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1. Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. |
| 2. New England Association of Schools and Colleges. |
| 3. North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. |
| 4. Northwest Association of Colleges and Schools. |
| 5. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. |
| 6. Western Association of Colleges and Schools. |
 These accrediting agencies themselves come under review by the US Department of Education. It is imperative that you apply to only those colleges/universities that are accredited by the above mentioned agencies. The information pertaining to this is always mentioned in the institution brochure. If you are ever in doubt you could check with the United States Educational Foundation (USEFI) closest to you. Degrees from colleges/universities which have been accredited by any of these regional bodies are acceptable in India and any where abroad. Professional accreditation is done by specialized accrediting agencies. These agencies evaluate degree programmes given in a specific subject and give their stamp of recognition. Some professional accreditation agencies are as follows:
- American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- American Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
- American Psychological Association (APA)
Many competitive programmes have professional accreditation and if you get admission in a course that has professional accreditation then it is excellent. However programmes that do not have professional accreditation are of good quality as well.
When does the academic year begin?
Career Track: Academic Year & Semester System: The academic year in a US university is divided into two semesters: spring (January - May) and Fall (August - December). Fresh admissions are mainly processed for the Fall semester. However, many universities also accept students for the Spring semester.
Duration of Courses
Q. What is the duration of courses?
Career Track: The undergraduate degree in the US of A is for four years. The postgraduate degree is known as the graduate degree and is for two years (Masters) or three to five years (Ph.D.). The term institutions often use in their prospectus is Graduate School i.e. equivalent to our postgraduate departments. So if you think you are already a graduate then you may just miss the boat!
Application time sequence for study in America
Q.How much time will it take to apply?
Career Track: Once you have decided that you want to explore the possibility of studying in the US then the next step is to look at the application process and start planning. The entire application process takes nine to twelve months. If you start the process 12 months before the semester begins then you can be very organized, thorough & selective about the universities you identify & then finally apply for admission. But if you start the process only six or nine months before the semester begins, then you will have to hasten everything which will increase your costs in terms of courier, telephone, fax and even score reporting. Top
Financial implications for study in USA
Q.What is the financial implication of studying in the USA?
Career Track: The overall health of a country's economy has a great impact on the range of questions that student's have upper - most in their mind. Considering that India is a developing country with a weak currency, it is only natural that Indian students and their parents are concerned about the financial implications of study abroad. When one dollar can be purchased only with fifty rupees, then whatever expense we discuss in dollars gets multiplied fifty times!
The first question that occurs to anybody who is considering the study abroad option is, how much will it cost? Can I afford it? Can I get any financial assistance/scholarship to do the same? Can somebody sponsor my education? What is the procedure to take foreign exchange from India? and so on.
Depending on whether the university is a public institution, i.e. funded by the state government, or a private one, an academic year in a US university can cost between 15 and 40 thousand US dollars. Since the cost of studying abroad is so high it is imperative that you and your family weigh the options carefully and then make a decision.
Average Costs For Tuition & Living:
Q. Specifically what is the cost of tuition and living?
Career Track: Depending on the course you choose, the duration of the course and to some extent the country you select, the costs of study abroad can vary. The cost could range from Twenty thousand dollars per year to forty thousand dollars per year. This would include the tuition fees and living costs.
Undergraduate Studies in USA
Q.Do students go to the USA for UG studies also?
Career Track: Ruchita after class twelfth wanted to study in America; she was attracted by the concept of studying architecture after two years of well-rounded education. In her first two years of Bachelor's she will do courses in Psychology, Economics, Philosophy, Physics, etc. and then will gradually start taking courses in architecture from her third year onwards. She and her parents believe that the system of education in America will facilitate her thinking process to be analytical and creative. The general courses she will do in her first two years will increase her level of awareness and result in holistic education.
Let's look at the procedures Ruchita adopted to ensure that right after twelfth she was able to go to America for her education. Ruchita came to me for advice when she was just completing her class eleventh. She seemed like an intelligent and mature student. Her emotional maturity convinced me to encourage her for study abroad.
The application procedure for studying in America takes about nine to twelve months. So you have to start about a year before you plan to enrol in an American college / university.
The American universities take in students twice a year - January and August. It is preferable to plan for the August or Fall semester.
Financial aid
Q.Can I get full financial aid for studying?
Career Track: It is very difficult to get financial aid or scholarship to cover the entire costs involved. However, partial scholarships or tuition waivers are offered by American universities. When you send in your application to the university, you need to mention that you will be looking for financial aid. If any university or college in its initial literature has mentioned that they do not offer scholarships to international students then do not apply to them if you can go only with the help of a scholarship.
Why USA
Q Why should I consider studying in USA?
Career Track: UG education in USA is designed on the liberal arts system of education. Where you study a wide range of courses before specialising in the 3rd or 4th year. If you are unsure about what you would like to specialise in then this system gives you ample opportunity to discover your strengths. At PhD level several financial aid opportunities exist for international students.
Test Required
Q What are the tests required for studying in USA
Career Track: Depending upon the level of education you choose to go for you might be required to do the SAT (UG), GRE (PG), GMAT (MBA), LSAT (Law) and TOEFL. Subject specific SAT and GRE tests are required by some Universities.
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