Federal Holidays in US

Make travel reservations well in advance of your departure date. This is especially important if you travel in the United States during peak tourist seasons or holidays. These include the Easter observance (either in March or April); the summer months of June through August; and the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day holidays in November, December, and January.

There are ten U.S. Federal holidays:

New Year's Day — January 1
Martin Luther King Day — observed the third Monday in January
Presidents' Day — observed the third Monday in February
Memorial Day — observed the fourth Monday in May
Independence Day — July 4
Labor Day — observed the first Monday in September
Columbus Day — observed the second Monday in October
Veteran's Day — November 11
Thanksgiving Day — observed the fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Day — December 25

Check the following website for more information on U.S. holidays:
http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/factover/holidays.htm

Student Visa for USA

What type of visa

Do I need to become an academic student in the United States?

Most non-U.S. citizens who wish to study in the United States will seek an F-1 (non-immigrant) student visa, but there are other visa types that are sometimes authorized for those who study in the U.S. Here is a short description of the different visa types that involve study:

• F-1, or Student Visa: This visa is the most common for those who wish to engage in academic studies in the United States. It is for people who want to study at an accredited U.S. college or university or to study English at a university or intensive English language institute.

Under Graduate Degree Programs in US

The academic year will be slightly different for each university or college but normally runs from early September to the end of May. It may be divided into two terms of 18 weeks called semesters. Alternatively, the university may have "quarters" or "trimesters," which are about 12 weeks in length. In addition, universities very often provide six- to eight-week summer terms. 

These are optional, and students attend if they wish to get through their degree faster, to decrease their course load during the regular terms, or to make up for courses not completed successfully during the regular academic year. There a two- to four-week break in the winter (December-January) and a one-week "spring break" sometime between early March and mid-April.

Under-Graduate Degree in US

Kinds of undergraduate degrees offered in the US

Bachelors and Associate Degrees

The bachelor's degree typically takes four years to complete, though some students take slightly less time to finish, and others may take longer. The associate degree usually takes two years to complete. Associate degree programs may be "terminal" programs, which lead into specific careers upon graduation, or "transfer" programs, which correspond to the first two years of a bachelor's degree and tend to be more liberal arts based. 

Under the latter option one could then transfer into the third year of a four-year bachelor's degree program.Associate degree programs are offered at two-year colleges known as junior or community colleges. Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degree programs, with a small number also offering associate degree programs.

Basic Information About Living in USA

Establishing a Bank Account

One of the first things you should do after you arrive in the United States is establish a bank account. It is not a good idea to carry large sums of cash or to keep it in your room. Most banks have main offices in the center of a city or town. Banks generally are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. On Fridays, many banks stay open a few hours later. Many banks, but not all, are also open on Saturdays, often from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Your international student adviser can suggest which banks are convenient to campus.

Telephones

For convenience and privacy, most students will want to have their own telephones. Almost all dormitories have at least a dorm or a "floor" telephone, which students share. Other dormitories have telephones already installed in the rooms. If there is no room phone, it is permissible to have one installed. Remember that you will be responsible for the telephone bills. If you decide to have a telephone installed in your room, ask the residence adviser of your dormitory for advice. If you live off-campus, you will need a telephone not only for convenience but also for safety. Ask yourinternational student adviser for advice on how to get a phone installed in your home or apartment.

Student Expenses at US

In addition to tuition fees, a student has to spend on living expenses also. On an average, a student spends around $ 10000 pa. But the expenses also depend on the place where a student stays i.e. if a student stays in a metropolitan city like New York, San Francisco, Manhattan, etc the expenses could go up to $ 12000 in comparison to a student studying in a suburban area where a student could spend around $8000 to $ 10000 pa.

Student Accommodation in US

Most of the educational institutions in USA will assist you in finding accommodation while studying in USA. Accommodations are of two types i.e. a student can stay on campus (Halls of Residence / Students hostel) or, off campus (Home stay, Apartments/ Flats). Staying Off Campus is much more cheaper than staying On Campus but it is always advisable that the student should stay on campus for the first six months.

Arriving at the University of US

You should always inform your international student adviser of your expected date and time of arrival. Also provide him or her with other pertinent information, such as the airport at which you will arrive (or train station or bus terminal), your flight number, name of airline, and last point of departure.

Sometimes the international student adviser, a representative from the university, or a member of the community can come to meet you. However, with many international students arriving at the same time, this might not be possible. You should avoid arriving at your school during the evening, on a Saturday or Sunday, or during a U.S. national holiday, since college or university offices are usually closed at those times.

Contact of U.S. Embassy in India

U.S. Embassy

Shantipath, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi - 110021
Tel: 011-2419-8000
Fax: +91-11-2419-0017 

American Center

24, Kasturba Gandhi Marg
New Delhi - 110001
Tel: 011-2331-6841

Email addresses:

Nonimmigrantvisanivnd@state.gov
Immigrant visa IVND@state.gov
American Citizens Services acsnd@state.gov
General ndcentral@state.gov

Website: http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/

Educational Links of USA

US department of education: http://www.ed.gov

Internationalstudents-education USA: http://educationusa.state.gov/

Overviews of the U.S.Education System
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/edlite-about.html
http://www.edupass.org
IIE's homepage containsinformation on exchange programs, fellowships, and services. http://www.iie.org

the Association ofInternational Educators. Contains resources/advice for foreign students onstudy abroad, financial aid, immigration policies, study programs and advisingcenters. http://www.nafsa.org

Council on InternationalEducation Exchange website. Includes information on study abroad programsthroughout the world and International Student Identity cards.
http://www.ciee.org/study/index.htm

Council for InternationalExchange of Scholars. Information on the Fulbright Senior Scholar Program.
http://www.cies.org/

How to Earn During Study in US

Current immigration regulations permit international students to work only part-time — up to 20 hours per week — and only on campus during their first year of study. By working 10 to 15 hours a week, you could earn enough to pay for incidentals such as books, clothing, and personal expenses, but your campus job cannot pay your major expenses, such as tuition or room and board. 

This income also cannot be used as a source of income for any official financial statements. Campus jobs may include working at the university's cafeteria, bookstore, library, or health club, or within the university's administrative offices.

On campus jobs also include teaching assistantship or research assistantship where in a student can earn a $7 to $10 per hour i.e. around $ 500 - $600 per month or can get a waiver in tuition fees. With this, a student can also do internship in the related field which may or may not be with pay. 

On completion of the course student is allowed to work for 1 yr. popularly known as OPT (optional practical training). On completion of the 1yr OPT, a student can later apply for work on a HI B visa (work permit visa).

Financial Assistance for Study in US

All types of scholarships and financial aid for international students are highly competitive and require excellent academic records. You will often find the terms "scholarships" and "financial aid" used interchangeably, but technically speaking, a scholarship is a financial award based on merit, including outstandingacademic performance, special talent in sports or performing arts, or perhaps community service or leadership. Financial aid is a "need-based" grant based on the student's financial need, as documented by family income, assets, and other factors. Below are the main types of financial assistance available for international students who want to study in the United States:

Home Country Funds: Conduct research at home to find possible funding from local government, corporate, or foundation sources. Although these sources are not found in all countries, you could reduce your educational cost with scholarships from local organizations.

Funding From Colleges: Meet with an educational adviser to learn how to research available financial aid for international students. Careful advance research and realistic expectations are more likely to result in success. Do not assume that all colleges award financial aid. In fact, less than half of the institutions offering bachelor's degrees can provide financial assistance to students who are not citizens or permanent residents ofthe United States. 

Keep in mind that financial aid for U.S. students is separate from financial aid for international students. Be sure to tell the admissions office your country of citizenship and request information on financial aid available to non-U.S. citizens If offered, financial aid is usually made up of a number of different types of assistance, including grants andscholarships and occasionally loans or part-time work programs.

Medical Facility in US

Adjusting to US Environment 

When traveling abroad, you always have to be ready for extreme or unfamiliar conditions. You might have an upset stomach or other digestive problems in the first few days as your body gets adapted to the climate and the food. It is even common to catch a cold. You may also have trouble adapting to the altitude if you are going to a mountainous area. Even the most seasoned travelers and the fittest athletes have to deal with these problems when they leave their country. These discomforts can, however, be controlled. Here are a few tips to help you adjust.

• Take it easy for the first few days or a week. Your body will need to rest if it is to adapt to local conditions.
• Get enough sleep.
• Wash your hands often and avoid rubbing your eyes in order not to come in contact and be infected with various viruses.

Checklist before US departure

Use this list to check that you have taken care of all essential arrangements before you depart for the United States.

• Request information about health insurance from your university. Obtain suitable insurance.
• Obtain certified copies of your secondary and postsecondary transcripts, along with detailed descriptions of your courses and the books used in the courses.
• Obtain copies of important medical records, X-rays, and prescriptions. Have prescriptions written in English in generic terms.

Masters Degree Programs in US

The master's degree is designed to provide additional education or training in the student's specialized branch of knowledge, well beyond the level of baccalaureate study. Master's degrees are offered in many different fields, and there are two main types of programs: academic and professional.

Academic Master's: The Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Science (M.S.) degrees are usually awarded in the traditional arts, sciences, and humanities disciplines. The M.S. is also awarded in technical fields such as engineering and agriculture. Original research, research methodology, and field investigation are emphasized. These programs usually require the completion of between 30 and 60 credit hours and could reasonably be completed in one or two academic years of full-time study. They may lead directly to the doctoral level.

MBA from USA

The US universities are home to some of world’s best business schools of the world. For over many decades, a US MBA qualification is regarded as the best bet by thousands of aspiring management executives around the globe. The top business schools in the US attract some of the best talents from across the world. MBA is primarily a full-time course of two years. There are however, part-time programs arranged for working professionals where classes are held after working hours. Distance programs in MBA are also offered by some of the universities.

Famous US univarsities like Columbia, Harvard and Wharton are known to provide students with an opportunity to interact with leadingmanagement gurus and simulate real-life situations to help them understand the business challenges.

Admission Procedures in US Universities

Students should shortlist of colleges that match your needs, interests, and abilities. You should also feel confident that you have the minimum entrance requirements for studying in the United States, and that you can meet the costs of a U.S. undergraduate education. Now it's time to start putting together your applications. 

Because of the work, and the costs, involved in putting together a good application, most students limit their applications to between four and seven colleges. However, you can request information from as many universities as you like.

If you have access to the Internet, you will find that many U.S. universities also put their college catalogs onto their Web sites, and some have even stopped printing paper copies. Many also have on-line application forms that can be completed on the computer and sent back to the university electronically, or the forms can be downloaded and printed. If there is an on-line application, you should use it. This is the quickest method for submitting your application.

General Eligibility for Study in USA

1. For Undergraduate programmes: 10 + 2
2. For Graduate programmes: 16 years of education required (10 + 2 + 4)
3. Some institutions accept 15 years of formal education into their Bridge / Masters Programs
4. Good & Strong academic background
5. Good scores in entrance exams like SAT, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, IELTS etc
6. Strong recommendation letters
7. Concise & informative statement of purpose / personal statement, essays & resumes
8. Certificates of achievement & extra - curricular activity participation
9. Strong financial background or good grades to get a scholarship

Process of Choosing Best University in US

Choosing the ideal university from thousands of miles away presents some challenges — especially when there are so many great colleges to choose from in the United States. The following facilities by the US govt. can be of help to aspirants in this regard:

‘EducationUSA’ Information and Advising Centers

EducationUSA information and advising centers are located in almost every country around the world, and they are the ideal starting point for students aspiring to studying the US. These ‘centers’ usually have a library with directories, university catalogs, introductory guides, audio-visual media and reference books. 

 

Marking System in USA

American universities employ a system of continual assessment and assign grades for each course taken. Almost everything you do for a class will influence your final grade. Examinations and tests, essays or written assignments, laboratory reports, laboratory or studio work, class attendance, and class participation may all be used to determine your final grade. This means it is essential to keep up with the reading and course work and to attend classes on a regular basis.

The following is a general percentage/letter grade scale for classes taken at U.S. colleges:

Percentage	Grade
100 – 90%	A
89 – 80%	B
79 – 70%	C
65-70%	D
Below 65%	F