Everything you should know about USA Admission Process

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Point Covered in Presentation

USA Process Flow

Types of Universities
Degrees offered in USA Education System
Entry Requirements (Academic requirements, English Proficiency, SAT/ACT and GRE GMAT structure)
Documentation Requirements with Samples
Financial Requirements with Samples
Pathways
Visa Process
Work Rights

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Map of USA

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USA Process Flow

I-20
documentation

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Types of Universities in USA

 Public Universities –  Private Universities –

 State Funded  Alumni Funded OR Organization Funded

 Low Tuition Fees
 Comparatively Higher Tuition Fees
 Wide Range of Degree’s available

 Smaller Range of Degree’s available
Examples -
 Usually Specialised and focused in a particular stream
 Examples -

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Types of Universities in USA

 Community Colleges –  IVY Leagues –

 Low Tuition Fees  Group of 8 universities

 Low Admission Criteria  Located in Northeast Region
 Provides Associate Degrees  Elite Colleges very selective in admission, academic
 Examples –
excellence, known for Business programs

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Types of Degrees offered in USA Education System
Ph.D., Advanced or
Professional Post Doctoral Study & Research
Degree
Doctoral Degree
Professional Schools
(Medicine, Law etc.)
Masters Degree Masters Degree Study
(1 – 2 years) (1 – 6 years)

Bachelor's Senior
Degree

Junior

Associate
Degree Sophomore

Freshmen

High School Diploma (Year 12)

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Entry Requirements
 Undergraduate Requirements –

 Mandatory Requirements  Optional Requirements

Academic Percentage (10th & 12th) – 55% and above • Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
English Proficiency – (Any one of the below) • Minimum score of 1150+
• IELTS (minimum 6.0+) • American College Testing (ACT)
• TOEFL (minimum 70+) • Minimum score of 25+
• PTE (minimum 53+)
• DET (minimum 100+)

 Popular Universities
• Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute
• University of Connecticut
• University of Delaware
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• University of South Florida
• Rochester Institute of Technology
• Arizona State University
• Miami University--Oxford
• University of Maryland, Baltimore County
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Savanah College of Art and Design
• Southern Illinois University

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Entry Requirements
 Graduate Requirements –

 Mandatory Requirements  Optional Requirements

 Academic Percentage (Bachelors)– 56% and above
 English Proficiency – (Any one of the below)  Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
 IELTS (minimum 6.5+) Minimum score of 290 to 300+
 TOEFL (minimum 78+)  Graduate Management Admission Test(GMAT)
 PTE (minimum 58+) Minimum score of 550+
 DET (minimum 115+)

 Popular Universities
 Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute
 University of Massachusetts--Amherst
 Worcester Polytechnic Institute
 Arizona State University
 Miami University--Oxford
 University of Maryland, Baltimore County
 Virginia Commonwealth University
 Savanah College of Art and Design
 Southern Illinois University
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English Proficiency Exam Structure
EXAM
IELTS TOEFL PTE DET

FULLFORM
Test of English as a Foreign
International English Language Testing System. Pearson Test of English Duolingo English Test
Language
CONDUCTED BY
Education Testing Services
IDP Australia Pearson Duolingo
(ETS), New Jersey, USA
TEST STRUCTURE LISTENING
4 Sections SPEAKING &
40 Questions Listening – 36 Minutes WRITING - Reading
Time: 30 minutes listening + 10 minutes answer (77 – 93 minutes)
transfer
READING
3 Sections READING - (32 – 41
Reading 35 Minutes Speaking
40 Questions minutes)
Time: 60 Minutes
WRITING
Task 1: Report (150 Words)
Writing - 29 Minutes Break Listening
Task 2: Essay (250 words)
Time: 60 Minutes
SPEAKING
One-on-one interview LISTENING - (45 – 57
Speaking - 16 Minutes Writing
3 Sections minutes)
Time: 11-14 Minutes
LENGTH
TOTAL TIME
2 Hours 2 Hours 1 Hour
2 hours 45 Minutes

FEE STRUCTURE
17000 INR 16,900 INR 17000 INR 59 USD

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Undergraduate Exams Structure
SAT ACT

FULLFORM Scholastic Assessment Test American College Test

CONDUCTED BY College board ACT Incorporation

• Reading and Writing (RW) • Math

• Math • Reading
• English
TEST STRUCTURE • Science
• Essay (Optional)

LENGTH •2 hours, 14 minutes •2 hours, 55 minutes(without essay)

•3 hours. 35 minutes (with essay)

FEE STRUCTURE $ 121.54 $ 181.50 (Without Writing)

$206.50 (With Writing)

TIME LIMIT 98 Questions in 134 Mins 215 Questions in 175 Mins

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Graduate Exam Structure
GRE GMAT
FULLFORM Graduate Record Examination Graduate Management Admissions Test

CONDUCTED BY Education Testing Services Graduate Management Admission Council

• Analytical Writing(0-6) • Verbal Reasoning(60-90 score range)

• Verbal Reasoning(130-170 scale)
• Quantitative Reasoning(130-170
marks)
• Combined score: 260 - 340
TEST STRUCTURE
• Quantitative Reasoning(60-90 score range)
• Data Insights (60-90 score range)
• Combined score: 205 – 805

LENGTH •1 hour 58 minutes •2 hours 15 minutes

FEE STRUCTURE 22,500 INR $275

ADDITIONAL SCORE 2,900 INR per recipient $35 per recipient

REPORTING

MISCELLANEOUS Can be taken once every 21 days and up to Can be taken once every 16 days and up to 5
5 times in a year. times in a year.

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 Methods of official Score Reporting
Name of Test Results in (Days) Free Score to Universities Additional Reporting Fees Additional TRF ATRF Link

IELTS (Through IDP) 5 days for Computer 5 Universities Electronic Transmissions - INR 250 Electronic -7-10 Days Please submit your ATRF application
based per University / Receiving online by visiting your candidate login
institution section on :
13 Days for paper-based
Courier to international destinations Courier - 15 Days Link - website www.ieltsidpindia.com.
- INR 1500 per University /
Receiving institution
TOEFL 6 Days 4 Universities ( Before 24 hours of 1,950 INR per university Immediately Access your account online or via the
Test Date ) TOEFL official app and use "Send
Additional Score Reports"
PTE 2 Days Unlimited Free Immediately Link –
https://pearsonpte.com/sendingyourscores/

DET 2 Days Maximum 40 Universitites Free Immediately Link –

https://testcenter.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/
articles/360010869252-How-do-I-send-
my-Duolingo-English-Test-results-to-
institutions-
GRE 15 Days 4 Universities on Test Date 2,900 INR per university 5–10 business days From your ETS Account
GMAT 20 Days 5 Universities Before the Exam $35 per university 7 Calender Days Log into your account to use the
Starts Additional Score Reporting service.
SAT 21 Days 4 Universities (within 9 days from $14 per university 10 days From your College Board Account
the exam date)
ACT 21 Days 4 Universities. $18.50 per university 14 Days From act.org account

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Requirements
 Undergraduate Requirements –

 Standard – 10, 11 and 12th marksheets

(In case the student does not have 12 th marksheet a predictive marksheet will do/ If 12 th Predictive not available,
provide class 9th marksheet)

 For IB Board the school can send the official email to the respective universities'
(IB board students do not require English Proficiency Test for Admission, but should be given for getting
scholarships)

 English Proficiency Score Card

 Passport (First and Last Page)

 LOR’s(Not required by all universities)

 SOP/Essay (Not required by all universities)

 SAT/ACT scores (If going for high ranked universities)

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Requirements
 Graduate Requirements –

 Standard –12th marksheets, Bachelors individual Marksheets, Consolidated marksheets, Degree certificate.
(In case the student does not have 7 th Semester marksheet, student may provide marksheets till 6 th semester along with Bonafide
certificate.)

 English Proficiency Score Card

 Passport (First and Last Page)

 LOR’s (2-3 as per university/ program requirement)

 SOP/Essay (Not required by all universities)

 GRE/GMAT scores (As per university/ program requirement)

 Some universities might require financials at the time of application.

 Portfolio required for students applied for Design programs. E.g. Masters in Fine Arts, Architecture programs.

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Documentations with Sample – SOP Sample
Format for Writing Statement of Purpose
1st Paragraph (Why Masters in…….):
What is your aim in life?
Your career goal- for ex to pursue
postgraduate/doctoral studies in that field
You must also include
Why chosen this field?
3rd Paragraph (Technical Details & Skills
Learnt):
About your projects ,practical training, paper
presentation seminars/symposiums
attended. Include any technical awards,
publications, Technical journals.
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2nd Paragraph (Show Academic Excellence):
High light your excellence in academics,
rank & GPA.
Show consistency towards the field, write in
short about subjects covered (especially
linked with your specialization of masters)
during bachelors.
4th Paragraph(Work Experience – Roles &
Responsibilities):
It should show your technical skills,
managerial skills, skill to handle two or three
subordinates, result oriented team
development etc.
Documentations with Sample – SOP Sample
Format for Writing Statement of Purpose

5th Paragraph(Extra Curricular 6th Paragraph(Long Term Goals):

Activities): Where do you see yourself after 10 years?
Excellence in sports, dramas, music,
debates etc.
Volunteer Community Activities.

7th Paragraph (Why this University):

1) Why you like the program at the University highlighting concentration
offered.
2) It should be tailored to the University, showing your interest & match with the
research activity of the institution.
3) Add some names of professor in whose work you are interested.
Note: (Visit the website of the institute – Research page, know the particular
research interest.)

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Documentations with Sample – Course Completion Certificate

• 4 Year Degree: If the student is currently

studying in final semester in such
scenario student will need to provide
marksheets up to 7th Semester and
Bonafide Certificate.
• 3 Year Degree: If the student is pursuing
15 years of education share 5th semester
marksheetand Bonafide Certificate.

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Documentations with Sample – Bank Balance Certificate

List of universities which requires Bank

Balance Certificate at the time of
Application:
• Arkansas State University
• California State University, Bakersfield
• Franklin University
• California Baptist University
• San Jose State University
• Southeast Missouri State University
• Saint Leo University
• Southwest Minnesota State University
• New England College
• University of Louisville
• Lewis University
• Webster University
Note : If the Bank Balance Certificate is provided at the
time of application it fastens the process of getting the
I20.
For fixed deposits, a line should be mentioned in the bank balance certificate
“This funds can be withdrawn at any time without any penalty”

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Documentations with Sample – LOR Sample

• The Letter of recommendation should

be on the university letter head.
• With proper STAMP & Signature.
• It should consist of complete details of
the recommender.

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List of Universities accepting online LOR’s
For the below mentioned universities the recommender will get a link to verify their LOR’s -

• University of Colorado Denver • Arizona State University • University of Cincinnati

• Texas State University
• Kent State University
• Lewis University
• Mississippi State University
• Central Oklahoma
• Drexel University
• Oregon State University
• George Mason University
• Johnson and Wales
• University of New Haven
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
• Wichita State University
• University of Maryland Baltimore County
• Northern Arizona University
• Florida Institute of Technology
• UMASS Lowell
• Colorado State University
• Western New England University
• University of Tampa
• Sacred Heart University
• Mississippi College
• Governor State University
• Valparaiso University

For these universities not mandatory to ask for LOR on Letter head, only the below details are required.
Name of the recommender Designation of the Recommender Organization of the Recommender
Email ID of the recommender Contact No of the Recommender

Note : The applications will be on hold by the Institution unless the Recommender verifies the LOR.

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Exceptions of US processing
Some important points to take care for US processing -

 If the student has completed 7th semester, we can accept the case with web results stamped from the
university.

 If the student has completed the Bachelors in 2021, we will need the students Degree Certificate.
However, if the student has done the Bachelors in 2022 then we can accept the case based on
Provisional Degree Certificate.

 As per our Analysis on Fall 2021 Intake most of the files were pending due to Score Reporting and LORs
were not verified by the recommenders, hence we need to ask the student to have a check on the
same.

 Difference between other countries and US is that we do not require any payment of tuition deposit
prior to the visa, the student might require a payment of $2000 -$3000 for the release of I20 for few
on the universities.

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Pathways and their Unique selling points

An opportunity a student gets to apply to a High Ranked

University for the reasons mentioned below

Not meeting
Low Low Missed the
the direct
GRE/TOEFL/ Academics application
entry
IELTS scores Scores deadline
requirements
USP’s of Pathways –

• Student gets a chance to apply to a high ranked university.

• Additional support to the International students.
• GRE and SAT waivers for PG and UG students, respectively.
• As most of the universities direct admission deadline is passed, they can apply through pathway.

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Steps for Student Visa Process

1) Apply and get acceptance/I-20 from the US University/College.

2) Complete the nonimmigrant online visa application form DS-160 available on the CEAC (Consular Electronic
Application Center) (Link - www.ceac.state.gov) (After submitting DS160 a unique 10-digit code starting from
AA-------- is generated)
3) Pay visa application processing fee of $185 and Schedule an interview (Link - https://www.usvisascheduling.com/)
Students scheduling Interview for US visa are required to schedule for two dates-

 Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC) for Biometric and Digital Photograph

 VAC (Visa Application Centres)

 US Embassy (New Delhi) or Consulate (Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata or Hyderabad) for personal Interview

4) Pay SEVIS I-901 fee of $350 (Link - www.fmjfee.com)

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Financial Documents to be sent to obtain the I20

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Acceptance Letter/I-20

After receiving the offer letter, student

will need to provide with the financials
and university will issue the I20, once
financials are verified.

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DS 160 Confirmation Page

Complete the online nonimmigrant visa application form (DS-160) available

on the link provided below: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/default.aspx

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Visa Fees Payment

Visa Fees Payment can be done

through IMPS, NEFT and Challan.

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Schedule Visa Interview

You can schedule your visa interview with the US embassy or consulate on
https://www.usvisascheduling.com

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SEVIS FEE Payment Receipt

Pay your SEVIS fee online. Access

the website by following the link
below: https://www.fmjfee.com/

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Sponsors and Acceptable Funds

Self-Funded Parents.

 Balance in saving account in Scheduled Public/Private/MNC Banks.

 Balance in saving account/monthly income scheme/recurring deposit in Post Office.

 Fixed Deposits (FDR) with banks.

 Withdrawable balance in Public Provident Fund (PPF), Employees' Provident Fund Organisation

(EPFO).

 Loans from nationalized banks or private sector banks or NBFC. (A guarantor may be required.)

 Interest rates are low, and repayment begins 12 months after graduation.

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How much funds are good to be shown for visa interview??

The amount mentioned in the I20 is for 9 months (2 semesters) and therefore ideally
the amount of funds that the student is showing should be sufficient to support
his/her full program cost.

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What documents are to be carried at OFC and Consulate?

At Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC):

• A valid passport
• DS-160 confirmation page.
• Appointment confirmation page.

At Consulate:
• Passport
• Bank receipt of visa fee payment
• Federal SEVIS Fee payment receipt
• US non-immigrant visa application form confirmation (DS -160)
• Institutional admission letter
• Institution-issued SEVIS I-20
• Test scores (GRE/GMAT/ SAT/ TOEFL/ IELTS/ PTE) and academic records
• Financial documents
• Additional supporting documents (If Any)

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Work Rights

Types of Employment available to F‐1 Students

while studying or after studies

1. On Campus Employment

2. Off Campus Employment through

a. Curriculam Practical Training (CPT) b. Optional Practical Training (OPT)

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Work Rights

On – Campus Employment:
• Can work on campus 20 hrs./week during study time

• Can work full time (i.e., 40 hrs./week) during holidays

• Teaching Assistantship
• Positions include:
• Research Assistantship
• Fellowship
• Hourly Employment- Food Services, Library,
• Event Coordinator, Laboratory Assistant, etc.

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Work Rights
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
 Provides opportunity to gain actual employment experience.

 “An integral part of an established curriculum”.

 Defined as “alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education,

or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by
sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school."

 To be eligible for CPT, student must have completed 9 months in lawful status and currently be
on F‐1 status.

 CPT can be full time (>20 hours week) or part time (20 hours or less per week).

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Work Rights

Optional Practical Training (OPT):

• Available to students who are lawfully enrolled on a full – time

basis & have completed at least 1 full academic year.

• Eligible student may request OPT to be employed in

a position related to the major area of study.

• 12/36 months of OPT available after each degree level completion.

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Co-operative education (Co-Op)

• Co-operative education (Co-Op)

Co-Operative education (Co-Op):
• A co-op (also known as cooperative education) is a form of experiential learning which combines classroom-based education with
full- or part-time, paid employment in a position related to a student’s field of study. The goal of participating in a co-op is to have
students gain deep, practical work experience where they can apply the lessons from their coursework in a real-world, business
setting.

• Example: Drexel University, University of Cincinnati, UMass Lowell, etc.

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 If you have any questions, please reach out to us at:

USAManagersGroup@kcoverseas.com

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