Advanced Level results are out and many parents and students are looking at college study options. One of the options is studying in the United States of America and we share below a presentation done over the weekend on USA College Admission processes and requirements.
Hello and good afternoon everyone, wonderful to have such a diverse audience. My name is Bevan Hungwe EducationUSA Adviser in Zimbabwe.
So, Today we will be focusing on undergraduate study.
Will close the group to allow smooth flow of the presentation, will take questions after.
Today, we will be discussing the steps that you should take if you want to study in the US. I have prepared slides that I will share. Please go through each slide/page and feel free to ask questions and just let me know if you need clarification on anything. I will also put additional notes. Above is our agenda for today.
PLEASE NOTE: EducationUSA is not a scholarship provider but rather an advising service that promotes U.S. higher education to students around the world by offering accurate, comprehensive, and current information about opportunities to study at accredited postsecondary institutions in the United States We offer a variety of advising sessions and other services to help qualified Zimbabwean students learn more about educational opportunities in the United States. Our advising sessions focus on the Five Steps to U.S. Study to help students navigate the admissions process.
We offer a variety of advising sessions and other services to help qualified Zimbabwean students learn more about educational opportunities in the United States. Our advising sessions focus on the Five Steps to U.S. Study to help students navigate the admissions process.
Why study in the United States? 4000+ institutions of higher education and 600+ fields of study Freedom and responsibility to design studies, flexibility to combine fields, and do more than one major. Robust extracurriculars: clubs, athletics Varied learning: Study abroad, internships More opportunities, externships, undergraduate,
Where do you want to study? Here are a few things to consider when deciding where you want to study. Size, Student-faculty Ratio, Average Class Size, College Vs. University, Community College, Liberal Arts College, Location, Climate, Near Friends or Relatives? Big City Vs. Small City Vs, Town Vs. Rural Area, School Character, Single Sex or Coed, Athletics, Technology, Reputation, Public vs. Private, Religious Affiliation? Cost, Tuition and Fees, Cost of Living, Financial Aid Awarded to Intl Students?
Step 1: Research your Options. The first step to studying in the United States is researching your options to find a college or university that best fits your needs. You shouldn’t try to match yourself to the school, but rather find the school that matches you and your priorities and long-term goals. Remember that no official ranking system exists for colleges and universities in the United States. The best college or university is the one that is best for you and meets your requirements—academic, financial, and personal. At least 12 to 18 months prior to the academic year in which you hope to attend a U.S. college or university, you should begin your research. Start by answering these basic questions below: Why do you want to study in the United States? Where will you fit in best? Which colleges or universities will meet your needs? Will you need financial assistance? What are the application and financial aid deadlines? Where do you want to live in the United States?
STEP 2: Financing your studies. Colleges in the US are expensive and can cost up to $80,000 per year. When it comes to financing your studies, think of it this way, investing in your education is investing in yourself. There are many different ways of financing your studies. If you are not able to finance your own studies, you can get help from businesses or churches. Most schools offer some form of financial aid. You can get need-based aid, merit-based aid or, if you are an athlete, you can get an athletic scholarship. So, what does it really take to get funding from a school? International students who get financial aid are highly competitive. They have high grades (A and O level or university), high SAT/GRE/GMAT/TOEFL scores, evidence of leadership, intellectual,
STEP 3: Complete your application To request information from schools, join college mailing lists early whenever you find a school you are interested in. Use “request information” online form on the admissions page of college websites. Before you apply, study and take standardized tests i.e SATs. You can take the SAT Reasoning Exam which measures reasoning skills in math, critical reading, and writing. SAT Subject Exams are offered in physics, biology, chemistry, math’s, lit, history, German, French. Different schools have different application requirements. The general requirements are transcripts, certificates, school forms, recommendation letters, standardized tests, extracurricular activities, essays, application forms/fees, and financial aid forms.
Some general application requirements:
Educational credentials: This is typically your secondary/high school results and transcripts, as well as O and A level results Transcripts are certified copies of your educational record, courses, and grades. An original transcript or certified copy sent by your secondary/high school is generally required for each institution you apply to for admission,
Standardized test scores: Scores may be required to assess your academic ability and English proficiency level.
Recommendation letters: The head or principal of your school, your school counselor, your personal tutor, teachers, coaches, or supervisors from professional experiences may write recommendation letters. Your recommenders must be able to write about your work and be able to assess your potential to do well pursuing a higher education degree. Be sure to choose someone who knows you well.
Essay/personal statement: This is your chance to write about your interests, long-term goals, and strengths – one of the most important aspects of your application.
These are the platforms we use to apply to various institutions
https://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/
Specific university/college websites
STEP 4: Apply for your student visa Apply for your visa only after you have all documentation and are fully prepared. Gather everything you will need for your visa application and apply for your visa at least four weeks before your departure. Note that you can only apply for a visa after being offered admission to a school. Do your research and find out what the requirements for applying for a student visa are.
It is important to note that two separate U.S. government agencies are involved with international student arrival and status while studying in the United States. The State Department is responsible for the visa application process and issuing the visa. Once a visa holder arrives in the United States, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security then takes over as the responsible agency for entry into the country, as well as issuing and enforcing international student regulations.
Step 5: Prepare for your Departure This step involves a number of activities to get you prepared for life in the U.S as a student. Know what to expect when you arrive, ease into your new academic environment, adjust well to U.S. culture and your new community. EducationUSA Zimbabwe every year hold a Predeparture orientation for students
[20/01, 14:43] +263 77 330 5188: For those interested in learning about institutions that offer funding to international students. Here is the resource
https://globalscholars.yale.edu/tuition/financial-aid
Medical education in the United States is provided differently than in Zimbabwe. In the United States, students wishing to become doctors study first for four years, generally in programs referred to as “pre-medical study”. These “pre-med” programs are offered by over 500 colleges and universities. At the end of the four years, they receive the Bachelor degree which allows them to apply to medical school. The medical school program lasts four years: the two first years are devoted to the basic medical sciences and the last two years concentrate on clinical training including practical training in hospitals (clerkships). While there are hundreds of universities providing pre-medical education (for the first four-year cycle), there are only 124 medical schools (for the second four-year cycle).
Below are the links with information related to SATs
To register, kindly follow the link below. All registration and payment are done online via the link below
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/…/int…/dates-deadlines
*Test fee is $103
The link for testing preparations
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/…/practice…/bluebook
