Study in US: Here’s what you should know

by: Claresta Audrey Tjandra

Going to study in the United States sounds like a far-fetched goal, given the lengthy distance as well as the complex process. If you're an international student with questions about the university admissions in the US, keep reading to know more!

Know your program

When starting the journey, you should begin with the academic program you want to pursue. In the United States, there are 2 types of degree after finishing high school. These are:

• Associate's degree - usually lasts two years to complete 
• Bachelor's degree - typically takes four years to complete 

Choose subjects of your interest

After deciding on an academic program, you should choose which major you want to pursue as well as which universities you want to attend. If you have numerous interests, keep in mind that you can complete a double major or add a minor. 

If you're still exploring your interests, don't worry: about 75% of college students begin their freshman year with an undeclared major!

Understand the finances

Studying in the US can be costly, particularly for international students. Aside from tuition fees, there are a few other expenses to keep in mind, including:

• Student visa
• Housing or accommodation
• Health insurance
• Travel costs

Apply, apply, apply!

Once you've narrowed down your list of universities and selected the program of choice, the time of starting your application has arrived!

Before applying, you should be aware of the application dates, as there are four different types of application deadlines:

• Regular decision - usually falls in January, with the latest deadlines in March 
• Early action - a nonbinding option that falls in early November, with three outcomes of being accepted, rejected or deferred
• Early decision - dates back in early November or early January, with students legally bound to attend if accepted 
• Rolling Admissions - a first-come, first-serve basis up until the school's class is full

When applying, you can use either the school's own website or a third-party system like the Common App to complete your application. In case you didn't know, the Common Application is a centralized platform that allows students to apply to multiple colleges at once. When applying to UC campuses, there is one exception: you can use their own application system, My UC Application. The fee for each application to US universities and colleges ranges from $35 up to $100.

When it comes to international admissions, most US universities require students to take an English as a second language test, such as the TOEFL, IELTS, or SAT exams. Some other requirements include:

• School transcripts
• Standardized test scores
  • SAT or ACT
  • English proficiency test scores (TOEFL, IELTS)
• Copy of passport
• Essay
• CV or resume 
• Recommendation letters 
• Financial proof (for some universities)

Issuing a visa

Not to mention the fact that you'll require the most important, though frequently overlooked, document: student visa! 

There are three types of visas available in the United States:

• F Visa - issued to students who are attending at US universities or colleges
• J Visa - issued to students who are participating in an exchange program at US colleges or universities
• M Visa - issued to students who engage in non-academic or vocational study or training in the United States

Well, that's just some part of the basics on how to study in the US. If you're confident that studying in the United States is the right fit for you, make sure you're well-informed and understand each step of the process to turn your dream of studying in the United States into a reality!

Ready to study in the US? Let's strategize your admissions with ALL-in Eduspace!

What we can do for you:

1. Maximize your university entrance prep with Admission Mentoring.
2. Explore your interests and dive into different industries on Career Exploration.
3. Improve grades and knowledge through Academic Tutoring.
4. Upscale your personal brand on the Writing Skills improvement program.

Let's #TakeOnYourFuture with ALL-in Eduspace! Remember, #itsALLintheprep!