From Careers to Culture: Discover the Benefits of Studying in the USA!

From Sundar Pichai to Parag Agrawal, several successful Indians and Indian pioneers of different industries and sectors have earned their undergraduate and graduate degrees from different US universities. And with the proper guidance and support, you can also become one of the leading Indians of the next generation.

The United States of America has been the land of dreams for thousands of people from around the world, and many have been successful in achieving their dreams in America. Your chances of getting closer to your goals and aspirations start with choosing the right study destination, the right university and the right course.

On this page, we will highlight the biggest reasons why you should choose to study in USA and get an accredited degree recognised the world over.

Why Study in the USA?

Outlined below are some of the major reasons why many Indian students have chosen to study in USA this year!

• Unparalleled Academic Excellence: From top-ranking universities to globally accredited degree programmes, the US retains the reputation for providing unparalleled academic excellence.
• Study Any Programme You Wish: With the option to choose any major/minor degree specialisation, along with several degree programmes across various academic disciplines, the choices are endless in the US.
• The Centre for Research, Innovation and Technology: Keeping research, innovation, technology and entrepreneurship at the forefront, choosing to study at US universities will open up numerous academic and career opportunities for international students.
• Job Opportunities Unlike Any Other: Gaining a US degree will open up opportunities across the country and globe through different industries and sectors due to the unique and strong academic standing that US universities present.
• Post Study Work Opportunities in USA: Through the OPT programme, international students get the opportunity to work while completing their studies and/or after completing their studies, with a special provision available for STEM graduates to stay and work for 3 years, over other graduates, who get 1 year permission to stay and work in the country.
• The American College Life: With numerous on-campus and off-campus activities available for students to enjoy and experience, the American College Life is the icing on the cake.
• Funding Opportunities Designed for You: US universities offer several scholarships in partnership with numerous donors from around the world. From need and merit-based scholarships to fellowships and assistantships, international students can choose from many scholarship opportunities.

Let’s look at these reasons why Indian students should study at US universities this year!

Related Blog: Student Life in the USA

Unparalleled Academic Excellence

The US houses some of the biggest names when it comes to top universities in the world, some so popular that even those who never thought of studying abroad know that these colleges and universities exist. Such a reputation comes from decades, in some cases, centuries worth of expertise and understanding of dissipating knowledge and skills for the benefit of society as a whole.

Independent global ranking lists such as those created by Quacquarelli Symonds, Times Higher Education, and US News and World Report, create an annual ranking list highlighting the best universities in the world. This lists evaluate universities and colleges over different parameters crucial to the overall education and growth of a student. And data would support that a majority of universities in the top 20 of the ranking lists are US universities.

In fact, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is one US university that has consistently ranked within the top 3 universities in the world, with the other two positions often taken either by a UK university or another US university. Among other top universities are Stanford University, Harvard University, California Institute of Technology, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University and many more.

Study Any Programme You Wish

The bulletproof academic reputation and global recognition are assisted by the choices of courses and degree programmes that students can pursue at the pre-university, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels in the USA. Moreover, students enrolled in US universities also often have a range of minor subjects they can specialise in while studying a course designed for their dream career.

In fact, unlike universities and colleges in other countries, at the undergraduate level, students can enrol in a degree programme and wait until the end of their first year of UG studies in USA, before choosing a major specialisation that they would like to graduate in. For those planning to instil a skill that can benefit their professional and academic journey, they can choose to focus on a minor specialisation different from their major that can help them become a more qualified candidate for the job market. For example, if you wish to major in Computer Science, you can also choose a minor in Psychology, Arts, Music, or Marketing, depending on your interests.

This multi-disciplinary approach to university education and research allows for a unique academic experience that may not be possible in other study destinations. Additionally, this opens up job opportunities, not just in the USA, but also around the world, making them unique candidates that stand out in the global market.

The Centre for Research, Innovation and Technology

With innovation hubs like Silicon Valley, the US fosters an environment that facilitates research, innovation, entrepreneurship and technology. And this starts at the university level, in fact, right from the undergraduate level. Students often get the chance to bring a new research, innovation, technology or an entrepreneurial idea to the mix and take a chance at building something new, from scratch.

Moreover, universities in the US bring in expert academicians, researchers, and industry leaders/experts to provide insights into their respective fields. Thus, it incubates a spirit of innovation and leadership among the students. One of the reasons why many students choose to study in the USA is the collaborative research opportunities that students can take up during their studies in the country.

Job Opportunities Unlike Any Other

The US earned its title of being the land of dreams and opportunities because of the pathways and routes people can take to arrive at their career goals. From innovating and creating business and entrepreneurial opportunities in one’s garage to influencing billions of people around the world, the US is full of rags-to-riches stories that have inspired many more to try and achieve their dreams.

Such opportunities begin right at the university, where students can take up a part-time job while they complete their studies. Additionally, many programmes also include co-op and internship opportunities integrated as part of the curriculum to instil real-world experiences among students, thus moulding them to the needs of the job market. Moreover, US universities have strong industry connections, including Fortune 500 companies, for recruitment purposes.

Moreover, US universities also have global connections through their diverse alumni network, which allows students to create a strong network of potential business partners or clients, offer unmatched career opportunities, and even mentorship and learning resources that can benefit a student for their entire lives.

Post Study Work Opportunities in USA

The US also fosters an environment where international students can be permitted to stay back in the country and find work opportunities across different industries and sectors. The US understands the benefits and the need for skilled and qualified professionals, while also ensuring that they keep US interests first.

As per current policies, graduating students can apply for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) visa, which allows all F-1 visa holders, i.e. international students, to gain valuable practical experience in the field they graduated in. Through this OPT programme, eligible students on an F-1 visa will be allowed to work for up to 12 months in their major field of study. Let’s take a deeper look at OPT in the USA.

• Pre-completion OPT: This type of OPT allows students to take up part-time work in the USA while completing their studies.
  • Students must have completed one full academic year at a US university or college which is certified by the US ICE Student Exchange Visitor Programme to enrol F-1 students.
  • Students who have received 1 year of part-time (20 hours/week) pre-completion OPT will only be entitled to 50% of the post-completion OPT period, i.e. 6 months of post-completion OPT employment.
  • Students who have received 1 year of full-time (40 hours/week) pre-completion OPT will not be entitled to post-completion OPT, as their previously authorised OPT period has been utilised.
  • Candidates working on campus under CPT will not be affected by these rules and will be entitled to the previously defined 1 year of OPT employment.
• Post-completion OPT: If permitted, F-1 students can take up part-time work (up to 20 hours per week) or full-time work after they have completed their studies.
• 24-month STEM Extension: This extension applies to students who have enrolled or graduated from a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) field of study. Eligible students will be able to apply for a 24-month extension over the existing 12-month OPT that they were eligible for, thereby extending their legal right to stay back in the country to up to a total of 36 months.

OPT Application Process

For those eligible for the Optional Practical Training programme in the USA, they must apply for the work visa as per the timeline and processes defined by the federal government.

• First, you must request that the Designated School Official (DSO) recommend OPT for you, which they will do by filling out the Form I-20, Certification of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status and also noting the same in the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
• Next, students are required to submit the Application for Employment Authorisation (Form I-765) with USCIS, along with the fee and documentation as described within the form.
• Depending on the type of OPT you wish to apply for, there are specific timelines you need to follow in order to be considered.
  • For pre-completion OPT, candidates can only apply once the DSO has made the recommendation. Subsequently, students can apply 90 days before the completion of the 1 full academic year, keeping in mind that you do not begin the OPT employment until the 1 full academic year has been completed
  • For post-completion OPT, candidates must apply within 30 days after the DSO has made the recommendation for OPT. Additionally, students can apply 90 days before the completion of their degree, but must apply within 60 days after the completion of the degree programme.
  • For STEM extension, once the DSO makes the recommendation, candidates will have 60 days to apply for the extension. They can apply for the extension up to 90 days before the current OPT expires.

It should be noted that the OPT visa is simply an extension of the stay that F-1 visa holders become eligible for. For those wishing to permanently stay back in the country, they must find a sponsor/employer for their H-1B visa application, which will permit them to transfer from an F-1 visa and then be legally allowed to stay back in the country.

The American College Life

All the opportunities and prospects awaiting you in the USA are wrapped up in the American College Life that many dream of experiencing. From participating in numerous on-campus activities to joining clubs and college sports teams, the American College life will be dynamic. And it doesn’t stop there! Students can also experience American life by visiting different popular locations in the vicinity, or even travel across the country to popular destinations we have all seen in movies and documentaries.

These opportunities not only serve as a way to relax and destress oneself, but also as an opportunity to experience and gain a global perspective and even network with people, not only from the US but from around the world.

Funding Opportunities Designed for You

Universities across the US offer different financial aid and scholarship opportunities designed specifically for international students, with some even designed specifically for Indian citizens. These scholarship opportunities are designed to provide a pathway for those academically inclined students who may otherwise find it difficult to fund their studies abroad.

There are several scholarships for international students, including Indian students, that await at top universities in the US. Let’s take a look at some of the different types of scholarships students can apply to:

• Merit-based Scholarships: As the name suggests, these scholarships are designed as an award for students who have displayed either academic excellence or potential through extracurricular activities. These scholarships are highly competitive and limited and are usually reserved for a limited number of students, often being awarded scholarships that cover full tuition fees while providing additional coverage through a monthly stipend, living and travel expenses as well.
• Need-based Scholarships: As the name suggests, these scholarships are designed for students displaying a need for financial assistance. Only a few of the top universities offer these scholarships by evaluating the financial standing of the students and their families, and cover all the expenses that the student finds difficult to cover.
• Fellowships and Assistantships: These are scholarships/financial aid designed specifically for doctoral and research candidates who will be spending their time in the US, conducting research. These scholarships often cover a round-trip plane ticket, a monthly stipend, living and travel expenses and even cover a percentage of the tuition fees.

Some of the popular scholarships in the USA for Indian students include Fulbright-Nehru Scholarships, Tata Scholarships at Cornell University, Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship and many more.

Is Studying in the USA the Right Choice for You?

Now that we have seen the benefits of choosing to study in USA, it is important for you to consider if it is the right choice for you. For this purpose, it is important to ask yourself several questions related to studying in the USA and how it may or may not benefit you and your aspirations. Some questions that you can ask yourself include:

• Am I ready to invest such a large amount of money in a US degree?
  • Here, you need to evaluate the return on your investment and whether what you’re investing will eventually be returned with interest. Therefore, choosing the right degree and the right university will be key to a positive answer to this question.
• How important is the post-study work opportunity for me?
  • Here, you need to evaluate your need to gain professional experience in the US market and how valuable that experience will be for your career and aspirations. Here, your decision to choose a non-STEM or STEM degree programme will play a crucial role in determining whether the US is really the study destination that can facilitate your career goals.
• Do I wish to return to my home country eventually or stay back for permanent residency?
  • Popularly, studying in the US has been one of the common pathways international students choose to permanently reside in the country as well. This helps students to double their ROI and expand on their career opportunities as well. However, you also need to consider the current political environment of the country and the possibility of actually leading a successful life in the US.

While these are just a few of the questions that students can ask themselves, there are several more questions that students must ask before making a big decision like moving abroad for higher studies. The financial investment alone is a big factor in the finalisation of the decision; however, emotional factors such as moving thousands of kilometres away from your family with limited possibility of quick visits every year can be burdensome too.

Additionally, it is important to understand that the USA is not just all bells and whistles and the attractiveness of the USA as a top study destination comes at a cost. The high cost of living and studying, the extremely competitive nature of university admissions, and the complicated visa processes are often areas that stump a student. Therefore, when finalising your choice to study in the country, it is also important to make a note of the areas where you could be facing a lot of challenges.

Therefore, it is extremely crucial to think through the decision before finalising. To help you through such a big decision, our team of AECC Counsellors are dedicated and experienced to guide you through the nuances in the steps leading up to the decision. So why wait! Connect with us and get expert counselling that can help you make one of the biggest decisions of your life.