STUDY IN US
Undergraduate Programmes (Bachelor's Degree):
This is the first level of post-secondary education that begins after 12 years of primary and secondary schooling. It includes at least 4 years of education and earns a bachelor’s degree. There are also two-year programmes which earn an Associate degree. A student who has an associate degree has to study further for a minimum of 2 years to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Graduate Programmes (Master's and Doctorate Degree):
This is the same as post-graduate education in Pakistan. It usually involves one year or more of education depending on the subject or course, and earns a master’s or doctoral degree like MBA, MS or PhD. Admission to a graduate programme usually requires a minimum of 16 years of formal education. That is, 12 years of primary and secondary schooling and further 4 years of college education.
There is no central ministry of education in the U.S. and each institution can determine its own programmes and admission standards. There are private as well as state funded colleges.
- Universities are academic institutions that include one or more undergraduate colleges, as well as any number of graduate and professional schools, i.e. schools offering study for a single profession such as law.
- Four year colleges are undergraduate institutions offering academic programmes leading to a bachelor’s degree. Community colleges or junior colleges are undergraduate institutions offering upto two years of academic instruction beyond secondary school at a relatively low cost. These offer certificate programmes that last for a few months to a year as well as associate degrees.
- Institutes of technology or polytechnic institutes offer specialized programmes in sciences and engineering, in addition to basic sciences, humanities and the social sciences, at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Importance of Accreditation:
Accreditation is a process by which universities and their programmes are recognized for maintaining a certain level of performance and quality. Accreditation is usually done by non-governmental agencies called accreditation bodies. There are two types of accreditation: regional and professional.
Regional bodies ascertain whether colleges and universities as a whole meet certain standards of educational quality.
In addition, certain professional accrediting bodies evaluate the quality of education in specific fields like Business, Law etc. Following are the importance of accreditation:
In addition, certain professional accrediting bodies evaluate the quality of education in specific fields like Business, Law etc. Following are the importance of accreditation:
- Ensures that universities meet minimum standards.
- Only national and international form of evaluation for US universities.
- Increases the recognition of degree by employers and schools.
- Helps in case the student wishes a transfer to another university.
Admission Cycle:
US universities offer two main semester intakes:
- Fall Semester (September/October): This is the main intake and almost all programmes are offered at this time. More financial aid is also available for this semester as funds are allocated for the entire year during this time.
- Spring Semester (January/February): This is the mid-year intake. There is limited financial assistance available for this semester as most universities allocate funds to projects in the Fall semester.
- Summer Semester: Some universities also have a Summer intake around July.
Undergraduate and Graduate Application Procedure:
a. Application Forms
Send enquiries at least 15 to 18 months before the proposed date of admission. There are two ways to get application forms.
Send enquiries at least 15 to 18 months before the proposed date of admission. There are two ways to get application forms.
- Requesting Application Forms via email: You can request application forms from the universities website. Most universities have a form on their website which can be completed online to request application material.
- Requesting Application Forms via Air Mail: The other way is to send a request by airmail for application material. The request should contain a brief description of your educational background, academic objectives, source of financial support, English proficiency and standardized test scores.
- Downloading from the university website: Many universities have a downloadable and ready to print versions of their application forms on the internet. These can be used for applying just as regular forms.
b. Eligibility
Admission to a College or University in US requires a completion of twelve years of elementary and secondary education. In the Pakistani context, this implies qualifying in class 12th examination or junior college as applicable. The acceptable degrees include: Secondary School Certificate, Intermediate Certificate, Higher School Certificate, Higher Secondary Certificate
You can either pursue a two-year Associate degree like Associate of Science (A.S.) or a four-year degree like Bachelor of Science (B.S.).
Admission to a College or University in US requires a completion of twelve years of elementary and secondary education. In the Pakistani context, this implies qualifying in class 12th examination or junior college as applicable. The acceptable degrees include: Secondary School Certificate, Intermediate Certificate, Higher School Certificate, Higher Secondary Certificate
You can either pursue a two-year Associate degree like Associate of Science (A.S.) or a four-year degree like Bachelor of Science (B.S.).
c. Academic Records
Students who are applying for a Bachelor programme or another undergraduate course would be required to submit higher secondary school transcripts of the final exams. Admission committees will be interested in learning how you have performed in your own educational system. If the transcripts are in a language other than English, then it must be translated into English only by the issuing authority or university otherwise it may not be acceptable.
Students who are applying for a Bachelor programme or another undergraduate course would be required to submit higher secondary school transcripts of the final exams. Admission committees will be interested in learning how you have performed in your own educational system. If the transcripts are in a language other than English, then it must be translated into English only by the issuing authority or university otherwise it may not be acceptable.
d. Standardised Tests
- English Proficiency Test
TOEFL: This test is mandatory for International students applying for a Graduate course in US universities. The minimum score required by most universities for admission is 570 (Paper-based test) and 230 (Computer-based test).
- OtherTests
- SAT I : This is required for almost all courses and universities.
- SAT II : Few universities may require you to take two or three subject tests.
- ACT : Few universities may also require you to take this test.
e. Letter of Recommendation
Letters of reference or recommendation letters play a very important part in your admission especially in courses that earn you a master’s or doctoral degree. A recommendation letter is a signed statement from a person who knows you well or has taught you in a subject at school or college. It should list your positive and negative qualities, strengths and other such information.
The author or teacher must indicate his position, how long he/she has known the applicant and in what capacity. He/she should briefly discuss the need, importance and usefulness of the study the applicant proposes to undertake. Referee is usually asked to rank applicants in their letters of recommendation, which helps admission officers to interpret the academic credentials of foreign students. Students should obtain letters of recommendation (often on the prescribed forms sent by the institutions) from teachers who know them as a person as well as a student. You may like to request your author to give concrete examples that may show your qualities and help your case.
Many universities have their own format and questions that have to be answered by the person who is giving the letter of recommendation on your behalf. Letters, which do not give enough information, can jeopardize a candidate’s chances of selection.
Letters of reference or recommendation letters play a very important part in your admission especially in courses that earn you a master’s or doctoral degree. A recommendation letter is a signed statement from a person who knows you well or has taught you in a subject at school or college. It should list your positive and negative qualities, strengths and other such information.
The author or teacher must indicate his position, how long he/she has known the applicant and in what capacity. He/she should briefly discuss the need, importance and usefulness of the study the applicant proposes to undertake. Referee is usually asked to rank applicants in their letters of recommendation, which helps admission officers to interpret the academic credentials of foreign students. Students should obtain letters of recommendation (often on the prescribed forms sent by the institutions) from teachers who know them as a person as well as a student. You may like to request your author to give concrete examples that may show your qualities and help your case.
Many universities have their own format and questions that have to be answered by the person who is giving the letter of recommendation on your behalf. Letters, which do not give enough information, can jeopardize a candidate’s chances of selection.
Note: Even if not mentioned, it is advisable to include at least two letters of recommendation in your applications as they increase your chances of getting admissions.
f. Statement of Purpose
The personal essays, and/or statement of purpose, play a very important role in the process of evaluating your application for both admission as well as financial aid because it gives the faculty assessing your application their most significant impression of you as an individual. This section is the key to distinguish your application from other suitable candidates and a chance to market yourself.
A personal statement should include your reasons for choosing a particular course, the suitability of your education and experience for the chosen course, your personal interests and career goals.
Some courses like Business school courses will have their own essay questions and format. Others may ask for a résumé or reasons for applying to that particular course.
The personal essays, and/or statement of purpose, play a very important role in the process of evaluating your application for both admission as well as financial aid because it gives the faculty assessing your application their most significant impression of you as an individual. This section is the key to distinguish your application from other suitable candidates and a chance to market yourself.
A personal statement should include your reasons for choosing a particular course, the suitability of your education and experience for the chosen course, your personal interests and career goals.
Some courses like Business school courses will have their own essay questions and format. Others may ask for a résumé or reasons for applying to that particular course.
g. Financial Support
You must submit a financial aid application if you desire financial help for your graduate studies in a US university. Financial assistance for non-US citizens is very limited.
The evidence of financial support is required by universities to issue the documents needed for visa application. Although it is a requirement for application, it is usually not taken into consideration into factors that determine admission. Most universities make their admission decisions without regard for the source and amount of financial support.
You would be required to submit documentation of your family’s financial resources to help schools assess your need. Most of the universities have their own financial aid form, which you would have to complete.
You would also be required to submit a bank statement demonstrating your financial capacity to support your education in US. Some US state institutions offer tuition waivers to international students in return for some type of educational contribution.
You must submit a financial aid application if you desire financial help for your graduate studies in a US university. Financial assistance for non-US citizens is very limited.
The evidence of financial support is required by universities to issue the documents needed for visa application. Although it is a requirement for application, it is usually not taken into consideration into factors that determine admission. Most universities make their admission decisions without regard for the source and amount of financial support.
You would be required to submit documentation of your family’s financial resources to help schools assess your need. Most of the universities have their own financial aid form, which you would have to complete.
You would also be required to submit a bank statement demonstrating your financial capacity to support your education in US. Some US state institutions offer tuition waivers to international students in return for some type of educational contribution.
h. Interviews
A few universities may take your interview to know you better. The interview could be with a college representative or "third party" representatives, staff, faculty or alumni of the college or simply a telephonic interview. These interviews are usually informal and more of an opportunity to exchange information. The interviewer will try to judge your abilities and interests.
A few universities may take your interview to know you better. The interview could be with a college representative or "third party" representatives, staff, faculty or alumni of the college or simply a telephonic interview. These interviews are usually informal and more of an opportunity to exchange information. The interviewer will try to judge your abilities and interests.
Student Visa:
a. Types of Visa
There are mainly two types of student visas:
There are mainly two types of student visas:
- F-1 (Student Visa). The F-1 visa is for full-time students enrolled in an academic or language programme. F-1 students may stay in the US for the full length of their academic programme plus 60 days. F-1 students must maintain a full-time course load and complete their studies by the expiration date listed on the I-20 form.
- J-1 (Exchange Visitor Visa). The J-1 visa is issued for students needing practical training that is not available in their home country to complete their academic programme. The training must be directly related to the academic programme. The J-1 visa obligates the student to return to their home country for a minimum of two years after the end of their studies in the US before being eligible to apply for an immigrant (permanent residence) visa.
The rules and regulations governing the entrance of all international students into the United States are complicated and should be properly looked into before applying for a visa.
b. Visa Application Procedure
Documents required are:
Documents required are:
- Valid Passport
- One Passport size photograph
- A Non-immigrant Visa Application (Form 156) available from the Consular section.
- Form I-20 executed by the authorizing official of institution concerned, signed by the applicant.
- Evidence of financial ability to cover the costs of the education and maintenance involved
- Visa fee to be paid in Pakistan Rupees by American Embassy
c. When to apply:
An applicant may apply for a student Visa not earlier than 90 days before the registration date specified on the FORM I-20. If the registration date is already passed or the applicant cannot reasonably expect to arrive at the school by the registration date, the applicant should obtain an amended I-20 or a letter of extension from the issuing institution stating by what date the applicant may arrive. After the Completed application forms along with the documents are submitted, In most cases, the visa will be issued within a few days of the submission of the application. In some instances, the process may take longer depending on the time of year, consular caseload or other factors.
An applicant may apply for a student Visa not earlier than 90 days before the registration date specified on the FORM I-20. If the registration date is already passed or the applicant cannot reasonably expect to arrive at the school by the registration date, the applicant should obtain an amended I-20 or a letter of extension from the issuing institution stating by what date the applicant may arrive. After the Completed application forms along with the documents are submitted, In most cases, the visa will be issued within a few days of the submission of the application. In some instances, the process may take longer depending on the time of year, consular caseload or other factors.
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