Study In USA

Reasons to Study in the USA

USA continues to be a dream destination for millions of students living around the world. Its top-notch educational institutions, unique curriculum, abundant job opportunities and multicultural environment are some of the reasons that make it a much-desired study abroad destination for students. If you are considering studying abroad for pursuing higher education, here are some quick facts that will help you decide USA as your study abroad destination. 

• 10 out of the top 20 universities in QS World University Rankings are from the USA 
• Work part-time for up to 20 hours per week with an F1 Visa to support your living cost
• Get to stay for up to 36 months on a post-study work visa after graduation  
• Opportunity to work at Infosys, Capgemini, IBM, Google, Accenture, Cognizant Technology, etc. on a post-study work visa 
• Plethora of scholarships for international students

Highlighted below are a few more reasons why an international student should choose to study in the US.

Academic opportunities: The country boasts of a number of premier educational institutions that are ranked high in the QS World University Rankings. 10 institutions are ranked under the top 20. Below is the list of top US universities.

Top 10 Universities to Study in US

A wide range of courses are offered by the US universities that students can choose from. Also, the US institutions are always at the forefront of adopting latest technology and academic methods. This adds to the academic growth of students and helps them grasp the practical aspects of their selected discipline which eventually enhances their employability. Highlighted below is the list of top courses offered in US universities.

List of top 5 courses to study in US

Career opportunities: The United States is the birthplace of some of the best companies in the world such as Microsoft, Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, Apple, JP Morgan Chase, General Electric, Walmart, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer. Students studying in US universities are offered research and training-based studies which help broaden their perspective and look at problems from multiple dimensions and provide innovative solutions. An international degree from a reputed USA university adds to the overall profile of a student and helps him/her secure better opportunities across the world. 

Cost of living: The cost of living in the US is higher as compared to other study abroad destinations like Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Hence students should be mindful of return on academic investment they will get across these destinations. While calculating the expenses of living in foreign land, students need to take into account the rent or hostel fee, food, travelling, books & study materials, clothes, shoes, internet, cellular services, entertainment and other miscellaneous expenses. On a monthly basis, an international student spends an average of USD 800-1,000. The cost of living also depends on which US city a student is living in. For example, the cost of living in cities like New York, California and Massachusetts is higher as compared to that of Oklahoma, Kansas and Wisconsin. 

Here's a snapshot of average monthly expenses incurred while living in the US.

Living cost in USA (per month)

International student work permit in USA: While studying in US, students can also take up part-time jobs in order to earn some money and support their living cost. This also adds to their professional experience on resume and helps them learn time management and prioritisation of their work. But students are only allowed to work on-campus in positions like research assistants or academic operation work.

The international students need to send their application for a student visa to the US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), which evaluates and grants/denies a visa to candidates coming to the US. There are three types of Visa that international students can apply for:

Types of US Student Visa

College application deadlines: To prepare your study abroad plan and avoid any last-minute rush, students must keep track of the college application deadlines. Aspiring international students wishing to study in US have the flexibility to apply through the Early Admission plan, Regular Admission plan or Rolling Admission plan.

Type of US College Admission Plans

Take a look at the snapshots of college application deadlines of some of the top US universities.

How to apply for colleges in US: Each college/university in the US follows its own application process. They may have different eligibility conditions. So, students need to apply separately to the college/university they wish to study in. However, to make your application process easier and more convenient, follow the steps below -

Step 1: To begin with, decide on the university/college and the specific course which students wish to study. For this, you can visit /courses/united-states/ and research institutions, courses, tuition fees and other relevant information. You can shortlist courses and keep reviewing them before applications.

Step 2: Once you are certain about the course of study and college, the counselling team of Buddy4Study will contact you to provide suitable assistance in applying to the university of your choice. Students will be required to appear for the applicable tests such as the SAT, ACT, TOEFL, PTE, GRE or GMAT. On the basis of the scores obtained in the tests, their application form will be sent to the respective institutions.

Step 3: Buddy4Study team will follow up with the institution to get an update on the student’s admissions decision. If they have secured the admission offer, they will have to complete the formalities and pay the required fees.

Step 4: Lastly, our counsellors will assist you in securing a student Visa, finding suitable scholarships, education loan and accommodation to stay.

Top scholarships for international students: The cost of study in US is quite high. However, universities and other organisations provide several scholarships, grants and other funding opportunities to international students. Most of these scholarships are merit-based as well as need-based. Given below is a list of some popular scholarships for Indian students to study in US.

List of top scholarships to study in US