"The Experience"
Entering and Leaving the U.S. on a Student Visa
Author: petersons, Category: Getting Started for College
So, you obtained your visa and permission to enter the United States. Are you wondering what happens next?
First things first
For starters, you can finally start making your travel plans and packing your bags for school. However, don’t plan to arrive more than 30 days prior to the start of your program or you may be turned away at the border. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security precludes new students from entering the country more than 30 days prior to the start of school. (Continuing students may enter the U.S. at any time before their classes start.) Read the rest of this entry »
What to Expect When You Apply for Your Visa
Author: petersons, Category: Getting Started for College
In 2002, the U.S. implemented the use of biometric procedures to increase security and decrease the use of stolen or fraudulent visas. Visa processing times increased with these changes, but the U.S. Department of State recognizes that delays occur and attempts to decrease the wait time and make the application process as efficient as possible. However, delays are unpredictable so give yourself plenty of time and start your application well in advance of the date you want to come to the United States.
What does this mean for you? Read the rest of this entry »
Student Visas and Passports
Author: petersons, Category: Getting Started for College
To attend college in the U.S., you must first get permission to enter the country. To do so, you must meet stated requirements, which include that you must be healthy, law abiding, financially self sufficient, and prepared to leave once you have completed your studies.
Applying for a visa
The rules and regulations governing the entrance of international students into the U.S. are somewhat complicated. If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, you must submit to the U.S.consular authorities Form I-20 for an F-1 or M-1 student visa, or Form DS-2019 for a J-1 exchange visitor visa. You must also provide a valid passport from your home country. Read the rest of this entry »
Getting Started on an Education in the United States
Author: petersons, Category: Getting Started for College
America welcomes you
For years, America has enjoyed a healthy population of foreign students coming to the United States for top-notch education. Some of the world’s most brilliant minds have been educated in our schools, pursuing their futures while helping to contribute to the academic and economic well-being of the country.
The creation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and changes to immigration laws saw a temporary decline in foreign-student enrollment from 2001 to 2004. The tightening up of the immigration process introduced more stringent procedures for issuing visas, more entry denials, and lengthier processing times. However, improvements in both government procedures and school recruiting efforts seems to have made a positive improvement. Though there are still problems to work out, the U.S. government wants its efforts to improve visa procedures and immigration policies to give a clear message to foreign students: America welcomes you and encourages you to apply to and enroll in American schools.
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Education USA Wants to Help You
Author: petersons, Category: Getting Started for College
It doesn’t matter if you’re Irish, Russian, Egyptian, Chinese, Jamaican, or any other nationality — when it comes down to moving to another country to attend university, you’re probably going to have a lot of questions. Moving to any country other than your own can bring on culture shock, and coming to the United States is no exception. In fact, some may even find it downright daunting!
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Types of Colleges in the U.S.
Author: petersons, Category: Getting Started for College
If you’re planning to study in the U.S., you have a number of choices when it comes to picking your college. There are many types of schools, each having its own mission and purpose within American education.
Two-year colleges
Two-year institutions, which are typically referred to as community or junior colleges, award the associate degree — Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) — following successful completion of a two-year, full-time program. There are two basic types of programs at community and junior colleges. Some programs are strictly academic and designed to prepare students to transfer to four-year institutions with bachelor’s degree programs. Others are more practical or applied and provide career training in specific areas. This second type of school does not usually prepare students for transfer to a four-year institution, though some of the credits earned may still be accepted by a four-year institution. Read the rest of this entry »
Going to College in the U.S.
Author: petersons, Category: Getting Started for College
The opportunity to choose from a large range of institutions and programs is one of the greatest advantages of the U.S. educational system. American schools range from large research universities with more than 30,000 students to small colleges with fewer than 1,000 students; from universities with graduate and professional studies in medicine, law, and many other fields to schools offering only the two-year associate degree. Similarly, schools can be found everywhere from urban schools in large cities to rural institutions located far from metropolitan areas.
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Choosing a School When More than One Accepts You
Author: petersons, Category: Getting Started for College
By Howard and Matthew Greene
By the time March and April arrive, you’re hopefully getting what you asked for - multiple offers of admission. This is the ideal time to re-visit campuses (or visit them for the first time), and determine which college choices are best. May 1 is your deadline for deciding on a school and putting down a deposit, so use your remaining time wisely and productively.
What works for you?
To choose between schools and the different environments they offer, consider some of your most fundamental needs: Read the rest of this entry »
My Applications are in…Now What?
Author: petersons, Category: Getting Started for College
By Howard and Matthew Greene
Now that the hard work of filling out applications and writing essays is over, you may think all that’s left to do is to wait anxiously for a decision about your college future. Even if you’ve turned everything in, however, there are still some things you can do to improve your chances of admission, and to keep your mind occupied while you wait. Read the rest of this entry »
What are Rolling Admissions?
Author: petersons, Category: Getting Started for College
Have you discovered that a school on your list has a rolling-admission policy? It might sound a bit like the “Wheel of Fortune”, but it can actually put the odds in your favor when it comes to getting accepted. While many schools have a “hard” deadline for applications (meaning they won’t accept those either postmarked or received after that date), schools that use rolling admissions accept applications until they’ve filled all the spots in their freshman class.
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