of extracurricular activities? What do admissions officers "want to hear" in the essay? Can test prep really make scores go up? How does a student get admission in a guaranteed way?
  Just about everyone who's applying to college asks these questions and we have all the answers. We are in a position to guarantee admission to appropriate American universities. There are literally hundreds of good universities in America and the following is a select list of highly competitive colleges and universities.
  Admission Process
  the students from the Indian sub-continent face several difficulties in the admission process of the American universities. Due to the varying academic practices within the educational systems of the nations of the Indian sub-continent, the American universities are not able to uniformly assess the suitability of students with reference to their philosophy and academic offerings. Further, most of the students from the Indian sub-continent are not fully aware of the American universities and the systems that they follow. The communication between American universities and the students in the Indian sub-continent is also very limited. Thus, the admission process that follows is intrinsically flawed, in that the students are forced to seek admission in American universities without being conversant with the complexity of the procedures.
  Due to differences in financial practices and the associated documentation, the students find the task of evaluating the requirement of funds for study in America cumbersome. Further, the students face uncertainty even after admission is given because a significant percentage of students are refused visas by the American consulates in India. Lack of proper pre-departure personal counseling results in the arrival of inadequately prepared students on American campuses.
  Students from the Indian sub-continent are unable to get comprehensive information on location, academic programs, admission, financial assistance possibilities, employment opportunities, procedures, interpretation of regulations and a host of other items of information. Some of the information provided in the American brochures and catalogs is not pertinent to the average student from the Indian sub-continent who is unfamiliar with the American way of life. The Indus Foundation takes care of all information needs of the students.
  Applying for a Student Visa
  to enter the United States as an F-1 student, the student must apply at a US Embassy of Consulate for an F-1 student visa. Depending on the country where the Embassy or Consulate is located, the student may be required to make an appointment. We inform the policies of the Embassy/Consulate for the student's country so that the student will not encounter unexpected delays. In some countries, students fail to obtain a visa because they were not aware of the procedures or were not prepared. We do not let this happen to the students from the Indian sub-continent. The information outlined below is designed to help the student understand the visa process.
  VISA POLICIES
  Law views all non-immigrants as "intending immigrants". This means that the visa officer is under the assumption that the student will be coming to the US and will remain in the US permanently. Student visas (F class) are given to students that can demonstrate to the Consul that they intend to return permanently at the conclusion of their studies.

SOME QUESTIONS & ANSWERS :How do I prove my intent to return?
Excellent question. The ability to convince the Consul (either in person or through written application) may be difficult. The student may want to present documents that demonstrate ties to the student's home country that would convince the consul of the student's intent to return. Such documents may include:

• Proof of land ownership
• Economic and Social ties are crucial: An applicant's future role in a family business, academic institution, government agency, professional organization are all possibilities. Bring letters from appropriate parties to demonstrate such facts.
• The family's extended relationships in the community, civil service posts, church, etc., can make a difference. Additionally, if other family members have studied in the U.S. and returned it should be mentioned.
• For students from nations with strict banking regulations, an application is strengthened when funds can be shown either in a U.S. account, or already received by the school.
• Letters from prospective employers recognizing the need for specialized training offered in the U.S. can also serve to aid an application.

Most importantly, Consular Officials want to hear directly from the applicant in the personal interview. At no time, is it recommended that the applicant bring family members with them to the interview. The applicant should submit any/all of the documents to the Consular Official for review.

Along with the above information, the student must also present a valid passport showing validity for at least the next six (6) months.

If the student has sufficiently proven to the Consular Official's satisfaction that he/she intends to come to the U.S. solely for the purpose of study and will return to his/her home country upon completion his program, a visa stamp will be affixed to a page in the passport. Students are encouraged to apply for a multiple entry F-1 student visa. In most cases, the visa will be issued on the same day of the submission of the application. In some instances, the process may take longer depending on the time of year, consular case-load or other factors. F1 Visa Interview Questions College and University

• Why the specified university?
• Which universities did you apply to? (Both admits and rejects)
• Which universities accepted you?
• Where have you done your under-graduation?
• What is your undergraduate GPA/Percentage?
• Tell about your university?
• Mention some professor’s names?
• When and where did you get your bachelor’s degree?
• Why this university and not other universities?
• How long will you study in USA?
• How do you know about this university?
• What is your academic background?
• Do you plan to study Ph D after MS?
• Why did you apply to these universities?
• These subjects are also taught in other universities also but why this university?

Bank and Finance Related

• Who is sponsoring you?
• What does your father do?
• What is your father’s income?
• What is your university yearly expense?
• Have you got any loans?
• Show your Pass Book/ Bank Statement?
• How will you finance your education for 2years or 3 years? (generally you have to prove that you can fund the first year of your education but we Suggest that you be prepared with this answer)
• Your passbook shows that a large amount of money has recently been deposited? How do you explain that?
• What is your father’s salary? / How long has he been working here?

Relatives and Family Members

• How many brother and sisters do you have?
• Do you have any relatives in USA?
• What is your mother?
• Where did your brother/ parents complete their studies?
• Where do your parents live? 6. Do you have a brother/ sister, or any other relative already at this university?

Work/Job Related

• Why are you leaving you current job? (if you are working)
• Show your experience certificate?

General Questions

• Why did you choose US but not Canada or Germany?
• What kind of good things do you know about America?
• What do you expect after returning back?
• Why do you plan to do MS?
• Why are your GRE/ TOEFL scores low?
• You look like a potential immigrant or I don’t think you will come back?
• What do you know about US education?
• Why are you applying for Fall only?
• What will you do after completing MS? What are your plans after graduation?
• Why study in USA?
• Did you get any scholarship?
• Tell me how you can prove that you are going to come back?
• Have you ever been to US?
• What will you do after coming back?
• Do you know anyone (in USA) in your university?
• What will you do if your visa is rejected?
• Will you come home during summer?
• Why do you think the university is giving you a scholarship?
• Why do you wish to study in the USA and not in India?
• If you have changed your field of specialization (for e.g. If you are BE Mechanical and opting of MS in Computer Science) then tell the reasons!!!

Cost of Education
US Universities fall under two major categories: public (state supported), and private (independent) institutions. International students’ tuition expenses at state schools are based on nonresident costs, which are still usually less expensive than those of private universities. It’s important to note that the cost of a program in a US school does not necessarily affect its quality. A brief idea can be got from the following table :

University Type	Average Tuition Fees (annual in U.S. Dollars)
Private Institutions (High Cost)	$ 25,000
Private Institutions (Low Cost)	$ 15,000
State Institutions (High Cost)	$ 20,000
State Institutions (Low Cost)	$ 10,000

The tuition fee is different for different universities and varies widely with courses. It can vary from as low as $ 5000 a year for state universities to as much as $ 30000 per annum for some private universities. For more specific details, please contact the universities.
Living Expense :
The approximate annual living expenses are about $10,000, which includes accommodation as well as other daily expenses. However, the expenses are different for different people depending on the lifestyles and this is just a rough idea. The main expenses can be split up as:
Rent : $ 400 per month
Groceries : $ 100 per month
Utilities : $ 100 per month
Phone : $ 100 per month
Sundry : $ 200 per month
So, about $1000 per month is a good estimation. Most people can survive with $700-$1000 a month. The key here is to share apartments/houses so that you save on the utilities, fixed charge portion of phone and to some extent on groceries.

Work ProspectsAdmission to a coveted US university takes you only half way through your dream to study in the USA. The remaining important half is to obtain a study visa for the US. Complexities and careless mistakes along with lack of sufficient knowledge about the US student visa formalities cause undesired delays and even refusal of a visa in some cases.
An F1 visa is issued to international students who are attending an academic program or English Language Program at a US college or university. F1 students are expected to complete their studies by the expiration date on their I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) which is provided by the US College or university.
Student VISA :

• Where to Apply
  US Visa is an Interview based visa, Applicant has to apply to US embassy for their Interview, available in 11 cities
  If an applicant wish to make an inquiry or require clarifications on the U.S. Visa application process, please visit a VFS Centre, call the Helpdesk or sent an email enquiry to a location within your consular location. Email queries receive responses from Monday to Friday, within two working days.
• Documents require for VISA
  One Passport size photograph
  Form I-20 executed by the authorizing official of institution concerned, signed by the applicant.
  Visa Application form DS – 160
  Original Passport
  SEVIS Fee Receipt
  Interview Appointment letter
  All Academic Documents including IELTS OR TOEFL, GRE, OR GMAT
  Evidence of financial ability to cover the costs of the education and maintenance involved
  HDFC Bank Visa fee receipt
• How Many days prior a student can apply for visa
  An applicant may apply for a student Visa not earlier than 90 days before the registration date specified on the FORM I-20. If the registration date is already passed or the applicant cannot reasonably expect to arrive at the school by the registration date, the applicant should obtain an amended I-20 or a letter of extension from the issuing institution stating by what date the applicant may arrive
• Visa application Fees
  The visa application fees is 140 US $ (Rs 6,580/-* approx (As on JAN’ 2011)) paid by CASH in designated HDFC Bank counter OR DD in favor of “US Embassy Visa Fee". DDs issued by co-operative banks are not accepted.
  
  VFS Service Charges (For all applicants)
  VFS service charge – INR 359 (including service tax of 10% and education cess of 0.30%)
  HDFC Bank charges – INR 21 (including service tax of 10% and education cess of 0.30%)
  Total service charge – INR 380
  (The above mentioned fees has to be paid only in Designated HDFC bank only)
  
  SEVIS Fee of $ 200 has to be paid online with the help of the credit card
  
  
• Processing time
  If an applicant is successful in convincing the Visa officer, then the applicant visa is approved, Those visa which are Approved the passport will be returned courier the next day from the interview, or can collect it personally from VFS
• English Language Requirement
  IELTS or TOEFL and GRE or GMAT is strongly recommended for getting admission in reputed university.
  
  For more information you can contact our Visa counselor at Surat office.