How to study in USA

 

 How to study in USA

 

Introduction to US higher education

 

US higher education was founded in 1636, as the first college in the British Americas, although this was later split into many separate colleges. Many of these colleges share a common history, and a system of admission tests. They have shared a common currency, the Universal Tuition Payment, which was adopted by most higher education institutions in 1798. The goal of tuition payment is to keep tuition low in an effort to make higher education affordable to all.

 

University of California at Berkeley is perhaps the oldest university in America and is a top destination for international students. Since its founding, in 1868, by Lt. Gov. Leland Stanford, the University of California at Berkeley has become one of the top ten public universities in the United States. Its undergraduate school is renowned for outstanding programs in mathematics and science. In addition, it has a law school that ranks among the top five in the country and has produced a long line of prominent legal figures.

 

One of the foremost American research universities, Columbia University was founded in 1754 and is the leading research university in the United States, producing many Nobel Prize winners. Its graduate school is one of the world’s most renowned. It is known for its liberal arts program, which is ranked third among leading university graduate schools. The school ranks 4th in the United States for research expenditures. As of 2004, there are about 42,000 students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and professional school programs.

 

During World War II, the G.I. Bill funded the majority of higher education in the United States. As a result of this, the American higher education landscape changed significantly. Today, higher education is firmly entrenched in the culture of the United States. With its affordable tuition payment and academic reputation, the country is a top destination for international students. In addition, the nation's system of admission tests has fostered an elite system of higher education.

 

US higher education is set up to be financially affordable for a student to pursue an undergraduate degree in the United States. Tuition is relatively low and is free at most public universities. International students who attend public universities in the United States pay little or no tuition. At private colleges, most fees paid by students are covered by financial aid or other assistance from their parents or their country of origin. At private, nonprofit colleges and universities, the average financial aid award is $32,900 for an international student to study in the United States. About one-third of that comes directly from the student's home country, while the remaining two-thirds comes from the institution. The student is responsible for the remaining $15,500. However, there are financial aid programs and scholarships available to international students at most private institutions. If the student does not come from a wealthy family, the amount of aid available may not cover the full cost of tuition and room and board.

 

Although the country’s system of admission tests makes the transition to higher education in the United States very smooth for many international students, it is not without its complications. American universities have different admission requirements for different races and ethnicities, allowing only a limited number of students to enter each school each year. Admission in the United States is much more competitive than in many other countries. Acceptance into American universities is often the first step to the top of many professions. Graduates of top universities are more likely to find positions at leading law firms, medical facilities, consulting firms and educational institutions. It is important for the student to take a year off in the second half of high school or to live abroad before going to college. American universities take extensive and comprehensive entrance exams, such as the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) and the ACT (American College Testing), as well as an academic interview to determine the students’ potential.

 

Honors programs are the best preparation for preparing for a college level course of study. Some universities, such as Harvard University, have students entering as freshmen without prior experience in school. With its Advanced Placement (AP) program, which provides a college level course for high school students, many students at Harvard are able to enter college as freshmen with limited knowledge of how college works.

 

The U.S. Higher Education System

 

Higher education in the United States is very competitive and rigorous. In many cases, it takes years to finish a graduate degree program, and thousands of dollars must be spent to reach a professional level. For many college students, these costs are out of reach. Although there are many universities in the United States, most universities are part of a bigger higher education system. As a result, students attending some universities cannot choose where they attend school. If a student goes to college in the Midwestern states, he will only have access to the schools in that area. Not all universities in the United States allow international students to attend. Some universities that are nationally ranked such as the University of Pennsylvania, The University of California (UC) Berkeley and Boston University do not accept international students. Other universities, such as Georgetown University and Dartmouth College, have exceptionally diverse international student populations.

 

The U.S. government provides the student with financial aid to help pay for the total cost of his/her education. Under the U.S. government's scholarship and loan program, the student receives a fixed amount of money per year, per academic year for four years, and then must pay interest on the amount of money borrowed during that time. For example, a student who is offered a yearly scholarship of $24,000 for four years at an average tuition cost of $40,000 will have to pay $4,400 in interest per year during the four years, or $1,200 per month. The student must also pay back the total amount of money, or $42,000 at a 6% interest rate, within five years of taking out the loan. To have better control over his/her finances, many students are using school loan repayment programs that are free of charge and have low monthly payments.

 

Competition Among Schools

 

The student who decides to go to school in the United States may think he/she will be surrounded by good friends. However, many students attending university in the United States don't have the opportunity to make close friendships with peers. Many students find that they either have a large amount of classmates and a smaller amount of friends, or that they make many new friends.

 

University students may be very active during the school year and maintain relatively low hours after graduation. The work they put in during the school year allows them to graduate with their bachelor's degree. They often receive a job offer from an employer on the campus of their university, which gives them a head start on securing a job.

 

Student Life at Universities in the United States

 

University life in the United States can be vastly different from other educational systems in the world. All of the students attending college are studying to get a bachelor's degree, which is the highest educational achievement in the United States. This goal is what motivates many students to continue with their education.

 

University students are usually focused on their studies and don't have many outside interests. After graduation, students continue to put in a lot of work because most do not get to continue working at their previous jobs.

 

Hiring and Internship Opportunities

 

Some students who are passionate about their field are able to secure work, either through co-ops or internships. Co-ops typically last for a few months and students who are part of the organization are given additional responsibilities and are allowed to go abroad to perform research. Internships, however, can be very challenging for some students because the companies hiring students have rigid policies and hiring managers often have very high standards for who they will hire. For example, many of the employers are startups or technology firms, which have few openings. Interns at these companies often have little interaction with the company's founders or other top-level staff. On the other hand, many interns have access to the office where the founders work, and sometimes even the CEO. For many internships, an assignment may also be the chance to learn a new skill, or work on a project that has the potential to grow into a full-time role.

 

Who Hires University Students ?

 

There are a few different industries where students may be hired. Most employers hire university students for several different reasons. However, for every profession, there is an ideal candidate who can perform at a high level.

 

All professions have several criteria for who they are looking to hire. A high school student is not going to have enough experience or knowledge of a certain field. Employers are often looking for university students who have earned a bachelor's degree in the chosen field.

 

Employers may also be looking for students who are already in the workforce. For example, someone who has already completed a degree in accounting may be well qualified to work as an accountant.

 

Finally, some employers may be looking for people who have strong communication skills, so they are looking for students who already have a working knowledge of several languages. Many colleges now offer bilingual and multilingual classes, which can be extremely useful for employment in various jobs.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Graduating from university and entering the workforce can be challenging, especially for students who want to travel and live abroad. If you are a high school student who plans to attend college in the United States, you can expect a rigorous schedule and an even more demanding career, as well as a high cost of living.

 

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