The main reasons for elite higher education in the USA
- Leading US universities occupy top positions in international rankings, thereby testifying to the highest level of quality of educational services
- The educational process is organized in prestigious American universities so that students have all the opportunities to establish business relations with well-known companies and large corporations of America in the framework of higher education.
- The diploma of a leading US university is highly appreciated among large companies located in various countries of the world, thereby creating excellent opportunities for promising employment.
What is the best choice: college or university for higher education in America?
Admission to an advanced American college or university enables foreign applicants to receive a ranking higher education in the USA. At the same time, within the walls of leading American colleges, education can only be done as part of bachelor's programs. And in elite American universities, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs are offered to the attention of foreign students.
Note the fact that the structure of a leading university in America may include several colleges. Considering the predominant number of American colleges, they are private and small in size, with an average of 2,000 students. In addition, they teach in the chosen direction, namely humanitarian or technical. Considering the lesser popularity and popularity of American colleges, they provide a high level of quality educational services.
As for advanced US universities, they are divided into private and public. Please note that state American universities accept students from a particular state for education. If an applicant comes from other states and other countries, the cost of higher education at a state university will be significantly higher, at the same time there is a greater competition for places.
Higher Education Structure in America
Within the US higher education system, 3 stages are distinguished, namely:
If you are a foreign entrant, in order to enroll in a predominant number of elite US universities, you need to complete the Foundation specialized educational program lasting 1 year. So, in the framework of this course, a foreign student will significantly improve the level of English language proficiency and increase the level of knowledge in academic disciplines, while at the same time adapting to the new and linguistic environment.
It is worth noting that some advanced American universities have developed an adaptation program that is combined with 1 course of study, thus, the student saves a whole year of graduating in America. In particular, the following US universities offer such educational programs, namely:
- University of Central Florida;
- The University of Illinois in Chicago;
- Louisiana State University;
- University of the Pacific;
- American University Washington.
Higher Education in America - Bachelor Programs
Duration of education varies from 3 to 4 years. As for the cost of education, it starts at 16,000 $. A foreign student will be able to receive a prestigious higher education in the United States only after graduating from school and successfully completing the preparatory program. It is worth noting that a unified curriculum has not been adopted within the framework of the American system of higher education. There is a division of seminars and lectures into obligatory ones, which are independently selected by a foreign applicant.
The educational process is structured in such a way that initially students study general subjects, after which they select preferred academic modules that meet their goals and ambitions. As a rule, several hundred students are present at lectures, while in seminars and laboratory classes the number of students varies from two to 30. During the seminars, students should actively participate in various discussions and argue their own opinions. In frequent cases, the final grade for the course depends on the activity in the practical classes.
Within the walls of some of the leading universities in America, as part of the admission, there are no requirements for the choice of specialization, since the first two years provide for the teaching of identical subjects for all students. SMAPSE experts note an interesting fact that there is no strict division into flows and groups.
Higher Education in America - Master
Duration of study varies from 1 year to 2 years. The cost of education starts on average from 20,000 $. Please note that admission to the magistracy is possible only at the end of the bachelor's program.
If we compare with bachelor's programs, then it is much more difficult to study at the master's program at a prestigious US university because of the greater amount of material for independent study and the simultaneous development of individual projects.
The division of the master's programs into 2 types is provided, namely, professional and academic. So, in the framework of professional magistracy, students acquire a qualitative general theoretical base, and they also undergo practical education in the chosen direction. The format of practical education can be different, in particular, internships and the implementation of a large number of practical tasks. As for the academic master's programs, the active participation of students in various scientific studies plays an important role here.
As practice shows, students who choose academic master's programs intend to continue their studies in doctoral studies and continue to engage in scientific activities.
Higher Education in America - Doctorate
Duration of study varies from 4 to 6 years. The cost of training starts at 30,000 $. The main requirement for admission to doctoral studies is due to the successful completion of the master's program.
It is the doctoral program that represents the third stage of higher education in America, the target audience is students who intend to devote their lives to scientific activity. As an interesting fact, SMAPSE experts note that in the United States every year 28% of GDP is allocated for the development of doctoral studies, in particular, in such areas as medicine and biology. No country can compete on the level of costs for this industry.
Thus, the predominant number of studies is conducted on the basis of leading American universities. In this connection, foreign students are given full access to the infrastructure, equipment of university laboratories, research centers in order to write their own dissertation in high quality.
At the end of doctoral studies, a graduate is awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Science.
Higher Education in the USA - How are students evaluated?
It is worth starting with the fact that the assessment of each discipline is carried out in credit units representing ECTS, taking into account the hours allocated to its teaching, the level of difficulty. To obtain a bachelor's, master's or Ph.D. degree, you must obtain a certain number of credits throughout the entire period of study. In particular, in the walls of the University of Adelphi University, according to the basic course of the bachelor's program, you can get 3 credits, 4 credits are given for a course with laboratory work.
To obtain credit for the course, a foreign student needs to get a satisfactory grade in the discipline. Throughout the semester, the student is given a grade for each test work. The ranking system is as follows: A (excellent), B (excellent), C (good), D (satisfactory), F (unsatisfactory). After that, the average score of all grades, called the GPA, is calculated. In this connection, it is provided for the translation of letter grades into numbers, namely A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0.
At any stage of higher education in America, the GPA plays an important role. So, entering an American university, you will need to transfer grades from the your school certificate to the GPA. As a rule, to be credited, you must get at least 2.5 GPA. In addition, the GPA may have an impact on successful employment after graduation from a ranking university in the United States.
Once again, when deciding to get an elite higher education in America, you make excellent highly liquid investments in your successful future and career.
Specific Features of Higher Education in America
- It is not envisaged to write entrance exams in the United States, since a foreign student is enrolled on the basis of the results of final tests at the SAT school.
- After 4 years of study at an elite university in America, a graduate is given a bachelor's degree.
- During the 3 years of study, students are required to study 30 disciplines, and 1 subject is taught during the semester.
- The fourth year of study is devoted to the study of the chosen specialization, thereby gaining in-depth knowledge in a certain direction.
- About 6 years will have to spend on getting a doctorate.
The US higher education system allows students to independently choose the courses and disciplines of interest. In this connection, the second higher education can be obtained by a very narrow specialization, thereby ensuring complete immersion on the chosen topic.
The cost of getting a top higher education in America
Significant fluctuations in the amount of tuition at leading US universities are observed. The difference in price is largely due to the degree of prestige of the university and its location. As a rule, the cost of education per year starts at 5,148 $, the maximum is 36,848 $ including accommodation.
Professional help of specialists
In the United States, as noted above, more than 5,000 universities have been created, which offer a wide variety of areas of study and specializations for foreign applicants. In order not to make mistakes in choosing a leading American university, experienced specialists of SMAPSE educational center will assist in selecting a preferred educational institution, preparing for successful exams, preparing a package of documents and a visa.
