Index

Objective:

To provide IDP US counselling staff with an overview of USA education.

Topics covered:

- Geography of USA
- Institutions
- Types of degrees
- Intakes
- Structure of US education
- Types of universities
- Rankings
- Accreditation
- Fee Structure
- Scholarships
- Programs offered & entry requirements – UG
- Programs offered & entry requirements – PG
- Decision – Post application process
- Visa process
- Visa document checklist

Note: Please do not share this document with the student. This is for our internal reference only.
 INFORMATION ON US EDUCATION

Geography

U.S. consists of 50 states which are divided into 4 regions. Capital of U.S. – Washington D.C.

Northeast South Midwest West

DC - Washington, DC VA – Virginia OH – Ohio OK – Oklahoma
MD – Maryland WV – West Virginia IN – Indiana TX – Texas
DE – Delaware NC – North Carolina MI – Michigan NM – New Mexico
NJ – New Jersey SC – South Carolina IL – Illinois WY – Wyoming
PA – Pennsylvania GA – Georgia WI – Wisconsin MT – Montana
NY – New York FL – Florida MN – Minnesota ID – Idaho
CT – Connecticut KY – Kentucky IA – Iowa UT – Utah
MA – Massachusetts TN – Tennessee MO – Missouri NV – Nevada
RI – Rhode Island AL – Alabama ND – North Dakota AZ – Arizona
VT – Vermont MS – Mississippi SD – South Dakota CA – California
NH – New Hampshire AR – Arkansas NE – Nebraska OR – Oregon
ME – Maine LA – Louisiana KS – Kansas WA – Washington
AK – Alaska
HI – Hawaii

Map
Institutions

There are a total of 4,474 Accredited U.S. Universities

 Public Universities – 1,671
 Private Universities – 2,803
(Source: U.S. Department of State 2009)

Types of Degrees

Associate Degree: Associate degree programs are offered at two-year colleges known as junior or
community colleges
Undergraduate or Bachelor Degrees: The bachelor’s degree typically takes four years to complete.
They are offered in Colleges, universities and Institutes
Graduate or Masters Degree: The duration of master’s courses may range from a year to two
depending on the university & area of specialization.
Phd Program: Duration of the same may range from 3 years to 5 years. Students can take admission
for a PhD only after completion of their master's degree.

Intakes

US universities have 3 intakes:

1. Spring: January/February
2. Fall: August/September (Major Intake)
3. Summer: April/May

Structure of U.S. Higher Education

Rankings
In U.S. there are no official ranking. Most of the rankings are done by private organizations. It is
important to understand the parameter on which rankings are done. The student should be
suggested that rankings should be taken as reference and it is important not to rely completely on
them.
Website for U.S. Rankings: www.usnews.com; www.rankings.ft.com; www.topmba.com;
www.timeshighereducation.co.uk;

Types of Universities

 College and Universities– Colleges tend to be smaller and usually offer only undergraduate
degrees, while universities also offer undergraduate and graduate degrees.
 Institute – An institute usually specializes in degree programs in a group of closely related
subject areas
 State or Public Universities – Financially supported by public taxes, usually large in size. All
levels of degrees with different fields of study are offered. Usually has a lower tuition fee.
 Private Universities – Funded by a combination of endowments, tuition fees, research
grants, and gifts from their alumni.
 Small Liberal Arts Colleges – Generally have the focus on undergraduate study of the
traditional arts and science disciplines: humanities, sciences, and social sciences.
 Community Colleges – Small usually offer Associate Degree and are equivalent to the first
two years of a four year college or university Bachelors degree.

Accreditation
Accreditation ensures that education provided by institutions of higher education meet acceptable
levels of quality. U.S. Department of Education does NOT accredit educational institutions and / or
programs. Accreditation is conducted by private not-for-profit bodies.
For national, regional and programmatic accreditation information visit: Council of Higher Education
and Accreditation website: www.chea.org

Example: American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) , Accrediting Board of

Engineering & Technology (ABET) etc.

Average Cost (Tuition & Living per year)

- Public Universities for Undergraduate: USD 30,000 – 50,000
- Private Universities for Undergraduate: USD 35,000 – 60,000
- Public Universities for Graduate: USD 25,000 – 50,000
- Private Universities for Graduate: USD 30,000 – 60,000

Scholarships and Financial Aid:

Funding for Undergraduate: Universities provide following scholarship but they are limited and very
competitive e.g. Merit Scholarship, Dean Scholarship or Athletics Scholarship. Financial Aid is offered
in the form of On Campus Job, Internship or Co ops.

Funding for Graduate: Universities provide following scholarships, but they are limited and very
competitive e.g. Academic Scholarship. Financial Aid is offered in the form of On Campus Job,
Internship, Co ops, Research Assistantship, Teaching Assistantship, Graduate Assistantship and
Administrative Assistantship.

Programs / Courses offered – UG

1. Associate Degree – Associate of Arts & Associate of Science – 2 years
2. Bachelors Degree - Bachelors of Science, Bachelors of Arts, Bachelors in Engineering etc. – 4
Years
Entry requirements/ Application Requirement - UG
 Application Form (Online/ Paper) & Common Application (online only for UG)
 Application Fees (vary from Universities)
 Completed 12th from Recognised Board (Mark sheet should be sealed and attested by
Principal). Required percentage should be more than 60%.
 Statement of Purpose/ Personal Statement
 Letter of Recommendation – 2/3 (LOR’s can from Subject teacher/Counsellor/Principal)
 ACT/SAT General Test
 SAT Subject Test (Might be required by certain Universities)
 IELTS or TOEFL
 Resume and any additional Extracurricular Certificates
 Portfolio (required for courses in Fine Arts, Architecture & Design etc.)

Program / Courses offered – Graduate

1. Masters Degree – Masters of Science, Masters of Engineering and Masters of Arts – 1.5 - 2
Years
2. Masters of Business Administration (MBA) – 2 years
3. Masters of Law (LLM)
4. PhD/ Doctorate Degree - 3 to 5 Years

Entry requirements/ Application Requirement - PG

 Application Form (Online/ Paper)
 Application Fees (vary from Universities)
 Completed 15 or 16th year of education from Recognised Institution (Transcripts/ Mark sheet
should be sealed and attested by Registrar of the University or USIEF. Required percentage
should be more than 60%.
 Statement of Purpose/ Personal Statement/ Business Essay
 Letter of Recommendation – 3 (LOR can from Faculty of Specific Field/ Employer in case of
MBA/ Project Head)
 GRE General Test (MS/MA) and GMAT (MBA)
 GRE Subject Test (Might be required by certain Universities )
 IELTS or TOEFL
 Work Experience (MBA programs or MS Finance)
 Resume and any additional Extracurricular Certificates
 Portfolio (required for courses in Fine Arts)

Decisions / Process post application

1. Acknowledgement of Receipt of Application to the student
2. Decision Time for IDP clients
Graduate - 1 to 2 months (Varies)
Undergraduate – 2 to 3 weeks (Varies)
3. Acceptance/ Rejected Letter received by the student
4. If Accepted the I-20 issued by the University is received by the student
5. Apply for Visa with I-20 of the University student wish to enroll.
Visa Process (Student cannot apply for Visa before 120 days of course commencement)
1. Once the I-20 received
2. Determine the Visa District
3. Complete the I-901 and pay the SEVIS fee of USD 200 online at www.fmjfee.com
4. Obtain a photo that can be uploaded and meets form specification.
5. Complete the DS- 160 application online at http://ceac.state.gov/genniv/
6. Print the DS-160 barcode confirmation sheet at the end of the DS-160 application on a laser
printer.
7. Pay the visa application fee of USD 160 at the approved Citibank/ Axis Bank. And Obtain the
Visa fee receipt
8. The student to report for one on one interview with Visa Counsellor Officer at the U.S.
Embassy or Consulate fifteen minutes before appointment time
9. If approved the student will receive the stamped Visa through courier or student can collect
it from Offsite Facilitation Center.

Documents Required for Visa (Refer to the Visa checklist)

1. Valid Passport
2. One Photograph according to specifications
3. I-20 of the University student accepted
4. Confirmation of page of online submitted DS -160 with CEAC Bar Code.
5. Visa Fees Receipt with Bar Code
6. SEVIS Fee receipt
7. VFS Appointment Letter
8. I-20’s of all other Universities student applied for and the rejection letters.
9. If employed – Appointment letter from the company
10. Educational Documents: Original degree certificates with mark sheet of previous education,
mark sheet of high schools and standardised test scores – TOEFL/ IELTS, SAT, GRE and
GMAT.
11. Proof of liquid funds that would cover first year tuition and living cost. Additional funds
should cover the education the entire duration of the program.

 Liquid Asset are mandatory for the first year education: Saving Account (Bank
Statement of past 6 months), Fixed Deposits, Post office accounts, provident funds,
Employee provident funds and Educational Loan (Sanction Letter, terms of
payment and Collateral/ security documents)

 Additional year funds (Immovable assets): Property/Land, Gold evaluation from

registered company, shares/bonds.