Countries / USA
USA Study Visa Categories for Students
To legally study in the U.S., you must obtain a non-immigrant student visa. The type of visa you need depends on your intended course of study:
F-1 Visa (Academic)
Program of Study:
University or College, High School, Private Elementary School, Conservatory, or English Language Programs.
University or College, High School, Private Elementary School, Conservatory, or English Language Programs.
Key Features:
Most Common: Required for all academic and language studies.
Allows for limited on-campus employment and Optional Practical Training (OPT)—a period of temporary employment directly related to your major field of study after graduation.
Most Common: Required for all academic and language studies.
Allows for limited on-campus employment and Optional Practical Training (OPT)—a period of temporary employment directly related to your major field of study after graduation.
M-1 Visa (Vocational)
Program of Study:
Non-Academic or Vocational Institutions (e.g., technical or trade schools).
Non-Academic or Vocational Institutions (e.g., technical or trade schools).
Key Features:
Strictly for non-academic training. M-1 holders are not permitted to work during their course of study.
Strictly for non-academic training. M-1 holders are not permitted to work during their course of study.
J-1 Visa (Exchange Visitor)
Program of Study:
Approved Exchange Programs, including some university-level studies, research, or internships.
Approved Exchange Programs, including some university-level studies, research, or internships.
Key Features:
For programs promoting cultural and educational exchange. Requires a program sponsor. Limited employment is possible with sponsor permission.
For programs promoting cultural and educational exchange. Requires a program sponsor. Limited employment is possible with sponsor permission.
Important Visa Steps:
- Acceptance: Receive your admission letter and the mandatory Form I-20 (for F-1/M-1) or DS-2019 (for J-1) from an SEVP-approved school.
- SEVIS Fee: Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee.
- DS-160: Complete the Online Non-immigrant Visa Application.
- Interview: Schedule and attend a visa interview at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Popular Academic Programs in the USA
International students overwhelmingly favour programs that lead to highly marketable careers and offer strong post-study work prospects, particularly in STEM fields.
STEM Fields
Popular Courses/Specializations
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- AI/ML
- Electrical Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Biotechnology
- Cybersecurity
Why It’s Popular
High demand in the U.S. job market, significant career opportunities, and eligibility for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
High demand in the U.S. job market, significant career opportunities, and eligibility for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
Business & Management
Popular Courses/Specializations
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Business Analytics
- Finance
- Accounting
- Economics
Why It’s Popular
Access to some of the world’s best business schools and opportunities for networking and leadership development.
Access to some of the world’s best business schools and opportunities for networking and leadership development.
Social Sciences
Popular Courses/Specializations
- Psychology
- Political Science
- International Relations
- Public Policy
Why It’s Popular
Excellent research focus and interdisciplinary approach, particularly strong at top universities.
Excellent research focus and interdisciplinary approach, particularly strong at top universities.
Arts & Humanities
Popular Courses/Specializations
- Fine Arts
- Performing Arts
- English Literature
- History
Why It’s Popular
Renowned liberal arts education model that fosters critical thinking and a broad knowledge base.
Renowned liberal arts education model that fosters critical thinking and a broad knowledge base.
Major Admission Intakes in the USA
The academic calendar for U.S. universities is based on multiple intakes, which is important for planning your application timeline.
Fall Intake (Primary)
Start Month:
August/September
August/September
Application Timeline:
Applications open: September – November (Previous Year)
Applications open: September – November (Previous Year)
Significance:
Most Popular: Most courses, programs, and scholarships are available. The primary entry point for the academic year.
Most Popular: Most courses, programs, and scholarships are available. The primary entry point for the academic year.
Spring Intake (Secondary)
Start Month:
January
January
Application Timeline:
Applications open: July – September (Previous Year)
Applications open: July – September (Previous Year)
Significance:
Alternative Option: Suitable if you miss the Fall deadlines. Fewer course options and scholarships, but allows you to start studies earlier than the next Fall.
Alternative Option: Suitable if you miss the Fall deadlines. Fewer course options and scholarships, but allows you to start studies earlier than the next Fall.
Summer Intake (Limited)
Start Month:
May/June
May/June
Application Timeline:
Applications open: January – March (Same Year)
Applications open: January – March (Same Year)
Significance:
Specialized: Typically for short courses, language programs, or certain executive Master’s programs.
Specialized: Typically for short courses, language programs, or certain executive Master’s programs.
Popular Universities and Scholarships in the USA
The US hosts the world’s largest concentration of top-ranked universities, and while tuition is high, numerous funding options exist for international students.
Top-Ranked Universities (A Selection)
- Ivy League & Elite Privates: Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, Princeton University, Yale University, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania (UPenn).
- Top Publics (Public Ivies): University of California, Berkeley (UCB), University of Michigan, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Key Scholarship and Funding Options:
Need-Based Financial Aid
Target Audience:
Undergraduate Students (UG)
Undergraduate Students (UG)
Offered by a select few elite universities (e.g., Harvard, Yale) that are “need-blind” or “need-aware” and commit to meeting 100% of the demonstrated financial need, including for international students.
Merit-Based Scholarships
Target Audience:
UG & Graduate Students (PG)
UG & Graduate Students (PG)
Based on academic excellence (GPA, Test Scores), leadership, or extracurricular achievements. Offered by many public and private universities.
Graduate Assistantships
Target Audience:
Master’s & Ph.D. Students
Master’s & Ph.D. Students
Teaching Assistantships (TA) and Research Assistantships (RA). These positions often provide a full or partial tuition waiver and a monthly stipend in exchange for working for a professor or department.
External Scholarships
Target Audience:
UG & PG Students
UG & PG Students
Government-sponsored programs (e.g., Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships), corporate scholarships, or non-profit organization awards.
Complete Understanding of Tests Required for Admission
Standardized tests are a crucial part of the admission process, helping universities evaluate your aptitude and readiness for their programs.
A. English Language Proficiency (Mandatory for most non-native speakers)
TOEFL iBT
Purpose:
Measures English skills for academic settings (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing).
Measures English skills for academic settings (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing).
Score Range (Example):
Typically 80–100+ (out of 120) for most top universities.
Typically 80–100+ (out of 120) for most top universities.
IELTS Academic
Purpose:
Measures English skills for academic settings.
Measures English skills for academic settings.
Score Range (Example):
Typically 6.5–7.5+ (out of 9) for most top universities.
Typically 6.5–7.5+ (out of 9) for most top universities.
B. Undergraduate (Bachelor’s Degree)
SAT
Purpose:
Measures critical reading, writing, and math abilities required for college-level work.
Measures critical reading, writing, and math abilities required for college-level work.
Score Range:
400–1600. Accepted by nearly all U.S. colleges.
400–1600. Accepted by nearly all U.S. colleges.
ACT
Purpose:
Measures academic readiness in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science.
Measures academic readiness in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science.
Score Range:
Score range: 1–36. Accepted by nearly all U.S. colleges.
Score range: 1–36. Accepted by nearly all U.S. colleges.
C. Graduate (Master’s and Doctoral Degrees)
GRE General Test
Program Type:
Non-Business Programs (Engineering, Sciences, Arts, etc.)
Non-Business Programs (Engineering, Sciences, Arts, etc.)
Purpose & Details:
Measures Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. The most common graduate admission test.
Measures Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. The most common graduate admission test.
GMAT
Program Type:
Business Programs (MBA, Master’s in Finance, etc.)
Business Programs (MBA, Master’s in Finance, etc.)
Purpose & Details:
Specifically designed to assess analytical, verbal, quantitative, and integrated reasoning skills for business school.
Specifically designed to assess analytical, verbal, quantitative, and integrated reasoning skills for business school.
LSAT
Program Type:
Law School (J.D.)
Law School (J.D.)
Purpose & Details:
Measures skills necessary for success in law school, such as reading comprehension and logical reasoning.
Measures skills necessary for success in law school, such as reading comprehension and logical reasoning.
MCAT
Program Type:
Medical School (M.D.)
Medical School (M.D.)
Purpose & Details:
Required for applicants to medical degree programs.
Required for applicants to medical degree programs.
