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4 Year Colleges & Universities
The U.S. Higher Education System
With nearly 4,000 schools offering almost 500 different fields of study, the United States, provides countless options and opportunities for international students looking for a successful and rewarding program of study. If you decide that studying in the U.S. is right for you, it is important that you take the time and effort necessary to identify and apply to schools that best meet your needs.
Undergraduate Education
The goal of most students at the undergraduate level is to earn a bachelor’s degree, which in the United States usually takes four years of study. Students have a choice of two paths to a bachelor’s degree:
One option is to begin your studies at a two-year community or junior college with an academic transfer program. Upon completion of your studies at a two-year college, you may apply to transfer to a four-year college or university, where you would complete your studies, usually in two years.
The second option is to apply directly to a four-year college or university. In the United States, the terms “college” and “university” are often used interchangeably. College usually refers to an undergraduate institution offering the bachelor’s degree, while a university offers both undergraduate- and graduate-degree programs.
Graduate Education
Once you have received a bachelor’s degree, you may continue your studies in the graduate level. More than 1,700 universities and institutions in the United States offer graduate studies leading to a master’s degree or Ph.D. Both involve a combination of research and coursework, and it differ from undergraduate education in that it offers a greater depth of training, with increased specialization and intensity of instruction. Normally, a master’s degree requires two years of study, and the Ph.D. requires an additional three years or more. To earn a doctoral degree, therefore, may take anywhere from five to eight years beyond the bachelor’s degree, depending on the field of study.
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate Programs
In the United States, each school sets its own admission policy and requirements. Students should have completed at least 12 years of primary and secondary education prior to applying to colleges or universities.
Most 4 year colleges/universities require the following:
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High School transcripts and academic records |
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SAT I Reasoning Test |
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TOEFL |
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Personal Statement |
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Recommendation Letters |
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SAT II Subject Tests (if required) |
Graduate Programs
For entry into graduate programs, students should have completed the course of studies leading to a bachelor’s degree and earned excellent grades, especially in the major field of study. For master’s degree programs, especially the professional masters such as the MBA, relevant work experience is often a requirement, if not, an advantage to gaining admission. Generally U.S. graduate programs require the following for admission:
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Undergraduate transcript and academic records |
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TOEFL |
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GRE / GMAT test scores |
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Personal Statement |
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Recommendation Letters |
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Work experience (if required) |
Financial Resources
When considering studying in the United States, you must plan for the total cost of education for the entire period of your studies. The cost of studies varies considerably from school to school, as does the cost of living varies from one location to another. Keep in mind that in recent years, many schools’ tuition fees increase by around 5% annually, so your final year of study will most likely be more expensive than your freshman year.
To give you an idea of the cost of study in the U.S., below are some general estimates of the cost of tuition and room & board for an international student in an undergraduate program. Keep in mind that costs vary considerably, depending on which city, state, and school you choose (for example, living costs in a large city such as New York would likely be higher than in a small town in the Midwest.)
| 2-year colleges |
US$10,000 – US$15,000 |
| 4-year public universities |
US$20,000 – US$30,000 |
| 4-year private universities |
US$30,000 – US$40,000 |
English Language Skills
Strong English language skills are essential. You need English to understand lectures, read textbooks, write papers, take examinations, and participate in class, as well as for daily communication. A good way to measure your skills is to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Most undergraduate programs require minimum scores of 61 to 80 on the internet-based test (iBT). For graduate school applicants, the minimum TOEFL requirement is 79- 80 on the iBT.
Application Procedures
(by: Educational Advising Center in Almaty, Kazakhstan)
When applying to universities, it is important to present the application in the best light possible. In addition to listing academic and personal achievements, it is a tool of persuasion, which students can use to promote themselves as ideal candidates for a program.
The success of the application depends on the ability of the student to demonstrate strengths, creativity, and individuality. it is important to describe skills and accomplishments as well as academic interests.
Preparing an application package requires time and effort. Do not leave it until the last minute. Start the process in early September to meet the winter deadline for submitting the documents.
Make sure that the application package contains ALL the documents and information required by the university admissions office. An incomplete application will not be considered until all missing documents are sent. This means that time may be lost, and places and scholarships may have been allocated by the time all material is sent.
Students should make a checklist before sending in their application. Many applications require the following:
- Cover letter:
The cover letter introduces the applicant and lists the documents that are in the package. The letter should also contain the correct name and address of teh student and the correct name and address of the person to receive the application. Remember to include your e-mail address as well. If documents are missing, this is the opportunity to explain why. The cover letter should always be typed.
- A completed application form:
Type or print the application. Minimize the number or corrections, smudges and deletions. Do not leave questions unanswered. If the question does not apply, write "n/a" (not applicable).
- Transcripts and diplomas:
Transcripts, undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) must be sent with the application. Transcripts that are not in English (or host university's language) must be officially translated. Students must send copies in their home language as well as translated copies.
- Letters of recommendation:
Strong letters of recommendation can greatly increase one's chances of being accepted to university. Therefore, it is important to consider carefully who will write the letters. Who will provide the most positive recommendation? Who will write the fairest letter? How long has the professor/teacher known the student?
Letters should be in a sealed envelop that is signed on the back by the faculty member. (Universities will not always consider letters presented in an unsealed envelop). Students should always provide faculty with details of the program to which they are applying and the name of the university and the department.
Faculty/teachers may choose to return the letter to the student or send it to the university themselves. In this case, students must provide the teachers with the exact address. However, try to send the letters of recommendation with the application package. If this is not possible, the cover letter sent with the application package must explain the estimated time of arrival of the letters and details of who is sending them.
- Statement of Purpose:
University applications usually include an essay section in the application. This section is approximately phrased with teh following sentence: "Please explain why the program is suitable for you and your topic of research". It is called the "Statement of Purpose" and is one of the most important documents in an application. The Statement of Purpose allows a student to highlight and emphasize individual achievements, goals and objectives for the future. It distinguishes one student from another and is one of the deciding factors for admission in an application package. Universities want to select motivated and bright students. The selection of the right graduate students is important for the faculty and the long-term reputation of the department and university.
- Application fee, if applicable:
Purp Most universities in the U.S. requier students to pay an application fee. These fees usually range from US$20 - $80.
Some universiteis will waive the application fee upon request by the student. Students who are applying to a number of universities may want to consder asking for these application fee waiers. However, some universities do not look favorably on students requesting application fee waivers since it can imply that the student may not have sufficient funds to cover the larger tuition and living costs. It is advisable to budget carefully to pay for extra application fees.
- Test scores:
Students waiting for TOEFL and SAT Reasoning Test and/or SAT Subject Tests, GRE or GMAT results must indicate in their cover letter that the results will be mailed later (or, "sent under separate cover")
- Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Selection of the College/University
Many foreign students miss opportunities for acceptance at insitutions of their choice or chances for financial aid simply beacuse they do not allow engouh time for the application process. The process of entering higher education in the United States requires at least a year or a year-and-a-half if you are applying to selective institutions or requesting financial aid. Selection, application and testing may each require several months. Travel arrangements and visa application can also be time-consuming.
Selecting a working group of 10 to 15 institutions from the approximately 4,000 available in the United States is a challenging task. Although so much variety cacn be bewildering, it has a positive side as well. With so many institutions to choose from, it is almost always possible to find one or more institutions that meet your academic and financial nees and offer an environment in which you will be comfortable. Do not leave this important decision to a friends or relative, or choose only from the most famous institutions. There may be other institutions more appropriate to your goals and requirements.
Once you have located a suitable group of institutions that offer your field of study, compare them systematically. Look at the differences between them with respect to:
- Your chosen field of study,
- Degree level,
- Type of institution,
- Location,
- Size,
- International students enrollment,
- Housing,
- Cost,
- Availability of financial aid,
- Ease of admission,
- Deadline,
- Quality, approach to technology,
- Availability of English as a second language programs, and
- International Student Services Office.
The most important factors in selection are availability of your chosen field of study and high quality of instruction in that field. One good strategy is to choose a region of the United States tha tyou prefer and then locate institutions within that region that offer your field of study.
Use catalogs, brochures and other publications to investigate the entire range of possibilities. Using a worksheet makes it easy to eliminate institutions that are too expensive, that do not meet your individual needs, or that have admissions requirements that are too high or too low. Gather as much data as possible about specific programs and institutions through research at the advising center and through correspondence. Another alternative is to use computerized college search programs found in some advising centers. These programs can compare programs and institutions quickly, with respect to your needs and preferences.
Final Suggestions
Send the application and all documents in a large envelope. Send the application by registerd airmail. Always keep copies of application materials. Send applications in well before the deadline. Applications sent afterwards will not be considered. Budget for photocopying, test, and postage costs.
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