The American education framework offers a rich field of choices for overseas learners. There are such a variety of universities, programs and areas that the options may overwhelm students, even those from the U.S. As you start your college/university search, it’s critical to acclimate yourself with the American education system. Understanding the education system will enable you to narrow your choices and build up your education plan.

The United States is the premier destination for international students because it has something for everyone. It offers a vast academic options and it is always possible to find the program that is a perfect match for the international student’s interests. One can focus on a rather narrow area of a discipline or study a varied group of subjects – as per one’s requirements. The variety, flexibility and quality of American education are what draw students to the US in large numbers. With over 4000 universities/colleges across the country, there is a reason why more students study in the USA than any other country, and for good reason. While many of the top universities are located in the US, it is also the major source of most of the world’s ground breaking developments in technology, business, arts and beyond. The United States boasts of some of the top universities across the country. USA degrees are recognized and accepted around the world for their excellence. An international degree from the United States of America opens of a wide range of career prospects. American society is the epitome of freedom, fun and opportunity. Furthermore, the biggest reason for choosing to study in the USA is the fact that the quality of education is non parallel in the world. The infrastructure and research facilities at universities are world class and many of the faculty members are leading authorities in their field. In fact, graduate students in select schools have the opportunity to work directly with noble laureates.

Before Higher education, Americans students go to primary and secondary school for a consolidated total of 12 years. These years are referred to as the first through twelfth grades. Around age six, U.S. kids start primary school, which is most usually called “elementary school” where they go to five or six years and after that go into secondary school.  Secondary school comprises of two projects: the first is “middle school” or “junior High school” and the second program is “secondary school.” A diploma or certificate is awarded upon graduation from secondary school. In the wake of graduating secondary school (twelfth grade), U.S. students may go ahead to college or university. College or university study is known as “Higher Education”.

Grading System

Just like American students, you will have to submit your academic transcripts as part of your application for admission to university or college. Academic transcripts are official copies of your academic work. In the U.S. this includes your “grades” and “grade point average” (GPA), which are measurements of your academic achievement. Courses are commonly graded using percentages, which are converted into letter grades.

The grading system and GPA in the U.S. can be confusing, especially for international students. The interpretation of grades has a lot of variation. For example, two students who attended different schools both submit their transcripts to the same university. They both have 3.5 GPAs, but one student attended an average high school, while the other attended a prestigious school that was academically challenging. The university might interpret their GPAs differently because the two schools have dramatically different standards. Therefore, there are some crucial things to keep in mind:

• You should find out the U.S. equivalent of the last level of education you completed in your home country.
• Pay close attention to the admission requirements of each university and college, as well as individual degree programs, which may have different requirements than the university.
• Regularly meet with an educational advisor or guidance counselor to make sure you are meeting the requirements.

Your educational advisor or guidance counselor will be able to advise you on whether or not you must spend an extra year or two preparing for U.S. university admission. If an international student entered a U.S. university or college prior to being eligible to attend university in their own country, some countries’ governments and employers may not recognize the students’ U.S. education.

Academic Year:

The academic year at many schools is composed of two terms called “semesters.” (Some schools use of three term calendar known as the ‘trimester’ system.) Still, other further divide the year in to the quarter system of four terms, including an optional summer session. Basically, if you exclude the summer session, the academic year is either comprised of two semesters of three quarter terms.

There are usually three levels of degrees in the American education system.

1) Undergraduate:

A student, who is attending a college or university and has not earned a bachelor’s degree, is studying at undergraduate level. It typically takes about four years to earn a bachelor’s degree. You can either begin your studies in pursuit of bachelor’s degree at a community college or a four- year university or college. To get admission, you may need to attend TOEFL, IELTS or SAT test.

2) Graduate in pursuit of a master’s degree:

A college or university graduate with a bachelors degree may want to seriously think of graduate or masters study in order to enter certain profession or advance their career. This degree is usually mandatory for higher lever position in library science, engineering, behavioral health and education. To gain admission, you will need to take GRE, GMAT and the MCAT for medical school.

3) Graduate in Pursuit of doctorate Degree:

Many graduate schools consider the attainment of a master’s degree the first step towards earning a PhD (doctorate).  But at other schools, students may prepare directly for a doctorate without also earning a master’s degree. It may take three years or more to earn a PhD degree. For international learners, it may take as long as five or six years.

For the first two years of the program most doctoral candidate enroll in the classes or seminars. At least another year is spent conduction firsthand research and writing a thesis or dissertation. This paper must contain views, designs, or research that has not been previously published.

The Visa process usually begins with applying to one or more appropriate universities or colleges, with proof of your qualifications and of your ability to pay for the education and living expenses. You need to be accepted by at least one institution. You will receive an I-20 form from the university/college after being accepted at certain course. You will then have to make an appointment to apply for a US-F1 student visa at the embassy in Kathmandu. You will also have to get permission from the Ministry of Education to study abroad. This document will later require for foreign exchange. Finally, you need to pay SEVIS fee and F1 visa application fee at Kathmandu consulate office in Lazimpat.

The USA is generally temperate, however tropical in Hawaii and Florida, ice in Alaska, semiarid in the colossal fields west of the Mississippi River, and parched in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter temperatures in the northwest are enhanced once in a while in January and February by warm Chinook twists from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.