My son wants to go for undergraduate in US. Please advise pros and cons with Expense and process .Thanks

Ans: Hello,

First and foremost, thank you for getting in touch with us. With your son's interest in pursuing undergraduate education in the USA, it's critical that you understand the many benefits and downsides. Here’s a summary:

Pros:

1. Academic Excellence: Universities in USA provide excellent education and research opportunities, with degrees that are recognized worldwide.

2. Array of Options: The United States offers a wide range of academic programs and majors, allowing students to customize their education to their interests and future prospects.

3. Research Possibilities: Colleges in USA have well-funded research programs that allow students to partake in cutting-edge studies, work with renowned scholars, and earn priceless experience.

4. Build global networks: Study in USA allows your son to interact with students from many cultures, establishing a strong global network for future professional opportunities.

5. Career Opportunities: A degree from the United States improves career opportunities internationally since employers value the abilities and global exposure earned.

6. Extracurricular Activities: Extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations at US universities often allow students to develop leadership abilities and pursue interests outside of academics.

Cons:

1. Exorbitant Price: International students studying in the United States endure higher tuition rates than domestic students, causing a major financial strain. Furthermore, living expenses, viz., housing and healthcare, add to the overall price.

2. Immigration and Visa Rules: Navigating the US visa procedure can be challenging and time-consuming. Your son must make sure he fulfills all the requirements and keeps up with any changes to the policy.

3. Culture Shock: Moving to a foreign country can be challenging, and your son might face culture shock. Getting used to a new environment, lifestyle, and social conventions takes time and patience.

4. Away from Home: For some students, being far from home can be emotionally stressful, particularly during significant events or trying times.

5. Competitive Admissions: Admission to prestigious US institutions can be fiercely competitive, and meeting the admission requirements can be a challenging procedure.

6. Medical Insurance: In the US, health insurance is mandatory, but it may also be pricey. Understanding coverage and selecting the appropriate plan is critical for overseas students.

The decision to study in USA depends on your son's particular circumstances, academic interests, and professional objectives. Pursuing a US undergraduate education can be satisfying if he is passionate about a certain field and aware of the difficulties and opportunities. Making an educated decision requires research into colleges, programs, and scholarships.

For more information, you can visit our website.

Ans: Hello Kavita,

To begin with, thank you for contacting us. Through pursuing research in the US, your son can acquire a fantastic chance to broaden his academic horizons, learn about modern research, and work with subject-matter experts. He could think about the following options:

1. Graduate Studies (Ph.D.): Applying for a Ph.D. program at a university seems to be one of the popular methods to pursue research in the US. Through these programs, students can earn stipends and tuition exemptions in exchange for research and teaching assistantships. Your son can submit an application to the graduate programs at his preferred universities.

2. Fellowships and Grants: For foreign students pursuing research in the US, multiple grants and fellowships are offered. Examples include The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, Fulbright Program, and several university-specific scholarships. Financial assistance viz., stipends and tuition coverage are offered through these programs.

3. Research Assistantships (RA): Research assistant roles are available in several research initiatives, labs, or departments. In this salaried position, your son will carry out particular research projects under a faculty member’s supervision.

4. Teaching Assistantships (TA): Teaching assistantships are similar to research assistantships, here students help the professors teach undergraduate courses while he is still pursuing his own research. This may also include a stipend and at times, tuition coverage.

5. Working in partnership with Professors: Your son might consider working together on research projects, if he has developed relationships with professors in the US. Getting invited for short research trips or even longer research stays could stem as a result.

6. Postdoctoral Jobs: Your son could think about applying for postdoctoral jobs if he finishes his Ph.D. in India and wishes to further his research in the US. These research positions are temporary enabling him to continue his research under the guidance of experienced researchers.

7. Centers and Institutes for Research: Researchers can enrol as visiting scholars or researchers at a number of US research institutes and centers. These jobs could offer stipends and access to cutting-edge facilities.

8. Academic Workshops and Meetings: Your son can engage with possible colleagues and look into research opportunities by attending conferences and seminars in the US that are pertinent to his academic field.

Your son should inquire about labs, universities and programs that match his research interests, get in touch with teachers/advisors he intends working with, submit a compelling Statement of Purpose, study proposal, and recommendation letters, appear for English language competency tests viz., IELTS or TOEFL as required by universities, and look into scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships that offer international students financial aid.

To make sure he finds the perfect match for his research interests and career prospects, your son should plan well in advance, begin early, and conduct extensive research on each possibility.

For more information, you can visit our website.

Ans: Hello,

First and foremost, thank you for getting in touch with us. I am happy to hear that your child is currently studying in the 8th grade and you want him to pursue college in the USA. To answer your question first, I would like to tell you that scores of standardized tests viz., the ACT or SAT are required to secure admission to a number of colleges in the USA. These exams aid colleges in evaluating a student's preparedness for studies at the college level. I would like to tell you that although a solid intellectual foundation can be offered by programs like the International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge AICE, a number of colleges in the USA do not accept them as alternatives to the SAT/ACT.

I would recommend that you motivate your child to study for the ACT or SAT, and make sure he very well understands the unique prerequisites of the universities he wishes to apply to. Not just that, your son might also consider taking SAT Subject Tests as advised or mandated by certain universities. Remember, maintaining a high academic standing and participating in extracurricular activities, frequently influence US college admissions, and thus, your son should focus on the same.

For more information, you can visit our website.

Ans: Hello Naba,

To begin with, thank you for contacting us. I am happy to hear that your son is currently pursuing the final year of MBBS at Kolkata Medical College and wishes to further study in the USA. To answer your question first, I would like to tell you that although a promising opportunity, pursuing medicine overseas, specifically in the United States involves substantial monetary constraints. Nevertheless, remember that your son could seek financial aid from numerous sources. I would recommend that he looks into the available grants or scholarships provided by private organizations or universities that aim to assist international medical students. Furthermore, although typically needing a cosigner who is a citizen or permanent resident of the US, there are student loans that are designed exclusively for foreign students attending US universities. Your son could explore these as well. Not just that, he could also engage in on-campus part-time jobs, this can be an excellent way to defray expenditures. To learn about the available possibilities and prerequisites for international students wishing to pursue medicine in the USA, I would suggest that your son conducts an extensive study and gets in touch with universities, offices offering financial assistance, as well as looks into the various scholarships offered.

For more information, you can visit our website.

Ans: As a US citizen, your son can benefit from in-state tuition rates and financial aid options at US universities. He can apply directly to US colleges without needing an F1 visa and explore programs that align with his interests, potentially easing the path to higher education and career opportunities.. Best regards
Dr Pananjay
Founder, Shree Overseas Education
www.shreeoverseaseducation.com