student visa

How your US College Application is Evaluated

March 21, 2017 by Chiranth Nataraj

Students from around the globe seek out colleges and universities in the United States to continue their own personal educational opportunities. Why? One reason is that the U.S. has a wide array of schools that specialize in a variety of different educational topics. While most institutions offer the same core areas of study, there are some schools that are known as among the very best in the world in relation to studying medicine, others that are tops among law schools, still others that emphasize journalism, and so on. So by attending one of these schools you can earn a great foundation in all educational topics, but if there is one particular area in which you wish to emphasize so as to further your career prospects, you can do that as well.

For students who wish to build a long term life for themselves in the United States, attending school there is a great way to get that started. Attending university in the U.S. will allow a student to get firsthand experience with the language, culture, and customs to see if it is a good fit for them and to speed up the acclimation process. It can also be a great way to get a head start on becoming a permanent citizen and finding an employer.
All U.S. colleges and universities love to bring in international students from across the globe. It is in a school’s best interest to be able to show that they have a widely diverse pool of attendees, and that they attract the top academic available both in terms of students and professors.

In fact, in 2015 it was reported by NPR that there were 975,000 international students attending schools in the United States. That’s not only a big number, but a fast-rising one as well, as it’s up 10%. If you would like to add yourself to the list, one of the first questions you will need to investigate is how your application to a school in the U.S. will be evaluated.

One important caveat that must be discussed when diving into this topic is that because of the new Presidential regime in the United States, there is much concern about the future of immigration in the country. Because of this, standards around how immigrants are evaluated, even for something temporary as schooling, may change at any point.
Aside from how visitors to the country are evaluated in general, one important consideration for your U.S. college application will be what entrance exams you have taken and how you performed on them. There are two main entrance exams required by universities – the SAT and the ACT. These tests are designed to assess your readiness for university based on a variety of educational competencies. Each school has its own minimum score needed to earn acceptance, so you will need to contact the specific schools you are interested in attending or look on their web sites, as this information is easily found there. Knowing which to take could be confusing, so you can consult this helpful guide from The Princeton Review.

Another consideration that will be important is what type of school you are applying to. Are you applying to an undergraduate program or a graduate program? Graduate programs will be more stringent in their acceptance as they take in fewer students per year since the teaching is focused on a very specific course of study that requires more intensive and intimate teaching.

You may also need letters of recommendation from existing educators, employers, or other trustworthy figures who can vouch for your intellect, work ethic, and character. How many letters of recommendation and from whom will vary by school, as will most other admission requirements.

One final area to think of in reviewing college applications to the United States is your Visa status or the status of your passport. Schools will want to make sure you are eligible to legally attend and there will be no chance of you being deported. For more information on obtaining a Visa or passport as a student, you can read here

Again, each school will differ somewhat in their exact requirements, but the basics of having your application evaluated include taking and scoring well on an entrance exam, obtaining letter of recommendation, knowing which type of school you want to attend, and having your travel documents in order. Aligning those components with the requirements of your desired United States-based college or university is the critical first step to gaining admission.

International Baccalaureate: Pros and Cons

February 21, 2017 by Chiranth Nataraj

Have you heard of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program? This educational program is often shortened to the IB. The International Baccalaureate is studied by students around the world and is a valuable learning resource for young people.

There are many advantages associated with the International Baccalaureate, and some disadvantages to weigh up, too. Find out more about the International Baccalaureate and whether it is a good fit for your students.

What Is An International Baccalaureate Diploma Program?

In the International Baccalaureate program, students split their work into six different courses, with three of these courses taken at the standard level and three courses taken at the higher level. Students pick a subject from each of the course groups numbered one to five, and then they choose a sixth course from group six, or from any of the groups one to five. The learning in the International Baccalaureate is arranged to be able to give students a deep knowledge and breadth of education, focusing across the different groups of study.

Group one is literature, or a language study in the mother tongue. Group two is a foreign language. Group three is a subject from the study of society and individuals, for example business management, psychology, history, or the environment. Group four is science. Group five is math or computing. Group six is the arts, including music and theatre.

The assessment and the core of the International Baccalaureate is made up of an extended essay which is chosen and researched by the student, and which numbers 4,000 words. Theory of Knowledge is a way of assessing that the student is able to pay critical attention to different forms of knowledge such as emotion, language, reason, and perception, as well as different types of knowledge like artistic, and historical. The extra-curricular activity Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) allows students to complete real tasks outside of the classroom. This helps students shape their personalities, and develop new skills within their community.

Advantages of the International Baccalaureate:

Students’ Futures

The International Baccalaureate has long been considered a sound and effective preparation for further study in the US and for working life. Students report being able to deal more effectively with study at university after following the program, as it equips them more soundly for further study than other high school programs. The International Baccalaureate often turns out students who are better rounded, more confident, and more experienced.

Studies show that students completing the International Baccalaureate attain significantly more first class degrees and upper second class degrees in the UK. International Baccalaureate students are more likely to be enrolled in the top universities. And they were more likely to be employed with graduate employers at a better rate of pay than students completing other educational programs.

International Focus

As the name suggests, the International Baccalaureate is designed to be taken by students across the world. This makes it particularly suitable for students who may move countries during their studies, as the IB is recognized by many educational institutions globally. Students get a better, broader view of the world through the program as they are taught about working and living in a global economy.

Transferable Skills

Completing the International Baccalaureate gives students a number of transferable skills which are looked on favorably by employers. These are skills like time management, problem solving, communication, and independent working.

The International Baccalaureate is a rigorous program that gives students many skills in learning to deal with a full workload, which will automatically serve them well when they go to college.

Greater Scope

Children are given the opportunity to develop skills over a broad range of subjects that are otherwise dropped when continuing with another educational program. They continue to get exposure to all parts of the academic stream, and can develop skills in foreign languages while focusing on other areas. The inclusion of the extra input of the creativity, activity, service (CAS) component also ensures that students benefit from a holistic education.

Disadvantages of the International Baccalaureate:

Cost

The International Baccalaureate program is not cheap to run, which means that few schools and institutions run it. It is most often included as an option at paid private schools, which may put it outside the reach of many families.

Access

The fact that there is less choice in schools where the IB program is offered also means that parents may not find a school close to them that allows their students to study the International Baccalaureate. Many of the International Baccalaureate schools are not centrally located or are only located within major cities.

10 Things International Students Will Need When Studying in the US

June 22, 2016 by Chiranth Nataraj

The United States has the largest population of international students in the world. More than 800,000 students choose the states to educate themselves every year. It’s a life experience they cannot get in their home country. While only 4% of students enrolled in universities and colleges are international, this percentage is growing quickly.

J1-Students

If you’re planning on joining the thousands of international students in the United States, it’s important to prepare yourself with everything you’ll need when you’re away from home. The following are 10 things every international student needs when studying in the states.

#1: Student Visa
The student visa is the most important thing you’ll need when studying in the United States. There are three student visas:

F1 Visa for Academic Studies
J1 Visa for Practical Training
M1 Visa for Non-Academic/Vocational Studies

#2: Prove You Are Academically Eligible
When you apply for one of these visas, you will need to prove you are academically eligible. This means you are enrolled in an educational program in the United States.

#3: Prove You Are Financially Stable
You will also need to prove you are financially stable because you will not be able to work with these visas while in the U.S.

#4: Show You Have Health Insurance
You must also have health insurance in case you need any medical assistance while in the states.
Bring your medical records with you when you come to the United States. If you’re studying at a university or college, visit the medical center first. You will be able to learn more about the health care options they offer international students and know where you should take your medical record for safe keeping.

#5: Find Out How to Get Health Insurance If You Don’t Have It
The program you are in for studying abroad probably also has health care options you can take advantage for while in the United States. It’s important to know you must have health insurance when living/studying in the states. It is the law.

#6: Identify How You’ll Connect with Loved Ones
It’s important to stay connected with loved ones while in the United States. It can be stressful being in a different country by yourself, and your family can make the adjustment much easier. Many international students use Skype, Google Hangouts, Viber, WhatsApp, and Snapchat to stay in touch with people across the world, but you can also use a mobile phone. It’s wise to look into international rates for calls, so you don’t end up with a large bill to pay.

Don’t forget about regular mail. It may take longer for people to get your messages, but it’s still a great way to stay connected on a deeper level. When you sit down and write a letter, you’ll be able to get into more detail about your time in the states.

#7: Consider Taking a Trip
Many people will explore the United States before settling into their program. Think about if you would like to do that, so you can start to make arrangements.

#8: Schedule the Travel Arrangements
It’s important to get all of your travel arrangement ahead of time, so you can ensure you get to your destination in plenty of time. This is especially true if you want to take some trips before you start the program.
Be sure to research and book:

Airfare
Trains
Buses
Vehicles
Hotels

If you simply want to go from your home country to the university, college, or training center, speak to the school. They often have resources to help you get to your final destination easily and sometimes, for much less money. Many academic institutions are used to helping international students, so this is something they are ready to assist with whenever you need the assistance.

#9: Bring the Essentials
Besides all of the paperwork you need for entering the United States, you will want to bring the following items, so you can make your adjustment as easy as possible:

Clothing for the climate
Special trinkets that will help you feel closer to home
Laptop/computer/electronics
Books or magazines in your native language
Special bedding
Medications

Anything you usually bring with you when you go on vacation will help you get acclimated to the United States. Just know that if you ever need anything, you can go to the store to purchase it. You can also always have a loved one ship you anything that you may forget.

#10: Make a List and Use It
A great way to remember everything you want to bring is to start a list early. That way you can add to the list as you remember things and go off the list when you’re packing.

Now you know what to bring when studying in the United States. Get ready to have the best life experience you’ve ever had and may ever have!