The United States of America is regarded as the world's most spectacular nation being economically strongest, technologically advanced and scientifically superior in space. It is a land of opportunity, where natural born Americans are destined to grow and where foreigners from all over the world aspire to go and live for a while if not to settle down. The economic pace of development of the US has been quite rapid since its independence from the British rule over 200 years ago, on July 4, 1776. Its economic performance generated tremendous opportunities for income and employment to millions from around the world to participate in this human enterprise of building the nation and building themselves.

http://www.mapzones.com/world/north_america/usa/economyindex.php

HIGHER EDUCATION IN USA

The story of American Education reflects a unique attempt to explore human individuality as a means to the goals of freedom and democracy. This emphasis on human individuality has led to the creation of diverse institutions of post-secondary education that accommodate the many different needs and values of the American population. The American Education system offers unimaginative flexibility and unbelievable facilities for research and self-development. You are free to choose your "credits" according to your physical, intellectual and financial capabilities. The system of higher education in the US differs from that in other countries. The degrees awarded, the duration and types of programs as well as the types of educational institutions are varied within the US system. It is important to have an understanding of the University system. Most universities confer three types of degrees and a variety of certificates of study. The degrees are:

Students desirous of studying in the United States are faced with many questions on higher education in the US. In addition to providing an overview of the American educational system, this website attempts to answer most of the frequently asked questions. It also highlights the services available at Indo American Studies. Education in the US differs to a considerable extent, both in form and content, from that in India. It is important, therefore, to have a general understanding of its characteristics. Universities are academic institutions that include one or more undergraduate college, as well as any number of graduate and professional schools, i.e. schools offering study for a single profession, such as medicine or law.

For Indian students wishing to pursue higher studies, institutions in the United States offer excellent opportunities. Even though many European countries also boast of having reputed Universities, the main advantage in US is the familiar English language. Of course, institutions in England also have this advantage. In fact, till about 30 years back, joining British Universities such as Oxford and Cambridge was the ambition of Indian students. USA is the preferred country today, the main reason being that it is possible for most of the brighter Indian students to get substantial financial assistance from US Universities which can cover a very major part, if not all, of their total expenses for prosecuting higher studies. The possibility of getting financial assistance in British Universities is quite bleak, although few universities are coming forward to offer some waivers to the international students nowadays.

Earlier surveys show that there were as many as 400,000 foreign students in US institutions. Surprisingly, nearly 100,000 were women! Foreign students formed 2.7% of the total number of University students in that country. Among the graduate students in USA, over 9% were from other countries. Some of the reputed universities could, in fact, boast of a much higher percentage of foreign students. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), acknowledged as the foremost technological institution in the world, has 20.7% of its 7000 students were foreign nationals. The Texas Southern University had 25.2% of its 8000 students coming from abroad.

For more information please visit:

http://careerdowell.com/StudyAbroad/susa.htm#ES

http://www.euroeducation.net/prof1/usa.htm

http://www.usembassy.de/usa/society-education.htm

http://www.usembassy.be/usa/usastudy.htm

http://www.discoverabroad.com/US/Living Abroad
Education /StateUniversitySystem.htm

Asian students form a significant ethnic group among these foreign nationals. These numbers have been growing steadily over the years. The number of Indian students pursuing higher studies in USA in 2002 was estimated to be over 75,000. A large majority of them were receiving substantial financial aid from their Universities.

Of the 1.2 million students pursuing post secondary education outside their home countries, more than one-third choose to study in the United States. Why do so many students from all over the world choose U.S. colleges and universities?

• What does the United States have to offer you?
• Academic Excellence
• Variety of Educational Opportunities
• Cutting Edge Technology
• Opportunity for Research
• Flexibility
• Support Service for International Students
• Campus Life
• Global Education

A student will be hard pushed to find anywhere in the world that has more to offer than the USA in terms of an educational experience which is highly rewarding both academically and personally.

Choosing the right university in countries such as USA, CANADA, UK, AUSTRALIA & EUROPE is a pretty daunting task, especially when there are so many outstanding universities to choose from. However, with careful planning and research one can short list a few institutions that match to your needs. Indeed, it is very essential to consider the factors which play a crucial role both in your education and lifestyle. Selecting the right institution to study would easily rate as one of the most important decisions you will make in your life.

For more information please visit:

http://careerdowell.com/StudyAbroad/susa.htm#ES

http://educationusa.state.gov/

http://www.utexas.edu/world/univ/

http://www.mavicanet.ru/directory/eng/13990.html

http://dir.yahoo.com/Education/Higher_Education
/Colleges_and_Universities/United_States/

http://www.bibl.u-szeged.hu/oseas/links.html

There are several factors you need to consider while selecting an institution:

• Reputation
• Profile of the University
• Location and size
• Courses, Scholarships/Financial Aid offered
• Entry requirements
• English language requirements
• Cost of studying and living
• Accommodation details
• Facilities & Student support services offered

Following are a few of the most sought after programs:

• Art and Design
• Business and Management Studies
• Civil Engineering
• Communication and Media Studies
• Computer Science
• Dentistry
• Economics
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Environmental Studies
• Food Science & Nutrition
• Hospitality, Leisure, Recreation, Sport and Tourism
• Mathematics, Statistics and Operational Research
• Aeronautical Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Medicine
• Pharmacology and Pharmacy
• Psychology

Selecting the Best University

Unfortunately, there are no simple answers. The first step is to define your academic and career goals, as well as personal preferences about the campus environment and then find institutions whose goals and offerings, closely match your needs. The United States does not have a Ministry of Education responsible for regulation of educational institutions. Instead, institutions agree to voluntary self-regulation in the process called accreditation.

For more information please visit:

http://careerdowell.com/StudyAbroad/susa.htm#ES

http://www.usembassyjakarta.org/aminef/university.html

http://www.f1study.com/html/apply.html

Academic Excellence

The United States has one of the world's finest university systems, with outstanding programs, virtually in all fields. At the undergraduate level, excellent programs exist in traditional disciplines as well as in professional fields. At the graduate level, students often have the opportunity to work directly with some of the finest minds in the world. US degrees are recognized throughout the world for their excellence.

Variety of Educational Opportunities

The higher education system in the United States has something for everyone. Some US colleges and universities stress broad educational principles, others stress practical and employment-related skills; and still others specialize in technical fields, the arts, or the social sciences. As a result, if you are looking for an institution where you can study a particular field - no matter how unusual or specific - you can usually find several from which to choose in the United States.

Cutting-Edge Technology

US universities take pride on being at the forefront of technology and educational techniques, and in making available to their students the best possible equipment and resources. Even if your field does not directly involve science or engineering, you will become skilled in using the latest technology to obtain and process information. You will find ways to stay connected with people in your field all over the world.

Opportunity for Research, Teaching and Training

If you are a graduate student, you may be able to gain valuable experience in research or teaching while you help to finance your education. This practical component of your education will prove useful in your future career and may give you insights into your field that would not be possible through course study alone. International students are some of the most valued researchers and teachers in US universities because they bring new skills and ideas to the classroom and laboratory. Many graduate programs in the United States offer training that enables students to become teachers for research assistants.

Flexibility

Although many programs are highly structured, you will generally find many course choices. At the advanced stages of a degree, you will be able to tailor your course work to fit your specific needs. When you choose topics for independent study for a graduate thesis or dissertation, you can emphasize ideas that are important to you, your field, and your country.

Support Services for International Students

At most institutions, services from the international student office, help students from abroad to live and learn in their new environment. From orientation programs at the beginning of your degree program to assistance with your resumes as you get ready to graduate course, you will find people at your university and in the community willing to help you all the way.

Campus Life

US universities provide a rich variety of academic, cultural and athletic activities that add new dimensions to your educational experience and also help you make new friends.

Educational System in USA

In the United States, students begin higher education after completing 12 years of primary and secondary school. Institutions of higher education include two-year college (known as community or junior colleges), four-year college, universities, institutes of technology, vocational and technical schools, and professional schools such as law and medical schools. Higher education is available in public (government) and private (non-government) institutions, institutions affiliated with religious groups, and profit-making institutions - a wide variety. Size also varies. Some excellent colleges enroll fewer than a thousand students; some big universities enroll 50,000 or more.

There are over 3300 accredited colleges & universities in the United States. Of these, over 1700 offer Master's degree programs and 430 offer Doctorate programs. Some of them are private and others are State Universities. Both private and public universities receive varying amounts of funds from government sources. In spite of these, both types of institutions are completely autonomous. Thus, while the government may contribute financially to a university, it has no control over its substance and practice. There is no Ministry of Education in the United States. Bureaucratic interference in intellectual matters or freedom are resisted and fought fiercely. The faculty of the college or university will decide who shall be taught and how, and who shall have the right to teach. Their primary concern is improving quality and enhancing their eligibility to compete successfully with other institutions for the best students, the best faculty and research funds.

Both colleges and universities may be public or private. Institutions of high quality are found equally among public and private universities: the principal difference is one of funding. Public institutions are funded partially by the Government of the State in which the institution is located (for example, Texas or Florida), and partially by student payments and private donations. Since public institutions are supported by state Governments, they give preference in enrollment and tuition charges to students from that state. The open cost, however, is usually more at state institutions than at private institutions, even for those who are not residents of the state.

For more information please visit:

http://careerdowell.com/StudyAbroad/susa.htm#ES

http://thecenter.ufl.edu/

http://www.carnegiefoundation.org/Classification/

http://www7.nationalacademies.org/itru/

http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/factover/ch6.htm

http://www.euroeducation.net/prof1/usa.htm

The United States government does not recognize or approve colleges and universities, as does the ministry of education in many countries. Instead, the US Department of Education reviews and recognizes "accrediting agencies" that in turn assures the quality of educational institutions and programs. Be sure that the universities in which you are interested are accredited by an agency recognized by the Department of Education. Most colleges and universities have what is called "regional accreditation" from an agency that has jurisdiction over the region of the country in which they are located. Accreditation assures you that the institution has met certain academic, administrative, and fiscal standards. Accreditation also assures you that your degree will be recognized by other educational institutions and by the employers as well.

Quantitative measure involves the accumulation of "credits." Each course in a program is assigned a value in terms of "credit hours." The number of credits assigned to a course is usually three (3). The value is roughly equivalent to the number of hours the class will meet each week. Thus, a three credit course will usually meet for three hours per week. This could be for one hour three times a week, 1-1/2 hours twice a week, or three hours once a week. To earn a degree, a student must accumulate a required number of credits. It is important that all students beginning a degree program know how many credits must be earned to complete the requirements. Each degree will have requirements regarding the distribution of these credits. There will be a certain number of "required" courses. that is group of courses which every student in an particular degree program must take and pass. The balance is "elective" courses (courses that one wants to take, but is not required to take). Qualitative measures are in terms of grades. At the end of each term, a student will receive a grade for the term in each course. Grades are :

A = Excellent, Superior (4 points)
B = Above Average (3 points)
C = Average (2 points)
D = Below Average (1 point)

GPA/QPA equals Total Points divided by Total Credits:
39 divided by 13 = 3.00 (B)

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

More than 3,600 colleges and universities offer undergraduate degree programs in the United States. The bachelor's degree typically takes you four years to complete. Some students take slightly less time to finish, while others may take longer.

Like in India, Post secondary education in the US begins at about 18 years of age after 12 years of elementary and secondary schooling. The first level of Post secondary education is termed undergraduate studies and includes the four (sometimes five) years required to earn a Bachelor's degree. Undergraduate students are classified as freshmen in their first year, sophomores in their second, juniors in their third and seniors in their fourth year depending not only on the number of years in college, but also on the number of courses completed or credits earned. The general term used in the United States for all Post secondary institutions is "college."

Four-year colleges are undergraduate institutions offering academic programs leading to a bachelor's degree. Although not identical, the terms "college" and "university" are often used interchangeably in the United States. There is no legal or official control over the institution's option to choose one or the other as part of its name. Usually, a college offers a four-year program of study leading toward the Bachelor's degree. Universities emphasize research and often include professional schools, undergraduate colleges of arts and sciences, and graduate schools. There are over 2,000 traditional four year colleges and universities in the United States, and each has a unique identity.

GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS

More than 1,700 universities and other institutions offer graduate degree programs in the United States. Graduate study (called postgraduate education in India) is education beyond a bachelor's degree. Graduate students are those pursuing masters', doctoral, professional or special advanced degree programs. While the number of years required to earn graduate degrees would depend on the field of study and the nature of curriculum, students usually spend a year or two towards a Master's degree, three or more years for a Doctoral (Ph.D.) degree, and three or more years for a professional degree in fields such as law, dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, etc.

Graduate education can result in a variety of degrees. The most common include the master of arts (MA), sciences (MS), business administration (MBA), fine arts (MFA), law (LLM), social work (MSW), and specialist in education (EdS). The most common final, or "terminal," degrees are doctorates in a variety of fields (Ph.D), education (EdD), law (JD), science (DSc), medicine (MD), and religion or divinity (DD).

A doctorate program usually requires five to seven years of study following the receipt of the bachelor's degree. Unlike undergraduates, graduate students begin specialized study on the first day of classes. You will probably be required to take certain courses and may be allowed as few as two or three electives. A doctoral program includes the writing of a dissertation involving original research. The dissertation may involve a year or more of research and at least a year for writing. US institutions awarded more than 44,000 doctorates in 1995.

Graduate courses assume that students are well prepared in the basic elements of their field of study. Depending on the subject, courses may be quite formal, consisting primarily of lecture presentations by faculty members, or they may be relatively informal, placing emphasis on discussion and exchange of ideas among faculty and students. Seminars involve smaller groups of students than lecture classes, and students may be required to make presentations as well as participate in discussions. Class participation, research papers, and examinations are all important.

Academic Calendar

An academic year in the United States generally lasts for nine months, from late August or early September until the middle or end of May, and it may be divided into two, three, or four academic terms depending on the institution. If the year is divided into two terms, these are called the Fall (Aug/Sep) and Spring (Jan/Feb) terms, or "semesters." Short breaks occur during both fall and spring terms, between terms, and on public holidays. An optional summer term is often available and provides the opportunity to continue courses if you wish to accelerate your program.

It is best to start a program in the Fall term (beginning in August/ September). Many courses must be taken in sequence, and time may be lost in completing the degree if you start in another term. It is also easier to become more accustomed to studying in the United States and to meet other students in the department, if you start at the beginning of the academic year. Lastly, scholarship opportunities may be more readily available to students starting in the Fall rather than midyear.

International Students

During 2002-2003, 658,000 international students were enrolled in US colleges and universities, making up 4.2 percent of the total enrollment in US higher education. The most popular fields of study among international students are business and management (20 percent) and engineering (16 percent). Large research universities enrolled 42 percent of international students. International students are enrolled in greater proportions at the higher academic levels; thus they comprise only 2.5 percent of all bachelor's degree students, about 10 percent of graduate students, and 33 percent of all doctoral students. Approximately, one-half of the doctoral degrees awarded by the US institutions in engineering, mathematics, and the physical and biological sciences are earned by international students.

Right Program

Finding the right program that fits in with your lifestyle and goals can be difficult. But.....we have simplified the process and put all the vital information you need to know all in one place. With so many options being open to you as an International Student, which is the right one for you? Hopefully the information contained here will help you decide which program suits you the best.

For more information please visit

http://www.internationalstudent.com/study_usa/pre-application/right_choice/index.shtml

NOTE :- Be sure that the US institutions that you are interested to apply are accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education. Accreditation assures you that the university has met certain standards. A degree from a non accredited institution may not be recognized by other educational institutions or by the employers.

Quality

Because of the size and the variety of higher educational institutions in the United States, the quality of any given institution and its programs, even when accredited, is hard to determine. The most expensive institution is not necessarily the best, nor is every program at a highly regarded institution necessarily be of the same high quality. For graduate students, the research and publication records of the faculty in your chosen department are probably the best measures of quality, although even a "good" department might not have a top professor in the specialization that you are looking for. Ask your current professors for advice and guidance. They are usually the best sources of information on the quality of a graduate program.

Factors that can affect the quality of the education available to undergraduates include:

• Class size: Are all classes taught in a lecture format, smaller seminars, and discussion sessions available for undergraduates?
• Opportunities for independent research and direct work with faculty: Are there service learning opportunities, undergraduate research programs, and honors program?
• Educational background of the student body: Is the institution nonselective ("open enrollment"), selective, competitive, or highly competitive?

FEE STRUCTURE AND GENERAL EXPENSES

The main expenditure involved for study in the United States is tuition fees plus your living costs. These vary widely, and gives you some control over the costs involved in your education. Tuition fee varies from one institution to another ranging from $2,000 to $28,000 per year. In some cases, scholarships or other types of financial assistance may be available through the institution; in other cases the source may be a private foundation, a private company, or your home government. Financial assistance may be in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or tuition fee reductions. It is important in the process of your selection of universities to keep in mind the tuition fee and the availability or unavailability of financial assistance.

Please visit:

www.InternationalStudentLoan.com ,

www.InternationalScholarship.com

for more information about Student Funding

Living Costs

Living expenses are high in big cities like California, New York and in the Northeastern region. Costs can be much lower in the South, Midwest, and other areas. The approximate annual living expenditure ranges between $7,000 - $10,000, which includes accommodation as well as other daily expenses. If you and your family cannot meet the costs, you will have to apply for financial assistance.

English Language Proficiency and Instruction

If your English skills are very limited, you may have to attend an English Language institute before beginning your degree program. You may wish to select a university that offers English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) program preceding academic enrollment. Conditional or provisional admission may be offered to you if your academic or professional qualifications are very good, but your English needs additional improvement. If you are given conditional or provisional admission, you may be required to complete English Language courses or retake standardized language proficiency tests before being allowed to enroll in certain courses. You may have to satisfy this condition during your first or second term. It is very important to know the university policies on English-Language testing and classes. When you are admitted to an institution, you should carefully examine the documents in your admission packet to determine whether you will be required to enroll in ESL courses.

Ranking of Institutions

The United States does not publish any official list of best universities. Several privately compiled "best universities" lists have been created based on factors such as research funds or the opinions of professionals in a given field. Privately compiled lists vary considerably in their conclusions, which are not surprising, given that over 3,300 institutionally accredited US universities and colleges currently operate, each with its own goals and strengths. We, therefore, do not recommend selection of universities based only on ranking lists published by private agencies. It is, however, important to ensure that universities are institutionally accredited.

Published rankings (assessment) of colleges and universities are available, but their usefulness varies. There is no "official" ranking of colleges and universities in the United States. Rankings according to competitiveness of admission (i.e. the ratio of the number of students who apply to the number admitted) are useful in giving an idea of the chances for admission. For other rankings, it is necessary to define your goals carefully, and to make sure that the criteria on which a ranking is based match your criteria of choosing institutions. Some rankings are based on the opinions of one person who has visited or interviewed people, about a number of colleges and universities; some may be based on an opinion survey of professionals in the field; still, others are based on funds allotted by the federal government for research grants. For undergraduates, a high ranking insitution emphasis on research may mean a lack of emphasis on undergraduate teaching.

IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, FINDING THE "BEST" INSTITUTIONS MEANS FINDING THE INSTITUTIONS THAT BEST MEETS YOUR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND INTERESTS.

For more information please visit

http://gateway.library.uiuc.edu/edx/rankings.htm

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/cohome.htm

http://www.princetonreview.com/college/research/rankings/rankings.asp

http://www.phds.org/rankings/

Application Process

International students often underestimate the amount of time required to apply for admission to a college or university in the United States. Avoid this mistake by setting yourself a schedule that starts well in advance of the time you hope to begin your studies. When setting this time table, always remember that doing things early is the best way to move forward. To find the institution or program that will best serve your academic or professional goals, allow yourself sufficient time to thoroughly research your options and then meet the application deadlines of the universities to which you apply. These may be as much as 10 months before the beginning of the school term.

For more information please visit

http://www.bestschoolsusa.com/apptips.html

The need for an early start holds true, even if you are able to access electronic applications on the Internet. University Websites and other academic websites may provide quick and convenient access to the required application forms, but you still need time to research your options, contact teachers and institutions to provide recommendation and transcripts, and sign up for required entrance exams (standardized tests) in time to meet the application deadlines.

For more information please visit

http://www.a2zcolleges.com/adm/admfaq.htm#Q1

TESTS

TOEFL - Test of English as Foreign Language

For more information please visit

http://www.toefl.org

http://www.ets.org/

www.free-toefl.com/

www.testwise.com/review.html

www.stuff.co.uk/toefl.htm

www.testden.com/

GRE-Graduate Record Examination

For more information please visit

http://www.gre.org

www.ets.org/

www.number2.com/

www.syvum.com/gre/

www.kaptest.com/gre

www.800score.com/gre-index.html

www.psywww.com/careers/gre.htm

www.uoregon.edu/~osmirnov/gre/

GMAT- Graduate Management Admission Test