How to go to study in the United States?

The United States has the largest number of international students in the world. Almost 5% of higher education students in the US are foreigners, and this proportion is only increasing. Uncle Sam’s country has one of the most structured and perhaps the most prestigious education systems in the world. The United States has 4000 universities, some of which are very prestigious like Harvard, UC Berkeley, Yale… If the desire to go there has crossed your mind, you must be informed of the obligations and the steps to be taken in order to achieve your goal. It is advisable to do this well in advance before you can leave.
Here are the steps to follow before trying this famous experiment.

The different student visas in the United States

Before you apply for a USA student visa, you need to determine the type of visa you need. Regarding students, there are 3 types of visas:

The F-1 visa

The F-1 visa is the most frequently requested. It concerns foreign university or language students who wish to study at an approved American institution for more than 18 hours of classes per week. These institutions can be public or private, institutions offering English language learning programs, high schools and universities.

The J-1 visa

The J-1 visa is a type of visa for intern students, V.I.Es, professors and researchers. It authorizes the latter to work on site for a maximum period of 18 months. Its objective is to promote intellectual and cultural exchanges.

The M-1 visa

The M-1 visa concerns foreign students who wish to take non-university courses in vocational and practical training schools (cooking, airline pilot, electricity, etc.). It is granted to people coming to the United States for the purpose of entering a full-time program at an accredited non-academic institution. The total length of stay in the United States cannot exceed 1 year.

Prove your level of English to study in the USA

The official language in the USA is English, so lessons will logically be taught in this language. You must therefore be proficient in English to be able to study in the United States. To be accepted into an American university, you must prove your level in English. Most universities require the TOEFL or IELTS. Some will test you directly online. Whatever option you choose, your score must be within the quota of the requested university.

The price to study in the United States

The annual tuition fees of American universities are based on the prestige of the university and the amenities available to students. Generally speaking, the annual cost is between $ 25,000 and $ 50,000. There are universities whose tuition fees are well above the average. The cost of a school year at Harvard is around $ 90,000. There are possibilities that allow you to study in the USA for free. Some American universities, such as Berea College, do not charge tuition fees for international students. These kinds of universities are rare since the United States has only 7.

Are you eligible for a scholarship in the USA?

Scholarships for foreign students are extremely rare. For graduate studies, there are organizations that can offer scholarships. However, it is very difficult to find scholarships for undergraduate studies. However, some universities offer merit scholarships to students admitted to the undergraduate level. You will need to verify that this is the case with the university you have chosen.

Check the university admission requirements

Each university in the USA has its own admission requirements. Before you go to the United States, you should have a general idea of the different admissions requirements to American universities. The most common conditions that you can find in all universities in the USA are as follows:
• Be over 17 years old
• Have a good command of English (TOFEL test to support)
• Hold a bachelor’s degree
• Having good grades
• To be in a good health
• Demonstrate adaptability and openness
• Being able to finance your studies

Prepare and send your registration file

Generally, each university and each faculty has its own university registration documents. It is advisable to start the process almost 10 to 12 months before the scheduled start date, in order to ensure optimal conditions.
There is a strong competition to enter an American university. It is therefore necessary to prepare a solid and complete dossier. CV (resume in English), cover letter, presentation of study projects, references, and your diplomas translated into English are documents that must be included in your file. More information on how to enroll in an American university in the USA

Compulsory student insurance in the USA

After receiving a positive response from the university,there are other criteria to be met before you can study in the United States. Indeed, a large part of universities in the United States require that international students be covered by insurance at the beginning of their studies.

Some U.S. universities offer their own insurance, which is generally less affordable than international health insurance.
To choose suitable coverage for your studies that will protect you in case of a problem, Mondassur offers you various international student insurance contracts that meet the criteria of American universities and guarantees acceptance.

Ask for a free online quote for your insurance in the US or contact the Mondassur team for any other requests.