Subscription 
Higher Education in United States ( Part-1)- 6-Dec-2016
Dreaming of enhancing your quality of life by choosing a better quality of education?
In todays global work environment, you need an internationally mobile educational qualification which equips you with not just knowledge for todays jobs, but also gives you critical thinking ability to create and adapt to jobs of the future. Nothing prepares you better for such a futuristic career than studying in the United States which has experiential learning and research at its very core. An American degree is recognized across the world and opens up a wide range of opportunities. More than 132,000 Indian students have chosen to study in the U.S. and are currently making their mark in American classrooms with their talent and hard work.
Students are usually admitted into U.S. universities in fall (August) or spring (January) semesters. You should start your preparations at least 12 - 18 months prior to the program start date in the U.S. since the application deadlines are at least 10 months in advance. If you think you are already late, not to fret, some universities have rolling admissions where they accept applications throughout the year for admission in the next intake.
With over 4,500 accredited universities and colleges in the U.S., you are certainly bound to find universities to fit your specific requirements. The most important criteria is to check if the programs academic content and research carried out at the university matches your interest areas and whether you meet the eligibility requirements listed on the university website. This apart, your personal preferences on studying in a large or small campus, location, weather, tuition costs, and any other special facilities, will help narrow down your choice of universities.
For those high school students who are still not sure of their career pathway and interests, you could apply for an undecided major in a U.S. university or apply to a liberal arts and science college. These give you the option of studying a wide range of subjects in the first two years and declare a major at the end of your second year. Another great option is to consider a two-year Associate Degree in a Community College for the first two years of your undergraduate degree and be on a transfer pathway to a university for the 3rd and 4th year of your undergraduate studies.
Alongside your research on universities, start the prep work for the standardized tests. Those who wish to pursue a Bachelors program should take the SAT or ACT and an English language proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS or PTE); and those looking to do their Masters or PhD are required to take the GRE or GMAT and an English language proficiency test. Scores in the standardized tests and academic credentials in your high school or college are important. However, equally important are your extra-curricular activities, leadership skills, and a demonstrable interest in your chosen field of study. Some universities make the standardized tests optional. However, if you wish to widen your choice of universities, and if you are pitching for a scholarship or assistantship, you are required to submit the test scores.
As you start making plans, remember that you and your parents can seek guidance from EducationUSA, a U.S. Government funded program that has been set up to guide international students who wish to study in the U.S.
Here are some useful resources to get started:
- For guidance on the application process, look up: www.educationusa.state.gov and www.usief.org.in
- For regular updates on events, U.S. university announcements and scholarships, like us on: Facebook/EducationUSAatChennai
- Join free online sessions every Friday at 4 p.m. at: bit.ly/Educationusawebinar
- EducationUSA toll-free helpdesk at 1-800-103-1231 (Monday through Friday, 2-5 p.m.)
- EducationUSA channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/EducationUSAtv
- For a database of U.S. universities and colleges: www.petersons.com
To check accreditation status of universities and colleges: www.chea.org
To fix an appointment with the EducationUSA Center at the United States-India Educational Foundation, Chennai, contact tel. 044-28574134 or email: usiefchennai@usief.org.in
