studying in the‌
USA
ĂŠtudier en Suisse
Contents 3 Studying 3 7 12 21
Institutions of higher education Diplomas Getting in Distance learning
22 Living 22 22 25 25 26
Conditions for entry in the USA Costs of living Student housing Social security Working and studying
27 Useful links and addresses
studying in the USA
STUDYING INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION In the absence of a national ministry of education, each institution has been developed according to its own conception of service. The official name of an institution is frequently an unreliable guide to its actual structure or function. Some institutions called “university” offer no degree beyond the Bachelor’s degree, others offering first-professional and Master’s degrees have no doctoral programmes. On the other hand, some institutions that are called “colleges” offer regular doctoral programs. Furthermore, several technical institutes have developed the characteristics of a general university, having large doctoral programs which offer training in other fields than applied sciences (e.g. Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
The University Many universities place considerable emphasis on graduate education; they confer advanced degrees in a variety of liberal arts and professional fields and strongly emphasize research.
Liberal Arts Colleges Liberal Arts Colleges/Universities offer university-level education that combines natural and social sciences, as well as humanistic studies. The term "college" is often used where undergraduate study is concerned. A college may be part of a larger university that has graduate and professional schools. A college may also be an independent institution that specializes in Bachelor's degree programs, with little if any instruction at the graduate level.
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Community and Junior Colleges
Accreditation
Community and Junior Colleges provide a two year course beyond secondary school. Courses are either "Terminal" (leading to employment) or "Academic" (preparing the student for transfer to a four-year college or university where he/she will complete his/her education). Graduates of junior colleges are usually awarded an Associate in Arts (A.A.) or Associate in Sciences (A.S.) degree.
When selecting higher education programs in the USA, students should always choose an institution that is accredited.
Technical Institutes Technical Institutes offer two or three-year courses of training for semi-professional occupations such as dental, engineering or medical technicians. Fine Arts and Music are often taught in the colleges and universities described above, but may also be available in specialized academies, schools and conservatories.
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Accrediting agencies must be approved by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and by the U.S. Office of Education. Accreditation ensures that students’ diplomas and coursework will be recognized by other educational institutions, professional organizations and employers. An institution is accredited when its program of study, professors and academic facilities meet the minimum standards established by the accrediting agency.
studying in the USA
Rankings Several rankings of universities and colleges on undergraduate as well as postgraduate level exist. The ranking shows the evaluation of a certain institution of higher education and its place among other comparable institutions. There are rankings comparing universities and colleges on a general level and there are specialized rankings which evaluate the achievements of an institution in determined study areas (e.g. business studies, engineering, architecture, law etc.)
Further information: U.S. News and World Report: America’s Best Colleges Index: http://www.usnews.com University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Resource Site for College and University Rankings http://www.library.uiuc.edu/edx/rankings/rankgrad.html Council on Postsecondary Accreditation www.chea.org
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DIPLOMAS Undergraduate Study The Bachelor's Degree requires 4-5 years of undergraduate study in Liberal Arts (B.A. degree) or in Science (B.S. degree). A Bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent from another country) is required for admission to a graduate level program. The B.A. or B.S. degrees are awarded upon successful completion of a specified number of courses or units. In the U.S., the full degree requirement is usually 120 credits (about 40 courses) for institutions operating on a semester system. For institutions that follow a quarterly academic calendar, the requirement is 180 credits. A Bachelor's degree program is designed to last four years. The first year is called the Freshman year, the second Sophomore, the third Junior and the fourth Senior. Courses offered during the first two years are referred to as "lower division" courses. “Upper division” courses are taken during the third and fourth years. In recent years, many institutions have experimented with varia-
tions of the Bachelor’s degree structure. A typical pattern includes the following requirements: A. Basic courses, which are sometimes called "core courses" or "distribution requirements.” These courses must be taken by all students, usually during the first two years of study. These courses comprise about one third of the degree and include subjects such as English, foreign languages, natural sciences, social sciences and mathematics. B. Specialized courses in the student’s chosen field, which are often referred to as “major Courses”. These courses are usually taken during the final two years of study and amount to about one quarter of the total degree requirements. C. "Elective courses” which the student chooses from any field. D. Students from other countries do not necessarily enter an 7
Graduate Study American college or university as freshmen (first-year students). They may be admitted by the college at a higher level or receive advanced standing, mainly through placement tests. Each college or university in the USA determines entry levels for each student on an individual basis. Students may sometimes complete a Bachelor's degree in less than four years by (a) receiving credits for precollege work (i.e. the European BaccalaurĂŠat) or (b) taking courses during the summer.
Graduate and Professional Schools provide post-university study leading to the Master's or Doctoral degree. Master's degrees, such as the M.A., M.S. or M.B.A. require a minimum of one academic year. More often, 18 months or two years are needed. Master's and other professional degrees usually require a minimum of 30 credits and a maximum of 60 credits, with an average grade of "B" for the coursework. Doctoral degrees may be earned in many fields of specialization and require a minimum of three to four years of study beyond the Bachelor's degree and two to four years of study after the Master's degree. Most graduate schools do not require that a student fulfil the specific requirements for the Master's degree before becoming a candidate for the Doctoral degree, although many students find it desirable to do so. Doctorates in Education, Science and Law are sometimes labelled Ed.D., Sc.D. or J.D. Most Doctorates, however, are known as Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) degrees.
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Postdoctoral Research
To obtain a Ph.D. degree or other Doctorate, the university generally requires students to: - Earn a certain number of credits in a required distribution of courses. - Maintain an average grade of “B.” - Pass a qualifying comprehensive examination after completion of the required courses. - Pass examinations in one or more foreign languages. - Write and defend a thesis that is the result of original research. - Pass an oral examination. Degree programs vary by institution.
Postdoctoral candidates should direct their inquiries to the Chair of the appropriate department, with a copy to the Dean of the School. Please note that postdoctoral research positions are usually arranged between the student and department through correspondence, exchange of articles and personal connections between professors. In general, there are no special forms to be completed or admission tests to be taken.
Professional Training Many professions require special training at the post-graduate level. A law degree (J.D.), for example, requires three years of study beyond the Bachelor's degree; a medical degree (M.D.) requires four years of study beyond the Bachelor's degree; and social work (M.S.W.) requires two additional years of training beyond the Bachelor’s degree. In professional fields such as dentistry, veterinary medicine and architecture, four years of general undergraduate work is usually required before admission to the professional program. 9
studying in the USA
The Credit system: American degrees, both undergraduate and graduate, are earned by successfully completing a prescribed number of courses. Each course carries a certain number of "credits" or "units", which are also referred to as credit hours, semester hours (for schools on the semester system) or quarter hours (for schools on the quarter system). The number of credits assigned to each course usually relates to the number of hours of classroom work involved. Full-time students typically attend 15 or16 hours of seminars or lecture classes a week which, added to personal study, result in academic work week of 40-50 hours. Students usually need between 120 and 124 semester hours to graduate.
In the USA, students are graded on course work completed and most colleges and universities use the following letter grades to characterize students’ results: A - Excellent or outstanding B - Above average C - Average D - Below average F - Failing. Letter grades correspond to a 4-point numerical scale, which are used to determine percentages and grade point averages (GPA): Letter Grade Percentage Grade Points A 93-100% 4.00 B 80-92% 3.00 C 70-79% 2.00 D 60-69% 1.00 F below 60% 0.00
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GETTING IN A student's academic standing is often measured by his or her grade point average (GPA). This is the average of the grades that a student has earned each term (semester GPA) or throughout the entire academic program (cumulative GPA). The grade point average is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of credit hours. Most institutions assign quality points to letters (A=4; B=3; C=2; D=1, F= 0) to allow the calculation of grade point averages or quality point indexes. They usually require that students maintain grades of designated quality to continue their studies and to graduate. The registrar of the university or college keeps a permanent record of courses taken and grades earned by each student. This record is called “transcript” and constitutes the official document proving that a student has attended an institution and achieved a specific status. Transcripts rather than diplomas are primarily considered by graduate or professional schools as well as by institutions deciding whether to admit transfer of students. 12
Admission to an American institution is never automatic. No certificate or diploma guarantees admission. Applicants are considered on the basis of their academic record, English proficiency, school references, admission tests, previous experience, proposed project of study, etc. Since admission is not automatic, it is wise to apply to as many as 5 to 10 American institutions simultaneously (even more, if the applicant does not have a good academic record). Listed below are several factors for consideration when choosing a college or university: - Relative selectivity. How competitive is the university? What percentages of applicants are actually accepted? How important is “prestige” or “reputation” in the choice of university? - Courses of study. Students wishing to pursue a degree in a professional or more specialized field (such as engineering, forestry or teaching) must look for universities or professional schools that offer these degrees.
studying in the USA
- Size of the university. In the U.S., enrolments can vary from under 1,000 students to about 35,000. Some international students prefer smaller communities or feel lost in very large institutions. - Residential facilities. - Religion. Many private institutions in the United States are affiliated with particular religious orders - Geographic location. Some students wish to live in a particular city or near family or other friends in the United States. Popular destinations for international students include California, New York and the Northeast Seaboard. Students may increase their chances of admission by applying to institutions in less popular areas of the USA. Location can also be linked to particular fields of study. - Costs. - International students who can go to the United States to visit
campuses may find this helpful in deciding where they prefer to study and live. Such visits do not influence the universities' decision regarding eligibility for admission. Undergraduate studies As the procedures for admission to American institutions of higher education require a lot of time, prospective students should contact those institutions at least 10-12 months in advance before seeking admission. Most American institutions are quite selective, which means that they determine the conditions for entry often based on specific scores achieved in 2 major tests: - the College Board’s scholastic aptitude test (SAT) or - the American testing program assessment (ACT) Many institutions accept the scores of either test. SAT I measures verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities as well as the knowledge achieved during secondary education SAT II is 13
a subject test. You may be asked to take one or more SAT II exams for admission. There are 5 content areas covering English, foreign languages, mathematics, sciences, history and social sciences. The ACT test is an achievement test measuring what you have learned in English, mathematics, reading and science classes. Furthermore every foreign student must undergo the TOEFL-Test of English as a foreign language. A minimum score on TOEFL (at least 550 points) is usually a criterion for admission. The test format is multiple choice.
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Graduate studies For admission to a graduate school, the applicant is expected to present a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. Additional requirements are imposed by the department offering the graduate program. A considerable number of universities use the GRE-Graduate Record Examination as criteria for admission. Entry to highly specialized studies is only granted to students having successfully achieved one of the following tests: Law Admission Test; Medical College Admission etc. The GMAT-Graduate Management admission test is required for studies leading to the MBA Master of Business Administration. However, specific knowledge in business administration is not required.
studying in the USA
Application Procedures The academic year, which varies from institution to institution, normally runs from late August or mid-September to early or late May. Optional summer courses are usually available outside the academic year. The academic year is either divided into two terms called "semesters" or into three terms referred to as "quarters.” In the latter case, the fourth quarter can be an optional summer term that covers a whole quarter's worth of material in six to eight weeks. It is, therefore, extremely intense and very fast-paced. An above average knowledge of English is required to successfully complete these intensive courses. They are not designed to teach students English. Their objective is to help students catch up on subject material or advance in their program of study more quickly.
The Application Process All students must submit a formal application in order to enrol in an American institution, regardless of academic status or degree intent. The entire application process takes several months. Students should begin requesting (or downloading) admission applications in July and August, one year before the expected date of enrolment. Most institutions make application forms available on the Internet and then request that hard copies of your documents be sent via post. Forms that are sent via surface mail (by sea) may not reach universities in time for application deadlines. Most universities will take no action on an application until it is complete in all respects, including supporting letters of reference, certified copies of academic records, required test scores and payment of application fees. To find application information on university web sites, follow the links to “admissions”, “prospective students” or “international students.” 15
Application Deadlines The deadline for admission applications varies among institutions. Most deadlines range from December to February for enrolment in the following academic year. Some institutions set special application deadlines for international students. Final application dates are firm and apply to all application materials (academic results, application forms, recommendation letters, test scores and application fees). Mid-year Admissions The most typical time to begin academic programs in the United States is the Fall (September) term. However, some institutions accept admission applications for each of their academic terms. If the university operates a semester plan, mid-year admission falls sometime in January. Universities operating a quarterly calendar will sometimes admit students at the beginning of Fall (September), Winter (January) or Spring (March) quarters. Highly competitive institutions and some graduate programs do not accept mid-year admissions. Details concerning the rules and requirements of an American institution are published in a program (often referred to as a university “catalogue�). These catalogues can be found on the web sites of individual institutions. 18
Although application procedures vary slightly among institutions, international student applications usually require the following materials: - Institutional application form - Non-refundable application fee (costs range from $10 to $100) - Certified copies of educational documents (academic results) - Certified translations of these documents if not originally in English - Scores for any required entrance examinations - Evidence of English language proficiency - Statement of educational purpose and/or biographical essay - Letters of recommendation from teachers or professional colleagues - Financial information, with applications for financial aid if requested Most universities require a non-refundable application fee. Payment should be enclosed with the application materials. Students must use an international money order. Try to begin working on applications well before the deadline and submit completed applications two or three months before the closing date. This will allow the institutions adequate time to eva-
studying in the USA
luate the application before the peak of the selection period. If applying to a competitive field or to a selective institution, submit applications as early as possible. Many U.S. admissions officers believe that early applications are apt to be considered more favourably than later ones. Once the application process has begun, some institutions send a letter of welcome or a note that thanks students for their interest in the institution. A letter of welcome from an individual professor or a letter verifying receipt of your application does not constitute an official admission to the university. Respond promptly to any requests for additional information from any and all universities to which you have applied. These requests may be for specific course descriptions; additional information about your financial situation, for an additional writing sample in English or for certified copies of educational documents. Each institution will specify the type of official records it requires to evaluate past education. Usually, admissions officers will want the student’s entire academic record for secondary courses. U.S. institutions often prefer that transcripts of previous educational work be sent directly from the former schools. The institution may also furnish special forms on which school authorities are asked to write the applicant’s grades and academic performance relative to other students in
the institution. If such forms are not provided, the applicant or the school will be expected to submit official documents that provide this type of information. If the admissions officer requests an explanation of the grading and class ranking system or descriptions of courses that have been taken, this information should be furnished by an official of the applicant's send certified copies of grade sheets, diplomas, degrees or professional titles, or copies of the comprehensive examination results administered in your home country. Do not send original documents unless there is no alternative; usually they cannot be returned. If English translations are necessary, they must have been certified. Students who have taken courses in the USA or at an institution in their home country can inquire about applying those courses towards the new degree program. Certified copies of course transcripts must be included with the application. In most cases, admissions officers cannot give full estimates of accepted credit in advance of admission. Applicants must submit officially reported results (scores) for any required examinations. Most applications ask students to provide an essay that details his or her purpose in seeking admission to the chosen field and institution.
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This essay should include study plans, research plans, personal strengths in the chosen field and plans for the future. Be sure to take this task seriously as it is one of the most important parts of the application. Essays should be carefully organized and presented in a clear, well-written manner. When required, the biographical essay helps admissions officers “get to know� the applicant. These essays should emphasize individual strengths, interests and goals. Bear in mind that admissions officers want to know what you excel at, what you are interested in and what types of activities occupy your time outside of school. Overall, they want to know what you are like. Many students tend to be too modest when asked to present their interests and accomplishments. Most candidates, in completing the application, will be describing themselves for the first time in their lives. All applicants should realize that their ability to persuasively explain their background, interests and assets will have a significant impact on their application for admission. If institutions request letters of recommendation, ask two or three people to write letters on your behalf. The university will specify the number of letters to be submitted.
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Try to select references who hold respected positions and who are familiar with you and your academic work. Present or former teachers, professors or employers are possible choices. For recommendation letters to be effective, they should contain insights into your seriousness of purpose, academic promise, motivation, adaptability, personality and character. Statements about research ability, as well as preparation and promise in the specific field, are also necessary. Recommendations which give an honest appraisal of your capabilities - weak points as well as strong points - are much more convincing to U.S. admissions officers (and therefore more valuable) than general letters of extreme praise. These letters should be written in English, or accompanied by a translation. If a form is provided by the university, it must be used. Evidence of Financial Resources. Admissions officers cannot issue the certificates needed to request a visa for study in the United States until they are satisfied that an applicant has enough money, from whatever sources, to cover all expenses during the period of stay in the United States. Most institutions require applicants to submit financial forms or bank statements that list the amounts and sources of funds available to pay educational and living expenses in the U.S. Usually, this information must be confirmed or
studying in the USA
witnessed by a responsible individual, such as an officer of the bank where the applicant's funds are on deposit. If a sponsor or parent is contributing financial support, they will be asked to attest to the availability of funds. In some cases, notarization of these documents may be required. Academic year The average semester lasts 15 weeks and is usually followed by a brief examination period. The academic year is divided in periods of study, called “semesters”. The Fall semester starts in August and lasts until around the middle of December. After a vacation period of approximately a month, universities begin again around the 15th January for the Spring semester finishing in mid-May. A summer semester completes the academic year between the beginning of June and mid-August.
DISTANCE LEARNING Many institutions of higher education in the USA offer degree courses (Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees) by distance learning. However it should be pointed out that not all institutions or courses are necessarily recognized and accredited. It is advisable to check if this is actually the case before you start applying for such courses. 21
LIVING CONDITIONS FOR ENTRY IN THE USA
COSTS OF LIVING
American Visas A valid passport and U.S. visa are needed to enter the United States. Students and scholars generally fall under the NonImmigrant classifications of "Exchange-Visitor" (type J) or "Student" (type F).
Higher education is very expensive in the United States. Tuition alone varies from $5,000 in state-supported institutions to $30,000 in some large private institutions.
The possibility for employment is governed by the type of visa issued. Under no circumstances is it possible to cover all educational expenses by working in the United States during your studies. Information concerning U.S. visas is available from: The Consular Section of the United States Embassy Boulevard Emmanuel Servais 22 L- 2535 Luxembourg http://luxembourg.usembassy.gov/consular.html N.B.: not every visa allows you to work in the USA. If you are considering work while studying, check whether your visa allows it. For further information: American Embassy in Luxembourg, “The Consular Section”.
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These figures cover only tuition and do not include transportation, books or living expenses. The following chart is an estimate of costs for one academic year (9 months) at public (state-supported) universities and private universities. The range reflects the differences between low-cost and high-cost institutions. Tuition & Fees Books & Supplies Room & Board Health Insurance Incidental Expenses TOTALS
Public University $5,250 - 12,500 $525 – 735 $7,000 - 10,500 $210 – 420 $2,100 - 3,150 $15,085 - 27,305
Private University $8,500 - 26,250 $525 – 735 $7,000 - 10,500 $210 – 420 $2,100 - 3,150 $18,335 – 41,055
How to get a financial assistance? You may apply to CEDIES in Luxembourg for financial assistance granted by the Luxembourg State (www.cedies.lu).
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Financial aid by American institutions The number of US scholarships available for foreign students who want to study in the USA is quite limited. Despite the sharp competition for funds, financial aid is sometimes available from public and private educational institutions, private foundations or organizations. There are eight general types of financial aid in the United States: administrative assistantships, fellowships, grants, loans, research assistantships, scholarships, teaching assistantships and workstudy programs. Please note that most assistantship forms of aid are reserved for graduate level students. Administrative assistantships are rare and are based on student need and academic qualifications. These assistantships usually require 10 to 20 hours of work within the administrative offices of the university and may provide a tuition waiver or modest salary. Fellowships are typically based on academic merit and carry no teaching or research obligations. Fellowships usually cover tuition plus a cash stipend.
The Commission for Educational Exchange administers the Fulbright Grant Program for citizens of Belgium and Luxembourg. Grants are available for graduate level studies and post-doctoral research and lecturing. Candidates must demonstrate academic excellence as well as a strong knowledge of English. A more detailed hand-out about Fulbright grant opportunities is available at the Commission and at CEDIES. Application should be made one year before starting studying in the USA! Research assistantships (RAs) are based on academic qualifications and research interests. The student assists a faculty member in conducting research and is usually compensated with a tuition waiver and modest salary or stipend. Again, RA positions are generally reserved for advanced masters or doctoral students. Scholarships are based on academic merit and generally require no repayment obligations. Depending on the sponsor, scholarships may cover partial or full tuition costs.
Grants are often based on financial need and academic merit and do not carry work or research obligations. 23
Teaching Assistantships (TAs) are based on academic qualifications. TAs usually require a student to work 15 to 20 hours per week in such areas as lecturing, grading papers, supervising laboratory classes, etc. Students usually receive a tuition waiver and a modest salary or stipend. TA positions are often reserved for advanced level students (some master’s work completed or doctoral level studies). Work-study programs provide jobs for students with financial need. The program encourages community service work or work related to each student’s course of study. Students who are interested in obtaining financial assistance from American institutions must request specific applications for financial aid. Students should direct their inquiries to the university’s Office of International Admissions or Office of International Student Services. At some institutions, applications for financial aid must be submitted earlier than the regular admission deadline. Applicants for financial assistance may have to take additional tests, provide additional proof of eligibility for aid, obtain additional recommendations and sometimes meet an earlier application deadline.
At the undergraduate level, scholarships might be: - merit-based (exclusively based on the student’s academic achievements) - need-based( based on the student’s financial needs and partly on his academic achievements) At the graduate level, there are: - scholarships (based on the student’s academic achievements) - fellowships (also based on the student’s academic achievements). Fellowships normally cover tuition fees and living expenses - grants (based on the student’s academic achievements and his financial needs) - teaching assistantships (based on the student’s academic qualifications). Those assistantships are given in return for teaching, laboratory work or other services - research assistantships (based on the student’s academic qualifications and his capability for research) - administrative assistantships (based on the student’s financial needs and qualifications) Those assistantships require the student to work in the administrative department of the university.
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SOCIAL SECURITY Applications for financial assistance from US institutions should be done before the end of January of the year before entering university/college. However as there are various scholarships and grants their criteria and their deadlines are frequently quite different. Further information: www.educationusa.state.gov - Commission for Educational Exchange with the USA, Bruxelles - Miami University (Differdange) for the Miami scholarships
STUDENT HOUSING Practically all American universities/colleges are located on a campus with housing facilities (Residence halls). Trying to get a room in one of the Residence halls is the best solution for students who start their studies. However, with the number of students increasing, there is no guarantee that you will be allocated a room. Student housing departments on the campus provide information on housing in and outside the campus.
School Insurance Requirements If you are an international student planning to study in the USA, you will need health insurance, and most US colleges and universities require that your insurance plan meets certain requirements.
Health Care on Campus Most college and university campuses offer some type of general medical care; services vary from basic first-aid and treatment of minor ailments to sophisticated multi-doctor primary care centers offering x-rays, laboratory tests, prescription drugs and access to specialists. The cost of on-campus medical services is normally not very expensive. During your first week on campus, take a copy of your medical records (including immunization and vaccination records and prescriptions) to the school's health care center or infirmary. Going off campus for health care If you prefer to visit a medical practitioner off-campus, you have several choices (though the cost is generally higher). Private doctors treat non-emergency patients by appointment during regular office hours, typically 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Minor emergency clinics do not require 25
appointments, and are usually open on weekends and holidays. Please contact the Centre commun de la sécurité sociale in Luxembourg for further information on that topic (http://www.ccss.lu/joindre.htm)
WORKING AND STUDYING International students should not rely on earning money in the United States to pay for their higher education. American visas require international students to study full-time and limit employment to supervised work that is directly connected to their field of study. Some international students may be permitted to work part-time on campus after their first year of study, but the amount of money earned is only enough for pocket money or miscellaneous expenses. It is not possible to cover living expenses with the part-time salaries earned on campus. In the USA there are now numerous restrictions on employment for foreign nationals. Even when employment is permitted, it is usually limited to no more than 20 hours per week. Most international students are limited to on-campus employment.
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If you are studying on a F1-visa, you may not accept off-campus employment during the first year of study. You may however take an on-campus employment limited to 2o hours per week. Full-time employment is allowed during vacations if you will be returning to school at the end of the vacation period. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) permission is not required for an on-campus employment, but you must apply for a Social Security Number and complete a form I-9 (Employment Eligibility). After the first year of study, a student on an F - 1 visa may ask the INS for permission to accept an off-campus employment. The student must be in a good academic standing and enrolled as a full-time student and the student’s advisor must certify the student’s Form I-538. The student must submit Form I-765 (Application for temporary employment authorization) and filing fee, along with the Form I538 and the student copy of Form I-20,to the INS for work authorization. This authorization is valid for one year.
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USEFUL LINKS AND ADDRESSES
Important addresses:
Prospective students are advised to check the following web sites:
Commission for Educational Exchange between the USA, Belgium and Luxembourg Bvd. de l’Empereur 4, B-1000 Bruxelles Tél. 0032 2/519.57.72 www.fulbright.be email:adviser@fulbright.be
College Net: www.collegenet.com College View: www.collegeview.com EducationUSA: www.educationusa.state.gov GradSchools.com: www.gradschools.com/search.html Hobson’s U.S. Education Guides: www.useduguides.com Peterson’s School Search: www.petersons.com/ugchannel College Opportunities Online Locator: http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool/ and: www.usnews.com www.usjournal.com/en/students www.edupass.org/immigration
American Embassy The Consular Section 22, bvd. E.Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg, Tél. 460123 Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche (bourses étrangères) 20, montée de la Pétrusse, L-2273 Luxembourg, Tél. 247 85135 Centre de Documentation et d’Information sur l’Enseignement supérieur (CEDIES) 209, route d’Esch, L-1471 Luxembourg Tél. 247 88650
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Timeline for preparing to study in the USA 12 to 18 months before departure: - Evaluate your reasons for wanting to study in the U.S., consider the following: - Motivation and objectives. Why the U.S. and not elsewhere? - Future plans, academic interests and employment goals - English proficiency and academic ability - Time required to earn an American degree - Estimated cost of study and financial aid opportunities
June-September: - Select 5 to 10 universities on the bases of their programs, degrees offered, accreditation, level of selectivity, cost, location and size.
July-August: - Find out which standardized tests are required for admission (TOEFL, ACT, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.) - Register to take the exams in October or November
August-September: - Write to 5 to 10 universities to request application forms for admission and financial aid (or download information from the institutional web sites) - If you have specific questions about an institution’s admissions procedures, send a letter of inquiry or email message to admissions staff well in advance of the application deadline
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October-February: Request official transcripts from your department or university and prepare English translations. Have the English translations and transcript copies certified at the Commission. - Apply for financmial aid in the United States - Ask professors or other colleagues to prepare and send recommendation letters directly to the selected institutions - Send application forms and other application materials to universities well in advance of the application deadlines Keep copies of all application forms for your records
February-April: - Wait for acceptance and rejection letters from the universities
March-April: - Contact the institutions from which you have not yet received a response to your admission applications
April-June: - Accept the offer of admission from your preferred university. (This can be done via e-mail, telephone, fax or letter.) - Decline offers from other universities - Contact the university’s housing office to reserve university owned housing - Contact the university’s International Student Adviser for any specific information concerning arrival and orientation - Contact the Commission for pre-departure information
Upon Arrival in the United States: - Contact the International Student Adviser and register your U.S. postal and email address with the university
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étudier studyingen inSuisse the USA
Edition 2011/2012 05 04 03 02 01 Cedies www.cedies.lu 209, route d’Esch L-1471 Luxembourg Illustrations: Fotolia.fr Clôture de rédaction: 15 avril 2011. Toute modification postérieure à cette date est annoncée sur le site www.cedies.lu Dans la présente publication le masculin est utilisé dans un souci de lisibilité sans volonté de discrimination.
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Centre de Documentation et d’Information sur l’Enseignement Supérieur 209, route d’Esch L-1471 Luxembourg - Gasperich Tél.: 247-88650 • Fax: 26 19 01 04 www.cedies.lu e-mail: cedies@mesr.etat.lu
Edition 2011/2012