Going2USA: Eduction - Choosing Right School

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Education in USA

How to choose the right school?

Evaluate reasons for studying in USA
Understand US education system
Which universities meet your needs?
Will you need financial assistance?
Collect information: College websites, E-mails of the current students
Advising centers in India
College searches on the internet
U.S. College Fairs and Visits

Pinpoint the college of your choice by reflecting upon your own needs and on what the respective school can offer.

Choosing universities from thousands of miles away presents some challenges � especially when there are so many great colleges to choose from in the United States. But if you plan ahead and do your research carefully, you will come up with a manageable shortlist of colleges that match your needs. Every student is different, and when making your choices you should consider carefully the factors that are important to you in both your education and your lifestyle. This section discusses what academic, lifestyle, and other factors to consider when putting together a list of around 10 to 20 colleges, and it offers guidelines on where to get further help and information. You should begin this process of reflection and research 12 to 18 months before you want to start studying in the United States. You should begin to consider, research, and do the following:

What are your reasons for wanting to study in the United States?

Consider your reasons for studying in the USA. Without any motivation, you may not be able to commit yourself to the efforts and expenses that are required for going to USA for studies. Many US schools and universities are prestigious, and degrees earned in the US are respected worldwide. Many schools have strong links with industry, business and commerce. On the other side, education in the US is quite expensive if you don't get scholarships or manage for education funds.

Understanding the US education system [top]

Undergraduate programs (Bachelor degree) :
This is the first level of post-secondary education that begins after 12 years of primary and secondary schooling. It includes at least 4 years of education and earns a bachelor�s degree (Most Indian graduation courses are of 3 years duration). There are also two-year programs which earn an Associate degree. A student who has an associate degree has to study further for a minimum of 2 years to earn a bachelor�s degree.

Graduate Programs (Master�s & Doctorate degree) :
This is the same as post-graduate education in India. It usually involves one year or more of education depending on the subject or course, and earns a master�s or doctoral degree like MBA, MS or PhD. Admission to a graduate program usually requires a minimum of 16 years of formal education. That is, 12 years of primary and secondary schooling and further 4 years of college education.

There is no central ministry of education in the U.S. and each institution can determine its own programs and admission standards. There are private as well as state funded colleges.

Universities are academic institutions that include one or more undergraduate colleges, as well as any number of graduate and professional schools, i.e. schools offering study for a single profession such as law.

Four year colleges are undergraduate institutions offering academic programs leading to a bachelor�s degree. Community colleges or junior colleges are undergraduate institutions offering upto two years of academic instruction beyond secondary school at a relatively low cost. These offer certificate programs that last for a few months to a year as well as associate degrees.

Institutes of technology or polytechnic institutes offer specialized programs in sciences and engineering, in addition to basic sciences, humanities and the social sciences, at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Which universities will meet your needs? [top]

Think which universities will meet your needs in terms of educational and career goals, expenses, cost of living, social life, geographical location (if the city is the same or near your family or friends), weather, chances of getting financial aid from schools, facilities for international students needs, degree program structure, academic standing, and teacher-to-student ratios. Each student has different needs, requirements. A lot of it depends on your reasons for studying in the US. Visit advising centers in India, get in touch with them!! Visit the libraries, search on the internet (the most powerful resource these days) and get started.

Will you need financial assistance? [top]

You should begin researching which universities give scholarships/ financial aids and which universities don't. For many cost is the factor in choosing a school. Do the research about the costs involved in various schools. Evaluating your abilities to study in USA.

College websites and emails of the current students [top]

Almost every U.S. university and college has a Web site that offers a wealth of information about degree programs, application procedures, academic departments, facilities on campus, and other topics. In many cases you will also find a copy of the college catalog, which you can study on-line or download to read later. Don't forget that many sites also give e-mail addresses for current students, including international students, who are often more than happy to answer your questions about applying to the school and about life on campus. Once you have narrowed down the colleges and universities you are interested in, you may wish to e-mail professors and admissions personnel to have specific questions answered before you finally decide where to apply.

Get information from advising centers in India [top]

Get in touch with EducationUSA information and advising centers . They are the ideal starting point for your research. Centers usually have a library with directories, university catalogs, introductory guides such as this one, handouts, and reference books to assist you in applying to study in the United States. Many centers have developed guides, videos, and websites specifically tailored to students applying from your country. Many also have computer-based college search packages to help you choose the best colleges for you. Most important of all, they have trained staff who can answer your questions in person or by mail, by telephone, and, in most cases, by e-mail.

College Searches on the Web [top]

Some Web sites are independent of colleges and universities and allow you to search for institutions by the subject you are interested in studying, by geographic preference, or by a range of other criteria that you specify. This website provides links to a number of different college search engines such as Peterson's, The College Board, U.S. News, The Princeton Review.

U.S. College Fairs and Visits [top]

If you cannot visit the United States, colleges may come to visit you. Your nearest U.S. educational information or advising center can tell you about any upcoming U.S. college fairs or other types of visits where you can have the opportunity to talk to admissions officers face-to-face. Many of these take place in the spring or fall of the year before you intend to start your studies, so it is important to start your research early.

Advising centers in India

INDIA - Ahmadabad

Indo-American Education Society (IAES)
USEFI Satellite Center
Principal Bungelow No. 5
Commerce Cross Roads
Opposite H. L. Commerce College Bus Stand
Navrangpura
Ahmedabad 380 009
Gujarat

tel: 91-79-644-6952
e-mail: eduadviser@gmail.com
website: www.iaesgujarat.org

INDIA - Bangalore

USEFI Satellite Center
USEFI Satellite Center
102 Parkview
40 Haines Road
Frazer Town
BANGALORE 560005

tel: 91-80-51251922/51251913
fax: 91-80-25570982
e-mail: swetha_muthanna@lycos.com
renukarajarao@lycos.com
j_sreein@yahoo.co.in

INDIA - Chennai

Educational Adviser
U.S. Educational Foundation in India/Chennai
American Consulate Building
Mount Road, Chennai 600-006

tel: 28112049
fax: 28112020 attn:USEFI
e-mail: usefimas@md2.vsnl.net.in or madras.usefi@axcess.net.in
website: www.fulbright-india.org/eas/eas-general.htm

INDIA - Hyderabad

UNITI Foundation
USEFI Satellite Center
702, Paigah Plaza
Basheerbagh
Hyderabad 500063, Andhra Pradesh
AP. 500 063
India

tel: 91-40-5566-8437; 5566-8435
e-mail: info@unitifoundation.org
website: www.unitifoundation.org

INDIA - Kolkata

Educational Adviser and Regional Officer
US Educational Foundation in India
38A Jawaharlal Nehru Road
Kolkata, India 700071

tel: (91-33)22881200/06 (6 lines); 22881637
fax: (91-33)22881616
e-mail: usefical@giascl01.vsnl.net.in or smullick@state.gov
website: www.fulbright-india.org/eas/eas-general.htm

INDIA - Mumbai

Educational Adviser
U.S. Educational Foundation in India/Mumbai
American Center
4 New Marine Lines
Mumbai 400 020

tel: 91-22-22624603 or 22624590
fax: 91-22-22663956 or 22624595
e-mail: usefibom@bom3.vsnl.net.in, Kaller@state.gov
website: www.fulbright-india.org/eas/eas-general.htm

INDIA - New Delhi

Educational Adviser
U.S. Educational Foundation in India (USEFI)
12 Hailey Road
New Delhi 110001

OSEAS - South Asia Liaison for CAFSS in NAFSA: Association of International Educators

OSEAS - Consultant for CAWG in NAFSA: Association of International Educators

tel: 91-11-23328944
fax: 91-11-23329718
e-mail: adviser@fulbright-india.org
website: www.fulbright-india.org/eas/eas-general.htm

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