USA has always remained a top choice for higher studies among international students. Studying in the USA has been a dream for many. There is no dearth of top colleges to study in the USA along with top courses. 140,000+ Indian students have gone to the USA for studies in the year 2023.
Here in this article we are discussing a comprehensive guide to study in USA for Indian students that involves everything from test preparation, application process, student visa and financial support etc.
Study in USA for Indian Students
Whether you want to pursue MS, MBA or UG courses in the USA there are preliminary steps that you will have to follow in order to reach your final destination which is your dream university in the US. The complete journey of study in USA for Indian students can be divided into multiple stages. Before actually getting into this step-wise process, students must evaluate themselves on the basis of these primary questions:
- Why do you wish to study in the USA?
- Which of the top courses do you want to pick for your higher studies?
- Which top colleges in the USA you prefer to study in?
- Would you be requiring any financial assistance?
- What is your eligibility for the course and university you have chosen?
- What are the admission requirements and deadlines?
- What kind of accommodation in the USA would you prefer to choose as a student?
- What is your affordability when it comes to study costs in the USA?
These are just a few questions, however the list remains endless. Now, let’s dig down further into the steps.
Exploring your Study Abroad Options
The foremost step after deciding to study in the USA is to research and select the course, college or university that best fulfills your requirements. Every student has his or her own parameters to select an institution and when it comes to colleges, USA is home to some of the best universities in the world. One should try and research for a top college in the USA that matches your long-term goals and priorities.
Studying in the USA for Indian students depends primarily on the kind of level of study and college they are choosing. One should shortlist a minimum of top 10 colleges that you want to apply to and research well about the courses, admission requirements, eligibility, deadlines and other important information.
Test Preparation
Clearing the standardized tests is important and is the primary path to walk on for your study in the USA journey. The tests are GRE/GMAT/SAT/TOEFL/IELTS and you will have to take these based on your course requirements. Example: for those who plan to go for Masters in USA, will have to qualify GRE and likewise.
While shortlisting students, all best universities in the USA value these scores as these are based on your performance and thus, it’s important to prepare and score high in these standardized tests.
Application Process
Every university has their own application requirements, processes and deadlines. Applying for studying in the US needs concentration and time as each application is different and detailed. It may involve recommendations, essays and expositions.
These documents are important for the admission committee as your character and profile will be evaluated on the basis of this. These application documents for applying to a university in the USA are extremely important and thus, to be worked on diligently.
Student Visa & Financial Support
Studying in the USA for Indian students also depends a lot on the financial support that you have or planning to get. Studying in the USA is a costly affair, however there are scholarships and other financial support offered to the students on merit basis and other parameters. Several banks offer education loans which is the most common way to get your education finances sorted.
Another important thing for Indian students to study in USA is the student visa. Choose your level of study and you can then apply for a student visa accordingly.
Pre-Departure
Once your student visa is in your hands, you are almost ready to fly, but before that there are several other things you need to sort before you actually go. This includes your accommodation, insurance etc. Preparing for your departure is actually the final step to go for studies in the USA. You must attend a pre-departure orientation which will help you prepare for your student journey ahead.
Make sure that all important things such as accommodation, health insurance etc. are very well sorted before you depart. Check for any additional pre-departure information available on the university website as it will be more specialized.
We hope that this comprehensive guide to study in the USA for Indian students will be helpful to you.