• General Questions
• Tests
• Financial Aid

What are the admission requirements for getting admission to an Undergraduate program ?

Basic Requirements for admission to Undergraduate program are :

You must have 12 years of education with appropriate Secondary School Certificate. You will have to take TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test). Strong academic background. Adequate Financial Resources.

What would be the estimated expense for one Academic year ? 

The Cost of study varies widely among institutions and the cost of living varies from one location to the next. You can visit our Center to know about expenses at various Colleges/ Universities.

What is a Community College ?

Community Colleges provide two year Associate degree programs, usually called the Associate of Arts(AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degrees, as well as excellent  technical & vocational programs. Community Colleges are community based institutions with close links to secondary schools, community groups and employers & many US students live close to campus with their families.

What is a Technical & Vocational College ?

These institutions specialize in preparing students for immediate employment. They offer certificate & other short term programs that train students in the theory as well as in how to work with technology.

What does FALL & SPRING Admissions mean ?

If the classes / term starts at the end of August or early September , it means you have applied for FALL and if it starts in January, it means you have applied for SPRING session.

What is a Credit System ?

A student completes his degree when he has accumulated a certain number of  "Credits". Usually it takes somewhere between 130 & 180 credits to graduate. Sometimes Credits are also referred as "Units" or  "Semester/ Quarter hours".

What is a GPA ?

GPA (Grade Point Average) is used to assess how a student has performed on his or her degree program. Most Universities use a GPA scale of 4.0 but few use a scale of 5.0.

What is an "Accreditation" ?

Accreditation is the uniquely American process by which colleges and universities (as well as other groups of educational & service institutions) voluntarily establish and enforce criteria for the assessment of the quality of institutions, degree programs, and professional certificate programs within certain academic and professional fields. Being "Accredited" signifies that the institution or program meets minimum quality standards established by the group.

What is a "Prerequisite" ?

A Prerequisite is a program or course that a student is required to complete before being permitted to enroll in a more advanced program or course.

What is the difference between a "College" , a "University" or a "School" ?

In the United States, A college is a post secondary institution offering a general or "liberal arts" education. Most colleges concentrate on undergraduate education. It is also used to designate the parts of a university (for example, the College of Arts & Sciences). Universities offer instruction in more fields than do colleges, including professions such as medicine and law; they also confer a greater variety of graduate degrees. Sometimes, these words are used interchangeably. Both are popularly referred to as "schools".

What is a "Transcript" ?

A transcript is an authenticated copy of a students' official academic record detailing the courses, the student has taken and the grade received in each.

What is a computer adaptive test ?

• In a computer adaptive test (CAT) questions are selected while each individual takes the test.

• As you answer each question, the computer scores that question and uses that information about the test design, to determine which question to represent next.

• As long as you respond correctly to each question, questions of increased difficulty will be presented.

• Whenever you enter incorrect responses, the computer will present you questions with lesser difficulty level.

• The computer scores each question before selecting the next question. you must answer each question.

• The difficulty level of each question are taken into account in the calculation of scores. Therefore, the scores of all test takes can be compared even though they received different set of questions.

What computer skills do I need ?

Minimal computer skills are required to complete the tests. Before beginning the test, you will complete a tutorial test that covers topics like using a mouse, entering a response, using the word processor, accessing the help function and moving on to the next question.

TOEFL 
(Test Of English As A Foreign Language)

What is a TOEFL test ? 

TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language is conducted to evaluate the English proficiency of people whose native language is not English. It is a requirement for admission in the universities of United States.

Can I apply for a paper based TOEFL test ? 

In India, TOEFL is only an internet based test.

How much  is the fees of TOEFL ? 

The fees for TOEFL is 150 US Dollars.

Can I reschedule or cancel my TOEFL test dates ? 

Yes, you can. For details on how to reschedule or cancel the test dates, contact us at our Center or visit  www.ets.org/toefl.

How can I register for TOEFL test ? 

You have three options for registering for TOEFL test in India. 

On Phone :  
By Calling (011)26511649, 
Regional Registration Center (RRC), 
Sylvan Prometric, Senior Plaza, 
160-A, Guatam Nagar, Yusuf Sarai,
Behind Indian Oil Building, 
New Delhi 110 049 India.

Online Registration : (Preferably if you have a credit card) 
By visiting www.ets.org/toefl or visit the center.

By submitting the form : The TOEFL Form can be printed from this website . Or You can collect the form from our Center or any other USIEF Centers in India . It can also be downloaded from www.toefl.org .

To how many Universities my TOEFL score will be sent when I take the test? 

Your official score report will be sent to 4 Universities which you will have to name. If you want to send the report to more than 4 Universities, you will have to send an Additional Score Report Request form with requisite fees to Educational Testing Service, USA.

How much fees  is to be paid if I want to send additional score report for TOEFL to one University? 

The additional Score Report fee is US $ 17 per University.

SAT 
(Scholastic Aptitude Test)

What is a SAT I test ? 

SAT I-Reasoning test is a three hour, primarily multiple choice test that measures verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities that develop over time.

What is a SAT - II test? 

SAT-II - Subject Tests are one-hour , primarily multiple choice tests that measure your knowledge of particular subjects and your ability to apply that knowledge.

Who conducts SAT tests ? 

The SAT is governed by the College Board, an association of schools and colleges. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) develops and administers the SAT for the College Board. Contact details are : 
Educational Testing Service 
P.O. Box 6200 Princeton, 
NJ 08541 
Phone: (609) 771- 7600 
E-mail: sat@ets.org 
http://www.ets.org

When is the SAT test conducted ? 

SAT tests are conducted on specific dates throughout the year. To know the dates and the registration deadlines visit www.collegeboard.org or visit our Center to collect a SAT bulletin.

Is SAT a paper based test or is it Computer based ? 

SAT is paper based test.

How much is  the fees of SAT - I ? 

For students in India , the fees is 81.50 US Dollars.

Can I reschedule or cancel my SAT-I test dates ? 

Yes, you can. For details on how to reschedule or cancel the test dates, visit www.collegeboard.org

How can I register for SAT - I test ? 

You have three options for registering for SAT test. 

Online : 
(Preferably if you have a International Credit Card) :
 visit www.collegeboard.org 

By Fax : 
(If you have a International Credit Card) 

By submitting the form : 
SAT bulletin is available at our Center. The application form is to be filled and sent to College Board at USA along with the requisite fees payable by Dollar Draft.

How much  is the fees for sending SAT - I additional score report to one University? 

The additional Score Report fee is US $ 9 per University.

 

1. An Overview on Financial Assistance to International Students :

Studying in the United States can be expensive. Careful planning is both necessary and wise. You will be required to prove to the university, to the consular officer, and perhaps to the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service that you have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses (housing, food, clothing, etc.) and health insurance, as well as the university's tuition and fees.

2. From  where can I get a general idea about the expenses involved to study in The United States of America?

So how much money will you need? You can get a general idea about expenses by looking at catalogs or application information provided by the university. Remember, however, that tuition rates vary tremendously. State (public) universities are generally, but not always, less expensive than private institutions. Some private institutions may be able to offer scholarships that state schools cannot. Two-year or community colleges are usually less expensive than colleges and universities offering bachelor's and graduate degrees.

3. Does the cost of studying varies from university to university?

The cost of living in different parts of the United States also varies. In general, living in urban areas (in or near a big city) is more expensive than living in smaller towns or rural areas. Renting an apartment in a big city can cost twice as much as it does in a smaller town because there is such high demand for housing in large U.S. cities. Likewise, food, clothing, entertainment, and other living expenses may be more expensive in a city.

4. How do I budget my expenses?

Budgeting is a continuous process. At this stage, work on a "big picture" budget that will include tuition, room and board, transportation, and living expenses. Later you can be more specific, taking into consideration all the additional expenses of moving and settling in. One very important factor in the "big picture" budget is health insurance, which can be as little as $l,000 annually for an individual or as much as $5,000 for a family.

5. Which are the various sources from which I can get financial assistantship ?

Many international students put together a funding "package" from a variety of sources. You should explore the options your government or home university has available for students studying overseas. Many governments offer scholarships and low-interest or no-interest loans for academically promising students. Some international organizations offer scholarships and grants to students pursuing degree programs in specific fields. Some private companies in your country may offer scholarships to bright students who wish to study abroad. The best source of information on such scholarships is the U.S. educational advising center. For more information you can contact us.

Even if you are lucky enough to receive funding from sources such as the ones mentioned above, nearly all foreign students have to rely on personal and family funds as well. It is not uncommon for a family to use a substantial portion of their savings to pay for an education abroad. Your savings (or your family's) may be the only reliable source of funding you have as you begin your program of studies in the United States. In any case, the burden will be on you to explore funding options and secure the resources necessary for your studies. It can be challenging, and sometimes frustrating, particularly if your family funds are limited.

6. How easy is it to get financial assistance from the US Sources for undergraduate studies ?

Many U.S. colleges and universities offer limited financial aid for foreign students through their financial aid offices. In general, however, there is much less money available for undergraduate study in the United States than there is for graduate study. Private institutions can sometimes discount or reduce the costs of tuition; public institutions seldom have this option. You should request information about financial aid when you request an application form from the institution's admissions office. In some instances, it may be possible for you to participate in a formal exchange between your home institution and the institution you wish to attend in the United States. You can get more information on such exchanges by contacting the international student office at the U.S. institution or by contacting the corresponding office at your institution. This kind of person-for-person exchange can reduce expenses in some instances.

Source: www.nafsa.org