Education Unlimited Inc.
27 B, Park Street
Flat F, 1st Floor
Kolkata (Calcutta) 700016
India
ph: +9133 22271173
alt: +9133 46027272
counsell
The largest number of high quality accredited and globally recognized universities in the world. Sufficient number of universities offer up to full tuition fee waiver and other forms of financial aid like fellowships and graduate assistantships such as TA and RA. Moreover, campus jobs of up to 20 hours per week are easily available on most campuses and students can earn enough (US$9 - $10 per hour) to pay for all their living expenses and save a good sum of money over and above such expenses. TA and RA usually pay about US$ 12,000 to US$ 22,000 per year and are necessarily accompanied by a full tuition waiver and enables the students to concentrate on their area of study and research without having to dwell upon financial issues.
U.S universities welcome Indian students for the Bachelor, Masters and Doctoral degree programs across numerous disciplines of study. Courses may be chosen between core and electives based upon program requirements and personal interest. There is freedom to choose and expand one's learning horizon.
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Shekhar Niyogi presents a comprehensive guideline that will help you turn your dream of studying in the US into a reality
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The tests An applicant needs to take certain eligibility tests and the scores form an integral part of the applications. All students need to take the TOEFL iBT test (Test of English as a Foreign Language) where most universities prefer a score of at least 80 out of 120. SAT Reasoning test is required to be taken for applications for Bachelor degree and this has a total score of 2400 comprising three sections, critical reading, writing and math. SAT Subject tests are optional for some universities. GRE is taken by all applicants for masters’ study other than management and it is scored out of 1600 with Verbal and Quantitative sections and a 6.0 rating for Analytical Writing Assessment. GMAT on a score of 800 is a must for all MBA aspirants. The SAT tests are conducted by College board (www.collegeboard.com) and the others tests by Educational Testing Service – ETS (www.ets.org) based in New Jersey, U.S.A. Getting a visa There exists, in the minds of many people an irrational fear psychosis about the US visa. Most fears are completely unfounded. Many myths pertaining to the student visa needs to be exploded. For instance, that after 9/11 the US Immigration has cracked down on the number of student visas so it is better to apply to other countries. Nonsense. Prior to 9/11 the annual growth of Indian students going to U.S.A was about 8 – 9 per cent and in the 12 months immediately following 9/11 the growth of Indian students was 21.9 per cent! To top it all, this was the first time that Indian students outnumbered Chinese students in the U.S, although their population is 1.4 times that of ours! Most of these rumours circulate among the student fraternity because there are so few authentic sources of information available to them. There has been a 38 per cent growth in Indian students studying in America in 2007-2008. The visa officer’s concern needs to be understood. They are highly trained, well-informed professionals representing their country in a sensitive job description. They are fair in their appraisal, so learn to communicate well before you go for the interview. Answer precisely and without hesitation. Use positive body language, maintain eye contact and speak politely. They need to know that your intentions are honest and that at the time of the visa application you wish to go to America to study. And only study. If your ulterior motives are apparent, then you don’t get a visa. Simple. You applied for a student visa but your documentation and your interview reveals that studying is just an excuse to somehow get to the US. That is not an honest applicant. Millions do not need to be shown in your bank accounts. Most Indian students are unable to do so. However, you have to clearly demonstrate your ability to bear the expenses of tuition and living costs for the first year of study. The visa officer will accept scholarships, assistantships, grants and funds of the family in bank accounts and fixed deposits as legitimate sources of your academic funding. A clearly defined career plan will add credibility to your persona. Do not conceal facts, do not lie. Honesty rocks! The final step Orient yourself with the university and its norms. The climate, the kind of clothing you need. Buy winter clothing there. Always buy your spectacles, leather goods before you leave the country. Buy laptops in the US, students get good deals. Check on the right health insurance; it is advisable to buy the most popular insurance immediately upon arrival in campus. Carry your favourite music CDs and family photographs. Book your flights well in advance to get the best fares, look for special student discounts from airlines including extra baggage allowance. Usually you are allowed two suitcases each weighing a maximum of 23 kilos. Buy TSA approved locks. Fill the I-94 form on board your flight to the U.S. You will be fingerprinted again upon arrival. Be aware that upon completion of your degree you are permitted to remain and work in the USA for upto 29 months for certain disciplines. Thereafter you can get a H1B worker visa that is valid for 3 years and can be renewed once. You may, of course, apply for a Green Card (for Resident Alien status) within this time frame for a more permanent stay. And now you are on the threshold of a new beginning. Like Jonathan Livingston Seagull spread your wings and soar! Bon Voyage!! (The author is an education consultant and member of NAFSA, Washington D.C., U.S.A)
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Percentage of total international student population in the U.S campuses :
India : 18%
China : 14%
Japan : 8%
Others (approx. 150 countries) : 60%
Over 168,000 Indian students are currently studying in the U.S.A.
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Education Unlimited Inc.
27 B, Park Street
Flat F, 1st Floor
Kolkata (Calcutta) 700016
India
ph: +9133 22271173
alt: +9133 46027272
counsell