Our young compatriots can receive in the United States almost any education - from secondary to doctoral studies. The number of American secondary specialized and higher education institutions exceeds 4,000, and more than 15 million students study there. It is believed that the United States is the optimal place to obtain master's and doctoral degrees.
True, the United States lacks a unified state education system; there is no organization analogous to our Ministry of Education that would develop unified curricula and admission conditions for students and postgraduates. Therefore, they vary from state to state, from university to university. In this regard, the issue of a well-considered choice of an educational institution becomes particularly important.
Schools
American children study in elementary school from ages 6 to 13, and in high school from 14 to 18. There are about 90,000 public schools and about 30,000 private schools in the United States, most of them Catholic. The latter educate almost 14% of all schoolchildren. A number of private schools are particularly privileged, and a diploma from them opens wide opportunities for their graduates.
Secondary schools are of various types: academic, vocational, and multidisciplinary. Academic schools, for example, provide an education sufficient for entrance to higher education institutions, while vocational schools prepare for direct practical work. Due to the lack of a unified curriculum, graduates of secondary educational institutions have different levels of knowledge.
Preparation for university entrance is carried out in the senior grades of American school (High School). There, students study a wide range of general education subjects - English and foreign languages, history, natural sciences, etc. Many private schools offer, as an alternative, the International Baccalaureate (IB) program in their senior grades.
For our applicant to get into the senior grades of an American private school, they need to pass the SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test), which tests knowledge of key subjects, and the TOEFL English language proficiency test. It is also necessary to provide an academic transcript of school grades, fill out an application, and pay a registration fee.
Colleges
There are more than 3,500 colleges in the United States, so choosing one is quite difficult. There are several types of colleges: two-year technical colleges, junior colleges, and community colleges, as well as four-year colleges that are equivalent in status to higher education institutions. The latter can be either independent higher education institutions or part of universities.
Foreigners prefer to enroll in community colleges - they educate 20% of all foreign students. This is because it is easier to get into them than into a university, and a year of study costs almost half as much. These institutions not only teach professions but also offer academic preparatory programs corresponding to the first two university years. After graduating from such a college with an Associate Degree, one can transfer directly to the third year of a university. Community colleges, as a rule, have agreements with public universities in their state on student enrollment, and courses taken at the college count toward the university program.
For admission to a two-year college, it is usually sufficient to provide a secondary education certificate and pass the TOEFL language test with a score of 450-500 (on the old scale).
Universities
No other country can boast such a number and variety of higher education institutions as the United States - there are more than 150 universities alone, and the number of colleges with four-year university-level programs exceeds 1,900.
American higher education institutions are divided into private and public. Both can be of different levels, and their prestige determines, in particular, the selection and admission procedures for applicants, as well as tuition costs. In less prestigious institutions, tuition is much cheaper, but the diploma is valued significantly lower. Ratings (which can be viewed, for example, at the American Information Center) and consultants from educational agencies will help you choose a truly good institution.
Both a four-year college and a university can grant a bachelor's degree. Over four years, a student must complete about 30 courses. The first and second years are devoted to basic knowledge, the third and fourth to specialized disciplines. The curricula of American universities are distinguished by the ability to combine elective subjects as broadly as possible. To obtain a degree, one must earn a specified number of credit hours (credits) and have a grade point average (GPA) not below a certain level.
The second stage of higher education (Graduate Level) consists of master's programs, designed on average for two years. Their participants make up about 52% of foreigners studying in the United States. The highest academic degree - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - can be obtained after three years of study and defense of a dissertation. As a rule, those holding a master's degree can apply for this degree, but in some cases, doctoral programs also accept bachelors.
The United States is the birthplace of the MBA degree (Master of Business Administration), which is in demand throughout the world today. Programs of this type at American business schools are very popular. About 60% of the world's leading business schools are located in America, offering a total of 700 programs for this degree. Foreign students also prefer to study management and economics in America - that is, disciplines in which Americans are undisputed leaders. Also in high demand are law, medicine, physics, engineering and natural sciences, mathematics, and computer science.
Graduates of Russian schools who speak English can apply directly to American four-year colleges and universities. For admission to a bachelor's program, you must provide a certificate of complete secondary education and, in some cases, pass the comprehensive American College Test (ACT), which includes tests in language and subjects that are part of the American high school curriculum. You will also have to take the TOEFL language exam (a score of at least 500-550 is required).
Another opportunity to get into an American college or university is to transfer from the 1st to 3rd year of a Russian higher education institution, although there is a high probability that not all subjects will be credited. In this case, you will have to take the SAT (Standardized Aptitude Test) - a test to check basic knowledge of core subjects. Applicants for master's programs will have to pass the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), and those who plan to study management and business administration - the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test).
The decision to admit students is made by a special admissions committee or the faculty of the university to which the applicant intends to apply. The criteria affecting the decision on admission and the allocation of financial aid are determined by the university. Factors that influence the outcome (number of available places, competition, amount of financial aid, etc.) change every year.
You should start the admission process about a year and a half in advance. It is better to immediately choose 10-15 universities that suit you in terms of the content of the programs offered, their cost, and other aspects. You should also consider the reputation of the institutions and their rankings. Already in April-May, you can send a letter to these universities asking them to send an application form and a request for financial aid. By November, you must take the required admission tests. Once you have finally decided, you should carefully and thoroughly fill out the application and send it to the selected colleges or universities along with a cover letter and all the documents each institution has requested. You will need certified copies of your diploma (certificate) and transcript (record of academic (school) courses taken and grades received), letters of recommendation from faculty or school representatives, a detailed application statement sometimes called an admissions essay or essay, as well as documents confirming your financial capabilities. American universities charge a fee for reviewing documents.
Getting into prestigious universities is quite difficult - the competition is from 5 to 12 people per place. Admission takes into account school grades, including GPA and test results. Great importance is attached to recommendations from teachers who personally know the candidate.
Language schools
One of the main requirements for those who are going to study in the USA is excellent knowledge of English. You will have to take the TOEFL test of English as a foreign language, and you need to prepare for it especially. Relevant preparatory courses are offered by both Russian and American language schools. The latter are preferable: by studying there, you become immersed in the language environment.
Almost every American university has an ESL (English as a Second Language) language department. The range of study options is very wide - from general English (standard course, intensive, individual lessons with a teacher) to specialized programs such as 'work plus study,' 'English for business school,' 'university preparation,' and 'international academic year.' You can start classes at any level (there are five - from beginner to high intermediate).
All major international linguistic centers - LAL, Aspect, EF, International House, Regent, and others - have their branches in different regions of the USA. Many language programs combine study with rest at American resorts. Language study in small university towns is somewhat cheaper than in large cities, and 'advanced' students have the opportunity to simultaneously attend university lectures. This is the so-called Bridge Program, which serves as a kind of bridge between language courses and the university.
Scholarships and grants
According to statistics, currently 80% of foreign students in the USA pay for their own education. However, if such expenses are beyond your means, you can apply for financial aid. There are many organizations in America that provide financial support to foreign students (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.). Universities themselves also award various types of scholarships, but in most cases the funds received will have to be worked off (for example, the assistantship type of scholarship involves assisting a professor). The competition for financial aid at any university or private foundation is very high, and it goes only to the best and most capable applicants - those who have perfect command of the language and good preparation. Only one in five applicants receives it.
To receive a scholarship, applicants are best advised to take part in one of the competitions specifically designed for our students and graduate students. The US government, for example, funds the Edmund Muskie graduate and doctoral scholarship programs, the Fulbright program, and others. As a rule, it is easier to get a scholarship or grant for those who are going to the USA for a master's program or doctoral studies.
During their studies, students are allowed to work 20 hours per week (40 hours during vacations), but only on campus. Earnings are usually very small, and one should not seriously count on this opportunity. Living costs vary significantly depending on the location of the educational institution. The highest cost of living is in large cities - New York, Los Angeles, Chicago; expensive states include New England and California.
Obtaining a student visa
Unfortunately, obtaining a student visa (F-1) in the United States has always been a difficult matter, and after the events of September 11, 2001, it became even more difficult.
Before applying to the embassy for a student visa, you must obtain confirmation of enrollment from the American educational institution and pay for the program of study (either in full or at least for one year). The host educational institution must send an electronic confirmation that you are registered there or with a sponsoring organization (the confirmation must be sent through the ISEAS program of the U.S. Department of State) and issue you form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility), on the basis of which a visa is issued. You also need to confirm that you have funds for tuition and living expenses.
An F-1 visa is issued for three months, a year, or three years (multiple-entry). It can be extended in place provided that you are actually studying. The registration fee for a three-year visa is currently $100.
BY THE WAY Student part-time jobs abroad are not only in the classic service sector. If you have even a little artistic talent, you can try your hand in the film and advertising industry. Constant filming and production of commercials give you a chance to participate in crowd scenes, and with luck, even become the main character of a small episode in a film or commercial. Such work pays quite well and takes much less time. Again, it is much more pleasant to see yourself on screen than in the back of a provincial restaurant.