When we asked Americans how they would define the American way of life, they answered repeatedly: hectic, dynamic, fast, multicultural and full of opportunities. America is a land of world-known universities and business schools, such as Harvard and Columbia; famous cities like the Big Apple and L.A., natural wonders like the Grand Canyon and Yosemite national park. It is a place where excellent educational and job opportunities are at a student’s feet. The land of opportunity… if you have the incentive and the will to work hard, the success is almost guaranteed.
Their liberal arts education is the very reflection of the American culture: a little bit of everything combined together to form a new culture - your culture. Life on campus and a plethora of extracurricular activities form a student world that one might see in the movies. Various associations give you the opportunity to have your voice heard and to gain some valuable experience. Educational options allow you to formulate your own curriculum by choosing classes that you wish to take, while living on campus allows you to meet new people and make great friends.
Studying in the USA brings you one step closer to living the American dream- achieving your goals and living your life to its fullest. Fluency in English, work experience from internships and on-campus work, and competence in multicultural environments are only a few valuable assets that you will attain while studying in the USA. You will meet new people and explore new places, giving you an experience that will always remain as an unforgettable adventure.
Local Information:
Population Inhabitants: 290 million Languages, dialects, religions, minorities, majority etc: America is a "salad bowl" of cultures. It is only in America that one can be Italian-American, Irish-American, Spanish-American, African-American and so on. In almost all major cities you will find cultural communities forming a city within a city; such as Chinatown, little Italy, El Bario etc. There is no official national language, but English is the accepted un-official national language. In some areas in the big cities, however, it is hard to find signs and writings in anything but Spanish or Chinese. The major religions are Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Judaism and a growing eastern-influenced spiritualism particularily in the West and East. Hence, the "salad bowl" of American culture is specially particular since the American culture is made up of all cultures and prides itself on it. It will be impossible to not blend in and feel as if you do not belong here, since American people tend to be very friendly and open to all cultures and people.
Student Population
Number of students: total population of school enrollment: over 69 million with an expected growth of between 85 and 150,000 every year. Number of foreign students: over 514,000 Student origin: Canada, various countries in Europe, Mexico, Turkey, (over 54% from Asia)China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, India and over 150 other countries Country Capital: Washington DC. Population: 543,213 (1996). Major Cities: Nineteen other cities have a population larger than that of Washington, DC. New York is the largest city, with a population of over twenty million. Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, San Diego, Phoenix and Dallas have estimated populations in the millions. Main university cities : Boston, New Haven, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Berkeley, San Francisco, Standford, Los Angeles …
Local information Culture and People: Covering a large part of the American continent, the United States of America shares borders with Canada to the north and Mexico to the south and has coasts on the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. One of the largest countries in the world, the USA has an enormous diversity of geographical features. The climate ranges from subtropical to Arctic, south to north respectively, with a corresponding breadth of flora and fauna. The continental United States can be divided into several regions based on climate. In New England, the Middle Atlantic, the Midwest and eastern regions of the West, as well as Alaska to the north, winters can be cold, with extended periods in which the temperature stays below zero degrees centigrade. In these regions, summers are mild. In the South and Southwest regions, summers may be hot, and winters mild. In the Northwest and Southwest year-round temperatures are more nearly uniform. Certain parts of the states of Washington and Oregon have a rainy season and a dry season. But no matter rainy or dry, American people are very friendly and extremely welcoming to foreigners. Do not forget: America is a land of foreigners and immigrants. Thanksgiving and 4th of July are holidays when families get together and celebrate their union. Very soon, you will find that you also have your American family, be it the university family, your friend’s or your host’ family.
Currency $ 1= 0.93295 Euro Country code (phone): +1 Dial access (to call abroad):011
Cost of Living :
The cost of living varies drastically from city to city, state to state and type of accommodation. In general, although exceptions are frequent, living costs are lowest in the South and Southwest regions and highest in large cities and in New England.
Urban, rural and suburban campuses offer different advantages and pose separate problems. Be sure to weigh advantages and disadvantages, and choose an area where you will feel most comfortable.
A student usually has an opportunity of on-campus housing accommodation that is convenient due to its proximity to school, facilities offered and an opportunity to mingle with other students. Living alone off-campus has its advantages as well: i.e. your own freedom and proximity to city. This freedom however has a price. It will usually cost more to live off-campus. Many students spend their freshmen year on-campus and later when they are already familiar with the city and people, decide to share apartments in the city with friends.
Since the cost of living varies from location to location, it is only possible to give you a rough estimate of what your stay in the United states may cost.
Personal expenses: about $1,500-2,500 per academic year
Room and board rent per academic year (usually 9 months): $2,200-5,500; some of these might require extra furnishing like lamps, sheet, towels etc. which might cost up to $100-150. Housing off-campus
Hotel accommodations: $ 25-100 per night Single furnished room: $150-350 per month Furnished one bedroom apartment: $200-600 (depending on the size and area of the city this is for basic apartments with basic furniture and draperies; larger or luxury apartments cost much more) Unfurnished Apartments: $150-500 per month ( but the cost of buying the furniture might well exceed the cost of renting furnished apartments) Meals: students living off campus often purchase meal tickets for dining halls; these range from $1000-1800. If you have your own kitchen, shopping for food is convenient and the food bill per month for one person runs from $150-250. Bus/Metro Ticket: 80c to $1
Transportation cost varies; if you live on-campus, you may have fewer or no transportation costs. If you live off-campus you may budget for a bicycle or a car. Price of gas: $1.45 per gallon, $15 to fill up the tank Hamburger: $1-5 in fast food restaurant, $5-10 in a normal restaurant Coca Cola: $1.50 (but beware, medium Coke in the US is extra large in Europe) Coffee:$1-$5 (with free refills in many cafés and diners) Daily paper: 50c for local paper and up to $1.5 for national paper Movies: $9 Nightclub: $20-50 Jeans: $15-40
Organization :
Your choice of the university or the business schools will be influenced by either the geography of the US (live by the beach or in the mountains, north in New England, south in Florida…) on the level and type of study (undergraduate, graduate, liberal arts, medicine, law…) or the cost and financial aid opportunities. But no matter where you go in the US, education is a special part of your life. Aside from team work in the classroom, individualism is strongly encouraged through liberal curriculum that you form on your own (with the help of your advisor) and the responsibility you are taught to take and assume in work. The smaller the institution is, the more personal the relationship is with your advisor and professors. The bigger the institution, the greater the chances for on-campus employment and career centers.
Tuition: University studies are not free. The price varies from state to state and institution to institution. The price can be from $4,050 to more than $19,000 per year. Usually community colleges are less expensive that Universities. The approximate rate is $7,800 for 2-year colleges and $18,237 for 4-year colleges per school year. An MBA degree, for example, may cost anywhere from $8,000 to $22,000 plus room and board. These are prices for in-state students. Prices however may be significantly higher for non- resident, international students. Each institution lists their fees in their brochures. For one year of university in the U.S.A you should have a total budget(school, lodging, food, living) somewhere between $15,000 and $38,000.
Additional fees: fees for academic entrance examinations and English proficiency examinations: $20-75 per examination
Main schools and universities
Well-reputed and recognized institutions are chosen by a variety of criteria. From academic reputation score, to percentage in graduates’ GPA, acceptance rate to student/faculty ratio, graduates’ employment, alumni giving rate, financial residence etc. However, there is no uniform formula to calculate the best school. It's up to you, the student, to carefully examine and decide on your goals and needs, and investigate which institution provides facilities and opportunities for you at what cost. This is the only way to decide which well-reputed school is the best choice for you. However there are many lists and books with various criteria for ranking that you can use to organize your criteria and narrow your choice.
Admission Requirements:
Undergraduate Admissions Examinations
Language proficiency: Many colleges and universities require all applicants to take one or more academic entrance examinations in addition to TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Two-year colleges usually require only TOEFL. To determine your level of English language proficiency, arrange to take the TOEFL as early as possible --at least a year before you plan to enroll. The total score is 300. Most institutions require a score of around 250 on the TOEFL examination for academic admission. A few accept scores as low as 200; selective institutions may require 280 or above. Scores of 290 or above may also be required in fields such as journalism or literature, which demand a higher than average proficiency in English.
These tests are standardized, multiple choice tests that require a high degree of English proficiency. Some also require mathematical skills or in-depth knowledge of content related to the field of study. To obtain information about these examinations, consult your advising center.
To find out if you need to take one or more of these entrance examinations, consult reference books at the advising center. These reference books also give ranges of the score levels of successful applicants. There are no passing or failing grades on these examinations, but your score will have an effect on the overall competitiveness of your application.
These tests are only one of the factors in the evaluation of a foreign student's record. Admissions officers are aware that you may be taking the examinations in a language other than your native tongue, and they will take this into account.
Graduate Admissions Examinations (Masters …) After finishing four years of undergraduate education, in the US or elsewhere in the world,and attaining your B.A. degree, you may apply to enroll in graduate school. The excellence of your grades, especially in the domain you wish to study, is a must and will heavily influence the choice and possibility of your acceptance. Therefore, your choice of whether or not you will go to graduate school should be made well in advance before you graduate. All graduate schools require entrance exams, either GRE (Graduate Record Examination), GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test), LSAT (Law School Admission Test) or MCAT for Medical School. All further information regarding these tests can be found on the official website: www.kaplan.com
Diploma equivalences: There are official institutions and web sites that, for a fee, do credential and grades translations. Most, however not all, universities, especially graduate schools, will require your grades and diplomas to be translated into the American system. For information on these institutions and where to find them in your own country, contact the the Department of State-Affiliated Educational Advising Centers whose addresses and contacts can be found at: http://exchanges.state.gov/education/advise/asaeacs.htm or www.wes.org
Visa Information:
Tourist visa/Student visa A visa is necessary for visits longer than four weeks. Consult the consular section at the nearest United States embassy or consulate as early as possible to determine the specific procedures and documents necessary to apply for a non-immigrant (F-1) student visa. These may differ from country to country.
The following documentation is required for ALL visa applicants:
- Passport, valid for at least six months after the date you plan to leave
- Visa application form
- A photograph, 5 cm by 5 cm, with your signature in English on the back
- Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant F-1 Student Status (Form 1-20 A-B)
- Affidavit of financial support form and evidence of support
- Evidence of English language ability
- Such documents as would tend to demonstrate (1) the purpose of your trip, and (2) to provide proof of your intention to leave the United States after your temporary stay. For instance:
Professional/business ties as shown by: pay slips or bank statements from the past three months, employment contract, or tax returns. Family ties as shown by: marriage certificate, birth certificate Medical necessity as shown by: doctor's statement with proof of medical insurance or financial capacity. Other ties outside of the U.S. as shown by: rental agreement, social security benefits, etc. Prior travel to the US, and back, as shown by: prior visas in old passports, or photocopies thereof.
Student Visas F1 Visa
The F1 visa applies to students who have been admitted to an American university for full-time courses or language study. You should ask for the F1 visa only after you have been admitted to the university. For entry into the United States, the institution endorsed on the visa and the institution you plan to attend must be the same.
To apply for an F-1 student visa, present the above documents to a U.S. consular officer. The consular officer usually interviews applicants and will examine your documents and review your educational plans. Although the visa application process normally is not time-consuming, it is a good idea to apply early. Any questions that might arise about your qualification to receive a visa can be dealt with without delaying your departure.
You will be required to fill out an I-20 form(certificate of eligibility). Note: The I-20 Form is not a visa, nor does it guarantee a visa. Be sure that you have read the form before you go to the interview and have completed any statements required of you.
The holder of the F1 visa is not allowed to work off-campus for the first year of studies. The second year of studies, however, the holder is allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week.
Cost of visa: $ 45 J1 Visa
The J1 visa applies to students who study in the U.S. on an exchange or scholarship program. On-campus work is automatically authorized(i.e. researcher, intern, assistant etc.). Cost of visa: $65 to $110 M1 Visa
The M1 visa applies to students who have been admitted into an American university as a full-time student for technical or professional studies during a limited time of one year. The holder of the M1 visa is not allowed to work at all while there. Working Visa
Immigration in the United States is regulated by very strict laws and national quotas. As everyone knows, the famous "Green Card" is very difficult to get(it allows one to live and work in the United States for an unlimited amount of time).
For a temporary stay there exists many other types of visas(for temporary work) that correspond to specific situations:
Visa Type
Description
H1A
Registered nurses for temporary employment
H1B
Persons in specialty occupations that require a college or advanced degree; artists, entertainers, athletes and fashion models of distinguished merit and ability (may include persons assisting in their performances)
H2A
Temporary or seasonal agricultural workers
H2B
Persons filling temporary jobs that cannot be filled by US citizens or residents
H3
Professional job trainees in an American company or in the US office of a foreign company
I
Representatives of foreign information media, representatives of a foreign tourist bureau, or film crew members holding professional journalism credentials and intending to work on news or non-commercial documentaries
L
Managers or executives of multinational corporations, transferred to the company's US office, that have a minimum of one years experience with the company
O
Persons of sustained national or international acclaim in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics, coming to the US to work or perform in their field of achievement
P
Entertainers and athletes coming for specific competitions or performances, or who are participating in a reciprocal exchange program between the US and their country. This also includes those performing in culturally unique programs
Q
Participants in an international cultural exchange program for the purpose of explaining or sharing their country's culture
Forms/Procedures: For each of the above visa categories, you must have a valid job offer and, before any visa can be issued, your employer in the US must first file Form I-129 (Petition for Non-Immigrant Worker) with the US Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Once approved, the employer is sent Form I-797("Notice of approval"), as no work visa can be issued without this approved petition form. When you apply for your work visa, you must present the ORIGINAL Form I-797 to the consular officer. The approval of a petition does not guarantee visa issuance to an applicant found ineligible under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
When we asked Americans how they would define the American way of life, they answered repeatedly: hectic, dynamic, fast, multicultural and full of opportunities. America is a land of world-known universities and business schools, such as Harvard and Columbia; famous cities like the Big Apple and L.A., natural wonders like the Grand Canyon and Yosemite national park. It is a place where excellent educational and job opportunities are at a student’s feet. The land of opportunity… if you have the incentive and the will to work hard, the success is almost guaranteed. 
The cost of living varies drastically from city to city, state to state and type of accommodation. In general, although exceptions are frequent, living costs are lowest in the South and Southwest regions and highest in large cities and in New England.
Tourist visa/Student visa