Student Visa Info

(1). Do part - time on campus job while attending school FULL TIME (12 credits at minimum)

(2). Do part time off campus job AFTER you have CPT approved by your school (contact your international student office). Your job MUST be related to your study. In the past, during summer, students were allowed to have full time CPT and worked off campus. Not sure about the regulation now.

(3). Right before you graduate, you can apply for OPT. This gives you 1 full year working with any employer anywhere in the States. The work must be related to you study. This OPT (or work permit/EAD) can’t be used to re-entry the country, in case you go back or going abroad.

Because US immigration law changes all the times, I would encourage you to talk to the international student advisory in your school before even thinking applying for job.

Every year, the clamor to study at American universities keeps increasing. There is a reason why. Let’s take the advantages of undergraduate studies in the US.

1. Flexibility to choose your own programme

High school students at the age of 16 and 17 should not be expected to make a career choice. If you choose engineering in India and, after a year, decide you do not like engineering, you will not be able to change your major. In the US, you can apply for a major called Undecided. And, after two years of taking classes in various streams, you can declare you’re major.

If you choose engineering, modify your mind and decide to study philosophy, you are not likely to lose any time, and will graduate in the same time period. Similarly, if you like two streams, say engineering and psychology, you can major in both and get two degrees in the same time period. This is not likely in India.

2. Versatility of the programme

When you graduate with a US degree, you not only have knowledge in your field of graduation, but also in other fields well. For instance, an engineering student will have to take a few classes in business or humanities. A business student will have to do some basic science classes to graduate.

3. Cosmopolitan outlook

The US attracts students from all over the world. You get to study with international students and learn about different cultures and societies. Your in general learning experience cannot be compared to what you will study in an Indian institution.

Of course, a US education is expensive. You will have to look at funding for four years, since Bachelor degrees in the US span four years. If you are rationally bright, score well in your Scholastic Aptitude Test, you might qualify for funding from US universities.

1 most of the Universities in USA require TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) for foreign Nationals and GRE (Graduate Record Examination) for both In state and Out state Students.

2 For Foreign nationals three Letters of Recommendation sealed) ,copies of Official Transcripts sealed) (Note: Some Universities accept Copies verified by Notary) are required. For Working people they may get two letters from current Employers but generally Letters from Professors are preferred.

3 The Deadline for Fall Semester are from Dec 15 to July. But apply as early as possible. Many decisions are made before the deadline. Foreign nationals may take up to 8 weeks to hear their results. In state students may hear within 5 weeks.

4 Most of the Universities require Undergraduate GPA to be 3/4 (US system). It is equivalent to 80/100,12/20*(China) and 1st Division ,65%*(For most Indian University).

5 TOEFL is waived for countries whose native language is English Like UK, Australia, Canada…).

Cost Of Living

1. The cost of living depends on location. For example States like Washington, California and area around New York is costly.

2 The cost of Study Tuition and fees) in USA varies from $5000 to $35000 (or more) per year.

3. In general the cost of living may vary from $6000 to $10000

4. Grocery is Really cheap (Walmart!).

5. It is assumed that students will live in shared Apartments, Live out of Campus and have less Telephone bills and other expenses are at bay.

6. Most of (nearly) all expenses Living only not Tuition fees) can be met while working on Campus Jobs. The hourly pay for on Campus jobs Pay from $5 to $15 (sometimes more) per hour.

7. Renting an apartment can vary from $450 to$1000 (or more). Downtown (Chicago) may costs around $1200 for studio while it may be around $400 for Des Moines (IA).

8. Foreign Students can work for 20 hrs per week and 40 hrs per week during summer. Students may be allowed to work out Campus after nine months of their arrival at USA.

9. Students receiving any type of AID Like TA/RA/Fellowship or GA don’t have to worry about costs. But Students not receiving any AID must come prepared for Tuition fees and Living cost for initial 2-3 months.

10. Note that in some universities like University of Missouri, Rolla, Texas at Dallas and University of Texas Arlington there is huge shortage of P/T jobs. So students Planning to go to these universities must either have Scholarships or adequate Funds. Its better to contact current students via email for latest information.

11. In some Universities TA/RA cover part of tuition fees and not all tuition fee is waived.

12. Scholarships were limited in most of the Universities. In some cases students who got scholarships have to face rollback. Aid situation is much better these days.