Which is the most desirable destination for international students? The United States! It won’t be wrong to state that the United States has become the most popular destination for students to study abroad. Its high standard education and top leading universities and organizations set the US apart from other countries. However, getting your application accepted among global applicants requires a standout profile to surpass the competition. The United States has over one million international students, primarily from India, China, and South Korea. As a foreign applicant, you need the right approach to apply for your desired program and secure admission. This comprehensive guide allows you to navigate the application process and avoid common mistakes seamlessly.
Choose Your University and Program
As you have decided to move to the U.S., it’s high time to explore resources and make tough decisions. We believe choosing your university and program is the most challenging task; however, you can streamline the process with extensive research. Analyze different universities and programs and align them with your academic expertise. Your degree program should portray your career goals. This will also help you convince immigration officers and get your application accepted.
However, most of the students don’t speak English as their first language. It creates a barrier and restricts their access to top US universities. This is where translation services can be your gateway to interact with institutes in the US and prepare your application accordingly. For instance, applicants from China can take assistance from Chinese to English translation services to translate their educational documents and records to apply to different universities in the US. Translated documents help provide a complete picture of a student’s academic records and prevent potential rejection of applications.
Prepare for Standardized Tests
It’s time to make arrangements to meet admission requirements. One of the most essential requirements is to pass standardized tests to proceed with your application process. Failure to secure a good rank in these relevant tests will impact your overall score or result in application rejection.
- For undergraduate programs, you need to attempt SAT or ACT
- For graduate programs, you need to pass GRE or GMAT
Moreover, students also need to pass English proficiency tests. If English is not your first language, you need to pass TOEFL or IELTS tests. You can consult different institutes to prepare for these tests.
Meanwhile, you can craft a compelling and persuasive letter of recommendation to increase your chances of securing admission. It is often considered a letter, but your application scope and purpose heavily rely on it.
Apply for Student Visa
You are done finalizing your course program and probably passed the required tests. You have to start applying with all the necessary documents. These include:
- Academic documents
- Resume
- Letter of recommendation
- Language proficiency score certificate
- Statement of purpose (SOP) document
Understand the requirements for an F-1 student visa. Your visa application might get rejected if your documents aren’t accurately prepared. This is where you can engage the expertise of a professional translation company to prepare your documents and align them with specific standards of the university and embassy. Translated records and applications give you a significant edge over other international students who may not be aware of specific formatting.
Finance Your Education
Financing your education and living a good life in the U.S. requires a lot of funds and resources. You might struggle to manage this all without any financial support. Explore scholarships offered by universities, government, and public organizations. Check eligibility and start applying to secure grants for your education. Another option is to avail student loans. These federal and private loans have comparatively lower interest rates and favorable criteria for students. Also, you may be able to find interest-free loans in the US.
Students also have the option to find some part-time work to fund their education and bear living expenses. You can explore different on-campus work opportunities that are dedicated to international students.
Post-Study Options
Most of the international students coming to the U.S. also seek post-study work options to pursue their professional careers in the same region. This is where choosing the right course program helps you secure work opportunities and excel in your area of interest. Let’s assume you have studied medicine. You’ll be able to get a good job in the medical sector. Likewise, skilled professionals are also required in other industries. However, you’ll have to research potential immigration paths to legally work in the US after education.
Conclusion
This comprehensive guide includes all the information you need to apply to the US and get your application accepted. The number of applicants is increasing, and also the application process is continuously changing. You need to stay up-to-date to avail upcoming scholarships and grants. Careful planning and preparation will help you accomplish success in your academic and professional career.
