Degree abroad: Is it worth the money?

 

This is often the question most people have in mind - "Is the degree from a foreign university worth the money?"

After all, most people do not have handy a large stash of cash to make their children's dreams come true. The degree from a prestigious university is often well worth the initial investment and pays dividend in the long run provided the below criteria are met:

1. University has a good curriculum matching the prospective students' interests.

2. The prospective student is willing to work hard towards' his/her goals.

3. Do not get dejected by the initial setbacks.

Ultimately, each person's circumstances is different and one must carefully analyze to make sure that the path forward is the right one.

To quote George Herbert: "To him that will, ways are not wanting" - So believe in yourself!

I-20 & SEVIS difference

Confused about I-20 & SEVIS? Let's dive in.

All foreign admitted students admitted to a US university need an I-20 issued by the university in order to apply for an F-1 student visa. The I-20 contains the SEVIS id (Student Exchange and Visitor Information System) which is a unique record for each student entering the United States. As long as you are a student in the United States, you will maintain a SEVIS record.

Foreign students can gain employment using CPT/OPT during their stay on F1 visa and SEVIS record is updated by the school officials to indicate the student's valid employment authorization period. 

Foreign students also need to get a travel authorization on their I-20 before they leave the United States if they are planning on visiting their home country. Travel signature would be checked at the border/airports for F1 visa holders who left the US temporarily.

Always check with your Designated School Official (DSO) if you are unsure about the requirements of your visa, eligibility for employment or have questions about travelling overseas.

Good Luck!

Terms of study in US universities

US institutions typically follow a semester system or a quarter system.

Semester system:

A semester system typically involves three 15-week terms of study :

• Fall : Typically August to November end
• Spring: January to May
• Summer: May to August (typically shorter)

Quarter system:

A quarter system typically involves four 10-week terms of study:

• Winter: Typically January to March
• Spring:  April to June
• Summer: June to August 
• Fall: September to December

Both systems have their own pros and cons. All universities follow either of the systems. 

Difference between M.S & M.Eng?

M.S is the abbreviation of Master of Science and M.Eng is the abbreviation of Master of Engineering. 

Some universities offer M.S while others offer M.Eng. Both are master's course and can be used to enhance the boundaries of one's knowledge in a field. M.S is more of a research oriented course while M.Eng has more of a course-work based curriculum. Finally, it is up to an individual to decide whether he would like to do a M.S or M.Eng degree.

Note: Some universities offer S.M degree instead of M.S (Both are basically the same!). 

University rankings & Research

Start your research on the US universities by looking at US school ranking published annually using the link below:

Engineering Rankings US universities

Shortlisting universities is the first step to gaining admission to degree programs in the United States.

What is GRE and TOEFL?

GRE and TOEFL are both examinations conducted by ETS (Educational Testing Service). 

• GRE is the abbreviation of Graduate Records Examination and TOEFL stands for Test of English as Foreign Language. 
• TOEFL is required only for non-native English speaking countries. India is not considered as a native English speaking country and TOEFL is required for Indian applicants. 

GRE tests your ability in quantitative(mathematics) and verbal ability. The GRE exam was revised in August 2011 and the new exam maximum score is 340 with 170 for each quantitative and verbal section. It also assesses your ability in the analytical section and grades you with a score in the range of 0-6.

TOEFL on the other hand tests your ability to read, write, listen and speak English. The Intenet based TOEFL test has a maximum mark of 120 with 30 for each section.

Both GRE and TOEFL are mandatory for foreign students' admission to US universities.

Please refer to my dedicated pages for more information about these tests:

GRE

TOEFL

Official ETS website:

ETS GRE homepage

ETS TOEFL Homepage

How can I do a MBA from the US?

Most Universities in US require a GMAT score along with a TOEFL score for admission to the MBA program although some universities also accept your GRE score instead of GMAT. 

GMAT is similar in pattern to the GRE with more emphasis on the verbal part.

What is the requirement to study in US for Master's?

Basically, there is no requirement as such. It all depends on the University that you are planning to attend. Most of the Universities require you to have a GRE and TOEFL scores. 

But there are some universities that doesn't require both and it considers only your Bachelor's and High school scores for admission. The top universities require you to have good academics as well as good scores on your GRE and TOEFL exams. Please note that all universities do not offer all the courses. 

Ultimately, you have to visit the respective university websites on more information to their respective admission process.

Choose the best way forward

If you are an high school student or a bachelor's student, you have to plan in advance where you want your career to lead you to. 

As you all might be knowing, US education has a higher relevance and practicability then what is offered elsewhere. Though the cost of education is higher, you can achieve scholarship or grants through several means. 

So if you are a high school student, then you might want to pursue a Bachelor's degree in US. Or else if  you already completed a Bacheor's degree then you could pursue a Master's or a Ph.D from US. 

US education is unmatched in terms of its quality and it will help you for sure to achieve greater heights in life. So what are you waiting for? Just collect some information about US education now and propel your career in the right direction!

Welcome!

Welcome everyone! 

This site is dedicated to all students aspiring to study in US. Here we will discuss everything you need to know in order to let your dreams fly high by pursuing a higher degree from the US. 

Hope this blog would be of utmost use to everyone. Happy learning and All the Best!