I'd like to come study in the US. But where do I start?
Posted Mar 9, 2009, 9:38 AM UTC
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You should contact the international center at the university you want to attend. They should have advisers that can answer your questions and they'll probably be the ones who issue your I-20 student document. I work at the international center at the University of Missouri--didn't think I would actually pick up some useful information at work :)
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Where to start...hmmm...
I would say think of somewhere else to go.
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I have always wanted to study in the US, but I have no idea how to go about it. I'm 23 in full time employment as an IT Support Engineer, I completed Seconday School and College and attended University for two years before dropping out due to time and money constraints.
I want to resume my studies and gain a degree but the idea of studying at a University in America is quite appealing. Apart from grade requirements and course fees I have no idea where to go about applying for a Student Visa or contacting the correct authorities for access to the US for education purposes. If I was to tell the truth the prospect of becoming a US citizen is also something I would like to look in to, but one step at a time.
So I call on you, Reddit. If anyone has any information on how to go about getting a student visa and enrolment at a US university, anything that you may think would be useful, please post so I can investigate things further.
(Oh and I was thinking of the University of Maryland but I think the course I wanted has been discontinued)
I studied in Europe but completed my Master's thesis at a well-known US university. If you have money and a good degree studies in the US are accessible, otherwise things get a little tricky. I got lucky and was able to join a scholarship program, but that has some setbacks (more later).
Your visa is step 571 in a 3451-step process :) First you need to take the SAT/GRE and language tests and whatnot. Then you need to apply to the universities. Then you need to be admitted to a US university that will act as a sponsoring school.
Just a couple of things from my experience:
US undergraduate studies are not necessarily on par with comparable programs in other countries. US graduate schools on the other hand are great. If you have a degree go straight to grad school in the US. It might be worth an extra year to complete your degree in your home country. Don't waste your time and money on undergrad studies in the US.
the visa application process is a bitch. You need tons of papers and you have to submit them in the right order.
Money is a major issue. Unless you are lucky enough to be accepted for a Ph.D. position, be prepared to spend a lot of money on your studies.
If your home country pays for your studies the "2 year rule" prevents you from working in the US during two years.
US citizenship is still many many years away.
Exchange programs are the easiest way in. Go for a degree in your home country and study in the US. You won't get a US degree, however, if you are bright, work hard and get to know the professors, you will be asked to consider a Ph.D. A master's degree is not a straight ticket to the US; you still have to work hard to get a H-1B visa, but a Ph.D. opens many doors.
Good luck!
Maybe go to www.usastudentvisa.org
I would suggest heading toward the west coast instead of the East (sorry, to all of you in the east coast).
I live in Oregon and it is a wonderful and very diverse place to be.
Just my suggestion.
Good luck! : )
Thats perfect. Thank you!
Yeah I was thinking west coast as well, my friend studied in San Diego for a year and he had a fantastic time. Still a long way off so I have time to check out the Universities.
Where are you from?
Short version: If your degree is equivalent to a 4-year college program then you can apply to a graduate program, phd or masters is up to you. Go to the department of your interest's webpage, most likely there will be a page for Admissions/Prospective students. Follow the application process (take GRE exams, TOEFL if you're non-English native speaker, line up references...).
After you receive admission, the visa process will be followed up by instructions from your graduate program and school. Good luck! (sorry if you already know about this)
A lot of the admission pages request full transcripts of secondary school/college work as well.
Does that mean any work done at all? or is it copies of test papers taken/coursework done?
Your original school's provost should be able to issue you an official transcript (it will list all the classes you've taken, and it has the school's official seal etc...), and usually universities will only accept the official copy.