WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKING 2012-2013

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2012-2013 powered by Thomson Reuters are the only global university performance tables to judge world class universities across all of their core missions - teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook. The top universities rankings employ 13 carefully calibrated performance indicators to provide the most comprehensive and balanced comparisons available, which are trusted by students, academics, university leaders, industry and governments.

World University Rankings 2012-2013

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Rank	Institution	Location	Overall scorechange criteria
1	California Institute of Technology	United States	95.5
2	Stanford University	United States	93.7
2	University of Oxford	United Kingdom	93.7
4	Harvard University	United States	93.6
5	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	United States	93.1
6	Princeton University	United States	92.7
7	University of Cambridge	United Kingdom	92.6
8	Imperial College London	United Kingdom	90.6
9	University of California, Berkeley	United States	90.5
10	University of Chicago	United States	90.4
11	Yale University	United States	89.2
12	ETH Zürich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich	Switzerland	87.8
13	University of California, Los Angeles	United States	87.7
14	Columbia University	United States	87.0
15	University of Pennsylvania	United States	86.6
16	Johns Hopkins University	United States	85.6
17	University College London	United Kingdom	85.5
18	Cornell University	United States	83.3
19	Northwestern University	United States	83.1
20	University of Michigan	United States	82.6
21	University of Toronto	Canada	82.2
22	Carnegie Mellon University	United States	81.5
23	Duke University	United States	81.2
24	University of Washington	United States	79.9
25	University of Texas at Austin	United States	78.8
25	Georgia Institute of Technology	United States	78.8
27	University of Tokyo	Japan	78.3
28	University of Melbourne	Australia	77.9
29	National University of Singapore	Singapore	77.5
30	University of British Columbia	Canada	77.3
31	University of Wisconsin-Madison	United States	76.9
32	University of Edinburgh	United Kingdom	76.1
33	University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign	United States	75.8
34	McGill University	Canada	75.7
35	The University of Hong Kong	Hong Kong	75.6
35	University of California, Santa Barbara	United States	75.6
37	Australian National University	Australia	75.4
38	University of California, San Diego	United States	75.2
39	London School of Economics and Political Science	United Kingdom	73.1
40	École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne	Switzerland	73.0
41	New York University	United States	72.8
42	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	United States	72.4
42	Karolinska Institute	Sweden	72.4
44	Washington University in St Louis	United States	71.8
44	University of California, Davis	United States	71.8
46	Peking University	China	70.7
47	University of Minnesota	United States	70.5
48	Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München	Germany	70.4
49	University of Manchester	United Kingdom	70.1
50	Pohang University of Science and Technology	Republic of Korea	69.4
51	Brown University	United States	68.9
52	Tsinghua University	China	67.1
53	Ohio State University	United States	67.0
54	Boston University	United States	66.8
54	Kyoto University	Japan	66.8
56	University of Southern California	United States	66.3
57	King's College London	United Kingdom	66.2
58	KU Leuven	Belgium	66.1
59	Seoul National University	Republic of Korea	65.9
59	École Normale Supérieure	France	65.9
61	Pennsylvania State University	United States	65.8
62	École Polytechnique	France	65.7
62	University of Sydney	Australia	65.7
64	Leiden University	Netherlands	65.1
65	Hong Kong University of Science and Technology	Hong Kong	64.4
65	University of Queensland Australia	Australia	64.4
67	Utrecht University	Netherlands	64.1
68	Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology	Republic of Korea	64.0
69	Purdue University	United States	63.8
70	Georg-August-Universität Göttingen	Germany	63.2
70	Wageningen University and Research Center	Netherlands	63.2
72	University of Massachusetts	United States	62.9
72	Erasmus University Rotterdam	Netherlands	62.9
74	University of Bristol	United Kingdom	62.5
75	Rice University	United States	62.0
76	University of Pittsburgh	United States	61.7
77	Delft University of Technology	Netherlands	61.6
78	Universität Heidelberg	Germany	61.4
79	Emory University	United States	61.3
80	Durham University	United Kingdom	60.7
81	Université Pierre et Marie Curie	France	60.5
82	Lund University	Sweden	60.3
83	University of Amsterdam	Netherlands	60.1
84	University of Montreal	Canada	59.8
85	University of New South Wales	Australia	59.6
86	Nanyang Technological University	Singapore	59.4
87	Tufts University	United States	59.1
88	McMaster University	Canada	59.0
89	University of Groningen	Netherlands	58.8
89	University of Zürich	Switzerland	58.8
91	University of Colorado Boulder	United States	58.7
92	Université Paris-Sud	France	58.6
93	Ghent University	Belgium	58.4
94	Michigan State University	United States	58.3
94	University of Notre Dame	United States	58.3
96	University of California, Irvine	United States	58.2
97	University of Maryland, College Park	United States	57.9
98	University of Arizona	United States	57.7
99	Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey	United States	57.5
99	Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin	Germany	57.5
99	Monash University	Australia	57.5
102	University of Rochester	United States	57.2
103	University of York	United Kingdom	57.1
104	Case Western Reserve University	United States	56.9
105	Technische Universität München	Germany	56.8
106	Uppsala University	Sweden	56.6
106	Vanderbilt University	United States	56.6
108	University of St Andrews	United Kingdom	56.5
109	University of Helsinki	Finland	56.4
110	University of Sussex	United Kingdom	56.2
110	University of Sheffield	United Kingdom	56.2
110	Trinity College Dublin	Republic of Ireland	56.2
113	University of Cape Town	South Africa	55.8
114	Eindhoven University of Technology	Netherlands	55.6
115	Maastricht University	Netherlands	55.5
116	Aarhus University	Denmark	55.3
117	Stockholm University	Sweden	55.2
118	University of Virginia	United States	55.0
119	Royal Holloway, University of London	United Kingdom	54.9
120	University of Nottingham	United Kingdom	54.8
121	University of Alberta	Canada	54.7
122	University of Florida	United States	54.5
122	University of California, Santa Cruz	United States	54.5
124	Chinese University of Hong Kong	Hong Kong	54.4
124	University of Warwick	United Kingdom	54.4
124	Dartmouth College	United States	54.4
127	Radboud University Nijmegen	Netherlands	54.0
128	Freie Universität Berlin	Germany	53.7
128	Tokyo Institute of Technology	Japan	53.7
130	University of Copenhagen	Denmark	53.6
130	University of Southampton	United Kingdom	53.6
130	Université de Lausanne	Switzerland	53.6
133	University of Geneva	Switzerland	53.5
134	Indiana University	United States	53.2
134	National Taiwan University	Taiwan	53.2
134	University of Utah	United States	53.2
137	Tohoku University	Japan	53.1
137	Hebrew University of Jerusalem	Israel	53.1
139	University of Glasgow	United Kingdom	53.0
140	VU University Amsterdam	Netherlands	52.9
140	KTH Royal Institute of Technology	Sweden	52.9
142	Universität Basel	Switzerland	52.8
142	University of Leeds	United Kingdom	52.8
144	Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg	Germany	52.3
145	Queen Mary, University of London	United Kingdom	52.1
145	Lancaster University	United Kingdom	52.1
147	Osaka University	Japan	52.0
148	Arizona State University	United States	51.9
149	Technical University of Denmark	Denmark	51.7
150	Boston College	United States	51.6
151	Karlsruhe Institute of Technology	Germany	51.5
151	University of Bern	Switzerland	51.5
153	University of Exeter	United Kingdom	51.3
154	University of California, Riverside	United States	51.1
154	RWTH Aachen University	Germany	51.1
156	Yeshiva University	United States	50.9
156	Texas A&M University	United States	50.9
158	University of São Paulo	Brazil	50.5
158	Tel Aviv University	Israel	50.5
158	University of Birmingham	United Kingdom	50.5
161	University of Auckland	New Zealand	50.3
162	Stony Brook University	United States	50.2
162	University of Vienna	Austria	50.2
164	Université Catholique de Louvain	Belgium	50.0
165	University of Delaware	United States	49.7
166	Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7	France	49.6
167	University of Texas at Dallas	United States	49.5
168	George Washington University	United States	49.4
169	University of Iowa	United States	49.3
170	École Normale Supérieure de Lyon	France	49.2
171	Universität Bonn	Germany	49.0
171	University of Liverpool	United Kingdom	49.0
171	University of Ottawa	Canada	49.0
174	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	United States	48.9
174	Georgetown University	United States	48.9
176	University of Aberdeen	United Kingdom	48.8
176	University of Reading	United Kingdom	48.8
176	University of Adelaide	Australia	48.8
176	University of East Anglia	United Kingdom	48.8
180	Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble	France	48.6
180	Newcastle University	United Kingdom	48.6
182	City University of Hong Kong	Hong Kong	48.5
183	Yonsei University	Republic of Korea	48.2
184	University of Illinois at Chicago	United States	48.0
184	William & Mary	United States	48.0
184	Colorado School of Mines	United States	48.0
187	University of Twente	Netherlands	47.9
187	University College Dublin	Republic of Ireland	47.9
189	Medical University of South Carolina	United States	47.7
190	University of Western Australia	Australia	47.3
190	Wake Forest University	United States	47.3
192	University of Antwerp	Belgium	47.1
193	University of Miami	United States	46.9
193	Technion Israel Institute of Technology	Israel	46.9
193	Iowa State University	United States	46.9
196	University of Leicester	United Kingdom	46.7
196	University of Victoria	Canada	46.7
198	University at Buffalo	United States	46.6
199	Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main	Germany	46.4
200	Birkbeck, University of London	United Kingdom	46.2

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STUDY IN THE US | TUITION FEES AND APPLICATION PROCEDURE

WHY STUDY IN USA ?

USA, the country which has experimented with democracy for more than 200 years is strong economically as well as culturally today with the base being the immigrants.

Global Edge:
The United States has more institutions of higher education than any other country, but despite the numbers it is the quality of education provided by these academic bodies which is acknowledged worldwide. The teaching forces of these institutions are leading authorities in their respective fields. The quality of the research program along with the resources available and the faculty ensures that the institutions have high standards.



Choice:
More than 4000 institutions offer undergraduates, post graduates, masters and doctorate degrees.One can specialize in any desire areas of focus. The USA education system has variety of academic & social environments which allow the student to build up in all aspects.

Financial Assistance
The education definitely falls in the category of value for your money. USA education is the best investment for the future. A wide spectrum of tuition fees accommodation options & financial help from the institutions in the form of scholarships, fee waivers, aid etc makes USA education affordable.


Technology & Research:
USA is known for its latest technologies and advancement in technical fields which gives the student a very good chance to make his/her future in these fields. USA has always been a hub of inventions. Students therefore have first hand knowledge about cutting edge technologies coupled with excellent research opportunities.

Flexibility:
The USA education system is flexible in terms of choice of courses within a college or university. During the course of study, a student can transfer from one course/stream to another or one institution to another. This aspect of the USA education system makes it distinct from other countries.

Affordable:
International students from all over the world choose to study in the USA because an American education is the best preparation for their future. It becomes all the more within your means with financial aid, scholarships and assistantships on hand. At the same time students are allowed to work 20hr/wk during their course and 40hr/wk during vacation which helps them to earn and learn.

Top Ranking Institution:
Amongst the top ranking colleges world-wide, majority of them are in USA. These colleges and universities rank high in world rakings because of their infrastructure, technological Advancement and top quality of education provided by them.

Professional Approach:
The best approach of the USA education system, is that it allows one to learn and earn. This not only gives one, a thorough knowledge of the subjects, but also teaches one to have a practical & professional approach. It gives better growth prospects worldwide.

STUDY IN TOP UNIVERSITIES IN USA

Education Chart

USA has the world’s most flexible education system, students can study their area of interest as specialization. As the education system of USA is not centralized each institute can determine its program and admission standards. Lateral movement in the education system is possible any time.

Types of Institution

Public Universities in USA:
State-affiliated institutions financially supported by public taxes, usually large in size. All levels of degrees with different fields of study are offered. Public colleges and universities are relatively easy on the pocket for residents of a state where the schools are located. Foreign students pay "out-of-state" tuition, which is higher. There are many notable public universities across the country just a few examples: Pennsylvania State University, Ohio State University, University of California, Kansas State University, University of Texas

Private Universities in USA:
Private Institutions run without the control of the Government entity. Tuition fees of these institutions are on the higher but the international as well the domestic students pay the same amount of fees. The notable private institutions are Long Island University, George Washington University, New York University, Carnegie Mellon University.

Technical Institutes in USA:
These are schools emphasizing principally on engineering and science they are known for their research and graduate programs. Most International students who attend these schools are of graduate level. Undergraduates admitted to these schools usually have incredibly strong backgrounds in math and sciences, as witnessed by grades and standardized test scores (e.g. SAT or GRE). M.I.T. (the Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Cal Poly (California Polytechnic Institute), Georgia Tech (Georgia Institute of Technology), NYIT New York Institute of Technology) and W.P.I. (Worcester Polytechnic Institute) are a few of the noted schools.

The Ivy League:
These schools are the oldest and most famous in the country members of the Ivy League are: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania. They are in the Northeastern part of the USA. Ivy League colleges stress undergraduate liberal arts education, but they also have noted graduate and professional schools. Tuitions at these private schools is among the highest in the country, and admission is generally highly competitive.

Small Liberal Arts Colleges:
Generally have the focus on undergraduate study of the traditional arts and science disciplines: humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Strictly liberal arts colleges are often quite old and mostly private schools. They are highly-rated institutions as they stress on small classes, individual attention to the students, and closer relationships between the faculties and students. Many of them also generally have rigid admission standards. Among these schools are: Amherst, Marist, Swarthmore, Manhattan, Smith, Mount Holyoke.

Community Colleges in USA:
More over known as County Colleges or City colleges. Community colleges provide higher education and lower level tertiary education, granting certificates, diplomas and Associates Degree. Some notable community colleges are Ohlone College, De Anza College & Bellevue Community College.

Grading System in USA
The GPA system is followed throughout the United States to judge student's performance. It is graded on the scale of 0 to 4. Following is the evaluation of GPA

Grade Points	Grade Points	Equivalent
>4	>A	High Achievement
>3	>B	Satisfactory
>2	>C	Minimum Passing
>1	>D	Failure

Types of degree

Associate Degree to Study in USA:
It is an academic degree awarded by the community colleges, junior colleges, business colleges and some bachelor's degree upon completion of a course of study Usually for two years (60 Credits). In the USA , an associate degree is equivalent to the first two years of a four year college or university Bachelors degree. It is The lowest in hierarchy of post secondary academic degrees offered in USA.

Bachelors Degree to Study in USA:
Commonly known as Undergraduate degree in India. The duration of the bachelors course is 4 years. Students who have completed a part of their undergraduate degree and want to go to the USA, can apply as a transfer Student. There are two types of bachelors degree: B.A or B.S. Some universities in the USA Offer either of the degrees in all fields and at times both the degrees in some field. Students need to appear for SAT & TOEFL/IELTS exams for admission.

Masters Degree to Study in USA:
The duration of master’s courses may range from a year to two depending on the university & your area of specialization. The binding requisite for Masters is the 16 year of education Criteria. Students with Bachelors in engineering are qualified whereas the students with B.Com, B.Sc, and B.A need to complete at least one year of Masters, post graduate diploma is also accepted by some specific institutions for specific programs. Exams required are GMAT for management related subjects / GRE for arts, science or any other subjects and TOEFL/ IELTS exams for admission.

Doctorate to Study in USA:
Commonly known as PhD. Duration of the same may range from 3 years to 5 years. Students can take admission for a PhD only after completion of their master's degree. PhD students need to submit a research proposal as well have to appear for GRE/GMAT & TOEFL/IELTS exams for admissions.

STUDY IN TOP UNIVERSITIES IN USA

Tuition Fees to Study in USA

USA (PUBLIC)
	TUITION FEES	TUITION FEES IN Rs.
UG	8000  -  15000 US $	Rs. 4,00,000 - Rs. 7,50,000 / Year
PG	10000 - 20000 US $	Rs. 5,00,000 - Rs. 10,00,000 / Year
USA (PRIVATE)
	TUITION FEES	TUITION FEES IN Rs.
UG	10000  - 20000 US $	Rs. 5,00,000 - Rs. 10,00,000/ Year
PG	15000 - 25000 US $	Rs. 7,50,000 - Rs. 12,50,000 / Year

Living Expenses to Study in USA

When calculating the cost of education living expenses play a critical role. On an average, a student spends Approx $10000 – 12000/year. But the expenses also depend on the place where a student stays i.e. if a student stays in metropolitan city like New York, San Francisco, Manhattan, etc the expenses could go up to $15000 in comparison to a student studying in a suburban area where the expenses around $8000 to $10000 / year.

Accomodation

Most of the educational institutions in USA will assist you in finding accommodation while studying in USA. Accommodation 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.

Health Insurance

Insurance Policy for international students is a mandatory, as students have to stay abroad for a long period of time. Insurance costs generally between $500-$1000/year. It is advisable to take insurance from an Indian Insurance Company but make sure that it covers medical expenses, personal accident, dental, treatment ,study interruption, passport loss etc. Insurance is basically cashless so a student does not need to pay money at the time of hospitalization.

Scholarships to Study in Top University in USA
Scholarships & financial aids - fee waivers are awarded to international students on the criteria of merit & need of it. Candidate with strong academics, good performance on standardized exams & extra curricular achievements would be eligible for scholarship awards & financial assistance. To benefit from these opportunities, one has to make sure to send all the required documents by particular deadlines. In addition to this, the presentation of the application package is also important because one is judged by the image one projects.
There are various types of Scholarships:
Fellowship-Scholarship: This is usually offered on the student’s ability, competence & performance.
Graduate Assistantship: Generally it may involve a teaching or research assistantship. Students receive aid, in the form of cash stipend or a tuition fee waiver or reduced tuition fee.
Sports Scholarship: Though seldom offered to international students, athletic or sports scholarships are available in a wide range to outstanding and talented athletes.
The other factor that can enhance the probability of getting the scholarship is the credit evaluation. The evaluation converts the Indian grades in the GPA system.

ADMISSIONS TO STUDY IN USA UNIVERSITIES

Admission to a coveted US university takes you only half way through your dream to study in the USA. The remaining important half is to obtain a study visa for the US. Complexities and careless mistakes along with lack of sufficient knowledge about the US student visa formalities cause undesired delays and even refusal of a visa in some cases.

An F1 visa is issued to international students who are attending an academic program or English Language Program at a US college or university. F1 students are expected to complete their studies by the expiration date on their I-20 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) which is provided by the US College or university


Where to Apply:
US Visa is an Interview based visa, Applicant has to apply to US embassy for their Interview, available in 11 cities

If an applicant wish to make an inquiry or require clarifications on the U.S. Visa application process, please visit a VFS Centre, call the Helpdesk or sent an email enquiry to a location within your consular location. Email queries receive responses from Monday to Friday, within two working days.


Process:
a. How Many Days Prior Can a student Apply for Visa
90 days prior a student can apply for visa for visa, but student can only fly 30 days prior

b. Documents Checklist
1. Visa Application form DS - 160 (Online fill able form)
2. Original Passport
3. HDFC Bank Receipt
4. Sevis Fee Receipt
5. Interview Appointment letter
6. All Academic Documents including TOEFL, GRE, GMAT Score sheet
7. Evidence of Financial Resources

c. Visa Application Fees
Rs.6,440/- by Cash or DD fvg. "US Embassy Visa Fee". DDs issued by cooperative banks are not accepted.

Rs.374/- by Cash or DD fvg. HDFC Bank A/c VFS.
(The above mentioned fees has to be paid only in Designated HDFC bank only)

SEVIS Fee of $ 200 has to be paid online with the help of the credit card

d. Processing time
If an applicant is successful in convincing the Visa officer, then the applicant visa is approved, Those visa which are Approved the passport will be returned courier the next day from the interview , or can collect it personally from VFS


English Language Requirement
TOEFL and GRE, GMAT is strongly recommended. SAT (if applicable)

Study in USA| Tuition fees and application procedure

Study in the US | Top Universities

Study in the US

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• Overview
• Fast Facts
• Lifestyle
• Practical Information(active tab)

As the home of nearly one in every five universities in the QS World University Rankings, the US remains the world's leading destination for international students.
In 2009, 660,581 non-US students – around 18% of the total number of students studying abroad – studied in the United States.
Of course, it’s not just educational quality that draws students in. Whether you’re drawn to the bright lights and fast pace of the big city or miles and miles of unspoiled wilderness; sun-kissed beaches or lush forests; the rustic and traditional or the sleek and modern, this huge and massively diverse country will be able to deliver.
The sheer volume and variety of educational establishments also means that you can be pretty confident of finding a suitable institution in your preferred surroundings. And if you don’t get it right the first time, moving between universities is not uncommon in the US.
American undergraduate degrees last four years. You will spend the first two studying a wide range of subjects – you can choose which ones, but you will be required to cover certain subject areas set by your university – after which you choose the subject on which you want to focus.
Studying at master’s or PhD level? Read our graduate-level guide to the US >
Learn more about studying in the US by reading our state-by-state guides, listed below.

Alabama	Alaska
Arizona	Arkansas
California	Colorado
Connecticut	Delaware
District of Columbia	Florida
Georgia	Hawaii
Idaho	Illinois
Indiana	Iowa
Kansas	Kentucky
Louisiana	Maine
Maryland	Massachusetts
Michigan	Minnesota
Mississippi	Missouri
Montana	Nebraska
Nevada	New Hampshire
New Jersey	New Mexico
New York	North Carolina
North Dakota	Ohio
Oklahoma	Oregon
Pennsylvania	Rhode Island
South Carolina	South Dakota
Tennessee	Texas
Utah	Vermont
Virginia	Washington
West Virginia	Wisconsin
Wyoming

• Federal presidential republic  with bicameral legislature
• President (currently Barack Obama) is both head of state and head of government
• Capital city is Washington DC, but biggest city by population is New York, followed by Los Angeles and Chicago
• Consists of 50 states – all but two of which make up the US mainland along with the District of Columbia (the DC in Washington DC) – as well as the unoccupied Palmyra Atoll in the Pacific Ocean, and five overseas territories (people who live there are US citizens but cannot vote)
• World’s biggest economy by far, with a GDP of over US$15 trillion (a trillion is a million million in case you’re struggling to get your head round that)
• World’s number one destination for international students
• Biggest spender on defence in the world, spending more than six times more than China, the next biggest spender, in 2010
• Either the third or the fourth biggest country in the world, depending on who you ask…
• National sports include American football, basketball and baseball, with ice hockey popular in northern states
• Formerly part of the British empire, until gaining independence in the late 18th century
• Currency is United States dollar, symbol: $
• Time zones vary from UTC-5 (-4 in summer) to UTC -10
• International dialling code is +1

Find out more about some of the US's major student cities...
NEW YORK
As well as the Big Apple and the City That Never Sleeps, New York is sometimes called the ‘Capital of the World’.
Few other cities conjure up as many instant associations, be it the skyscrapers that serve as towering monuments to the city’s financial power, the legendary music and fashion scenes, the bright lights and glitz of Broadway or something else altogether; everyone has their own sense of the city, be it from experience or otherwise.
There is no shortage of quality universities either, the best known of which are Columbia (ranked 10 in the QS World University Rankings) and New York University (44).
BOSTON
Boston is famous for its universities, which include (we’re cheating a bit and counting Cambridge, MA as part of Boston) Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology – ranked second and third in the world in 2011.
If you enjoy being surrounded by the best and the brightest, then you can’t really do much better. Fittingly, it can also offer plenty by way of arts and culture too, particular when it comes to contemporary classical music. It’s not all serious academia and highbrow culture though: Boston is renowned for its pubs and bars, and its fondness for sports.
CHICAGO
In terms of wealth, population, and cultural impact, Chicago only lags behind the behemoths that are New York and Los Angeles. From a distance, it appears to be a sterile mass of imposing skyscrapers, but underneath all that glass, metal and concrete is a living breathing city, known for its lively mixture of cultures, its vibrant live music scene and nightlife, and its thriving intellectual life.
The University of Chicago finished 8th in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, with Northwestern (just outside the city) at 24th, not a long way behind – and there are plenty more quality institutions too…
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
In UC Berkeley and Stanford (ranked 21st and 11th respectively) , the San Francisco Bay Area is home to two of the world’s most prestigious and best known universities. The intellectual might of this pair has massively contributed to this area’s wealth, which is largely founded on the technology hub that is Silicon Valley.
San Francisco itself, and the branch of the University of California which shares its name, is also known for its groundbreaking biomedical research. Add mild weather, a liberal outlook to life and a solid party culture, and you can see the appeal for yourself…
LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles will forever be primarily defined by the creative industries on which its wealth is founded: music, television, and – most of all – film. Other things that might leap to mind when you think of the city are the bright Californian sun, beaches, and the perpetual pursuit of the body beautiful – after all, this is the home of ‘Muscle Beach’.
But if you’d rather be exercising your mind than your body, there are plenty of prestigious universities, including UCLA – 34th in the 2011 QS World University Rankings. Worth a look if you’re into star-spotting too!

Fees and financial aid
In terms of fees, universities in the US do not tend to differentiate between domestic and international students (domestic students studying at public universities in the state in which they live do pay less though).
Fees do, however, vary significantly from university to university. One thing is certain though – it won’t be cheap.
However, there’s a good chance you will not have to pay the full figure. Universities in the US are known to offer substantial discounts, grants and scholarships.
If you want to get an idea of what financial aid you’re eligible for, use the ‘net price calculator’ on the website of the university in which you’re interested (all institutions are required to offer this service).
Applications
You will need to apply directly to the institution(s). If you are accepted you’ll be entered into an international student database, and sent a copy of the information stored on this, which you will need to check for accuracy.
It’s also important to ensure that you pay the fee (the SEVIS I-901 fee) for this database service, which will be US$200.
Visas
You will then be ready to apply for your F-1 non-immigrant visa. In order to obtain this you will need to arrange an interview at your local US embassy, following the process below.

• Pay the MRV fee of US$140 (the embassy will tell you where you should pay this).
• Complete a DS-160 form online, uploading a photograph.
• Bring your acceptance letter, proof you’ve paid all the fees and filled in the right forms, and a passport which doesn’t expire until six months after you complete your degree to the interview.
• The decision will be in the hands of the consular officer. Their decision will hinge on three things: whether you can financially support yourself, whether you can show you can and want to return home after  graduating (getting a work visa is a whole different process), and whether you can prove your academic results to date.
• The last of these may involve you proving your proficiency in English. You will also have to provide proof of this to your university at the application stage.
• Additional demands will be made if you have a criminal record, or you’re an expert in certain areas of science and technology.
• You can receive your visa a maximum of 120 days before your course’s start date – but processing can take place before this date. You cannot actually enter the country until 30 days before the beginning of your course, unless you have a visitor visa. This last stipulation also applies to those who would normally not require a visa for short stays in the US.

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STUDY IN USA

The USA has the world’s largest international student population, with nearly 700,000 students choosing to broaden their education and life experience in the United States. Nearly 4% of all students enrolled in higher-level education are international students, and the numbers are growing. From the mid-1950’s, when international student enrollment was only just reaching 35,000, international education in the USA has come a long way.

We look forward to helping students who, like you, are considering continuing your education in the United States. You will find all of the tools you need to compile your necessary research in deciding if the United States is the best place for you - we have gathered valuable information on educational, social, cultural and economic aspects of studying in the U.S.

Study in the USA - College & University Search

Find, research, contact and save schools you are interested in through the InternationalStudent.com School Search. With listings of all universities and colleges in the USA that accept and enroll international students, once you create a free account it can be your central place to find the right school for you!

For those of you who have already made the choice to study in the United States or would like more general information about the USA and its education system, you are now faced with the task of matching your goals and needs with the right program. Answers to your research questions can be found here, from the information we’ve collected from educators to real-life stories from other non-U.S. students like you.

Many schools and programs offer international students great opportunities for learning and enrichment in the United States, and we know that choosing one can be an extensive and exhausting process. Find out what program is right for you and make the right choice.

Choosing the USA

There are many reasons that students like to come to the USA to study at the undergraduate and graduate level - learn more about what the USA has to offer an international student. You will find all of the resources and information you need in order to make the right decision on where to study. How will you choose your program? Where in the USA is best for you?

USA State Guides

The USA is a vast country, and each state can be very different to the next. Find out all the information about all the states in the USA, from what the climate is like in each state, to what is the best place for international students to go and more!

Application Process

The application process can be extensive and confusing. We have created an easy-to-follow timeline and breakdown of everything you will need to apply to your program of choice.

Financial Aid for the USA

You will need to carefully plan your finances while studying abroad. From scholarship information to financial aid to managing your budget, we can help you manage your finances effectively while studying in the USA.

Preparation for your stay

Do you have your student visa? Insurance? Travel itinerary and documents? Visit here and make sure you are fully prepared before you leave for the USA.

The USA "Way of Life"

What will life be like for you while you are studying in the U.S.? Are you thinking of

working while you study abroad? Here you can learn more about the diverse cultural, social and economic aspects of living, studying and working in the United States.

Graduation

You have many choices to make after you graduate—look for a job? Continue on with your education? We can help focus your research on the next step for you to take on your journey.

Religious Schools in the US

International students looking for a unique, religious experience will soon learn that there are many religious schools spread thoroughout the United States. Whether you are looking for a Roman Catholic school or a Batist school, you are in luck and we can help you find the perfect institution that combines spirituality with a degree in the US.

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For those of you who are looking for more specific information about a particular course of study, check out our study centers that cover some of the main topics such as law, information technology, engineering, business, and more! Learn more about the application process, courses and degree programs, career opportunities and more!