Higher education in the United States is a diverse and complex system that offers a wide range of academic programs and degrees to students worldwide. The US higher education system is renowned for its quality and innovation, with many universities and colleges consistently ranking among the best in the world.
The US higher education system comprises different types of institutions, including public and private universities, liberal arts colleges, community colleges, and technical schools. Each institution offers a unique educational experience and caters to different student needs and goals.
To pursue higher education in the US, students typically need to complete a high school diploma or equivalent and take standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT. International students may also need to demonstrate proficiency in English by taking language proficiency tests such as TOEFL or IELTS.
The cost of higher education in the US varies depending on the institution and program of study. Tuition fees can be high, but many institutions offer financial aid and scholarships to help students offset the cost of education.
Overall, higher education in the US offers students the opportunity to pursue their academic and career goals in a dynamic and innovative learning environment.
An overall checklist of what you will need to study in America. When all are ticked, that means you are done applying.
01) Academic Transcripts (Direct/Evaluated) – Honors transcript required. Most universities require a minimum CGPA of 3.00. But having better grades is definitely better. If CGPA is not good, on the other hand (below) you have to increase your qualification. It is better to send by any courier service. For those with a health science background (eg, Pharmacy, Genetic Engineering etc.), many of them need an evaluated transcript in the US system. WES is one organization that does such evaluation work. Details about WES are given in this link, WES Transcript Evaluation
02) Passport – You cannot go abroad without a passport. But GRE and TOEFL exams cannot be given without a passport. Applying is now easier than ever. Apply for a passport as soon as you start taking GRE, TOEFL preparation.
03) GRE/GMAT Scores – To get admission in Honors, like HSC, this exam is required to do Masters or PhD in America. Not only Bangladeshis, Americans also have to enter Masters-Ph.D. GMAT is required to get into business school, and GRE is required everywhere else. A minimum score of 1150 on the previous system’s GRE, 300 on the new revised GRE is required. The more available, the better.
04) TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) Scores – This test is taken to prove your proficiency in English. Most universities want a minimum of 80 (out of 120). However, if you want to collect money (funding) from them, you should get more than 90.
05) Search universities and Contact with Professors – From the time of preparation for GRE/GMAT and TOEFL/IELTS, one should search the university and contact the future supervisor. Free GRE (on the day of the test), and TOEFL (on the day before the test) scores can be sent to all four universities. Those universities should be selected before the exam and some time should be invested in this selection.
6) Statement of Purpose (SOP) – How, when, and why did you develop interest in this subject; How well educated are you on this subject; Why did you like that university and what are your future plans after studying here – you have to write a 2-page essay on these. This stuff is very-very-very important and needs to be written-edited-revised for 2/3 months. Sometimes it gets funded. Never forget to copy.
07) Recommendation Letter (LOR) – Your sir or research supervisor will praise you a little, what else!
08) Résumé – Simply put, a biodata is what it takes to get married these days. And go to study in America, without it? What happens! Decorate beautifully.
09) Research Proposal – Most of the time this thing is not required. An essay on your research topic and how to carry it out. Some of these things come up within the SOP.
10) Financial Document – Just a formality. A document showing that you (or your parents or close relatives or even family friends’ bank accounts) can afford to pay for one year of that university. There are many universities, which have to send it after the admission decision. After the admission decision, it is not necessary to get the assistantship document from them.
11) Medical Certificate – The document that there is no serious disease in your body (or mind!!) and whether you have been vaccinated to prevent it from happening in the future. In many cases it doesn’t take at the time of applying, it takes after they give admission.
12) Phone Interview – Sometimes they may want to talk to you as part of the application. They will want to know about you and your academic life.
13) Online Application – Go to the university website and fill out an online application on their portal. Your previous education history, and present-permanent address, are to be given here. Take your SOP, letter of recommendation (LOR) from some sirs, the contact information of those sirs is also sometimes given in this online account. CV is usually uploaded to this account.
So much information has to be given. For example, what did you eat rice with on the last day of Baisakh, hee hee, just kidding. But yes, there are 6/7 pages. But the thing is very simple and takes no more than 30 minutes in total. All in all, take good care but don’t worry. It’s easy!
