Study in USA

dipankar
11-13 minutes

USA, also known as land of opportunity, is taken as best destination for higher education by
international students from all around the world. The States has world’s largest international
student population which is more than a million. The diversity in schools shows the proof of
welcoming nature of USA for students from all different corners of the world. The world class
universities, known for their best courses and curriculum with various learning opportunities
make this country tempting for international students.

So, why do so many international students choose U.S. colleges and universities?

Best thing about the U.S. education system is quality, choices and opportunities to explore.

Excellent Academic Quality

The United States is known for having one of the world’s most effective university systems with
outstanding number of programs in any given area. These programs are then quality monitored
by various higher education accreditation bodies. At undergraduate and graduate level, students
are provided with various learning opportunities including participation in research, internship,
field visits, assistantships and more. Particularly, at the graduate level, students have various
opportunities to work directly within their field of study. The quality of programs and career
oriented education system make U.S. degrees well recognized throughout the world for their
excellence.

Educational Opportunities

The United States is a home to several thousands of colleges and universities, which mean
students, can choose what’s best for them comparing cost, courses, quality, location and many
more. What it also means that, U.S. has something for everyone. These higher education
providers can sometimes offer better courses and curriculums in one particular field than others
and it’s all up to the students to understand what’s best for them.

Technology

U.S. universities are known for being updated with technologies in their campuses. The
universities provide latest technologies in classrooms, labs and other resources. Students in any
field will have a taste of latest technologies in their related field within the universities
themselves.

Opportunity for Research, Teaching and Training

International students are highly valued in the States. This is one reason why students are given
opportunities to work with their professors and department in researches, teaching and trainings.
Particularly in case of graduate students, they can get research assistantship, teaching
assistantship or graduate assistantships where they will have great practical experiences handy
for their career.

Huge Flexibility

Although there are some requirements in completing courses, students have a wide variety of
choices to meet such requirements. Most of the times, students can choose classes at their
appropriate times and days as well. They have options to choose different instructors for same
courses. A lot of courses required for graduation can have alternative options available as well.

There are several other great things about US education; however, one must know what’s best
for them. To do so, one must understand education system and options available in USA.

Accreditation

In most of the countries, Ministry of Education governs and controls Educational Systems. In the
USA, it is a non-governmental volunteer process in which accrediting agencies recognized by the
Department of Education accredit institutions. The accrediting agencies recognized by the
Department of Education can have Regional or National Scope. Regional accrediting agencies
accredit institutions within six geographic regions of the USA, for example, The Middle State
Association of Schools and Colleges, The New England Association of Schools and Colleges,
The North Central Association of the Colleges and Schools, and so on). National Accrediting
agencies accredit specialized institutions or programs all across the USA. There are
professional/specialized or programmatic accrediting agencies as well. It is important to note that
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation also recognizes organizations that accredit
institutions.

Graduate Education

Graduate Education leads to Master’s, Professional and Doctoral Degrees in the USA. Some of
the examples are MS, M Eng, MBA, M. Ed., MFA, M. Arch., etc. Graduate Education in most of
the other countries is known as ‘Post Graduate Education’.

Master’s Degree is the most flexible and popular graduate degree, which requires one to two
years of coursework.

In most arts and sciences disciplines, a master’s degree is not considered a prerequisite for
doctoral study. The doctoral degree is designed to train research scholars in specific field. Ph. D.
is the most common degree awarded in academic fields of study. Students can also earn other
doctoral degrees in professional fields such as education (Ed. D.), business (D.B.A.). Doctoral
programs involve advanced coursework, seminars, and the writing of a dissertation/thesis.

Public and Private Institutions

Institutions in the USA are both private and public; which however has no relationship to
educational qualities. U.S. Institutions are autonomous and independent in terms of operation.
The role of the government bodies is only with the funds. Private institutions receive only little
or no funds from the government but public institutions receive most of the funds from the
government. They still receive funds from tuition fees and private donations. Usually, private
universities in the USA tend to be more expensive than public universities. Private Universities
are either religious or secular and for-profit or non-profit.

In Nepal, education is always the responsibility of the Ministry of Educational. Nepalese

students can choose either private or public institutions based on their learning styles, academic
abilities and financial strengths.

Colleges and Universities

There is no clear distinction between colleges and universities in the context of the USA.
However, colleges tend to be and emphasize on interactive teaching. They offer Associate’s and
Bachelor’s Degrees. Except for an absolutely few number of colleges, they don’t emphasize on
research works. Universities tend to be research-oriented and they often comprise a number of
divisions, including graduate and professional schools. They may place less emphasis on
undergraduate teaching.

Liberal Arts Colleges

Liberal Arts colleges emphasize on interactive instruction, small class size and direct contact
with faculty. They are focused to develop general knowledge in students. Academic courses are
oriented towards humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. They are both public and
private. Some of them are among the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the
USA.

Community Colleges

Institutions in the USA offering two-year degrees (Associate of Science or Associate of Arts) are
referred to as Community Colleges. These degrees are either terminal (vocational) or transfer
(the first two-years of a four-year program).

Scholarships and Assistantships

Scholarship is a form of assistance that students are not required to repay. Scholarships are based
on merit, a special quality or need. Scholarships are very competitive and offered only to the
students who have excellent achievements in academics, debating or athletics (There are other
considerations as well, such as standardized test scores, Statement of Purpose, etc). The
institutions offering full-scholarships are very limited. Some of the institutions award cultural
scholarships, which cover only the partial tuition fees. Students should be well prepared to cover
the remaining costs. Some institutions also offer scholarships based on the documentation
related to their needs, but again the number is very few. Some of the universities/colleges have a
policy to offer scholarships only after the first year.
Assistantships are offered mostly to the graduate students. Assistantships are aids with duties in
teaching, research or school management. Usually students receiving the assistantship will
receive monthly stipends plus a partial or full tuition waiver. There is a competition for the
assistantship positions; however, assistantships are available in most of the universities.

Rankings

Rankings are list of the U.S. institutions in rank order based on combination of factors, such as
class size, tuition rate, alumni donations, etc. In the U.S.A, rankings are made by organizations,
newspapers, magazines or academics groups.

Some of the ranking systems that are very popular among Nepalese students are U.S. News &
World Report, The Princeton Review and The Washington Monthly College Rankings.

Rankings are quite helpful when it comes to choosing schools or comparing schools, but we
advise that students have an idea about how rankings are made. Rankings are too good to know
but we strongly suggest you not to rely on it. It is important for you know what for an institution
is ranked #1 or #2 (Is it class size or researches or peer review or graduation rates?) We believe it
is your judgment about the overall appeal of the institutions that matters.

We want our students to focus on strengths and attributes of the institutions. We strongly believe
that unranked institutions impart equally or even better quality education.

Transfer of Credits

Students from Nepal (Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu University, Pokhara University and
Purvanchal University) are eligible to transfer credits they have obtained towards U.S.
Bachelor’s Degrees in the USA. It is important for you to understand that the recognition of the
Nepalese credits is different from one school to another. The best way would be to submit the
evaluation report prepared by any of the member agencies listed in NACES (www.naces.org) or
AACRAO (www.aacrao.org). If you have British ‘A’ Levels, you can explore the possibilities
for Advanced Standing.

CPT (Curriculum Practical Training)

Generally speaking, CPT is an integral part of academic program that helps the students gain
practical knowledge in their field of study. Co-operative Education, Internships, work/study
program etc. that exemplify CPT are what the students undergo mandatorily as a part of their
programs. The institutions are required to have a cooperative agreement with the sponsoring
employers.

Non-immigrant Students (only F1) are authorized for employment in United States of America
during the college or Universities degree level programs. To be eligible for CPT, F1 students
need to be enrolled for a minimum of one year academic program (other than few graduate
cases) and the training will be granted through the DSO (Designated Student official) in
coordination with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
OPT (Optional Practical Training)

Non-Immigrant Students (Graduate and Undergraduate) who entered United States on F-1 VISA
are authorized to work for minimum of two consecutive semesters in the field of study. OPT can
be extendable for a maximum of 29 months for the students in the field of Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics. OPT is awarded to students to achieve the practical exposure in
the same field of study.