Students from all around the world are lured to studying in the USA. The lifestyle, the job prospects, looks better for future employers and of course the better standard of education. There are also more courses and more advanced degrees.
Where would you start? Some people look at the city, the surroundings, the reputation whereas others will only be looking at the quality of the course, what prospects are offered and the reputation of the university. Others may go by word of mouth, by what friends or relatives have experienced. Some may only seek to apply to the top end universities like MIT and Harvard as money or fees may not be a problem. It really is a case of what you want to learn, how far you are willing to travel and what you are willing to pay. Some students do not like living away from family or friends.
The Fulbright Commission has reported an increasing demand and number of foreign applications to US universities. These are from all over the world, even countries like United Kingdom.
The most notable factor has to be the high quality of education and resources available in US universities. In recent years Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has been named the best university in the world by the annual QS World University Rankings. This is a well known university and many top IT company heads have studied there so its no doubt the reason in this high tech age that students with a passion for IT would want to study there.
There are 4100 plus American universities available, ranging from public, to private, to liberal arts colleges. So there is no shortage to choose from but again note that for the more popular ones there will be big demand for places, so its important to apply early, plan early and above all get the best exam results.
As with most countries students that want to study in the US will have to sit entrance exams. These can include but not limited to SAT's or ACT exams. It is best to check with the university you want to apply to which exam will have to be sat and also research on this exam yourself. For most people the reward of passing this exam would be more than worth the stress, time and effort.
What about the costs involved?
The first thing to bear in mind would be the costs of travelling and daily living expenses. Also if you plan of travelling back during holidays to visit family this will add to your expenses. Then there is the fees of the universities which can be in excess of 10000 dollars per year. The average cost of an undergraduate course at MIT (USA) in 2014 was 45000 dollars. Costs can vary significantly depending on location so research this when deciding where to apply. Universities also charge an application fee.Some students may be eligible for financial aids, grants and scholarships. Each case will be assessed individually based on academic achievements and family income.
Financial aid is available. Merit based scholarships are usually given for strong academic achievement and needs-based financial aid is assessed on your familiy income and ability to support your costs. You can get more information about financial aid here collegeboard.org/You can find a bit more detailed information and resources about pricing by clicking here.
See this very informational site about where to study in the US