Why study in the USA?
Being a diverse country, the United States is the safest place for students, particularly from India, and there is no need for any fear of racism. So in that sense, the US is a safe country for Indian students. If you have decided to study in the US, your choice of destination country needs no validation as the US is considered the best study abroad destination. Not to justify your choice but to further strengthen your decision, we at Studyabroad.shiksha.com have compiled a few reasons why considering the US as your study abroad destination is a wise decision. Although the reasons to consider a country may differ widely among students, there are a few standout features which make every place different than others. Below are a few of the reasons why going to the US to study might be a really good decision.
Programs to fit your needs
The US offers a very diverse range of higher education options compared to any other country in the world. With such wide options for learning opportunities, no matter what your ability or ambitions are, there will be some perfect course for you. Many of the universities customize a few of their courses for international students as well.
Flexibility
In America, it is very common to change university after two years of study during undergraduate courses within the same faculty. Most institutions accept credits from other universities to the same course. So you are not required to complete all four years of study in the same college to finish your degree. This flexibility gives you the opportunity to transfer your credits to a higher ranked institution, given if you have good enough grades
You Can Extend Your Reach and Network
This applies not just to the US, but to any study abroad destination country. Networking is an important part of every career and finding the right connections leads them to further heights in their career. Those who have international living or work experience and are multilingual will have a huge advantage over other people in the job market. At American universities, the chances of you coming across well-known names in the industry are very high. That will be crucial once you have hands-on field experience.
Diversity and Variety
You can study at a large public university or college or if you prefer a smaller community, you may choose a small private university. People in the US also vary among each other a lot. Along with American citizens, you will come across diverse cultures like Mexicans, Asians along with Indians. There is a strong Indian community in the US. Essentially, the USA is a multiracial society that is still absorbing new immigrants, which makes it a continuous melting pot of communities and cultures; an experience which will enrich your understanding of the world.
How to study in the USA from India?
Study in the USA for Indian Students
In 2016, Indians were the top-recipient of the high-skilled H-1B visas and were also the second-largest community of international students staying in US. The US government records claim that immigrants from India are better educated, more likely to have strong English language skills, arrive on employment-based visas, and are less likely to live below the poverty line than the overall immigrant population. Many Indians work in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. Almost one-third of all Indian immigrants reside in just two states: California and New Jersey. More than one-quarter of all Indian immigrants live in three major metropolitan areas: New York, Chicago, and San Jose.
The education system in the USA
US Education system – Many students who are going to pursue their higher studies in the US must be surprised to know that the US has no educational system. The Federal government can influence education only by the funding it offers, but this is limited. Unlike CBSE board examinations in India, there is no national high school graduation examination. There are, however, state graduation examinations, and students must pass these. At the higher education level, students have a wide range of options when they choose a college or university. Although there are agencies that attempt to rank American colleges and universities, the concept of “fit” is also important. The GPA* of admitted students is important, but majors offered, location, the number of students enrolled, and campus culture are all factors influencing a prospective student’s decision. Some colleges and universities are publicly funded, while others are privately supported.
*GPA means grade point average. It is the average of all grades received.
Popular student destinations: The top universities in the US are Princeton University, Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia University and Stanford University (in no particular order). The area of New England on the east coast of the US is the center of all its renowned academic institutes. Most of the best colleges in the country are situated in cities like Boston, New York, Cambridge, Old Saybrook, New Haven. Approximately, 1,86,000 Indian students were studying in the US during the academic year 2017-18. Business Management, Computer Science, Finance and Accounting, Economics, Communications/Media, Physical and Life Sciences are the popular courses Indian students pursue in the US.
Types of Higher Education Institutes in the USA
State School/college/University
The US comprises of 50 states, each state run at least one university or colleges for providing quality higher education to students at low rates. These universities are funded by the respective state governments and are equipped with state of the art facilities. E.g. The University of California or Texas A&M University.
Private university/college
These institutions are run privately and are considered costly as compared to the state schools.
Community Colleges
Community colleges offer two-year cert8ification or associate degree which is transferable. Generally, Community college graduates transfer to universities or four-year colleges in order to complete their degree. They are allowed to transfer the credits which they have earned in the community college. Community colleges offer ESL courses or other programs which prepare students for studying university-level courses.
Technology Institutes
These are the institutes which provide four-year courses related to science and technology.
About the US
Southwest - The Southwest has a hot desert climate and covers cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas. The average temperature in summers would be around 40°C to 25°C; in winters it would be around 18°C to 4°C.
Southeast - The southeast has a warm to a hot, humid climate and covers cities like Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Charleston. The average temperature in summers is around 35°C to 25°C; in winters it is around 10°C to 0°C.
Midwest - The Midwest, Northern Plains, Great Lakes, and New England regions have a humid climate and cover cities like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio. The average temperature in summers is around 28°C to 15°C; in winters it is around 0°C to -9°C.
Atlantic Coast - The central plains and East Coast has a temperate humid climate and covers cities like St. Louis, Cincinnati, and NYC. The average temperature in summers is around 30°C to 18°C; in winters it is around 4°C to -3°C.
Pacific Northwest - The Pacific Northwest has an oceanic climate and covers cities like Seattle, and Portland. The average temperature in summers is around 30°C to 18°C; in winters it is around 4°C to -3°C.
Lifestyle tips – The United States is a dynamic country, covering the breadth of a continent. Many cultural currents exist and coexist within American life. To mingle with the local crowd, you need to keep in mind that the lifestyle of Americans is a lot different than Indians. You need to include more activities in your life if you really want to get to know and meet new people.
Know about Professional Sports - One way to break the ice with the locals is to talk about professional sports like NFL or NBA or any other local sports. Sports play an important role in mingling with locals.
Outdoor activities – Americans love spending their time outdoors and prefer taking part in outdoor sports and games. Their lifestyles are more active and they prefer spending time meeting new people and trying out a new and different set of skills.
Music Concerts, Night Life – Every weekend people go for social events like music concerts and performances or maybe just going to a bar to watch a game. Weekends are for socializing and relaxing, so it is possible that your friends or classmates might invite you to a club. All you need to have is an open mind to meet new people and socialize.
How is the life of Indian students in USA?
Accommodation
Lifestyle Tips – Firstly, you need to decide whether you want to live in university managed accommodation, or with a private landlord. Choosing a university managed accommodation can also give you a catered or self-catered option. The catered accommodation offers the benefits of your meals being cooked for you and a degree of certainty with meal costs.
If you have an idea about what you prefer, the accommodation office at your university will be able to tell you what accommodation they have available - so that’s the place to start. If you are thinking of renting from a private landlord or if your chosen university can’t offer you anything in its own residential facility, the accommodation office should be able to provide you with a list of private properties and landlords in the area.
Wherever you choose to live, you should make sure that you know your contractual rights and responsibilities. In most cases, you will be asked to enter into a tenancy agreement, which you should read thoroughly before you sign.
Orientation
Orientation week is mandatory for international students so ensure and you arrive before it starts. This is the time where you will be introduced to the university and its services, as well as enroll in your classes. It is essential that you read your guidebook, which is provided by the college. The guide explains each part of the admission process.
Activities
Along with sports, colleges offer extra-curricular activities that provide students with a wide range of experiences. Music, drama, science and literary societies in colleges offer opportunities for outdoor education and other leisure activities. Visits to theaters, concerts, and places relevant to the courses of study such as art galleries and museums, religious centers or historical sites, scientific companies and projects are all part of college life.
Additional Readings:
Life in US campus: Fraternities are a great way for fun and network
How to get Admission in USA Universities?
How to apply to US universities from India?
Those looking to pursue higher studies from abroad, generally prefer going to the USA. However, students are not aware of the appropriate application process for applying to universities in the USA. The application process will be the same for most of the universities, however, there must be a separate element for the application process for each of the universities. It varies between different study programs and levels.
Before applying students should know when to start the application process for US Universities? When are the deadlines? What are the intakes for US universities? When a student can go for studying there? These are some of the important things which students should know before applying to US universities. There are two main intake seasons of US universities fall and spring. Unlike India, universities in the USA follow a bi-semester system where an academic year is divided into two semesters. Students should decide which intake season they want to choose – fall or spring? Those students who are planning to go to pursue undergraduate or graduate level courses should know the timelines for September 2019 intake.
These vary between study programs and levels. For each course, Indian students will need to meet a minimum English language requirement. Along with that a minimum academic record of 65% and above for humanities stream in class XII, and 70 - 80% and above for Science/Commerce stream in class XII will also be required. Foundations and Diploma programs are available for students who have secured below 60%. The student should have completed 18 years of age before joining a degree program. (It is important to note that these numbers are just for reference purpose, the actual numbers may differ from university to university.)
The following documents also need to be submitted:
- Attested copies of mark sheets of class X, XII, and the Bachelor's degree (if applicable)
- At least, two academic reference letters from professors who have taught you most recently. (Number of reference letters depends from university to university)
- If you have work experience then two letters of recommendation from the employer/manager who knows you well and can comment on your professional abilities
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Resume
- Essays (If demanded by the university)
- Photocopied score reports of GMAT / GRE / IELTS / TOEFL
- Portfolio (in case of students applying for art and design courses & architecture programs)
- Others (certificates/achievements at the state and national level and extracurricular activities)
- Proof of funds
Timeline
Most of US colleges accept online applications. You will have to visit each college's website to apply. In most cases, you will have to make an account on the college website to provide your basic information, submit the scanned version of your documents, and pay application fees. You will be informed about the application process and its stages through this account. Please refer to the website of the colleges of your choice to know the process of applying.
Read and download Study in the US: Timeline guide
Application fee: All colleges require that you pay an application fee while applying. The fee amount will differ depending upon the college and course being applied to, so check with individual colleges about their application fee.
Steps: The common steps to apply for admission are as follows:
- Search for colleges and courses
- Contact schools and visit websites for information
- Narrow down your list of schools
- Take the entrance exams like SAT, GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS
- Write SOPs and ask for LORs
- Apply to the colleges which fit your interests
- Appear for video interviews of the colleges that shortlisted you
- If accepted, apply for a student visa
Essay: Essays are also required to be submitted by a prospective student. Essays are an important part of the university admissions process. Students may be required to write one or two essays, along with a few optional essays too. Common topics include career aspirations, strengths and weaknesses, skills, experiences, and reasons for considering a particular school.
SOP: A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is your introduction to the college and admission officers. It is always written in the first person and describes the reason for applying to a particular college. It needs to highlight why you are a perfect fit for the college and why the college should accept you. The style of writing could differ from formal to casual, but it is important to remember that it should reflect your personality as well.
LOR: A letter of recommendation (LOR) is a reference letter written by a third party describing the qualities, characteristics, and capabilities of the prospective student to recommend him to the college in terms of that individual’s ability to perform a particular task or function. The third party could be a professor, direct manager etc.
Intake seasons
There are two main intake seasons of US universities, the session starts mainly in September and January but some institutions have intakes in May, July, and October as well. The major intake season for the top courses in the US in September, while the minor intake season is January, which is meant for a fairly small number of courses.
You should start your admission process at least six months before the application deadline. Typically most universities have three deadlines, from October to January. It is up to the convenience of the students, which deadline to aim for. You should be done with your language and aptitude tests by three months before the deadline. The last 3 months should be dedicated to filling out the application form properly.
It is essential to ensure that the ‘complete application process’ along with appearing for interviews and visa application procedure should be complete by June or July for the September intake.
The main intake season for top colleges and courses is the fall season i.e. September. It depends on what course you are looking to pursue because many courses don’t have the January intakes.
If you are looking to get admission into vocational courses, then some courses may have admissions open in January and perhaps even May or July.
Further Reading
Which Intake Season to Choose: Fall or Spring?
Which Exam is Required to Study in the US?
Language exams
International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Pearson Test of English (PTE) are all standardized language tests, which are required to be taken for the purpose of getting admission to colleges. These follow different formats, structure and result bands. These tests are all different in various ways but many colleges ask for any one of the results. So it's up to the student to decide which exam to appear for.
Repetition of exams: IELTS can be taken an unlimited number of times. TOEFL can be retaken as many times as wished, but cannot be taken more than once in a 12-day period. Same with PTE, it can be taken as many times as desired. You must wait to receive your scores before you can book your next test.
Fee: The standard fee for these exams is Rs 12,100 for IELTS, Rs 13,140 (US $180) for TOEFL and Rs 13,300 for PTE.
Time to apply: Ideally, if you are aiming at the September intake you should appear for these exams by November so that you can apply before the first deadline. The universities you will be applying to will mention which exam results they will accept. But if they give a choice to go for either of these, then the choice depends on you. The time required to prepare for IELTS/TOEFL/PTE would depend on the existing English language proficiency. You may require 2 to 4 months of preparation before the exam date.
General exams
GMAT - The Graduate Management Admission Test is used to measure the abilities of the potential MBA aspirant to undertake higher education in the field of business or management. It measures mathematical, English, and reasoning skills of the student.
GRE - The Graduate Record Examination is another test required to be taken by students applying to graduate schools to pursue MA or MS. Increasingly many business schools are also accepting GRE scores for the purpose of granting admission for MBA.
LSAT - The Law School Admission Test is a standardized test and is an integral part of the law school admission process. It provides a measure of reading and verbal reasoning skills that law schools can use in assessing applicants.
SAT - The Scholastic Assessment Test measures literacy and writing skills that are needed for academic success in college. This test assesses how well the test takers analyze and solve problems-skills they learned in school that they will need in college. The SAT is typically taken by high school students to get into UG courses.
The university you will be applying to will mention which exam results will be applicable to the course of your choice. But if they give a choice to go for either of these, then the choice depends on you.
Repetition and Fee: You can give GMAT as many times as you want, subject to five times a year and a gap of 30 days between two tests. You can take these tests with a gap of 30 days from the first time. The cost of GMAT is Rs 18,250 (US $250), GRE is Rs 14,965 (US $205) and LSAT is Rs 3,800
Ideally, if you are aiming at the September intake you should appear for these exams by November so that you can apply before the first deadline. The preparation duration for these exams generally ranges from 4 to 6 months.
Average Scores: The average GMAT accepted across universities is 547. Average GRE score is 155 for Verbal, 167 for Quantitative and 5.0 for Writing. Average LSAT score accepted across universities is 162.
It is important to note that these numbers are just for reference purpose, the actual scores may differ from university to university.
Cost of living in the USA
Living expenses
On average, a student spends approximately $12,000–$15,000 per year. But the expenses also depend on the place where a student stays. If a student stays in a metropolitan city like New York, San Francisco, Chicago, etc. the expenses could go up to $18,000 in comparison to a student studying in the suburbs where the expenses would be around $10,000-$12,000 per year. Students looking to travel to the United States can also calculate the total
The cost of living depends heavily on what part of the US will you be living in along with how much you will socialize. Some of the basic elements for living as an international student in the US are:
- Accommodation rent ( on campus or off campus )
- Groceries and food
- Utilities like electricity, water, gas, internet
- Phone bills
- Text and reference books
- Airfare for traveling back to India.
Other elements which may differ from person to person would be:
- Dining out
- Travel and Vacation
- Car rent and Car insurance
- Cable TV connection
Cost of Living for International Students in the US
Cost of Studying in the USA
The tuition fee varies according to different universities, courses, and the city. The tuition expenses in the US might be up to $10,000-$30,000 per year for an undergraduate course. And if you are thinking of applying for a post-graduate course, the cost would be $15,000-$55,000 per year approximately. It’s important to note that the cost of a program in a US school does not necessarily affect its quality. It can vary from as low as $10,000 per year for state universities to as much as $50,000 per year for some private universities. READ cost of studying in the US.
Health insurance
Insurance Policy is mandatory for international students, as students have to stay abroad for a long period of time. Insurance costs are generally around $500-$1,000 per year. Before getting insurance make sure that it covers medical expenses, personal accident, dental treatment, study interruption, and passport loss, etc. Insurance is basically cashless so a student does not need to pay money at the time of hospitalization.
Scholarships to Study in the US
Fee waivers are awarded to international students on the criteria of merit and need of it. Candidate with strong academics, good performance in standardized exams and extracurricular achievements would be eligible for scholarship awards and financial assistance. To benefit from these opportunities, one has to make sure to send all the required documents by particular deadlines. In addition to this, the presentation of the application is also important because one is judged by the image one projects.
Documents required: The documents usually needed for a scholarship application are as follows, although the requirements may differ:
- Academic records and photocopies
- A recent CV
- A letter of intent, which acts as a cover page
- Certificate of Language Proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS scores)
- Letters of Reference (LOR)
Education Loan to Study in the US
Student eligibility criteria: The first thing is to be aware of whether you are eligible to apply for the loan or not. The general eligibility criteria that are followed by all the banks are:
- You should be an Indian national
- You must have a strong academic record
- You must be seeking admission to a professional, technical or another course of studies. Most banks maintain that the selected course should be job oriented.
- You must have secured admission to foreign university institutions.
- You must be above the age of 18 years or else your parents can avail the loan.
Eligibility of course: You may not get a loan on every course. Here are the kinds of courses that qualify for the education loan.
- For Graduation: Job oriented professional or technical courses offered by reputed universities
- For Post Graduation: MCA, MBA, MS and also diplomas
- These courses could be from foreign universities or institutes approved by the state and central government.
Loan amount: If your total fee is Rs 10 lakh, the bank may offer to give a loan of 80% of the amount and you will have to put in the balance 20%. This is called the margin amount. The maximum loan amount offered by public sector banks for studying abroad is generally around Rs 20 lakh. However, many private banks offer loans amount more than Rs 20 lakh as well, it depends on the total of the institution you have applied. Some banks charge a processing fee, while others don’t. It may be a fixed amount or a percentage of the total loan amount. So if the bank charges you 1% as processing fee, that will be an additional cost you’ll have to cover.
Documentation required: You will have to provide the acceptance letter sent by the University reflecting that you have been selected for the course and the schedule of fees. You will also need to show the mark sheet of the last qualifying examination to show your academic record.
All banks have different requirements for documentation, so you need to confirm with the bank first.
Repayment: Repayment starts only after the course period. If the student got employed within one year after completion of the course, the repayment should start immediately after the expiry of one month from the date of employment.
If you do not secure a job within a year of completing the course, then repayment starts irrespective of whether or not you are employed. The loan is generally to be repaid in 5-7 years after commencement of repayment. If the student is not able to complete the course within the scheduled time, an extension of time for completion of the course may be permitted for a maximum period of two years. Generally, you will get up to a maximum number of 10 years to repay the loan.
Visa for USA
What are the Visa types in the US?
There are three types of student visas to the US:
- Students applying for a program which requires more than 18 hours of study in a week require an F1 visa. This includes all undergraduate programs as well as graduate programs like MS, MBA, etc.
- Spouses or children accompanying F-1 visa recipients will travel on an F-2 visa. Please note that spouses are not able to work but may accompany and/or apply for their own visa to the U.S. to work or study.
- The J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa is for students, visiting scholars or lecturers pursuing an exchange program. For example, Fulbright scholars and many students on short-term study abroad programs from Indian universities will travel to the U.S. on a J-1 visa.
- J1 visa is usually sought by working professional who goes to America on an exchange program, hence the name Exchange Visitor Visa. These may include a 10-month vocational training or some research fellowship, etc. Whichever be the case, the applicants would be notified for the same by the respective institutions.
- Spouses or children accompanying J-1 Visa recipients will travel on a J-2 Visa. Please note that spouses are able to work when permission is obtained in advance.
3. M-1 Vocational/ Non-Academic Student Visa
- The M1 visa is a type of student visa reserved for vocational and technical schools. While the process remains similar to an F1 visa, the difference is that on entering, the M1 visas are time stamped and students cannot overstay their visit.
What are the requirements for Student Visa in the US?
The VISA Requirements for a US Student Visa include the following. If you want to attend a university or college in the US you will need a student visa called F1 visa. And requirements for a US Student Visa include
- Valid Passport - Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the US.
- Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page
- Application fee payment receipt, as you are required to pay before your interview
- Photo – The US consulate will upload your photo, and for the same purpose you will have to fix an appointment with the consulate. You will have to visit the Consulate center. A digital photograph of yours will be taken and along with that, all your fingerprints will be scanned. You’ll have to carry an approval receipt given by the consulate after successfully taking your photograph and finger scan.
- Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status - Your school will send you a SEVIS-generated Form I-20 once they have entered your information in the SEVIS database. You and your school official must sign the Form I-20. All students, their spouse, and minor children if they intend to reside in the United States with the student, must be registered with the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS).
Note: Additional documentation may be required. During the personal interview, additional documents may be requested by the interviewer. These may be documents to prove evidence of academic or financial status. These include:
- Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended
- Scores from tests that your US school required, such as the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, or GMAT
- Your intent to depart from the United States upon completion of the course of study
- How you will pay all educational, living and travel costs
How to get a US Student Visa?
There are several steps to apply for a visa. These include
Complete the online Visa Application Form DS-160
After completing the online visa application, you will be required to pay the non-refundable visa application fee. You are required to pay for it before your interview. It can be paid online or through a bank transaction as well.
Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
Schedule a biometric appointment and Interview appointment.
For the Biometric appointment, you will be required to appear in person to get your photograph clicked for the visa and get your fingerprints scanned.
At the Personal interview, the interviewer will ask you questions about your choice, of course, college, finances, and intent of coming back. If s/he is convinced, they will keep your passport with them to get the visa stamped.
F-1 student visas can be issued up to 120 days before the starting date of your course of study. However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States on F-1 status earlier than 30 days before your start date.
Work permit
During the first year of studies, students cannot accept off-campus employment at any time. Under certain circumstances, the US Citizenship Immigration Services (USCIS) may grant permission to accept off-campus employment after one year of study, but this is very rare. F-1 students may accept on-campus employment in your university without seeking prior permission from USCIS.
Students cannot work more than 20 hours per week. During holidays, breaks and summer sessions, the student may work up to 40 hours per week. The student can work for a commercial firm that provides services to the college, such as a bookstore or cafeteria. Working for more than 20 hours will lead to problems involving the reinstatement of student status to deportation.
Off-campus employment like hotels, motels, gas stations, liquor stores, etc is illegal. If caught, that could possibly lead to deportation or problems during future immigration-related work authorization.
Visa for spouse
The spouse or children of the student get a F2 visa, which is a dependent visa.
A spouse on F-2 status may not enroll for a full course of study but can take classes that are vocational or recreational in nature like pursuing a hobby or interest, such as cooking or tennis. A child on F2 status is allowed to attend elementary, middle, or high school as a full-time student. They may not enroll in a full-time course of study at a college or university.
The spouse and children of students cannot accept employment at any time.
Additional Reading:
Checklist Before Departure
- Book airline tickets
- Buy travel and health insurance
- Arrange accommodation in the US
- Arrange transportation to/from the airport to home in the US
- Arrange your banking – consider buying traveler’s cheques
- Check baggage and customs limitations
- Clear all paperwork with your home educational institution
Get your documents in order and make photocopies to store in your baggage and keep at home, including:
- Passport
- Airline tickets
- Travel insurance certificate
- Letter of Acceptance by the educational institution;
- Key addresses and phone numbers
- A bank statement showing proof of funds
- Prescriptions for any medication you are carrying
- Traveler’s cheques—if applicable
- Medical and immunization records
- Academic history and university transcripts
Once you land
Shopping in the US: Large shopping malls and supermarkets like Wal-Mart and Target in the US are one-stop shops for all of your daily needs. Be vigilant to ensure that all of your shopping is properly billed and that you keep the bills with you.
Learning basic cooking: Cooking for yourself will save you money. Indian food is expensive in the US. It will also satisfy your urge to eat ‘your food’ during moments of homesickness. Indian spices are not commonly available in smaller cities, but you may find shops on campus where you can get ingredients used in most Indian food.
Travel: Each large city in the US has and provides different methods of public transportation, such as buses, taxis or trains. However, public transportation services are poor. The frequency of stops is less and places are not well connected. You might have to rely on a private car for transportation in most cases. Even with the rising cost of petrol, private cars are the most economical and convenient mode of transportation because you get a lot of flexibility and freedom with your car. You can travel wherever and whenever you want, and don't have to depend on the schedule of public transport. However, before you buy your own car, you will have to use public transportation or ask friends for rides.
Stay on Student Visa: When you enter the US, you may remain in the US as long as you are enrolled in the school to complete your academic program. After the program ends you will have 60 days to leave the US you can look for employment opportunities during this time or you can depart from the country to come back to India.
Additional Reading:
Post Study Options
OPT (Optional Practical Training)
If students want to stay back in the US to gain practical knowledge in their subject, they have the option to do so through OPT. it is temporary employment permission allowing students the opportunity to gain practical experience in their field of study for a 12-month period.
- Pre-completion OPT
- Post-completion OPT
If the students want to do work related to their field of study, they can do so through pre-completion OPT. Students currently pursuing studies acquire work authorization through this permit and the work may be part-time during classes and full-time during vacations.
Duration - Students are allowed 12 months of OPT for all Bachelors and Masters degrees. Those pursuing STEM courses get an additional 17 months (making a total of 29 months) under STEM OPT extension.
Students who have completed their education, and want to work more than 20 hours per week require post-completion OPT. This OPT is granted for full-time employment. While on OPT, students cannot pursue a new course of study, unless you are a Ph.D. student.
Applying for OPT - The student needs to initiate the request for OPT by having their DSO (Designated School Official) recommend OPT. For this the DSO needs to:
- Endorse Form I-20
- Making appropriate notes in SEVIS.
After that, the student files Form I-765, which is the application for EAD (Employment Authorization Document). Once approved, the student is issued EAD. The student can start working once the EAD is issued.
Read more on the Difference between CPT and OPT
Co-Op Education Program
In a Cooperative program, the period of study alternates with work. The Student Co-Op Program is a formally structured program where the intent is to recruit students, while still in school, to fill permanent positions upon graduation. Co-op programs are generally undertaken at colleges and universities. The salary will most probably be given on an hourly basis and depending on your choice of course or major, you can make around $10-$16 per hour.
Placements
Indian students are used to the concept of campus placements and on-campus recruitment for getting jobs. There is no concept of placements in America. Most US universities have a cell called a Career Services Center, which helps you get jobs and helps you prepare for interviews. The on-campus recruitment is always driven by student interest. Companies that recruit through the university do not offer a job directly. What they offer is an internship or co-op. Companies like to see your work for a few months before they hire you full time.