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Alumni of Aligarh Muslim University (India)
Studies in North American Universities (By Tariq Siddiqui)
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| Programs | |
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Bachelor’s Degree – (Undergraduate) The first degree at college or university Masters & Ph.D. Degree - (Graduate) The second level college or university degree MBA - Master of Business Administration. Bachelor’s Degree What you must know about the Bachelor’s degree (Undergraduate):
Masters & Ph.D. Degree What you must know about the Master's and Ph.D. degree (Graduate):
MBA What you must know about the MBA (Master of Business Administration):
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| Cost of your American Studies | |
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In America, higher education is considered mostly a private investment. Higher education, even at public universities, is not free for American nationals. It is a short-term investment as unemployment for University graduates is very low (0.4% for foreign students) and starting salaries are high (from $30,000 to $130,000 depending on the level of studies). The consequence for you is that, even with the best generous scholarships, you will need personal or family money to study in America. There are 3 major costs:
1. Applications: American universities charge relatively high application fees: from $30 to $130 per university. You should apply to a minimum of 4 universities. Some universities waive their application fee depending on your financial circumstances. You must pay for several mandatory tests such as TOEFL, SAT SAT II, and GMAT, GRE etc, I. They are costly as TOEFL cost $100 and GMAT $135. All documents (transcripts, letters of recommendations, essays etc.) should be translated in English and notarized. Communications (telephone, special urgent courier, etc.) run very also high. Many universities request also a certified grades evaluation. 2. Tuition: It varies among the 3650 American universities. It slightly differs if it is for Graduate or Undergraduate studies. From $5,000 to $21,000 per year 3. Food and Lodging: American campuses are extremely well equipped and are less expensive in comparison to the European cost of living. Undergraduate rooms host 2 students while graduates students typically share apartments. The use of the libraries, sport facilities, computer rooms, labs etc. is included. From $3,500 to $7,500 per year A cheaper option is to live off campus. Students who live off campus usually share an apartment or a house with other students. However, some universities require you to live on campus for your first semester. Factors to take into consideration are proximity to the college/university, transportation and locality. SCHOLARSHIPS-FINANCIAL AID: So many erroneous statements are made on the matter. Scholarships for foreign students are exceptional and limited. They generally do not covers the whole tuition fees and very rarely pays for the total Tuition + Food + Lodging costs. They vary according to the level of studies and mostly the academic quality of the student. Note that the first year is always the most difficult to get aid. Only Green cards holders and US citizen could benefit from Federal loans and grants. Undergraduate: With the exception of Sport scholarships, financial aid very is extremely difficult for foreign students. The Ivy League and the expensive universities are more generous. The cheaper State universities do not have money available for foreign students. Some of their special programs for very talented student award $1000 to $1500 per year. Working on campus (library, computer labs, etc. ) is an option and can account for a good percentage of your costs. Graduate: Teaching Assistant positions and research grants can be obtained. These positions pay decent salaries and in many cases your tuition fees are greatly reduced. However it depends of the level of the student and the budget of each university department. Note: If you are on a student visa, you cannot work off-campus at any time during the first year of study. After your first year, the INS may grant permission for off-campus employment. | |
| Choosing a University / College | |
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Choosing a university from thousands of miles away presents serious difficulties. Once you start the process of researching possible programs, you will be overwhelmed with choice as there are over 3,500 US universities. You need to narrow that choice by compiling a list of factors important to you. The following information is meant to provide you with criteria you might want to consider. Not all factors are equally important to all students, so work out your own priorities. ACADEMIC CONSIDERATIONS Area of Concentration: It is not essential to declare the area of concentration you plan to undertake when you enter a university. If you have a definite degree objective, you need to identify universities offering that field. A great many subjects are taught in every university, so choice of fields does not necessarily eliminate many institutions! In some fields, however, you may want to check out possible specialization. For example, many universities offer business studies but only a few offer marketing or many offer education but only a few offer physical education or special education. Academic Emphasis: You will want to get an idea of how the university emphasizes its curriculum. Is it pre-professionally orientated or liberal arts? Do the undergraduates dominate the campus or do the postgraduates? Many liberal arts colleges emphasize teaching and professor/student interaction, so the teacher to student ratio is quite low. Some research-centered campuses are postgraduate-dominated and undergraduates are secondary; however, facilities are often state-of-the-art and professors are world-renowned. Courses: Study the course catalog and course descriptions. Many international students choose the US system because of the flexibility it offers through the liberal arts framework. Some degrees, however, are highly structured and universities dictate exact coursework. Prescribed coursework does not allow for student athletes who want to take a lighter load "in season" or double major options for the motivated student. Accreditation: You should check that any university you are considering is regionally accredited. You can obtain more information on accreditation from the university itself or by consulting its web site. COST Cost is another important consideration. You should study the fee structure printed in most university prospectuses carefully and incorporate into your calculations the cost of room, food, tuition, fees, travel and other expenses for the full four years. Private v. State-Supported: US universities are either private or state-supported. In general the tuition fees at state-supported universities are less expensive than private universities. International students, however, are considered non-state residents and are charged "out-of-state" tuition rates, which are higher than in-state rates. Some state universities are limited in the percentage of out-of-state students they enroll. Tuition: Students should be concerned with the cost of tuition and fees and be aware that tuition costs may rise each year. Housing: Try to find out if housing is available for all four years of enrolment or if students are asked to find off-campus housing for one or two years. If so, how much more or less in cost is off-campus housing? Usually, off campus housing is cheaper, but you may need to buy a car or use public transportation to commute to the university. Also, some universities mandate that foreign student live on-campus during the first year. Meal Plan: The cost and options of the meal plan are also important cost considerations. Some universities mandate that first year students must purchase the meal plan, while other universities offer various options within the meal plan including the number of meals per week or the meal halls used. Financial Aid: Some US universities offer financial aid for international students. It is helpful to check the amount of the average award, the percentage of financial aid awarded and the nature of the awards, whether they are need-based or academically based. It is possible that a university will allow an international student to be on a payment plan so that they can pay the tuition in installments. Graduate students will be interested in the Teaching Assistant opportunities and research grants at a particular university. ADMISSION DIFFICULTY Because the US university system is so extensive, admissions requirements vary greatly. This means that private universities and liberal arts colleges at the top of the selectivity indices receive enormous numbers of applications and accept only a small percentage, while other colleges can accept all applicants who meet their admission standards. Most directories will give information such as the average score for the previous year's accepted students. In addition, directories and many college prospectuses will list the number of applicants and the number of students accepted the previous year. Selectivity assessments using this type of data, however, tend to put weight on test admission scores, which are only one part of an application and not necessarily the most important part. SIZE AND LOCATION Size: Many international students do not realize that US universities enrolment size can range from 200-50,000. Some universities resemble small cities with their own post offices, grocery stores and shopping centers. Size ranges offer different opportunities and climates for the undergraduate. Some large campuses are located in very small rural towns where the students and the universities dominate the local economy. Other schools may be in large, densely populated urban areas with a very small enrolment. Location: The climate in the US varies considerably from one region to another. Some regions offer both urban and rural settings. Some areas present more security concerns than others. You should be informed about security risks and precautions. Some students have relatives living in the US and this may be a major influence on the choice of universities. For some, the presence of a vibrant Muslim community may be a factor. A complete directory of the all the Mosques and Islamic Centers in the USA and Canada is provided below: http://www.msa-natl.org/resources/IS_USA.html http://www.msa-natl.org/resources/IS_Can.html INSTITUTION PERSONALITY Social Life: Some US universities have reputations as social schools or as very quiet academic schools. In addition, some schools may be known as "commuter schools" meaning that most students live off-campus and commute into classes which affects the campus atmosphere. Potential undergraduates will want to know what the atmosphere is like on weekends on campus; if most students have cars they might leave to go on road trips or back home to visit family every weekend and vacate the campus. International/Muslim Students: Some US universities enroll a substantial number of international students while others may only enroll one or two students. Muslim students are present in almost all American and Canadian universities and almost all have a Muslim Student Association (MSA). The MSA arrange juma’ah prayers, daily prayers, halaqas, Arabic classes, study circles, lectures, and in some cases, iftaar during the month of Ramadan. The web sites below provide a link to MSA and its affiliated organizations in all American and Canadian universities. http://www.msa-natl.org/ http://www.msa-natl.org/resources/MSA_USA_Addresses.html http://www.msa-natl.org/resources/MSA_Can_Addresses.html Personality: All US universities will accept students of any race, color or creed. Many universities or colleges, however, were founded with a certain mission, whether to provide a religious atmosphere on campus, a single-sex educational experience or a majority ethnic student population. Read all information printed in college prospectuses carefully and decide if your goals match the goals of the campus. Extracurricular Activities: US universities offer many opportunities for students to develop skills through extracurricular activities such as sports teams, academic clubs, university newspapers, drama productions and other rewarding programs. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Student Services: US universities cater to the needs of the student through services such as international student advisors, counseling services, legal aid services, housing offices, varied meal plans, health centers, tutoring facilities, and many other helpful services. Prospective students can compare facilities among universities. Academic Distinctions: Many US universities award academic distinctions to outstanding graduating seniors, which often provides a focus for students. Internship or Overseas Study Programs: Many US universities have incorporated into their curriculum internship or overseas study programs which may appeal to you. Graduates: The job-placement success of a university's graduating seniors is one indication of the emphasis of the curriculum. Universities will tell prospective students the number of their graduates finding professional positions and the number accepted to postgraduate programs. Students with Disabilities: If you have special needs, then you need to make sure that the college can accommodate you. Advise the admissions office of your disability early on in the process and obtain information about facilities offered from the college's Office of Disabled Student Services. Find out what services are provided automatically and whether any extra costs will be incurred. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The web site listed below contains an alphabetical list of all Universities in the USA. There is also a link provided for Universities in Canada. http://www.clas.ufl.edu/CLAS/american-universities.html This web site contains a similar list of all Universities in the USA, arranged according to State. This will help locating Universities in a particular region of the United States. http://www.utexas.edu/world/univ/state/ The magazine, US News & World Report, does an annual ranking of colleges and universities based on different criteria. Below are the links for graduate and undergraduate schools: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/beyond/bcrank.html http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/corank.htm | |
| Applying at a University / College | |
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Admission into an American college or university does not depend on a specific degree or diploma as in many countries. The uniqueness of the American system is that it is based on the review of a comprehensive file of multiple factors. Strictness of admission criteria varies among universities. It is customary in the USA for students to make application to several universities to increase their chance of admission. The United States Information Agency officially recommends making application to five separate institutions. Although each school's admission file requirements vary, most admissions files are comprised of three major elements:
The following web sites
provide more information, including sample examinations, on the Standardized
Tests:
American universities place varying emphasis on these elements according to their own priorities. When Should A Student Apply To An American University? Students should begin the process 12 to 24 months prior to beginning classes. The academic year usually begins in August/September, with many schools, however, offering beginning sessions in January. You must first make a selection of schools to which you wish to apply and then take the various tests required for admission into the schools prior to submitting applications. These tests are administered outside of the USA for international students. Most tests are multiple-choice and are designed to accommodate each student’s level of competence and learning. The various documents required by each school must be collected and translated into English and notarized. The final decision for admission will be made four to six months prior to the beginning of classes. UNDERGRADUATE: This sequence of studies occurs immediately after completion of secondary school. The Bachelor's degree generally takes four years to obtain. The Bachelor's diploma will provide a level of professional skill often rewarded by full-time employment immediately upon graduation. GRADUATE: After the Bachelor's degree, a graduate degree provides specialization in a particular field of study or the opportunity to do top level research. At this level there is increased probability of part time employment at the university while taking classes. Allow two to four years for a Master's degree in Arts or Sciences. A Doctorate degree (Ph.D.) may require two to four years post Master's study. Courses are generally on a semester basis and begin at the end of August and at the beginning of January. It is often possible to choose between a fall and a winter admission, another example of the flexibility of the American universities system. Once accepted, it is possible to delay admission for up to one Year. | |
| How to Obtain a Visa | |
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The Immigration and Nationality Act provides two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons wishing to study in the United States. The "F" visa is for academic studies, and the "M" visa is for nonacademic or vocational studies. If you are going to the U.S. primarily for tourism, but want to take a short course of study of less than 18 hours per week, you may do so on a tourist visa. APPLYING FOR A STUDENT VISA Applicants for student visas should generally apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over your place of permanent residence. Although you may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad, it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa outside your country of permanent residence. In most countries, first time student visa applicants are required to appear for an in-person interview. However, each embassy and consulate sets its own interview policies and procedures regarding student visas. You should consult Embassy web sites or call for specific application instructions. Keep in mind that June, July, and August are the busiest months in most consular sections, and interview appointments are the most difficult to get during that period. To allow time to overcome any unforeseen problems that might arise, it is better to apply for your visa several weeks before you plan to travel. You cannot apply more than 90 days before the registration date noted on the I-20. Required Documentation Each applicant for a student visa must pay a nonrefundable US$45 application fee and submit:
Other Documentation Student visa applicants must establish to the satisfaction of the consular officer that they have binding ties to a residence in a foreign country, which they have no intention of abandoning, and that they will depart the United States when they have completed their studies. It is impossible to specify the exact form the evidence should take since applicants' circumstances vary greatly. All applicants should be prepared to provide:
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| Additional Information | |
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Employment An F-1 student may not accept off-campus employment at any time during the first year of study; however, the INS may grant permission to accept off-campus employment after one year. F-1 students may accept on-campus employment from the school without INS permission. Except for temporary employment for practical training, an M-1 student may not accept employment. Please visit the following web sites for further information on visas, obtaining a visa, rules, regulations and restrictions. http://www.travel.state.gov/visa_services.html#niv http://www.travel.state.gov/visa;foreignstuden.html http://www.travel.state.gov/foreign_student_visas_handout.html http://www.travel.state.gov/what_consuls_look_for.html http://www.travel.state.gov/new_student_law.html http://foia.state.gov/KeyPostDetails.asp?ID=69 http://www.ins.usdoj.gov Please also keep in mind that the web sites of the State Department and US Immigration and Naturalization Service are the best place to obtain the latest information on visas. | |