UNDERSTANDING THE COMMON APP

1. What is Common Application? 
        Well, If you are thinking of applying to U.S.A for bachelor's Level (undergraduate level),you certainly might come over the term common app or common application.The Common Application (informally known as the Common App) is an undergraduate college admission application that (you) applicants may use to apply to any of 488 member colleges and universities in the United States and various other countries. It makes your college application shorter and easier by giving you the ability to submit a single application to all the colleges that you are applying. It is like a all in one platform which makes your application process easier and shorter.

2. So, can I use the Common application for any college of my choice?
        No, not completely.You can apply through the common app to it's member colleges only. And there are 488 member colleges in the common app. for instance, The College Of New Jersey is a member of the common app, so you can apply to TCNJ through common app.

3. Will I be at any disadvantage for applying through common app?
        No, not at all

4. So, if can i apply to all 488 colleges at once,if i want?
        No, you can apply to maximum of 21 colleges at a time.

5. So, if my desired college is not a member of the common app,then how am I supposed to apply?
        Well, in that case, you must apply as per the college says.some colleges have their own online application policy.whereas some might ask for paper based application as well.

6. What are the advantages of using common app?
        Well, if you use common application, you  don't need to worry about sending different applications for different colleges; which makes your application process a lot cushier. Also, you don't need to mail in your documents and application forms. You can just send them within a click. Meaningly, Common application saves your time as well as money.

7. How do I apply with the same form if i wish to apply to a different major for two colleges through common app?
        It is true that common app uses a common application (form) for all colleges. But, when you start out your application,you need to fill out a section separately for different colleges (called the FUTURE PLANS);which will include your intended major.

8. So, How do I start?
        Before starting the common application process, finalize the colleges that you'll be applying to. Then, check out your college's requirements. Some colleges might not use Common app, so it's better if you check that out. Now got to https://www.commonapp.org/ and create an account. The  account creating process asks you tons of questions regarding you and your family. Once you create your account,you cannot change the answers to these questions. So, fill out carefully and correctly.

Now, you can login to your common app account and start your application process. Firstly, search and add the colleges you are applying to. The search tool is very easy to use. Once you add the colleges, they will be added to your account. They will be shown in a table with status legends.

9. What are the status legends in the common app?
           There are 3 status legends in the common app which shows your application progress.they are

• Red triangle facing down--Not started
• Yellow square--In progress
• Green triangle facing up--Completed

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COST OF STUDYING IN THE U.S.A

Studying in the United States is very expensive. Annually, cost of attendance at U.S. colleges and universities ranges from $12,000 to $60,000. Here, is the finances broken down into parts to help you understand the true costs involved in studying in the United States.

Tuition: $3,000 - $40,000

The cost for tuition is the cost for the education provided. There is a vast difference in price when you compare $3,000 to $40,000. The tuition fee differs from one institution to another. There are two types of colleges in the United States: public colleges and private colleges. Public colleges are subsidized by the state and they are a lot cheaper in price. Public colleges have two kinds of tuition fee structures, namely the instate tuition fee and the out-of-state tuition fee. Students who are residents of that particular state pay the instate fee (lower in cost); others, including international students pay the out-of-state fee (higher in cost). Private colleges operate with student tuition money as well as funds from other sources; therefore they tend to be more expensive than public colleges. However, it is important to note that the competitive private colleges provide higher amounts of scholarships than their public counterparts. High quality education can be found at both private and public colleges.

Room and Board $4,000 - $12,000

Expenditure for your accommodation and food will depend primarily on which part of the United States you will live in. In general terms, the east coast and the west coast are expensive places to live when compared to the central area of the United States. Understandably, living costs will automatically rise if you live in big cities. If you are going to live in a rural or a small town area, your living cost will be significantly less. The college website will tell you exactly where the college is located, which will help you determine your living expenses.

Books and Supplies $500 - $1,000

Books in the United States are expensive (a single book can cost over $100!), and students are required to buy their text books. The college will estimate your cost of books for that particular semester. Some majors such as art, photography, and architecture may need additional supplies which will increase expenses when compared to other subjects.

Health Insurance $500 - $1,000

It is important to have health insurance when you get to the United States. In fact, all colleges make it mandatory for international students to have health insurance. Medical bills can be really high if you are admitted to a hospital or visit your campus health center. A one-night stay at a U.S. hospital can cost you more than $1000! If you have a health insurance, it will help you manage medical bills. It is difficult to predict your health: mishaps like an accident can take place at any time. Generally, students spend $500-$1000 per year on health insurance.

Personal Expenses $1,200 - $3,000

Personal expenses cover a variety of things. It can mean the cost for travel, laundry, telephone bills, clothes, and many more things. The amount you spend on personal expenses will of course completely depend on you and you spending habits. Sometimes students may not realize hidden costs that build up to be a large sum of money when buying basic goods.

Travel to the United States $1,000

This is the approximate cost of airfare for a one way ticket to the United States.

Now, you can see that it is expensive to study in the United States as an international student and that is why you must carefully plan your budget.

I-20

Hello,Readers Thanks a lot for reading my BLOG!!.IN THIS POST, I'LL BE TALKING ABOUT I-20 AND DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR IT.

The Form I-20 (also known as the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) is a document issued by SEVP-certified schools (colleges, universities, and vocational schools) that provides supporting information on a student's F or M status. The Form I-20 is only for F-1, F-2, M-1, and M-2 statuses. J-1 and J-2 status holders have an equivalent Form DS-2019 which is issued by a United States Department of State-designated J exchange visitor program.

  

 DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR I-20

1. Attested Academic Certificates from USEF or High school >SLC-Mark sheet,+2/Intermediate level/A-levels-Transcript(Aggregate),Provisional Certificate(If applying for Graduate level, do include your bachelors mark sheet)
2. Recommendation letter-3 from colleges/University
3. Passport photocopy (optional; Not required for all colleges)
4. Passport size Photograph- 1 for each college
5. Personal Statement/SOP (personal Essay)
6. CV & ECA Certificates
7. Attested TOEFL/ IELTS, SAT-I ,SAT-II Scores
8. Verified Bank Balance Certificate
9. University / College Application Fee
10. Filled University / College Application Form

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STANDARIZED TESTS

IN THIS POST’I’LL BE TALKING ABOUT ALL THE STANDARIZED EXAMS (TESTS) THAT YOU NEED TO APPEAR IN ORDER TO APPLY TO THE U.S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. 

1.  TOEFL (TEST OF ENGLISH AS FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

The TOEFL test measures the ability of non-native English speakers to communicate in English in an academic setting. More institutions accept TOEFL than any other English-proficiency test in the world.

The TOEFL Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT)

• 4 Sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing)
• Full Marks-120 (30 for each section)
• Latest “version” of the TOEFL test
• Administered through the Internet

[FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION - www.ets.org/toefl]

2.    SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)(SAT-1)(SAT Reasoning Test) 

All undergraduate applicants are highly recommended to take the SAT (Reasoning Test).This Exam Measures your English and Math Skills.The test is composed of three sections:

·Reading (Critical Reading) (CR) - It has sentence completion and passage-based reading questions.

·Mathematics –It is based on math that college-bound students learn during their first three years of high school.

·Writing –It has multiple choice questions and a written essay.

 Negative marking-Yes (1/4 Deducted for each wrong answer)

FULL SCORE—2400 (800/section)

Administered 6-7 times a year

However, some colleges only see your reading and math scores (Composite Score) while reviewing your application.

[FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION – www.collegeboard.com]

 3.  ACT (American College Test)

ACT stands for the American College Test. The test is paper-based and consists of Reading, Science, Mathematics, and an optional Writing section. It is more of a curriculum based test. The total score for the ACT is 36 points. The cost of ACT is $59 without the writing section; including the writing section, it costs $74. If you wish to take the writing exam, you must choose a test in October, December or April. The ACT is offered five to six times a year.  
NEGATIVE MARKING-NO

[FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION –  www.actstudent.org]
4. SAT SUBJECT TEST (SAT-II)

If you plan to apply to TOP LEVEL UNIVERSITIES, you will need to take the SAT Subject Tests, which are subject-specific tests that demonstrate to a U.S. college that you have skills in a certain subject. But Even if you are not applying to ivy-leagues, you definitely also can take the SAT Subject tests.

      ·         Mathematics: Math Level 1, Math Level 2

·         Science: Biology E/M(Ecology/Molecular),Chemistry,Physics

·         English: Literature

·         History: U.S History,World History

·         Foreign Languages: Chinese with Listening, French, French with Listening, German, German with Listening, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Japanese with Listening, Korean with Listening, Latin, Spanish, Spanish with Listening

 [FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION – www.collegeboard.com]

[Good scores on the SAT / ACT and SAT Subject Tests will be very important especially if you are applying to competitive colleges and for scholarships. Furthermore, for many American colleges, submission of a SAT/ ACT score is required in order to apply for admission. Therefore, it is in your best interest to take not only TOEFL, but also SAT / ACT and SAT Subject Tests.]
5. GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is the general test for students applying for master’s and PhD studies in fields other than management or MBA. This computer-based test consists of Analytical Writing, Verbal and Quantitative sections. The total score for analytical writing is six points and the Verbal and Quantitative sections are scored out of 800 points each. The cost for the GRE is $190.

6.   GRE Subject Tests
The GRE Subject Tests are paper-based tests in eight subject areas. Students need to give the test only if the college or university requires it. There are approximately three test dates in a year. Therefore, students must decide and prepare for the exam well in advance if they want to take the test. The cost for each subject test is $160.

[FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION –www.ets.org/gre]

7.   GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)

 The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is for graduate level applicants who are applying for an MBA or management related fields. The GMAT measures a student’s ability in analytical writing, verbal, and quantitative skills. The overall marks are 800 points. The GMAT costs $250.

[FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION – www.mba.com]

Other Exams

 8.     GED

General Educational Development (GED) Tests measure high-school level skills and knowledge in the following five subjects: Language Arts, Writing; Language Arts, Reading; Social Studies; Mathematics; and Science. It is a test that offers a “second chance” for students who have not completed traditional high school. The GED is a computer-based exam. 

 [FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION – www.acenet.edu/clll/ged/index.cfm andwww.prometric.com/ged.]

9.  AP Exams

Advanced Placement, or AP, exams are college-level exams administered by the College Board. Good scores on AP exams can provide you advanced standing as well as college credit when you join U.S. undergraduate colleges and universities. Exams are paper-based and available in more than 30 subjects.

 [FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION – www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html]

10. USMLE

For medical doctors wanting to pursue graduate medical education in the United States, certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) is often required because graduate medical education involves completing a ‘residency,’ which is a period of clinical training in a chosen medical specialty. One component of ECFMG certification is passing Steps 1 and 2 of the USMLE, the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination.

[FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION – www.usmle.org]

What to do if you have a 3-year bachelor’s???

In countries like Nepal, Bachelor’s (undergraduate) level is just of 3-years.(4-years bachelor’s programs too are emerging lately, though).Since no bachelor’s program in the U.S. is shorter than four years, a student intending to join a graduate program in the U.S. should have at least sixteen years of education in the relevant field.

BUT WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A 2 OR 3 YEARS BACHELOR’S DEGREE AND NOW YOU WANT TO PURSUE YOUR FURTHER EDUCATION IN THE U.S.A????

Students who have 2 or 3-year bachelor’s degrees or who are currently enrolled in a bachelor’s program have three options to choose from:

 Option 1

Complete a master’s degree in the relevant field in your home country and then apply for graduate study in the U.S. In some cases, students will apply for the master’s program again and in some cases, depending upon the institution, students can directly apply for the PhD program. Contact institutions directly to know which program you are eligible for.

 Option 2

Transfer to an undergraduate program in the U.S. With this option, you can earn an undergraduate degree from the U.S. However, this option could be costly for some students as it might take between one to three years to complete the undergraduate degree. It can take up to three years because different colleges have different graduation requirements and you may not earn transfer credit for some of the coursework you have completed in your Home country.

                                                                            Option 3

A third option is available for students applying for an MBA in the U.S. You could apply for a bridge program (sometimes referred to as a pre-MBA) in the U.S. Very few colleges provide such bridge programs and you have to contact the college directly to find out the requirements for admission. A bridge program generally runs for one to one and a half years and you generally will need to complete your MBA at the same school.

Understanding the U.S. Education System

 Undergraduate Studies

Bachelor’s programs in the U.S. are no shorter than four years and are one form of ‘Undergraduate’ programs. Students who have completed twelve years of education are eligible to join undergraduate programs in the U.S. There is a name given to each of the four years of bachelor’s study – namely freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years.

There exists another form of undergraduate education in the U.S., which is the Associate’s degree. An associate’s degree is a 2-year degree earned at a community college. Community colleges usually serve a small community around them. Per year college tuition is usually much less expensive than per year tuition at a 4-year college. Students who opt for an associate’s degree may choose upon completion to transfer to a 4-year college/university in the U.S. to continue studies for a bachelor’s degree.

Hence, students seeking bachelor’s degrees in the U.S. have two options. They can either directly join a 4-year bachelor’s program, or study at a community college and then transfer to a 4-year bachelor’s program. Students should carefully evaluate these two options. You may find that studying at a community college is less expensive, but then it is generally difficult to obtain scholarship when you transfer to the 4-year institution. Furthermore, community colleges may not have housing and students might have to live off campus.

Graduate Studies

Both master’s and PhD level studies are referred to as ‘Graduate’ studies in the U.S.A.

A master’s degree is usually earned after two years of study beyond a 4-year bachelor’s program and a PhD degree takes somewhere between four to eight years. M.Phil and Post Graduate degrees do not exist in the U.S.

Applying to U.S. Colleges and Universities

The terms “college,” “university,” and “school” are used interchangeably when we refer to degree-granting institutions offering higher education in the United States. For simplicity, we’ll use the term “college.”

To apply to colleges in the United States, you should start 12-18 months in advance of when you plan to begin your studies. If you are an undergraduate applicant (applying for a bachelor’s degree), starting you application process by the beginning of Class 12 (High School) will help ensure that you do not have a gap year between Class 12 and the beginning of your undergraduate program in the U.S. Similarly, graduate applicants, those applying for a master’s or a PhD, should also start their application process 12-18 months in advance.

 There are two semesters for which you can apply for admission, the Fall semester (classes start in August or September) and the Spring semester (classes start in January). All colleges offer admission in fall, as it is the beginning of the academic year. Not all colleges offer admissions in spring. If you are searching for a scholarship, the best semester to apply for is fall (generally, not much scholarship is available in spring). The application deadline date depends on which semester you apply for, and which college you are choosing.

As an International Student, To apply to U.S. colleges, here’s what you should do:

1. Choose between 5 and 10 colleges to apply to.  Carefully research criteria such as your field of study, cost, scholarship opportunities, location, competitiveness, and admissions requirements. Applying to 5-10 well chosen colleges will give you a higher chance of admission than just applying to one or two.  
2. Download the colleges’ application forms from their websites. It’s free and easy to download application forms.
3. Register for and take the standardized exams. To obtain information about a standardized test such as TOEFL, SAT, ACT, GRE, or GMAT, refer to the test’s official website (www.ets.org/toefl for TOEFL,www.collegeboard.com for SAT, www.actstudent.org for ACT, www.ets.org/gre for GRE, and www.mba.comfor GMAT). It is recommended that you register at least two months before your preferred test date. Many students spend a lot of time preparing for these exams: make sure you allocate enough time for preparation. 
4. Send your applications to the colleges. Colleges must receive your complete application by the deadline date. 
5. If you are accepted, you will receive an I-20 from the college. An I-20 contains information about you, the college, and the amount you are expected to pay each year. An I-20 is required to apply for a student visa to the U.S.
6. Choose the best I-20 and apply for a student visa.You will need to identify one I-20 to use when you apply for a student visa at the U.S. Embassy.                                                                                      

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Study in the USA– Information You Need to Know

1. Why Study In The USA?

There are a great number of reasons that students choose to study in the United States. Among them are quality, choice, and value.

• Quality

The United States has some of the world’s finest colleges and universities. Worldwide, they are reputed for quality programs, faculty, facility, and resources. U.S. higher education accreditation systems are in place to ensure quality standards.

• Choice

The U.S. higher education system offers the world’s largest choice in types of institutions, academic and social environments, entry requirements, degrees, and fields of study. Currently, there are more than 4,000 institutions of higher education in the United States.

• Value

Considering a U.S. degree as an investment in your future, it offers great value for the money. There is a wide range of college costs, as well as some excellent scholarships available from colleges and universities.

Currently, more than 670,000 international students are studying in the United States.

 Prerequisites: Is U.S. Higher Education Appropriate For You?

Studying in the United States is a big decision, and you must consider whether it is an appropriate one. Evaluate if you are a suitable candidate by considering the following factors which we call pre-requisites for studying in the USA.

• Adequate funding:
  Studying in the U.S. is expensive. Colleges and universities in the U.S. cost between $12,000 and $50,000 per year. A bachelor’s program is typically a four year course of study, and a master’s program is usually two years. If you do not have this amount of money available, you will need to apply for a scholarship.
• Strong academic background:
  If you have a strong academic record, your chances of admission and scholarship at U.S. colleges and universities increase.
• English language skills:
  In order to succeed as a student in the U.S., it is integral to have a strong command over English.
• Standardized exams:
  Most U.S. colleges and universities require TOEFL. Some undergraduate institutions additionally require SAT or ACT. Some graduate programs require GRE or GMAT.
• Student visa:
  You’ll need this to travel to the U.S.

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Study in The USA

F-1 (Student Visa)

•    F-1 Student Visa General Information:

The United States welcomes foreign students to American language schools, high schools, universities and other institutions of higher education. Thousands of learning institutions are approved by the USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) to accept foreign students as full time students. It IS POSSIBLE to change schools and universities while being on an F-1 Visa without leaving the country.

•      F-1 Student Visa Eligibility Requirements:

An applicant for a US student visa must come to the United States to pursue an academic program in an institution recognized by the United States government. The foreign citizen must have a valid educational purpose for coming to the United States and be a full time student. It is not possible to be a part-time student on an F-1 Visa. The student can stay in the United States for as long as he/she is enrolled in school. The F-1 student visa is normally issued at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the student’s home country. The F-1 Student Visa Application Guide is comprehensive, detailed, and easy to understand. It contains everything one needs in order to successfully apply for an F-1 Student visa.

• Traveling on F-1 Student Visa:

v     Foreign students may enter the United States multiple times if they hold a valid F-1 Student Visa.

v     It is important that the F-1 Student Visa holders have all the necessary documents and signed authorizations to avoid any problems at the U.S. port of entry.

v     The passport must also be valid for a certain amount of time in order to be granted entry.

v     F-1 Visa holders can also travel freely within the within the United States.

• Working on F-1 Student Visa:

v     Students may work on campus as long as they are enrolled in school.

v     Students may apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) to gain work experience in their field of study while being a full time student.

v     Students may take advantage of Optional Practical Training (OPT) once the degree is completed as a full time employee.

v     Many students obtaining a bachelor or master's degree in the United States go on to be sponsored by their employer for an H-1B Work Visa.