Of the 1.4 million students pursuing postsecondary education outside their home countries, more than one-third chose to study in the United States. Why do so many students from all over the world choose U.S. colleges and universities? What does the United States have to offer you?

Academic Excellence: The United States has one of the world's finest university systems, with outstanding programs in virtually all fields. At the undergraduate level, excellent programs exist in traditional disciplines as well as in professional fields. At the graduate level, students often have the opportunity to work directly with some of the finest minds in the world. U.S. degrees are recognized throughout the world for their excellence.

Variety of Educational Opportunity: The higher education system in the United States has something for everyone. Some U.S. colleges and universities stress broad educational principles; others stress practical, employment-related skills; and still others specialize in technical fields, the arts, or social sciences. As a result, if you are looking for an institution where you can study a particular field¡Xno matter how unusual or specific¡Xyou can usually find several from which to choose.

Cutting-Edge Technology: U.S. universities pride themselves on being at the forefront of technology and educational techniques, and in making available to their students the best possible equipment and resources. Whatever your field, you will become skilled in using the latest technology to obtain and process information. You will find ways to stay connected with people in your field all over the world.

Opportunity for Research, Teaching Experience, and Practical Training: If you are a graduate student, you may be able to gain valuable experience in research or teaching while you help to finance your education. This practical component of your education will prove useful in your future career and may give you insights into your field that would not be possible through course study alone. International students are some of the most valued researchers and teachers in U.S. universities because they bring new skills and ideas to the classroom and laboratory. Many graduate programs in the United States offer training that enables students to become teaching or research assistants.

Flexibility: Although many programs are highly structured, you will generally find many course choices. At the advanced stages of a degree you will be able to tailor your course work to fit your specific needs. When you choose topics for independent study for a graduate thesis or dissertation, you can emphasize ideas that are important to you, your field, and your country.

Support Services for International Students: At most U.S. institutions, services from the international student office help students from abroad to live and learn in their new environment. From orientation programs at the beginning of your degree program to assistance with resumes as you get ready to graduate, you will find people at the university and in the community who are interested in your success.

Campus Life: U.S. universities provide a rich variety of academic, cultural, and athletic activities that add new dimensions to your educational experience and help you make new friends.

Global Education: Experience in an international setting is a marketable commodity. Your long-term career prospects can be enhanced by an experience that develops self-confidence, independence, and cross-cultural skills¡Xattributes that are in high demand with employers around the world.

Undergraduate Education
The undergraduate bachelor's degree typically takes four years to complete. At most institutions those years are known as the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years of undergraduate study. Many students complete their first two years at a junior or community college, earning an associate degree, and then transfer to a four year college or university to complete two more years for a bachelor's degree.

The curriculum of many undergraduate programs is based on a "liberal arts philosophy" that requires students to take courses from a range of subjects to form a broad educational foundation. During the first two years, students have the opportunity to explore various fields of study such as social sciences, humanities, and natural or physical sciences. These courses are often called a "core curriculum" or "distribution requirements." By the end of the second year, students at many institutions are asked to choose a specific field of study¡Xknown as the major¡Xon which they will focus for the remainder of the undergraduate program. Students then spend the next two years taking more courses directly related to their major. Students who major in certain fields such as business, engineering, or science find that the curriculum is more tightly structured than it is in the humanities or social sciences. Business, science, and engineering majors may have to take more courses related to their major field of study and have fewer "elective," or optional, courses.

Graduate Education
Graduate education can result in a variety of degrees. The most common include the master's of arts (MA), sciences (MS), business administration (MBA), fine arts (MFA), law (LLM), social work (MSW), and specialist in education (EdS). The most common final, or "terminal," degrees are doctorates in a variety of fields (PhD), education (EdD), law (JD), science (DSc), medicine (MD), and religion or divinity (DD).

Master's degrees are the most frequently awarded graduate degrees. More than 400,000 master's degrees are awarded by U.S. institutions each year. It is possible to earn a master's degree in one year, but more often it will take two to three years. In general, master's degrees require that you complete six to eight courses, in addition to a project or thesis (a long research paper).

A doctorate usually requires five to seven years of study following receipt of the bachelor's degree. It may take less time to obtain a doctorate if you enter the doctoral program with a completed master's degree. Unlike undergraduates, graduate students begin specialized study on the first day of classes. You will probably be required to take certain courses and may be allowed as few as two or three electives. A doctoral program includes the writing of a dissertation involving original research. The dissertation may involve a year or more of research and at least a year of writing. U.S. institutions award more than 44,000 doctorates each year.

Research is a central feature of most graduate programs at U.S. colleges and universities. U.S. faculty are expected to engage in original research in their academic field, in addition to teaching and helping to run the university. Most of the research in the United States is supported by various agencies of the U.S. federal government. Faculty members apply to those agencies for funding to support their research. Part of the research money is used to pay salaries of researchers, some of whom are graduate students.

Other Options: Other types of programs are offered in many settings, some outside the traditional university setting. Possibilities include short-term technical training opportunities, certificate programs, and other vocational opportunities. For example, a two-month museum studies program would not result in a degree but would offer the student valuable practical experience and a certificate of completion.

Is U.S. Study for You?
Study in the United States is a serious and expensive undertaking. To decide if it is the best option for you, consider carefully how it will fit into your long-term educational and professional plans. Key questions to answer include:

• What are your goals?
• Do you have the academic preparation necessary to achieve those goals?
• Do you have adequate English?
• Do you have enough money?
• Are you prepared to live in another country and culture for the time it takes to earn a degree?

What Are Your Goals? Studying in the United States is not an end unto itself. Students pursue higher education, in their home country or abroad, because the experience will help them achieve their professional and personal goals. Those goals may include professional advancement, a higher-paying job, or a greater appreciation and knowledge of the world.

As you define your educational and professional goals, here are some questions to ask:

• Am I willing to spend this much time in higher education?
• Is there a need for my chosen profession in my home country?
• Will I earn enough in this profession to justify the investment?
• Will my U.S. educational credentials be recognized at home by institutions of higher education, professional licensing boards, and potential employers when I return?
• Will spending time abroad cause me to miss important opportunities at home?
• Is the knowledge I will gain during my study in the United States readily transferable to situations in my home country?
• Will the technological expertise I acquire in the United States be of use at home?
• Is the training or education I need available at home?

Are You Academically Prepared? If you are applying for undergraduate study at a two- or four-year U.S. university, you must have completed at least 12 years of school and obtained the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma. If you are considering graduate study at the master's or doctoral level, you will need an academic credential equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree.

Some U.S. universities are very competitive, selecting only students with excellent grades and test scores as well as leadership skills. Many U.S. universities are less selective, but almost all require some demonstration that you have succeeded in your previous schooling and that you have the potential to succeed at a more advanced level. Most graduate schools also require a minimum grade point average of 3.0 from previous study.

Be realistic about your academic record and test scores. Apply to universities whose requirements match your academic background and interests. Be aware that graduate work in the United States involves a great deal of independent work and classroom discussion, forms of learning that may be different from what you have experienced.

U.S. colleges and universities place a great deal of emphasis on neat, organized, and clearly written presentations. Almost nothing is accepted in handwriting; projects and term papers should be typed or produced on a computer. More and more research at campus libraries is conducted using computers to access on-line resources instead of books. Most universities will issue students a personal electronic mail account upon enrollment and expect them to use it for homework assignments.

Do You Have Adequate English? Most universities will require undergraduate and graduate students to prove their English language ability as part of the admissions process by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The level of proficiency required varies from school to school and from department to department, but it is important to remember that the more prepared you are before you begin study, the more confident you will feel as a student in the United States.

It is an advantage to have a good command of written and spoken English from the very beginning of the application process. Some universities will require applicants to submit at least one essay as part of their application; others may request an interview or teleconference with you to hear how you express yourself in English.

Do You Have Enough Money? When considering the cost of U.S. education, include the costs of tuition, living expenses, books, and other items. Tuition varies widely from university to university, but it is usually always the largest single cost an international student faces. A community college may have a yearly tuition of $2,000; a highly selective private university may have a yearly tuition of $28,000. Sources of financial aid available to international students at the undergraduate level are limited and highly competitive.

Your financial plans should cover your entire program. An undergraduate degree in the United States takes an average of four to five years to complete. Master's programs may last one to three years. Doctoral programs may take anywhere from five to seven years, depending on your field of study and previous education. Nondegree or vocational programs last anywhere from several months to two years.

Be realistic if you plan to bring your family with you during your time in the United States. You will probably need an additional $5,000 per year to bring your spouse with you and an extra $4,000 per year for each child. Health insurance is a necessity for living in the United States; budget for these costs as well. The cost of health insurance varies but generally ranges from $3,500 to $4,000 per year for a family.

Are You Prepared to Live in Another Country and Culture? Living in the United States for an extended period of time while pursuing your educational goals is much different from visiting the country for a few weeks or months as a tourist. Give some thought to how living in a new environment and a new culture might change you, and the additional changes you may need to make upon your return home. Consider whether you have the skills to live independently in a new culture. You will likely be separated from family and friends for a long period. If you do bring your family, consider their adjustment as well.

Resourcefulness, creativity, and realistic planning are all key factors in determining whether you will succeed in your plan to study in the United States.