Study in the USA Guide for International Students

1. Overview USA:TheWorld’s Top International StudyDestination

2. USA HIGHLIGHTS All you need to know about pursuing higher studies in the USA as an international student. As Your Study Destination Average Cost of Study $45,000/ year Language of Instruction English Average Cost of Living $10,000- $20,000/ year Type of Visa F1,J1and M1visas Sources of Funding Scholarships, aid and part time jobs Exams Required IELTS,TOEFL, PTE, GRE, GMAT, etc. Types of Degrees Associate, Graduate (Master’s), Undergraduate (Bachelor’s), Doctoral (PhD) Intakes 3 times a year – Fall, Spring and Summer Top Courses Engineering & Technology, Fine Arts Business & Management, Physical and Life Sciences etc Best Cities for Students New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, Washington DC, etc. *Note: Above mentioned are approximate figures actuals may vary.

3. Why the USis a Great Study Destination 1 . 1million international students join US universities every year Some of the world's top educational institutions are located here Degrees from US universities are respected the world over World-class STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics) programs Highly-regarded literature-arts and related programs Top Benefits of Studying in USA Flexible Curriculum: The higher education system in the USA allows students a lot of scope in choosing courses and program structure. 01 High Demand in the Job Market: Students from top US universities who learn under their world-leading faculty have great job prospects 02 Access to Advanced Research & Training Opportunities. USuniversities are equipped with cutting-edge technologies & lab facilities, giving students access to world-class instruction, research, and training. 03 Thriving Student Life: UScollege & university campuses offer a wide range of extracurricular activities. 04 *Note: Above mentioned are approximate figures actuals may vary.

4. 2 Top Courses Engineering & Technology Social Science Business & Management Medicine Marine Biology & LifeSciences Liberal Arts Maths & Computer Science Law

5. Most Popular USStudy Programs: Average Tuition Fees Program Duration BSc Nursing (BSN) 4 years $45,000/ year MBBS (BS + MD + Residency) 8-10 years $40,000/ year MPH 1to 2 years $50,000/ year 1to 2 years $50,000/ year MSc Computer Science 1to 2 years $70,000/ year MSc Data Science 2 years $35,000/ year MA Applied Economics 2 years $70,000/ year MBA 1years $60,000/ year LLM Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences 1years $57,590/ year Geophysics $2,77,550/ year 5 years 4 years $24,532/ year Journalism 3 years $45,000/ year Business Administration 2 years $3,860/ year Biophysics *Note: Above mentioned are approximate figures actuals may vary.

6. USDegrees You Can Get There are about 4,500 accredited higher educational institutions in USA‘s higher education system that offer three types of degree: Associate Degree This is equivalent to a diploma Undergraduate Degree This is a Bachelor’s degree Offered by community colleges Course duration: 4 years Course duration: 2 years Graduate Degree Doctorate Degree This is a Master’s degree Duration: 5-8 years Course duration: 2-3 years Different Types of Institutions of Higher Education in USA: Types of Institutions Key Points Subsidised by the local or state government State College or University Run by private groups or organisations Private College or University Offers 2 year associate degrees or certificates Community College Offers graduate & short-terms programs in science & technology Institute of Technology

7. The Credit System in USAcademics All US universities follow the same credit system. The credits that a student earns during the course are taken into consideration to calculate the final result. Bachelor’s Degree Requirements: 3-5 credits per course 120-130 credit hours (approx.) to complete a bachelor's degree GPA(Grade Point Average) System: Scale from 0.0 to 4.0 Grades for a semester are calculated based on: The marks for each course The credits for that semester. A 4.0 represents an A grade and 0.0 is equivalent to an Fgrade. Master’s Course Requirements: 3-4 credits per course 30-64 credit hours (approx.) to complete a master's degree

8. Top 10Universities in USA (with 2023 QS Ranking & Annual Tuition Fees) Massachusetts Institute of Technology $50,000- $55,000 1 Stanford University $25,000- $55,000 2 Harvard University $25,000- $51,000 3 California Institute of Technology $44,000- $57,000 4 University of Chicago $55,000 - $59,000 5 University of Pennsylvania $60,000 - $62,000 6 Princeton University $58,000 - $60,000 7 Yale University $58,000 - $78,000 8 Cornell University $56,000 - $58,000 9 Columbia University $56,000 - $60,000 10 *Note: Above mentioned are approximate figures actuals may vary.

9. Admission Process The requirements to study in USAfor Indian (international) students can be completed online. The admission process is discussed step-by-step below 2. After shortlisting the universities, check the requirements & eligibility criteria for each university on its official website. 1 . Decide the course you want to pursue and start searching for the best universities that offer the course. 3. Start the application process. Fill the application form, upload all required documents certificates. Pay the application fees. 4. Wait for the universities to revert. Once selected, you will be sent an I-20 form. It is the document that you need to acquire your student visa. and The US admission process can be a long and complicated task. Selecting the right university can also be quite tricky. To simplify these crucial steps for yourself, please contact our career counsellors at GlobalDreamz.

10. Admission Requirements Associate Degree 01 High school transcript or equivalent with an average of C grade TOEFL iBT score 60 Bachelor’s Degree 02 12th standard certificate with minimum GPA of 3. 60 TOEFL – 60 + SOP ACT/ SAT Master’s Degree 03 Bachelor’s degree with minimum CGPA 2.50 TOEFL – 80+ SOP, LORs, CV GRE/ GMAT

11. Cost of Studies The overall cost of studying in USA can be divided into two categories (i) Tuition Fees and (ii) Cost of Living. Cost of Living The cost of living for international students depends on: (i) The type of living (ii) Some unavoidable costs. Note: If you have a tight budget, opt for student accommodation. Apartment housing including utilities $21,710 $8,500 Food $7,588 - $11,914 Dormitory housing $2,180 Transportation Books and supplies $13,800 Miscellaneous $1,000 *Note: Above mentioned are approximate figures actuals may vary.

12. Tuition Fees The tuition fees depend on: (i) Your university Note: Public university fees are much lower than private ones. (ii) Your course Degree Type Average Annual Tuition Fee Bachelors $8,000 - $40,000 Masters $10,000 - $60,000 Best Cities for Students With more than 50 states hosting world famous universities, the USA offers many great options in terms of education and exposure: City Average Cost of Living Boston $22,000/ year Chicago $20,000/ year New York $21,000/ year Los Angeles $20,000/ year San Francisco $20,000/ year *Note: Above mentioned are approximate figures actuals may vary.

13. Visa Here’s a step-by-step guide for Indian students to get a US student visa. Ifyou follow it carefully, you will get your visa without any hassles Apply to an SEVP approved institution and be accepted by a Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) approved school in the US(6 to 12 months prior to US study). 01 After being accepted at an SEVP certified institution you will receive an I-20 or DS-160 form. The form is a must to apply for an USA student visa. 02 Pay your SEVIS fee at least 3 days prior to submitting your US visa application. You may make the payment through online or a paper form. The information about them can be accessed through US Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) SEVP official website. 03 Once you have received your SEVIS form and paid the SEVIS fee, you can book an appointment with a US consulate or embassy in your country for a US student visa application. 04 Pay the visa application fee. It is also known as the Machine Readable Visa Fee, or ‘MRV fee’. 05 The last step is to schedule & attend a USA student visa interview. Go to the embassy or consulate website and check for all required documents that you need to carry to the interview. 06 In all cases you’ll need to complete the visa application form DS-160 through online mode. Select the location from which you wish to apply & ensure you have all the documents & information required for the application form. 07

14. Name and date of birth Address and contact number Documents & Personal Details Required for the DS-160 Visa Form Passport details Details of previous US travel Your point of contact in the US Family, work & education details Details of travel plans, & travel companions Security, background and medical health information SEVISID& address of US school/ program you intend to enrol in (as printed on I-20 or DS-2019 form) Reach your center at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled time of visa interview

15. Top Scholarships International students are offered many scholarships to study in USA. Most of them are based on merit or excellence in any extra co-curricular activity. They may be government-funded or non-government ones, and also university-specific ones as well. Some top scholarships for indian students to study in USA: Fulbright Foreign Student Program Awarded to: International Students for Graduate programs Amount/ Benefit: Covers tuition fees, accommodation fee, health insurance and airfare. United World Colleges International Youth Scholarships Awarded to: International students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the USA. Amount/ Benefit: Full or partial fee waiver depending on the funds available. Rotary Peace Fellowships Awarded to: International students pursuing a Certificate Program or Masters’ Degree related to peace and conflict resolution. Amount/ Benefit: Covers fees, accommodation, transportation, and all internship and field-study expenses.

16. PEOInternational Peace Scholarship ForWomen Awarded to: Female students pursuing graduate programs. Amount/ Benefit: $12,500 Clark Global Scholarship Program Awarded to: International students pursuing a bachelor’s degree and demonstrating financial need. Amount/ Benefit: $15,000-$25,000 Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships Awarded to: Students for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programs. Amount/ Benefit: $12,000-$25,000 University Scholarships Awarded to: Fully-funded scholarships offered by individual universities for both graduate and undergraduate programs. Most universities including Stanford, Yale, Harvard offer these scholarships Amount/ Benefit: Varies with the university and program GlobalDreamz can also help you secure loans for your studies at very reasonable rates. For information about how to secure loans for your studies abroad, please contact our counsellors . *Note: Above mentioned are approximate figures actuals may vary.

17. Work Opportunities If you have a student visa, you can opt for a part-time job in the US and work for 20 hours work per week There are two types of student employment: on-campus & off-campus. On campus jobs are within the college/university campus. Off-campus jobs are in other places affiliated to the institution Students can undertake off-campus jobs under 4 categories: (i) Optional Practice Training (OPT), (ii) Curricular Practical Training (CPT), (iii) Economic Hardship and (iv) International Organizations. Some popular part-time student jobs in USA $14 Library Assistant $17 Research Assistant $12 Tutor $13 Campus Tour Guide Department Assistant $16 Food Runner $12 Receptionist $13 *Note: Above mentioned are approximate figures actuals may vary.

18. Post Study Work Options For International Students In USA Most international students in USA hold the F-1,non-immigrant student visa. This allows them to take up good lines of work in the USA after completing their degree studies (i) Depending on the course & (ii) In accordance with United States Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) guidelines and restrictions. Job Outlook for International Students after Studies: Area of Specialisation - Management Median Annual Salary - $144,830 01 Area of Specialisation - Computer Science Median Annual Salary - $126,830 02 Area of Specialisation - Chemical Engineering Median Annual Salary - $108,540 03 04 Area of Specialisation - Statistics/Data Science Median Annual Salary - $103,930 Area of Specialisation - Electrical & Electronics Engineering Median Annual Salary - $100,830 05 *Note: Above mentioned are approximate figures actuals may vary.

19. USWork (H-1B) Visa & PR Once their F1student visa extensions are over, students can live and work in the US on an H-1Bwork visa for up to 6 years. Students wanting to stay in the USfor more than 6 years can apply for a green card to get permanent residency (PR). Students on F1 visas are eligible to apply for a green card if they: Receive Employer Sponsorship Marry a US citizen Seek Asylum Participate in military service Receive parent or child sponsorship Having a green card allows individuals to apply for good jobs in the US. Education at reputed US universities, and working and residing in the US, can be truly life-changing. The positive impact of these experiences can help you flourish in both the personal and professional spheres and achieve your long-term life and career goals. Our professional services can help make your journey to study abroad USA easy. Feel free to reach out to GlobalDreamz Counsellors today!

20. FAQ When does the academic season in the USbegin? Ans: The academic year usually runs from August through May. Most universities have a semester system (two terms), but some have a trimester system (three terms). 1 Is it possible to apply for Masters with a three-year Bachelors? Ans: Most top universities require 4 years of undergraduate study. But there are some universities (Even good ones) that accept three years. The best option is to check the eligibility criteria for your shortlisted university. 2 Which English language test should I choose? Ans: US universities generally accept both TOEFL and IELTS. 3 Which term? Fall or spring has better internship opportunities? Ans: Fall has more internship opportunities. Students who enroll in spring can’t fulfill the 9-month enrolment critereon for companies. 4 Where is the end date of CPTmentioned? Ans: Itis mentioned in the I-20 form. CPT needs to be a part of studies. 5

21. How to get on-campus jobs in the U.S? Ans: You should be proactive in terms of networking & volunteering. Reach out to the university's career center for a job. Getting tips from experienced seniors also helps. 6 While applying to on-campus jobs, what should I avoid mentioning in my resume? Ans: Your date of birth, religious preference, nationality, passport number, and home address should not be mentioned in the resume. 7 Do I need to be careful about how long I work under CPT? Ans: Yes, you should. If you work part-time under CPT for less than 12 months, you can still apply for OPT. However, if you have been working full time under CPT for 12months or more, you lose your eligibility for an OPT. 8 Can I get my OPTafter coming back to the USfrom my home country? Ans: No,if you did not get an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) before leaving, you will not be allowed to take up OPT after returning. 9 What documents do I need to come back to the US after receiving my EADfor OPT? Ans: valid passport, valid F-1visa, valid EADcard, letter of employment including dates and salary, & all I-20s with page 3 endorsed to travel by the student's international student advisor in the last 6 months. 10

22. Can I work for more than 12months through OPT? Ans: Students can apply for an additional 24-month extension of the OPT program if (i) They are employed by companies under the E-Verify program or (ii) Are studying any of the following subjects: Actuarial Science, Computer Science Applications, Engineering, Engineering Technologies, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Military Technologies, Physical Sciences, and other STEMDesig- nated Degree Programs 1 1 Why is labor condition attestation (LCA) required for H-1B visas? Ans: Itensures that you get salaries and benefits at par with your American counterparts and you are not exploited by US companies. 12 Will I be able to fit into USculture as an international student? Ans: US universities welcome international students with open arms. They provide great support with offices for international students and clubs for students from each country. The activities and student clubs provide ways for you to enjoy life on campus and integrate with others. Your exposure to different cultures and types of people will help you grow as an individual. 13 Is the U.S. education system flexible? Ans: You have the flexibility of working and pursuing extra-curricular activi- ties while pursuing your course. Also, you can take up night classes if it isn't feasible for you to take classes during the day (if, for example, you have a job, or a child that you need to care for). 14