The USA

The USA

Overseas students studying in the USA for the first time may find something vaguely familiar about their
surroundings. Thanks to the popularity of the US television and film industry,
many students will already have come into contact with some of the more popular
sights and sounds of this vast country. However, the diversity of cultural and
educational experiences on offer may come as more of a surprise. Students
interested in coming to the USA are faced with a number of choices concerning
courses and places to stay. The high reputation of its education system also
makes the USA one of the more popular study destinations for overseas students.

Language studies

There are many English language schools in the USA, both privately
operated and those that are part of a larger college or institution. If a
language school is located on a larger university campus, it may well be
referred to as an intensive English programme or an IEP. Some on-campus
language schools are privately operated. There are two main accrediting bodies
in the USA that are able to provide an assurance that programmes with their
endorsement have met agreed standards in relation to their education
programmes. Accet is a general education standards body with special provisions
for English language training, while CEA is an English language programme
accreditation body (see below - useful addresses). The majority of
international students in the USA come from Asia.


Secondary education in the USA
Boarding schools in the USA have a very high academic reputation and aim to
fully prepare students for success at university. Many offer English language
support for international students, whether through a summer school, a 'bridge'
programme where international students spend five or six months receiving
intensive English instruction before joining mainstream classes or separate
English language classes in conjunction with mainstream classes. International
students can opt to stay with host families or in residential accommodation.


Higher education in the USA
The most popular courses chosen by international students who want to study
in the USA are business and management, engineering, mathematics and computer
sciences. There are over 3,700 colleges and universities in the USA, giving
international students plenty of variety to choose from. Classes are generally
small, and students are expected to contribute to in-class discussion.
Professors meet with students in their offices and even share coffee or meals
with them. The academic year runs from September to May or June.


Explaining undergraduate and graduate study
Colleges and universities are sometimes referred to as 'school' in the USA.
A university is in fact a group of schools, for example, school of law or
graduate school. There are two main types of study: undergraduate and
postgraduate study. Undergraduate programmes lead to associate degrees and
bachelor's degrees. Junior colleges only offer associate degrees, which are two
years in length. Students often transfer to a college or university after
gaining an associate degree to complete a bachelor's degree which takes an
additional two years.

Community colleges also offer two-year college transfer programmes where
students gain a broad base of general knowledge before transferring to university.
At a college or university, the first two years of undergraduate study are
called freshman and sophomore years. The third and fourth years are called
junior and senior years.

In the first two years, students study a variety of subjects, choosing their
'major' field of specialisation when they enter their junior year. In some
institutions they also take a 'minor' field, and in most cases students can
still take elective subjects if they wish. Some students do not specialise in
one field until they reach graduate level. Students gain credits while
studying. One course is awarded credits equal to the number of hours studied
per week, and there are usually three to five credits for one subject. Four or
five courses are expected to be taken by students to make up a full programme
per year.

At undergraduate level, students can transfer from one university to another,
taking the credits they have earned with them. Credits can also be earned at
overseas institutions.

Graduate programmes lead to master's and doctoral degrees. Many master's
courses take one year to complete, although the popular Master of Business
Administration (MBA) takes two years. Doctoral degrees (PhDs) take three or
more years to attain, and can take international students up to six years to
finish. PhD students have to conduct first-hand research and write an in-depth
thesis on a chosen subject.


Scholarships available
There is very little aid available for international students at
undergraduate level in the USA. However, a few individual private schools may
have funds available for particularly able international students. Enquiries
should be addressed to the International Admissions Office at each school to
find out if there are funds available. More assistance is available for postgraduate
students, often in the form of teaching or research assistantships. Contact
individual universities or visit the international education financial
assistance website, http://www.iefa.com/, for more
information on funding your studies in the USA.


Crucial visa info and work rights
Visitor (B-2) visas are required by all students who want to stay in the USA for a limited time, except those from the countries listed below. However, visitor visas are only issued for the primary purpose of tourism or business. Part-time study, or full-time study for a short period, is permitted but this is subject to interpretation by the visa issuing officer. Applications should be made to your nearest US embassy or consulate.

As a full-time student, you will receive an F-1 or M-1 visa. As an exchange visitor,
you will receive a J-1 visa (this is usually for training, research or teaching purposes only).

In order to apply for a visa, you will first need to be accepted at an educational institution, which will normally send you a document called an I-20 form. This is an application for an F-1 visa. The M vis1a is for non-academic or vocational studies.

You will also have to fill in an Application Form DS-156, together with a Form DS-158.
Some applicants may have to fill in Form DS-157.
Take your completed forms and your passport to your local US embassy or
consular official. You will also need to get an 'Affidavit of Support' form
from the embassy or consular and fill it in to prove that you have adequate
financial funds, and show bank statements to this effect. You may also need to
prove that you are in good health. The embassy will then conduct an interview
with you.

All applicants for student visas have to pay a non-refundable application fee
of US$100.

Visitor visa holders are not permitted to work in the USA. However, F-1 visa holders can work for up to 20 hours per week in their first year at the educational institution they are attending.
The money earned from such work will probably not cover living expenses. After
one year, the Immigration and Naturalisation Service INS may give you permission
to accept off-campus employment. Visit the US government website, http://www.travel.state.gov/, for the latest visa information.


Travelling around the USA

Travelling by air can be a cheap and convenient way of getting around the USA,
especially when travelling from coast to coast. Most airlines offer special
discount fares between popular cities. Most also offer standby fares, which can
be less than half the standard fare, but you are not guaranteed a seat. Standby
fares are not usually advertised. You can find out about them through an
airline's ticket office.


Travelling by coach is another inexpensive way of touring the country. Coach
operators, Greyhound and Continental Trailways, both offer low-cost rates for
travellers. Greyhound offers an International Ameripass that is only available
to travellers from outside the USA and Canada, and allows unlimited stopovers
for between four and 60 days. It costs US$135 for a four-day pass. An
International North America CanAm Pass is valid in the USA and Canada for
between 15 and 60 days and costs from US$293 for a 15-day pass.

Amtrak is the main train operator in the country, and again a special discount
rail pass for international travellers is available. This pass is valid for 15
or 30 days and costs from US$295. A Student Advantage Card costs US$20 for a
year and offers students a 15 per cent discount on Greyhound and Amtrak fares.

The USA is, of course, a great country for road-trips, and most Americans would
be lost without a car. Petrol prices are competitive in the USA and hiring a
car is a realistic option for many students over the age of 25. You will need
an international driver's licence.

Average prices
Two-week general English course; US$470
Two weeks' homestay accommodation; US$384
Two weeks' residential accommodation; US$466
One-year independent boarding school fees; US$26,375
One-year independent day school fees; US$17,350
One-year undergraduate tuition fees (state institution); US$7,000- US$15,000
One-year undergraduate tuition fees (private institution); US$13,000- US$29,000
One-year postgraduate tuition fees; US$10,000- US$40,000


Language exams available: Toefl, Toeic



The application process

Once you have decided which school you would like to attend, you need to
contact that institution to enquire about their admission procedures. It is
also a good idea to contact other institutions because a place at your first
choice of school may not be available. Each school will ask you to provide a
completed application form and will usually ask for some or all of the
following: certified transcripts of your academic records (including your
degree if necessary); proof of funding – on a form provided by the university,
which has to be signed by a bank manager or accompanied by bank statements as
requested; letters of recommendation; essays or personal statements; admission
test scores; relevant language proficiency test scores (eg Toefl); and an
application fee of between US$30 and US$100 which is non-refundable. It is
advisable to apply to all institutions as early as possible. You should start
your search for a suitable school one-and-a-half years before you wish to
enrol. Remember that Toefl results can take up to six weeks to be processed and results are valid for two
years so take one as early as possible.



Visa free countries

Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco,
Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, Uruguay.



What are admissions tests?

Admissions tests are standardised tests that are available worldwide and
indicate aptitude and achievement (eg, SAT tests) and are required for entry to
some colleges or universities. There are also tests to measure English language
proficiency (Toefl/Toeic). These tests are taken at official test centres either in the USA or in your
home country and the scores can be mailed directly to the schools that you
indicate on your test form. More information about applying to schools and
admissions tests is available at the website, www.fulbright.co.uk/eas/undergrad/ugguide.html



The US education system

-Kindergarten age 4-6 years
-Primary school age 6-12 school yrs 1-6
-Secondary school: middle school/junior high school age 12-15 years school yrs 7-9
-Senior high school/high school age 16-18 years school yrs 10-12

Private/state college or university or
Two-year college/junior college or
Community college or
Institute of technology or
Technical institute or
Church-related colleges and universities


English language students in the USA
by country of origin 2001

Japan 30%
Korea 21%
Brazil 7.3%
Taiwan 5.6%
Switzerland 5.4%
Germany 3.5%
Italy 3.4%
China 2.5
Colombia 2.5%
Thailand 2.2%
Others 16.6%

Source: Language Travel Magazine



Insurance

Many schools, colleges and universities require international students to buy
health insurance before they arrive, to protect themselves against the very
high cost of medical treatment in the USA.

In addition, most colleges and universities provide free medical examinations
and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses. However, health and accident
insurance is advised in all cases even if the school does not require it. Most
educational institutions offer a comprehensive policy themselves, which
generally costs at least US$500 and covers doctor's visits, medicine,
hospitalisation, surgery, ambulance care, X-rays and laboratory tests. These
policies do not cover dental work or eye examinations and glasses.


International students in higher education in the USA
by country of origin 2001/02

China 18.2%
South Korea 8.3%
India 7.3%
Japan 6.7%
Germany 5.8%
Canada 4.5%
UK 3.9%
Russia 3.6%
France 3.5%
Italy 2.6%
Spain 2.6%
Other 33%

Source: IIE



Addresses

American Association of Intensive English Programmes (AAIEP), 229 North 33rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Tel: +1 21 58955856 Fax: +1 2158955854
Email: aaiep@drexel.edu

UCIEP Central Office, English Language Institute, George Mason University, MS4C4, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA, 22030-4444
Tel: +1 70 39933660 Fax: +1 7039933664
Email: info@uciep.org

Company Commission on English Language Programe Accreditation (CEA)
Terry O'Donnell, 700 South Washington Street, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA, USA VA 22314
Tel: +1 703-159-2070, Fax +1 703 683-8099
E-mail: todonnell@cea-accredit.org

ACCET (Accreditation)
Roger Williams, Continuing Education and Training, 1200 19th Street NW, Washington, DC, USA 20036
Tel: +1 2029551113, Fax: +1 2029551118
E-mail: rjwilliams@accet.org


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