Study in USA is the most sought after for internatinal students as USA has some of the World's Top Universities. USA houses 3800 higher education institutes, 42 of which ranked in the top 100 universities in the world in 2008. The United States has more institutions of higher learning than any other country in the world. Most American colleges and universities offer top-notch education programs with highly qualified teaching staff. The research at many of these universities is cutting-edge and often published in journals worldwide. Since the USA is such a large country with vast resources, almost every field of study is available in the country. This country has the highest international student population coming for education here. This is because of its world class universities, institutions, state-of-the-art facilities and up-to-date technologies.
Compared to other countries, admission procedures in US universities are very competitive for international students. Universities and colleges have their own criteria in selection of their students. Most of them prefer the students to apply to them at least before one year.
Before applying for the visa, the student needs to be accepted by the institution. After the institution accepts the candidate, they will provide the necessary approval documentation which is required to apply for the visa. Visa application requirements include:
Accommodation is very important as it is significant for your successful studies in USA. In USA you are provided with two options- campus and off campus housing. Universities provide dormitories with necessary facilities. Or else you can easily a rent house off campus.
The tuition fee is not same for different universities. It varies widely with courses. A brief idea is shown in the following table:
The approximate annual living expense in USA is about $10,000. It includes accommodation as well as other daily expenses. The expenses vary depending on the lifestyles. The main expenses can be split up as:
Working while study is a popular option for students in the United States. Students are allowed to do part time jobs up to 20 hours per week as a full time student. During holidays this is extended up to 40 hours per week.
International students are provided with scholarships by the universities to support their education expenses. This range from a few hundred dollars to full scholarships. Private scholarships are also available. They are the educational gifts given by various organizations or individuals, predominantly for academic merit.
USA is considered to be one of the most widely chosen study destination for international students. Apex institutions of learning, infinite study choices, international recognition, industrial training and research, flexibility, exciting campus life, global vision are the main features that make USA perfect for the international students.
In its beginnings, the United States was founded by immigrants from Western Europe alongside indigenous peoples. A continuous stream of immigrants from around the world has seen the United States grow into a large and diverse country where virtually all nationalities and ethnicities are represented. One can find every type of climate and landscape in addition to different lifestyles and cultures in USA. American mainstream culture is extremely diverse and complex, and varies from one geographical region to the next, between rural and urban areas, and can be particularly influenced by the ethnic communities found in each region. American culture encompasses traditions, ideals, customs, beliefs, values, arts, and innovations developed both domestically and imported via colonization and immigration from the British Isles. Among developed countries, the US is one of the most religious in terms of its demographics. American contemporary music can be heard all over the world and American popular music also contains many styles of music that developed in the US. Sports in the United States are an important part of the American culture. However, the sporting culture of the U.S. is unique from that of many other countries. Compared to any other nation, American preferences for sports differ from the rest of the world. Baseball is the oldest of the major American team sports. American football, Basketball, Ice hockey and quick martial arts are other common sports.
USA is a big country; it varies tremendously in climate conditions. Generally the western and southern half of the USA has an overall warmer weather, as compared to the eastern and northern half. Eastern/Northern half is extremely cold in winters accompanied by heavy snowfall, and has pleasant summers whereas the Western/Southern part has extremely hot summers and comparatively tolerable winters. Northwest Pacific is the wettest part of the country. Here the summer months are pleasantly warmer but never too hot. You can see fogs along the coast during the warmer weather, which disappears by the mid-day. Mid/South Pacific Rockies have generally dry and delightful summers. There are very few places in California which experience snow, mostly all the cities have quite tolerable winters. Midwest region is moderately dry. Precipitation occurs mainly in late Spring and early Summer. All have excellent Summer weather, but the Winters are bitterly cold, with quite a lot of snow and heavy chilly winds. Northeast area is moderately rainy. In winter, the area experiences a heavy snow and freezing rain. Summers are usually pleasantly sunny and warm. The fall is especially beautiful in wooded areas. Southeast is very hot and dry in summers. The entire area experiences moderate rains fairly evenly throughout the year. The Spring, Summer and Fall seasons are all very pleasant. Some snow and freezing rain will fall in Winter, but, for the most part, the winters are quite mild and short lived. Southwest is unbearably hot and humid in summers. This is the hottest and high rainfall region of the US. The winters are generally short in duration, but some freezing rains do occur. The spring and fall seasons are quite long and temperatures are generally excellent. The summers are very hot with temperatures.