Boasting the highest number of international students in the world, the US is the ideal destination for traveling abroad for higher education. From the gleaming sunlit coasts of California, to the snowy tree covered hills of Maine, the US has it all. Higher education in the US is world renowned, as institutions such as Harvard and Stanford, recognized internationally, are spread throughout the States. There’s something in the US for everyone, from unique cultural events, vastly diverse landscapes, a host of interesting peoples and fantastic food; the US is a true melting pot of the world.

The United States stretches across the entire continent of North America from coast to coast, nestled underneath Canada in the North, and above Mexico in the South. The country is divided into the mainland referred to as the “continental US” and Alaska (in the North, off of Canada) and the Pacific island of Hawaii.

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  • Golden Gate Bridge

    Golden Gate Bridge

    San Franscisco, CA, USA

  • New York, USA

The US allows for a great variety of lifestyles. For those who are interested in the outdoors, there are deserts, beaches, mountains, savannas and anything in between to explore. For those interested in a social life, major metropolitan cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, and of course the “city that never sleeps”: New York, New York are readily available.

The education system in the US is a bit different than the British system that Pakistani students are used to, but it is rather simple and easy to get used to. As the student progresses through their education, the US ranks #5 in the International Monetary Fund’s 2020 list of countries ranked by GPD per capita. That means there’s a lot of economic opportunity, and professional positions pay pretty well once a student enters the job market.

Educational opportunities include top tier universities, vocational schools, technical institutes, and colleges of education for any type of student. From fancy ivy league schools, to affordable state universities, the possibilities and opportunities are endless!

Global Accreditation

The US Department of Education ensures a standard of education across each state. Different public and private accreditation institutions exist to approve and monitor educational standards within the oversight of the Department of Education.

Interactive Teaching Methods

The US, being one of the pioneers of novel teaching methods, incorporates a multitude of ways for students to learn and grow. From small classrooms with 20 students, to large lecture halls with over 300 students, there is something for everybody. Each University has its own method of teaching and student organization structures. It is always best to look into each individual university to find what’s right for each student.

Research Opportunities

The US is on the forefront of academic research in a majority of fields. From world renowned scientific journal publications to state-of-the-art research facilities, there is an extremely robust system of social and scientific academic research in place. Each University in the US specializes in a specific field of research (some can specialize in more than one!). It is common to target a specific university if a student is particularly interested in the field in focus for research there.

Safety and Security

The United States has some of the safest campuses in the world. Students in higher education enjoy a comfortable and safe working and studying environment so they can focus on their studies. Universities usually employ security or even volunteer students to provide comfort and companionship to students walking to parking lots or their dormitories later at night.

Work Opportunities During Study

Different Universities have different rules, however, most universities allow some sort of half-time employment opportunities for their students. Some also afford the opportunity of working on campus, for the campus. This gives the student a very convenient opportunity to remain on campus, while working and studying.

Types of Educational Institutions

The United States incorporates three different kinds of Higher Education institutions: Junior/Community Colleges, Vocational Schools, and Colleges/Universities.

Junior/Community Colleges allow a good combination of student/work life balance with affordable education and two year degrees. After graduation, students can then enroll in a College/University to complete their education at a fraction of the total cost.

Vocational Schools offer practical education and on-the-job learning/training. These institutions offer short, career-focused learning which can lead to vocational professions which do not require formal degrees, but do require hands-on training to perform.

Colleges/Universities allow a more traditional 4 year Higher Education experience. The first two years are traditionally incorporated into “General Education” where students take a variety of subjects and finish their “elective” requirements. Electives are general subject requirements where the student can pick which type of class they want, and attend that for credit towards their degree. Usually electives are purposefully not related to their field of study, in order for the student to get a more well-rounded education and exposure to newer subject matter. The second two years of Higher Education include upper level, subject-matter focused courses. These courses dive into the details of the students’ chosen field. They are usually rigorous courses which prepare the student for a career in the field.

Graduate Schools

Graduate schools in the US are typically known as Postgraduate schools elsewhere in the world. The two main types of graduate study are masters or a PhD. Masters are usually two year programs which focus on a field of study, dividing the course load into academic and professional types. Doctorates (or PhD’s) vary across the States (and even across a University). Depending on the field of study, the University, and even the Professor, the PhD experience is very different. For a Doctorate, a student usually approaches a Research professor directly, expressing interest and obtaining permission from the professor of the research lab, before applying to the University itself. The Doctorate has multiple phases which includes academic coursework, qualifying exams, and doctoral candidacy which takes the form of a dissertation defense at the end of the program.

Tuition Fees & Scholarships

For international students, tuition costs vary depending upon the field, university and type educational certification a student chooses. All academic institutions in the United States decide their own tuition and scholarship brackets, so it is best to look into your desired university and program with this in mind.

Average undergraduate degree cost Community College USD $6,000 to $20,000 per year
Undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree USD $20,000 to $40,000 per year
Average postgraduate degree cost USD $20,000 to $30,000 per year
Average Doctoral degree cost USD $28,000 to $55,000 per year (though most doctorate programs offer 100% tuition)

Scholarships

There are many opportunities for scholarships available throughout the US on a federal, state, and even local level. One of the greatest ways to manage study and living expenses abroad is to apply for a scholarship, which encourages you to focus on your studies without additional financial concerns.

A wide variety of scholarships are available across the board for international students, further details of which may be found with the university you shall be applying to. Locating scholarships from each university, or government agency can be extremely fruitful.

Academic Year

Most universities in the US operate between August to December for the Fall semester, and January to April for the Spring Semester. There is also the option for completing your degree faster by taking Summer School between May and August.

Learning English

In the event that you are not proficient in the English language, you shall be recommended to study the language and prove proficiency before the beginning of your vocational training or academic degree.

Courses for the English language are available for roughly $700 to $2000 per month. However, proficiency can be proven by language exams as well as by finding external opportunities for language proficiency.

After Graduation

Recent graduates may begin working in the United States proceeding the completion of their studies, which initially may be for up to one year. There are multiple post study work visa options available such as F1, M1 and J1. The visas are as follows:

 

F1 –       Remains valid until end of study

–       Can apply for optional practical training to stay in the US for up to one year for employment-authorized practical training

–       Allows 60 days after completion of study and training to depart from the US
M1 –       This visa is only valid for one year

–       Student can apply for an extension of up to 3 years

–       Graduate can work in the US for at least 6 months after completion of coursework as practical training

–       Allows 30 days after completion of study and training to depart from the US
J1 –       Visa for students to participate in Education or Cultural Exchange programs

–       Can teach, study, conduct research, work as an intern, or camp counselor

–       J1 host needs to provide sponsorship to the student

–       Validity of the visa depends on the host and the program, could be from a few weeks to several years

–       Candidates are given a 30-day grace period after completion of the program to depart from the US