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This section provides a basic outline of the
structure of university education in the US along with a brief overview of the facilities for
overseas students in colleges and universities in the USA.
Education in the USA
From small institutions with a few hundred students to
large government-supported colleges and universities teeming with thousands of
students and from vocational colleges to privately sponsored research
institutions, universities in the USA cater to a wide variety of educational needs of
overseas students. The vast range of options, not only on the academic front
but also in matters of financing structures, career choices and employment
opportunities there is a greater possibility of the right fit for international
students in line with their expectations.
Structure of the education system in the USA
Certain practices or traditions of colleges and universities in the
US,
at least in the public domain, differ quite markedly from those in other
countries. For example, the responsibility of formulating policies with regard
to higher education rests solely with the state and not a central authority.
Also, private sponsorship plays a dominant role in funding scholarships and
research projects in the
US.
The broad categorization of the different types of institutions for higher
education is as follows:
- State
College or Universities (of which
there is at least one in each
U.S.
state): As the name suggests, these universities are funded by the states.
- PrivateCollege
or Universities (which are normally smaller in size than
government-run institutions):.These are generally more difficult to get
into, with the tuition fee also being on the higher side in comparison to
the state schools.
- Professional Schools
(that impart training in professional fields such as art, music, business,
engineering etc): Some of these schools offer graduate programs as well.
These may be attached to a university or function as separate colleges.
- Institutes of
Technology (which conduct courses of study of at least four
years' duration in the fields of science and technology): These institutes
too may offer graduate programs.
A majority of the colleges and universities in the US adhere to either a
quarter-based, (with three quarters in a year lasting 12 weeks each), or a
semester-based system which comprises two semesters of 16 weeks each, with an
optional quarter or semester in the summer. Typically, the value of a course is
assessed in terms of units or 'credits' which correspond to the number of hours
or classes a student attends of that particular subject. In order to maintain
visa status, it is mandatory that overseas students register for at least 12
credits. A particularly distinguished group of universities
comprise what is known as the 'Ivy League'. The League is a group of eight
colleges and universities situated on the east coast, which are world renowned
for their excellent academic standards. These rank among some of the earliest
established American institutions.
The intensity of research activity varies greatly across public universities
in the
USA.
Institutions with large research budgets receive roughly 30 per cent of their
funding from the state government, the rest being made up by grants,
allocations and tuition fees. In this matter, the private colleges generally
enjoy greater flexibility as they do not depend on the government, instead
relying on philanthropic and professional organizations and their alumni for a
large part of their funding.
Unlike quite a few other countries, reviews of the quality of higher
education in the
U.S.
are carried out by private, non-profit organizations specifically designed for
this purpose. Besides helping top
U.S.
colleges and universities maintain quality, professional accreditation of this
sort also helps in determining qualification to avail of state funding and
fosters confidence in prospective employers in the degree or credentials
obtained from the universities.
Student comfort - financial aid and other aspects
There is not much financial aid for students from sources within the
US
itself. International students must rely on their own sources or turn to their
local governments and organizations in their own country for sponsorship.
Although state universities are now seeking greater funding to support
international study programs, financial aid for overseas students in US
colleges and universities remains limited to research grants or allocations.
Graduate students can avail of this by applying for teaching and research
assistantships or even for administrative positions. In addition to
international students can also apply for fellowships from both state and
private universities.
The choice is much greater in matters of housing and accommodation, starting
from a decision to live on campus or off it. On-campus options include
'residence halls', where typically 2 students share a room, or apartment living
where 4 students generally share two rooms and a kitchen. An advantage of
living on the premises is the accessibility to all the facilities - sports
fields, libraries, computer centers, cafeteria etc. - which will be of walking,
or at the most cycling, distance. Another major benefit is safety, not only
because of the universities' own security forces but also because of always
being in a group. It is best to know and arrange for housing on campus in
advance so that any rush at the last minute can be avoided. Universities that do not have sufficient accommodation
on campus have offices to help students find apartments outside the campus and
give them information on the local neighborhood. Many overseas graduate
students prefer living off-campus, since there are lesser distractions and it
affords them greater privacy. Also, the living and food costs might be lower
when doing your own cooking in a separate kitchen. It is advisable for those
who wish to live off-campus to wait until reaching the U.S. before deciding on an apartment or signing a lease.
To study abroad in
USA
is a dream for most Indian students. More than 650,000 International students
go to study in the
USA
every academic year. A large percentage of them are Indian students.
The sheer number of world-class institutes of higher learning is one of the
key issues which has made the
USA
the premiere destination for international students from all over the world.
The global aspect of American universities coupled with the comprehensive
curriculum offered at these institutions endears them to students and employers
alike. Another major reason that draws international students in large numbers
to study in the
US
is the wide array of choices with regard to the subject matter which ranges
from the highly academic programs like nuclear physics to very creative courses
like art and film direction. Added to this is the quality of teaching and the
research facilities which are cutting-edge. The qualifications and credentials
earned by studying in US colleges and universities are recognized in every part
of the world. Some of the most famous universities in the world like Harvard
University, Yale, Stanford, Cornell, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT), and the
University of
Pennsylvania
are all located in the
USA.
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