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How to Study in the United States For International Students

How to Study in the United States For International Students

Study in the United States International Students

  
A little less than 8000 International students leave each year to follow a curriculum in the United States. But before passing the US customs they must take the time to understand what awaits them ... "International students generally have no idea what the American university system is. They are convinced, for example, that the LMD (bachelor-master-doctorate) applies as in Europe.

1. Are the diplomas the same as in Europe?

No, the Americans did not adopt the LMD. On the contrary, universities first issue a diploma that lasts 4 years after the end of secondary studies: Bachelor's Degree , most often in Science or Arts. It is then possible to enroll in Master's Degree which last 1, 2 and even sometimes 3 years depending on the specialty and university chosen.

Masters may be research-oriented (Research Master's Degree, which most often include a dissertation) or more professional (Master's Degree, the Master of Science and the Master of Arts ). We speak of cycles Undergraduate (before the bachelor's degree) and Graduate (the master).

Given the cost of studies, most American students enrolled in masters have already begun working before returning to university for specialization.

Finally, the students can enroll in PhD, a PhD that lasts at least 5 years and can start as soon as the Bachelor's degree is obtained, the Master then making an integral part, or starting after obtaining a Master. In some subjects, such as law, there are less lengthy doctorates leading to legal practice.

2. At what level?

The International students on American soil are fairly evenly divided between those who go undergraduate and Graduate. Leaving from the bac is therefore possible to the flat that American universities, only public, favor more the students of their State in first cycle. They are much more motivated by the reception of international students in master.

3. How to get your diploma recognized?

If your International high school diploma is easy to get validated by American universities, everything becomes more complicated if you have started higher education. Notably if you hold a BTS or a DUT. Pre-school students risk suffering from the low scores given to them by their professors. The steps will be much easier in the order you have obtained a first degree and more. If a master 1, or even a master 2 in UCLA for example, are normally asked to join a Master's Degree, one third of universities - not necessarily the least prestigious - accept bachelor's degree holders. In all cases, you will have to translate your bulletins in English in order to validate your credits. When you leave after the ferry, the university likely to welcome you will look up your 3rd grades.

4. When to prepare?

If European mobility is very well organized, it is on the other hand more complicated - and more expensive - to travel across the Atlantic. While the major business schools or Sciences Po have made mandatory an expatriation from six months to a year and have well-run systems, this is far from the case in engineering schools and a fortiori in universities . You will have to prepare well in advance, 1 year and a half before your departure at least, and even from the second if you want to leave after the ferry. It is not in the end that you will have the time to solve all the problems of choice of university, visas, housing, etc.

5. Are there exams to pass?

There is no high school diploma in the United States and, to be selective, universities have commissioned private organizations to organize examinations that take place: the SAT and the ACT. You will have to pass them if you want to leave after the ferry. Virtually all universities scrutinize the results of candidates who have high school diploma for years to be accepted in the best universities. Consider looking at the average level of students received on the universities' sites.

Written sessions are organized six times a year in the world. You can switch between SAT and ACT. These tests are obviously fees and the passage of the ACT in most countries costs for example 73 $.

6. How to prove one's level in English?

Whatever your starting level, you will need to prove your minimum level in English determined by paid tests, the most common of which are the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Students in economics and management will be able to pass a specific test: the GMAT. Even if non-level students can benefit from intensive English courses, be aware that you are not going to the United States to learn English, but to attend classes like any other Which student.

7. Is it really so expensive?

Eh yes. Approximately $ 40,000 per year for Harvard and $ 108,000 for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Harvard. As a result, while 72% of American students receive scholarships, they are increasingly obliged to go into debt to follow their curriculum.

$ 2700 per year in the Community Colleges
$ 19600 per year in public universities
$ 27,200 per year in private universities

If it is added, the cost of accommodation, food, health insurance or on-site transportation, we arrive at an average of:

$ 28,100 per year in public universities;
$ 37,000 per year in private universities.

8. Are there institutions other than universities?

20% of International students who start undergraduate courses now opt for Community Colleges. In two years after the equivalent of the high school diploma, it follows a professional course that leads to Certificates (professional diplomas) or Associate's Degree. Passing through a Community College may, subject to having validated courses of general culture, then pursue his studies in universities. Advantage: they are much cheaper than universities with annual tuition fees that oscillate around $ 5,000 for foreigners. They are now besieged by Americans who have less and less means to pay for four years the exorbitant tuition fees of universities.

All in all, Community Colleges are not used to receiving foreign students. So choose one in one of the regions where it is practiced more like California or Florida. There are also colleges independent of the universities which issue only Bachelors.

9. How do you know if a university is of good value?

On just over 8000 universities only 4937 are accredited by the accreditation agencies - private - mandated by the US government. First accredited regionally, universities and faculties can then be accredited by national organizations. This is the case, for example, of the best faculties of economics management which are examined by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business).

To find all the accredited universities, go to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation website where you will find a lot of useful information. The whole thing is that you do not get involved in what are called "diploma mills", "diploma mills" that deliver beautiful parchments without any value.

10. How does the curriculum work?

No question here about rushing from the ferry in medicine or law! The first two years of a university bachelor's degree are very free. Far from specializing immediately American students draw from the courses among all subjects of which only a few are compulsory. Science, literature, arts, they build a course à la carte before opting for specializations in the third year. Even a non-scientist must have validated science courses that are specifically designed for them.