Studying In The United States: A Guide For International Students

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The United States is home to some of the world’s best educational institutions, many of which need no introduction, so it’s no surprise that over one million international students make the trip onto American campuses each and every year. If you’re considering a move to the States, or you’ve already been accepted and committed to an institution, there are some key things to remember if you want to be prepared. In this guide, we’ll be bringing you our top tips for moving to the US for study. 

Getting To Grips With The Admissions Process 

When you’re applying to study in the US, there are a number of admission tests that you might need to be aware of before you send off your application. Colleges and universities may need a record of your performance in these to assess your suitability for higher education. These tests might include:

• SAT – A set of standardized subject tests for undergraduate applications. An SAT score is usually needed for applicants, but on occasion, some colleges will bypass this requirement.  
• ACT – A standardized test for undergraduate admissions. Like the SAT, some colleges may not require a score, but usually this will be necessary for applications. 
• GRE – Compulsory for most graduate programs in the liberal arts, math and sciences. 
• GMAT – Compulsory for a graduate Master’s degree in Management or MBA programs. 
• LSAT – Compulsory for graduate Law School applications. 
• MCAT – Compulsory for graduate Medical School applications. 

For certain admissions processes as an international student, you might also need to sit the TOEFL, or the Test of English as a Foreign Language. This will assess your competency in the English language, to determine whether you will be capable of writing submitted work and examinations in English.  

Finding The Right Equipment

Academic study at any level is rigorous, but at a US institution, you’ll have to be well equipped to deal with in-class and homework assignments. With an increasing number of colleges and universities encouraging students to work from home (or from their dorm room!) for events like seminars and lectures, it’s vital that you have the technology capable of keeping you up to speed. Setting yourself up with the right technology like a Lenovo Ryzen 7 Computer is one of the best ways to make sure you’re ready to tackle whatever your new chapter throws at you. 

Funding Your Course  

Planning for the financial side of your degree isn’t easy, especially for some of the United States’ top institutions, as many of them are private and come with a hefty fee per semester. Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can secure funding for your studies, either partly or in full. Some funding opportunities will even provide a living stipend. There are some great resources available online that go into extensive detail around financing your US studies, so you can get a general understanding of the right steps to take. 

Moving to the United States to study is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and as long as you take the right steps to prepare, you can have an exceptional academic experience. By following our top tips and sitting the right entrance exams, finding the right study equipment and exploring funding opportunities, you can set yourself up for success in the best way possible.