The need for a good education worries most young people who are looking for a successful future. Indeed, the presence of a diploma of graduation from a prestigious educational institution often makes it possible to find an interesting high-paying job or to open your own business.
US Education Benefits
You can get higher education not only in your own country, but also abroad. Particularly attractive is studying in America. And this is not surprising, because US universities occupy first places in many world ratings.
What is the secret to the popularity of universities in America?
- Individual selection of training programs.
- Guaranteed high level of training.
- High qualification of teachers, as well as an additional invitation of specialists who have achieved high results in practical activities.
- The ability to conduct research and scientific work.
- The opportunity to practice in your specialty during the training.
- Good technical equipment of educational institutions.
- Excellent living and dining conditions in student dormitories.
How to get an education in America?
Community Colleges
This is a professional university whose program is designed for two years of study. After graduating, students receive a diploma of secondary vocational education. These educational institutions are in almost every city.
They are popular for a number of reasons:
- accessibility in terms of territorial location;
- acceptable prices;
- lack of entrance exams - admission is based on testing after graduation;
- with good academic performance, you can enter the university immediately for the 3rd year;
- large selection of educational programs.
Universities and colleges
Both those and others are universities. The difference is only in name and scale. The university includes many different colleges. Duration of study - at least 4 years.
Educational institutions can be both public and private. A public university has less tuition, but more students. The teacher is not able to pay enough attention to everyone.
Students themselves choose subjects that they will study, in addition to the main disciplines. During training, you can change direction or take additional courses. Often students graduate from a university in several specialties at the same time.
An important feature of colleges in the United States is compulsory research. Great importance and a lot of time is devoted to mastering practical skills.
3 levels of higher education in the USA
American colleges and universities have a three-stage education program:
- Undergraduate studies - 4 years. For two years, general subjects are studied. In the 3rd year, students must decide on a future specialty. In the future, the curriculum will comprise only special subjects.
- The master's program lasts 2 years. At this time, much attention is paid to scientific activity, and upon its completion, students should prepare a large research work.
- Doctoral studies. The third stage of training can last from 3 to 6 years. It depends on the chosen specialty. First, 2 years at lectures and seminars in-depth study of special subjects. Over the past year, a dissertation has been written and defended.
Receipt algorithm
How to enter an American college?
You need to start preparation a year before admission. You can start with the community college, and then go straight to the 3rd year of university. You can choose a regular college, but then it will be necessary to take preparatory courses.
What needs to be done first?
- Explore US university sites. There you will find comprehensive information about the institution, programs, costs, scholarships. There will also be information on the requirements for applicants. Often you can find special information for foreigners.
- On the site there is an application form for applicants. Otherwise, you can make a request to receive it. Carefully fill out all the points and send the copy to the desired university.
- To confirm the knowledge of the language, you need to pass the TOEFL or IELTS tests , for which an appointment must be made.
- By autumn, it is necessary to prepare all the documents, namely, to make their translation and notarize.
- Results will come by May. Next, you need to write a letter to the service working with foreigners, so that you will be assigned a curator.
Requirements for applicants
American college requirements may vary by state. The list of common mandatory items includes:
- essay questionnaire;
- certificate, diplomas of other educational institutions (school, college, institute) - do not forget that all documents are submitted in a translated and notarized form;
- a transcript indicating all subjects, the number of hours, grades obtained for the last 3 classes of the school - if you provide diplomas of other educational institutions, then information is needed for all years of study;
- exam scores, test results in high school;
- motivation letter;
- recommendations of teachers, which also need to be certified by a notary;
- check on the payment of the fee - only after it is submitted, the commission will begin to consider your application.
Tests
- TOEFL / IELTS are tests confirming knowledge of the language.
- SAT I / GRE General - knowledge of general subjects, testing of mental and cognitive abilities, decision-making skills.
- SAT II / GRE Subject - knowledge of common subjects.
- AST - knowledge of subjects in the chosen specialty. Testing is conducted at the university itself and remotely.
Tuition and scholarships
Education at American colleges is quite expensive.
The cheapest way is to study at a community college ($ 6000-7000 per year - that's 377-440 thousand rubles).
From $ 10,000 (628 thousand rubles) is tuition at a state university.
In private educational institutions - from $ 15,000 (942 thousand rubles).
Keep in mind that this is only the cost of the training itself. Accommodation, meals, textbooks are not included in this amount.
It is not possible to get education in America for free, but there are various scholarships, grants, discounts, loans and many other programs that can significantly help financially. An employee of the department for work with foreigners who is your curator will tell about them in detail.
Features of the educational process
The process of studying at an American college differs from the organization of training at Russian universities:
- There is no schedule. Students simply receive a list of subjects indicating their progress.
- Classes with American students begin in August.
- Each item has a certain number of hours (credits). Calculation is carried out in weeks. If desired, the number of loans can be increased.
- You can study in the summer (3 semester).
- Missing exam session. Assessment for the subject is set based on the results of the work during the whole semester: intermediate (as the material passes) and the final exam, as well as home and laboratory work.
- At the end of the training, you must pass the final exam and obtain a license based on its results.
Top American Colleges
There are more than 4,500 universities in the United States.
Many universities specialize in any one field.
Harvard provides the best education in business and law.
The Massachusetts Institute is an advanced engineer in engineering.
Among other things, when choosing a university, pay attention not only to the overall rating, but also to the ratings of selected specialties.
The list of American colleges that are most popular among the CIS countries includes:
- University of Central Florida. It is considered the second largest in the United States. Includes 13 colleges, more than 200 undergraduate programs. This university is considered the best in the field of teaching the hotel and tourism business, engineering specialties, as well as specialties related to space.
- International University of Florida. State Research Center. The strongest side of the university is hotel and tourism management, international business. There are many unique courses at the university, such as hurricane studies. There is also an inhabited ocean laboratory.
- California State University. The best for study here are considered engineering specialties, computer technology, biomedical engineering. The college of art is very strong. The university is proud of many graduates who have reached great heights in their professions.
- California State University Dominguez Hills - Best Business and Management Programs. Also, the university’s strong point is humanitarian programs, art, journalism, and advertising programs. College of Health is very popular. During the training of any of the selected specialties, excellent internship opportunities are provided.
- California State University Bakersfield. The university is located in Silicon Valley. The strongest direction of the university is information technology. The technical equipment is the best in the world. World-class laboratories. The most popular school of business and psychology. At a high level is also the teaching of biosciences.
American colleges for Russians
The high level of American educational institutions makes studying in them very attractive for many young men and women from Russia. And the conditions provided upon admission are increasingly encouraging our graduates to choose further studies at American educational institutions.
Students receive a visa for the entire duration of their studies. After graduation, another year is given in order to find a job and change the student visa to work. An excellent level of training makes graduates in demand by specialists. Many students are determined to work already in the learning process. If you manage to find a permanent job, then there will be an opportunity to obtain citizenship.
After graduating from a Russian university, you can graduate in one year. Often other abbreviated programs are available for international students. Additional discounts, benefits and grants are provided for persons with outstanding achievements in sports, music, and art. There are also various scholarships for those students who study "excellent".
The dream of getting an education in America may well become a reality even without big financial investments. This requires a great desire to learn. Only determination and hard work will help you achieve your dream.