Begin your search by visiting your nearest EducationUSA information
and advising center. There you will have access to a variety of
reference materials about U.S. educational programs and
institutions. You can also find information through the websites
listed in 'Related Links' and the books listed in the
'Bibliography.'
Try to identify several programs of study that will meet your
personal and professional requirements. Then, contact the
organizations or institutions running the programs and request
detailed information. Be sure to communicate your particular
situation and any special needs you may have.
Compare the programs that interest you by considering:
- application deadlines;
- whether you meet the eligibility and admission requirements;
- accreditation of the program or institution;
- costs;
- whether the program includes or arranges for housing, or if
it provides any assistance to students who are looking for a
place to live;
- other services, such as social activities, provided by the
organization running the program or by the host educational
institution;
- how long the program has been in existence, typical
participants, and, if applicable, what careers or jobs past
participants have gained entry to after completing the program;
- if this is not an international exchange program, how
experienced the program administrators are in dealing with
participants from outside the United States;
- the location and local environment, including climate and
availability of public transportation;
- the "small print": whether a deposit is required in advance,
refund and cancellation policies, and any other obligations on
both you and the organization running the program.
If you are considering studying at a college or university, you may
also wish to consult the section on 'Undergraduate Study' or
'Graduate Study', which contain more information on factors to
consider when choosing a U.S. college or university.
There is no central government body in the United States that is in
charge of monitoring educational standards. Instead, the United
States relies on the system of accreditation to ensure educational
quality of institutions and specific programs. It is essential to
make sure that any courses or short-term study or training programs
you choose are properly accredited. Also check in advance with your
home-country secondary school, university, ministry of education or
labor, employer, or relevant professional association to determine
whether your program of study will be recognized upon your return.
For more detailed information concerning this very important part of
choosing an appropriate short-term study program, please read the
section on "Accreditation."
The cost of short-term study in the United States varies
considerably. Costs are determined by the institution's tuition
charges and other fees, as well as by the program type and length
and by the materials you will be required to purchase in order to
complete the program. Information about the costs of each program is
available in program brochures, catalogs, and application materials,
and sometimes on a program website.
You will also need to budget for the cost of traveling to and from
the United States, as well as for living expenses such as room and
board. In addition, you will need to have health insurance while in
the United States. There may also be a charge in your country for
applying for a U.S. student visa.
Funding from universities, scholarship organizations, or
grant-giving bodies is difficult to obtain for short-term study in
the United States. Much of this type of funding is given to
degree-seeking students or to researchers.
It is important to note that almost all types of short-term study in
the United States require you to apply for a student visa from the
U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country, regardless of the
length of the course or the type of program. The most common visa
for international students is the F-1 student visa. If you are
participating in an established educational exchange program, you
may need to apply for the J-1 exchange visitor visa instead. Confirm
with the staff at the institution running the program which type of
visa you will need.
Before applying for either an F-1 or a J-1 visa, you must receive a
U.S. government form called a Certificate of Eligibility. If you are
applying for an F-1 visa, the Certificate of Eligibility will be
issued by your U.S. institution of study. If you are applying for a
J-1 visa, the Certificate of Eligibility will be issued either by
your U.S. institution of study or by the program that is sponsoring
your study in the United States. The Certificate of Eligibility
shows that you have been accepted into a program of study and have
proven that you have sufficient funds to pay all expenses for the
duration of the course or program, either through your own funds or
through funds from a sponsoring individual or organization. For an
F-1 visa application, the Certificate of Eligibility is called the
Form I-20, and for a J-1 visa application, it is called the Form
IAP-66. (The IAP-66 will become DS-2019 in the future.)
For more information on visa requirements and regulations, see 'Predeparture
Information.' Also contact your nearest EducationUSA information and
advising center and your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to find
out specific visa application procedures and visa costs for your
country. |
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