Study in USA for Indian Students After 12th

The land of dreams, the United States of America is a country that helps one fulfil their desires. A cosmopolitan place with a modern lifestyle, the USA essentially presents opportunities very few places have to offer. Home to the Ivy League colleges and other prestigious universities, the USA is a world-class education destination and has been a favourite amongst students from time immemorial. The academic excellence of the universities located in the USA makes it a much sought after study destination for international students. The vibrant and culturally diverse campus life, flexible curriculum and global exposure all make the USA a leading choice amongst students who have just passed school to step into the challenging world of college life. Studying in the USA for Indian students after 12th offers a broad scope with many courses to pick from in various universities and in different parts of the USA. This blog seeks to delve into the intricacies of study in the USA for Indian students after 12th and its unique features!

Study in the USA 

Popular Courses and Degrees in the USA

Choosing a major can be a daunting task and requires rational thinking and sensible decision making in order to opt for the best possible course. The virtually endless list of courses in the USA can be bewildering, with its unique features and importance. Mentioned below is a list of most opted for courses that students choose when deciding to study in the USA after 12th:

• Social Sciences
• Intensive English
• Computer Science
• Law
• Medicine
• Business and Management

Broadly speaking, undergraduate degrees offered by US universities can be of two types:

2-Year Undergraduate Program
It is an undergraduate program offered by Junior or Community College which lays the foundation for pursuing a 4-year undergraduate program later. This degree requires fewer credits and thereby time and focuses on a broader base of a subject and doesn’t require any specialization.

4-Year Undergraduate Program
To pursue a 4-Year undergraduate program, students are expected to choose a major. This degree lays a foundation to pursue a professional career. It is a specialized course and therefore requires more credits and thus students need to devote more time.

Eligibility Criteria

To pursue a globally recognized degree and study in the USA after 12th, there are certain prerequisites that have to be met. These eligibility criteria test the acumen of prospective students and help the universities in choosing adept students. These criteria form a major part of the application and admission process. Below is an idea of these eligibility standards that soon-to-be students have to fulfil:

• Students should have completed their 10+2 from a recognized board with a minimum percentage of marks that is required by the educational institute they wish to join
• Students should have undertaken an English language proficiency test like IELTS, TOEFL etc. to demonstrate their ability to speak English
• There are various standardized tests like SAT OR ACT that universities look for to judge the knowledge of students
• Other requirements that form a part of admission involve essays or SOPs, LORs and other extracurricular activities that would constitute the profile of a student.

Here is a list of study abroad scholarships which will
decrease the overall cost of studying in the USA for Indian students after 12th.

Top Universities in the USA

For Indian students wishing to study their undergraduate degree in the USA, choosing a university is imperative. Universities in the USA offer degrees that are globally accepted and valued. Choosing a university can be as disconcerting as choosing a major. For Indian students, studying in the USA can open up a host of possibilities. Tabulated below is a list of some esteemed universities in the USA for Indian students:

Top Universities to Study in USA	QS World Rankings 2022
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	1
Harvard University	5
Stanford University	=3
University of California, Berkeley	32
Columbia University	19
California Institute of Technology	=6
Yale University	=14
University of Pennsylvania	13
Princeton University	20
Cornell University	21

Here is the list of top universities in the world!

Cost of Studying

For those who are looking forward to becoming a part of a university in the USA, it is important to get a hold of the average cost for pursuing studies in the country. The major part of your expenses will go into your tuition fee and living charges. The average tuition fee for UG and PG courses in the USA is around $25,000 (INR 18,00,000) for public universities and $37,000 (INR 26,00,000) for private universities. Apart from this, the average cost for food will be around $500- $1000 (INR 36,000- 72,000) and accommodation will take up around $1,500-2,000 per month. On a monthly basis, your minimum charges for transportation will be $100-200 (INR 7,200- 14,000). 

Admission Intake

For Indian students wishing to study in the USA after 12th, there are three intakes available for admission which are as follows:

• Fall Intake: This is the most popular choice amongst students. This starts in the month of August.
• Spring Intake: For those who wish to gain a little time before starting college, this is the best option. It starts in the month of January.
• A third variation, which is available in limited colleges and for limited courses, is the summer intake which starts in the month of May.

All universities have varying deadlines therefore to increase the chances of admissions, it is important to be aware of these deadlines and follow them. If you further need assistance for the same, get in touch with Leverage Edu!

Getting the Student Visa

For students who are aiming to study in the USA after 12th, visa is a key requirement. To make the process easier and facilitate this exchange of students, there are various Visa options a student can pick from. Below is a brief overview of these Visa types:

• F1 Visa- This is the Visa required to study at an accredited US college
• M(student) Visa- For any vocational or training program that doesn’t entail an academic degree, this Visa is required.

When to apply for an F-1 visa?

You can start the process of applying for an F-1 visa as soon as you get your I-20. It is a good idea to get your visa application in as soon as possible. However, there are a few important points to keep in mind.

• The US consulate will not issue an F-1 visa more than 120 days in advance.
• You will not be allowed to enter the USA more than 30 days before your course start date.
• The time taken to process your F-1 visa also depends on the appointment wait time, which is usually 60-90 days. You can check the wait time for your city here.

Visa is a mandatory requirement and therefore it is important to be aware of all the options that are available to pick the one most suited to the course you are pursuing.

Find out how to pursue MD in USA!

Studying in the USA for Indian Students after 12th is a dream for many and making this dream a reality needs hard work, diligence and merit. Leverage Edu provides you with the platform to give you the impetus needed to make this dream of yours come true. Our experts will help you with your admission formality. Join for a free counselling session and live your study abroad dream!