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8 Things you need to Know When You Plan to Study in USA

Everyone has the dream of studying in the US. But before you make the choice, there are things that you must educate yourself about, before you make the final move.
Read the following article as it talks about the United States of America and a few essential things that someone looking forward to study in USA should know.

There are a lot of courses that students wish to pursue from USA. From graduate degree courses to post graduation courses, from medical to film making, USA has number of universities with a wide array of options that students can choose from.

Once you know what course you need to pursue, there are certain points that if you keep in mind you will have an easier time making the decision of what, where and how?

Following 8 points will you help you make a wiser decision.

Making the Correct Choice
USA has around 4,000 universities and colleges offering an array of courses to choose from. In such a case, it becomes difficult to understand what is correct and what is not. It is advisable to start searching for a university that has strong expertise in the area that you wish to study.

Your search should also list down the universities that offer a campus life. It is important to analyze the environment that you will be spending a major amount of time from the day.

Narrow the list
You must have come up with a number of colleges that offer you your desired course as well as a decent campus life. The next thing involves further shortlisting this list considering important factors and keep no more than 20 universities in mind.

Next, further cut down your number to five or six by talking to students already studying there, reading blogs, visiting the campus virtually if it is not possible ideally. By visiting virtually means you can interact with the college staff, teachers and alumni from the shortlisted universities.

Finally Making the Choice
With a list of five universities in hand that you have shortlisted; it is now important to decide finally which is the one? This decision depends solely on the ABC that you need to learn around each campus. The ABC here stands for accommodation, bus-service and countryside. Analyze outside the campus:
  • The cost of the buses
  • Accommodation
  • Facilities available around the campus
  • Entertainment centers and nightlife
  • Check the rents and do not end up paying more

What Exam will you need to give?
In order to pursue a course in USA, there are number of exams that as a student you will have to appear for. Some exams are common while some exams may depend on the course that you want to study. Some of these exams and when are they required are discussed in the following table:

Exams

 

Required For

SAT

It is an undergraduate exam required for admissions into most of the universities in the US

TOEFL

An undergraduate and graduate exam needed by almost every student wishing to study in the USS

GMAT

GMAT is required to get admissions into top B-Schools around the world

GRE

Required for admissions into non business programs in the US

AP

This comprises of university level courses and exams



Know about the University Tests?
The above discussed tests are in general accepted by a number of universities in the US. But there is a need for you to know if the universities that you wish to apply for have their own entry test. If such is the case, then you may also apply for the specific test that is talked about.

When to apply for Visa?
Education News Most of the universities in USA give out their offers in the month of May for the coming autumn batch. You will need to apply for the visa once you have received the offer from the university. For the same you will have to go through an interview at the US Embassy in your country and get through with all the formalities.

Time Required for the Entire Process
Once you have chosen the final university then, you should begin with the proceedings without wasting much of time. The entire process of applying, giving exams, receiving offer and getting a visa would take you about 12-16 months.

Prepare Yourself
You will have to understand that studying in the US means, you isolating yourself from your family and friends for a long time. Although the advancement in technology has made it easier to stay in touch but the physical presence certainly makes a difference. So start preparing yourself well in advance before you make the decision of studying in USA.

Studying in USA gives you a lot of opportunities to make a successful career for yourself. If you have prepared yourself for studying abroad then just start preparing for the same at least a year in advance. This is because all the complexities and formalities take up a lot of time.

Author Bio
Education News Akansha Arora is a professional writer and blogger professionally associated with Shiksha.com who loves to pen down her views on a number of topics that interest a reader. She writes keeping in mind the current scenarios and wishes to keep her readers well informed. You can follow her on Google+
Published date : 06 Apr 2015 01:02PM

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