About USA
The United States of America (also referred to as the United States, the U.S., the USA, or America) borders Canada to the north, Mexico to the south, the North Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the North Pacific Ocean to the west. At roughly 9.8 million square kilometers, the U.S. is the world’s third-largest country in size and population and one of the most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations.
The U.S. consists of 50 states (48 continental plus Alaska and Hawaii), a federal district, Washington D.C., and small territories in the Pacific and Caribbean. The capital city is Washington, D.C.
Living Condition & Cost of Living
Living conditions and cost of living in the U.S. vary greatly depending on location and lifestyle, but in an overall sense, they are similar to what they are in other affluent nations. Consumer goods are certainly easy to find, and basic needs such as food and household items are affordable to almost all people who live in the U.S. What the visitor will notice is that there is a huge range of quality, and some brands and items will be accessible only to the wealthy.
There is a pronounced income disparity between the poorest and richest Americans, and the marketplace reflects these extremes of purchasing power. The income disparity also shows up in living conditions: most places in the U.S. are relatively safe (and some are very safe), but in poorer neighborhoods, crime rates are higher. As in most nations, the cost of living is higher in big cities than in smaller towns; accommodation can be expensive in the cities.
Education System
Structure
The American higher education system is administratively managed at three levels: primary (generally ages 5–11 or 5–12), secondary (generally ages 12–18), and post-secondary or tertiary (generally ages 18 and up). Students are required to remain in school until the age of 16. Ninety-nine percent of the U.S. population is literate; 85% achieve a secondary school leaving certificate (diploma); and 27% achieve a post-secondary leaving certificate (diploma). In 2009, there were over 77 million students enrolled in some level of education.
Local Control
To understand the American system of education, it is critical to understand the concept of local control. Local control means that locally elected education entities, typically in the form of governing boards, at the city, state, and institutional level, control issues including the nature of the curriculum, admissions standards, and funding for schools, colleges, and universities. This means that the federal government of the United States has relatively little say in how education is managed and does not govern or provide control over degrees, standards, or curriculum – which is typically the role of the Ministry of Education in other countries.
Based on the above, in the United States, governance and support of post-secondary educational institutions falls into one of two categories, public (government supported) or private. American colleges and universities are roughly evenly divided between these two types of institutions. Whether a higher-education institution is public or private has no relationship to educational quality, although the very most competitive ones tend to be dominated by privates. Whether an institution is public or private, it will set its own admission standards, and prospective students must apply separately for each.
For the same reasons, quality assurance for educational institutions is not the role of any branch of government. Rather, it is the responsibility of voluntary non-governmental accrediting agencies. There are two kinds of accreditation – institutional and programmatic. With both kinds, peer review means that standards are set and reviewed by volunteer boards composed of fellow educators and specialists, and not by government officials. Institutions that successfully complete this process at the total institution level gain either regional or national accreditation. In the U.S., “regional” is more prestigious than “national.”
Specific programs, such as business, education, pharmacy, or engineering, have professional associations. These associations have the same kind of peer review process. If an institution completes that process successfully, it earns professional accreditation from the association. In a similar but separate process, core academic programmes, for example, architectural training, are also subject to accreditation.
Why Study in USA?
- World’s #1 destination for international students
- Third-largest country in world in terms of size and population
- Largest economy in world, and one of the most technologically advanced
- Some of the highest-quality educational institutions in the world, many with cutting-edge technological resources
- Huge range of educational options: some are broadly focused, some are employment-focused, some are niche (e.g., arts, social sciences, technical)
Admission Requirements
In order to get admission in US colleges and universities, students must have met some certain academic criteria such as:
- Undergraduate Course:Students must have completed higher secondary education 10+2 or equivalent qualification with good grades from recognized board or university.
- Graduate Course: Generally, US education system has 4 years’ undergraduate course of duration. Students must have completed 16 years’ education with good grades from recognized university. If you have 15 years of education, some of colleges offer pre- master or foundation course of one to one-and-a-half-year duration. After completing this course, students can join 2 years graduate course in the USA.
- Research / PHD Course: We have M.Phil. and Post Graduate degrees in Nepal that do not exist in the U.S. Both master’s and PhD level studies are referred to as ‘Graduate’ studies in the U.S. A master’s degree is usually earned after two years of study beyond a 4-year bachelor’s program.
English Language or Standardized Test Requirement
We highly recommend that all undergraduate applicants also take the SAT (Reasoning Test) or ACT. Both exams measure your English and Math skills; ACT additionally measures your Science skills. Good scores on the SAT / ACT and SAT Subject Tests will be very important especially if you are applying to competitive colleges and for scholarships. Furthermore, for many American colleges, submission of a SAT/ ACT score is required in order to apply for admission. Therefore, it is in your best interest to take not only TOEFL or IELTS, but also SAT / ACT and SAT Subject Tests.
We recommend graduate applicants take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) or the GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) in addition to the TOEFL or IELTS. Student who are applying for an MBA or similar degree usually take the GMAT, while all other graduate applicants take the GRE. Like the SAT for undergraduates, the GRE/ GMAT may not be required by all colleges, but having good scores will certainly boost your chances of admission and scholarships.
PhD degree takes somewhere between four to eight years.
Visa Requirements
International students pursuing degree programs generally need an F-1 (non-immigrant) or student visa. After being accepted to study at an authorized institution, the student will need to apply with the Department of State at a U.S embassy or consulate for an F-1 (student) visa. There are visa fees to be paid, an interview to schedule, and an application to fill out. The authorized school will issue a SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) I-20 form, which will also be needed to apply for the F-1 visa.
Those coming for cultural exchanges or those who are financially supported by their home government may qualify for a J1 exchange visitor visa. International students must have insurance to cover accident, illness, medical evacuation, or return of remains in case of death. They must be able to support themselves financially during their stay.
An F1 visa student is permitted to work part-time on-campus (20 hours per week) but not off-campus during the first year of study. After the first year of study, permission to work off-campus may be granted by the school in cases of curricular work requirements (those in co-operative education programs or with required internships or other work needs necessary for degree completion). The DHS/ICE may grant permission for off-campus employment after the first year in cases of demonstrated economic hardship. F1 students are also eligible for 12 months of optional practical training. Students in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics fields may be eligible for up to 29 months of optional practical training. J1 students are eligible for 18 months of academic training (three years if completing a doctoral degree).
Visa issuance fee
There is a $200 visa issuance fee for F1, M1, F2 and M2 visas, payable in U.S. dollars or Nepali rupees at the U.S. Embassy after the visa interview, if the visa is issued. Applicants are still required to pay the $160 visa appointment fee via Nepal Investment Bank Limited.
For further detail and visa information, please contact one of our student advisor by phone or email to international@nimaseducation.com
Embassy Information
Embassy of the United States of America
Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel.: 977-1-400-7200
Fax: 977-1-400-7272
usembktm@state.gov
Consular Section
Fax: 977-1-400-7281
Email: consktm@state.gov
Website: http://nepal.usembassy.gov
How to Apply
STEP 1: Registration
1. Application Forms or APPLY ONLINE
2. Verified Academic Documents
3. Passport
4. Recommendation Letters
5. Work Experience Letter (Optional)
6. Updated CV
7. Statement of Purpose (SOP)
8. Photo
9. IELTS / TOEFL (Optional)
10. Bank Balance Certificate and statement
11. University ApplicationFee
12. Courier Charge
STEP 2: I-20
1. Processing Fee: Rs. 15,000/- +13% VAT
(Non- Refundable)
STEP 2: Documents & Interview Preparation
1. Fill Up DS-160 Form
2. Need to pay DS- 160 appointment fee $160 and SEVICE fee $200
3. Join Interview preparation class at NIMAS EDUCATION
Step 3: Interview at US Embassy:
1. DS-160 Confirmation page print
2. Original passport valid for at least six months
3. One recent 2 x 2 inches
4. I- 20
5. Academic Transcript
6. Fee Payment Receipt
7. Appointment Confirmation
STEP 4: Visa Approved (If)
1. Embassy Visa Issuance Fee: $ 200
2. Need to pay Tuition fee 1 year
3. Our Services Fee $200 or Rs. 25000/- with 13% Vat
4. Pre Departure Information
