Study in the USA

In the academic year 2022- 23, a record number of 268,923 Indian students chose the USA as their study destination. This was a 35 per cent increase in the number of Indians going to the USA. The country has always been a top preference for those looking to study abroad, and with good reason. Learn more about why and what it means to study at a college or university in the USA.

Why study in the USA?

There are many reasons why Indian students choose the USA as their study destination. The top five are:

1. The USA has some of the world’s best colleges/ universities with global recognition. Harvard, Stanford, and MIT are just some names that are well-known worldwide.
2. The diverse community and student body help you learn about new cultures and develop a global outlook. Excellent support for international students across universities makes settling in and studying in the USA easy.
3. There are many scholarships available to Indian students who can prove their academic excellence. The option to reduce the burden on your finances as you study for a globally recognised degree and certifications is a big reason to choose the USA.
4. With colleges in the USA offering plenty of course options across subjects, you can find the programme you want no matter how unusual your choice of subject is.
5. Experienced, skilled and trained faculty, a very favourable student-teacher ratio and excellent infrastructure ensure that you get a world-class education.

Education system in the USA

For higher education, the USA is a great destination thanks to its education system as well. There are about 4,000 accredited institutions that offer higher education. The best part is that the accreditation comes from independent bodies that compare institutions on a national and regional level, which means the institutions are accredited only on merit.

The study pattern:

Students follow a credit system. You earn credits for the courses you take, and the course completion depends on how many credits you earn. Generally, courses come with Core subjects, which are foundational in nature and majors, which offer specialisations. Those who are interested in other areas can choose electives too.

The different kinds of institutions:

Top universities in the USA

The simplest and most reliable way to identify the top universities in the USA is to look at independent rankings. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings give you a good idea of how various universities fare against each other in the USA. According to the for 2024, these are the top ten institutions in the USA:

Cost of studying in the USA

The cost of studying in the USA depends on what kind of programme you enroll in, which university you are studying at and where you study. Your total expenses usually cover:

Tuition fees: This is the biggest cost that you are going to incur as you study abroad. If you study at a public university, this cost is likely to be much lower than if you opt for a private institution. Approximately $8000 to $60,000 annually is what you could be spending on your tuition fee alone.

Accommodation: Accommodation costs can be reduced if you opt for and get to stay on campus. Off-campus accommodation is more expensive, but you can keep costs under control by sharing a place with other students or choosing a local homestay. Renting an apartment is the least cost-effective option. Expect to pay between USD 6,000 and USD 15,000 a year towards accommodation.

Living expenses: This is another expense that varies depending on which part of the USA you are located in. On average, the cost of living for a single person is around USD 1,070 per month, excluding rent (according to Numbeo).  Some other essential expenses:

• Meal for one: USD 20
• Water (0.33 litre): USD 2.04
• Bread loaf: USD 3.56
• 12 Eggs: USD 3.73
• Milk 1 litre: USD 1.06
• Rice 1 kg: USD 4.53
• Monthly transportation pass: USD 72
• Mobile phone monthly: USD 51.28
• Internet monthly: USD 70.83

Affordable universities in the USA with their tuition fee

The top-ranked universities in the USA may not be affordable for all. However, that does not mean you must give up your dream of studying in the USA. Here are some affordable options to pick from:

Scholarships to study in the USA

A simple way to reduce the financial burden of studying abroad is to get a scholarship approved for your programme. Indian students have several options here, and individual colleges may have their own grant/ scholarship/ financial aid options as well, so check on the college/ university website for these when you apply.  For example, MIT scholarships are open to international and domestic students without reservation, and an impressive 58 per cent of undergraduates at MIT receive this financial aid.

Apart from this, here are some scholarships you should take into consideration:

Fullbright Nehru scholarship: These are for students enrolling in a master’s degree at a college/ university. It covers programmes that are up to two years in duration. This does require work experience as a mandatory requirement and a cut-off on the marks secured in your bachelor’s degree. If you get the scholarship, your visa costs, round trip travel costs to the USA, tuition, living expenses and health cover may all be covered.

You Are Welcome Here scholarship:  The goal of this scholarship is to reiterate that the USA is always welcoming international students. The colleges that are part of this scholarship offer two yearly renewable aids that cover 50 per cent of the tuition fee. Apart from the application, students must send an essay or video about their leadership skills and how they plan to further these.

AAUW scholarships: These are for women students who enroll in full-time graduate or PhD programs in the USA and plan to return home when the course is completed. Women with an excellent academic record get preference. For a first master’s degree, you can get an award of USD 20,000 under the AAUW scholarship scheme.

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation scholarship: The foundation offers scholarships, awards and grants to deserving Indian candidates for studying within India and abroad. Up to USD 100,000 to cover tuition fees, living expenses, healthcare and airfare to the USA. Some popular study areas are not covered by this scholarship, so do check carefully before you apply.

Rotary Global scholarship: This is open to students studying abroad in specific areas outlined by the organization. The aid covers degree programs and courses lasting up to four years. Aid is offered for master’s degrees, as well as professional development certificate courses.

Intakes in the USA

There are three intakes in the USA, two of them being the primary ones.

How to apply to U.S. universities

The first step is to find out when the applications open at the college of your choice for each intake and which offers the programme you are keen on. It is best to shortlist about five to six universities/ programmes and apply to them. Make sure you take the necessary exams (such as English language proficiency tests, and GMAT/ GRE) well in advance, so you have the scores at hand when applying.

Usually, the application needs the following:

• Filled application form
• Test scores
• Transcripts
• Statement of purpose
• CV
• Photos
• Letters of recommendation are also needed, depending on what program you are applying for
• Work experience proof, where applicable
• Proof of finances to fund your stay/ study
• Parental consent letter for minors

Of course, apart from these, you need a valid passport. Take care to verify the application deadlines at each of your shortlisted universities. They may differ, sometimes drastically, so you do not want to miss out on any. Carefully collate all the documents needed for each application and ensure you don’t miss out on anything. The competition for admission at U.S. universities is fierce, and you don’t want an incomplete application to be the reason you miss an opportunity to study abroad.

USA student visa application process

Students need an F or M-type U.S. student visa depending on what kind of programme they are enrolling in and the college or university they attend. An F-type visa is what you will most probably need. The M-type is for vocational and non-academic programmes (although not language programs).

The first step is completed when you apply to your SEVP-approved U.S. college/ school. When your application is approved, you are added to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System or SEVIS. You have to pay a SEVIS fee for the registration. Now you get the Form I-20 from the school/ college. You must present this form at your visa interview, so keep it safe along with the rest of your critical documents.

Once you have your I-20 form, you apply for a student visa with your photos and then pay the application fee.  The next step is to attend your visa interview at the scheduled time.  Let’s get into the details of this step:

• You first complete the online visa application (form DS 160)
• Select the right location from where you will be applying/ attending the interview.
• Several personal details, plus your photograph, are needed for the application form completion.
• When you upload your completed application, you get a confirmation page with a barcode and your application ID. Print this out and take it along with you for the interview.
• Pay the visa application fee. This is also called the MRV fee or Machine-Readable Visa Fee. Keep the receipt carefully, along with other documents.
• Schedule your visa interview appointment either online or by calling your local U.S. embassy/ consulate. Confirmation of this appointment is also one of the papers you must carry to the interview.
• Attend the Visa interview with the necessary documents. Remember that your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the expected stay in the USA.
• At the end of the interview, you're told if anything further needs to be done. You'll also get information on how and when your passport and visa will be returned.

Once you have your visa in hand, you are all set to start preparing for your study abroad adventure in the USA. Ask friends/ relatives who live in the same location or nearby to understand how to pack for the climate and lifestyle there. Get in touch with people who can help once you get there so that your transition to college life in the USA can be smooth and anxiety-free. Remember that the USA is one of the best places for Indian students to study abroad, and colleges/ schools have student support systems to make life easy for newcomers. So do your groundwork and keep up the excitement for entering a brand-new phase of life in the USA.