The United States of America, the land of the free consists of 50 states. Over 328 million people reside in America making it the third most populous country in the world. This vast country is well known across the world and has a cultural imprint that is driven by technological innovation, popular movies, television and music. America has a sense of destiny and has had incredibly good fortune. The major characteristics of the United States is probably its great variety. The United States is the world's greatest economic power, measured in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 

Facts About USA

• Name: United States of America (USA).
• Official Language: The United States does not have an official language, the most commonly used language is English especially American English. 
• Currency: The United States Doller (symbol : $, code: USD).
• Capital: Washington, D.C.
• Population: 32.95 cores (2020).
• Religion: Christian 44%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 1%, Buddhist 1%, Hindu 0.5% and 1% who identify with other Religion. Religiously unaffiliated Americans comprise those who do not claim any particular religious affiliation 17% and those who identify as atheist 3% or agnostic 3%. 

Why Study in USA

• Academic excellence.
• Career opportunity after study.
• Travel around USA.
• Discover a vast range of cultures.
• Cutting- Edge technology.
• Opportunity to research, teaching and training.
• Flexible education system.
• Global education.
• Learn self- reliance from independently minded people.
• Affordable tuition fees.
• Help and support to international students.
• Availability of a wide variety of courses. 
• Financial support in USA.
• Improve your English skill.
• Emphasis on internship. 

Education System- USA 

Overview of the qualifications available in USA: 

Type of Institutions 

There are various types of institutions in the US that provide quality education. These can categorized into:

Colleges

Smaller than the universities, colleges generally provide undergraduate degrees. Community colleges, an affordable study option in the US, offer 2 year associate degree after which you can continue your studies in the university for another two years to gain an undergraduate degree. 

Universities

Offer research based masters, doctoral and post - doctoral degrees. These are mainly 2 types of universities in the US: 

• Public Universities: Most state universities, established and run by the state government. 
• Private Universities: A mix of profit and non- profit supported by the tuition fee and donations, approximately 20% of students attend private universities. 

Universities may further be categorized into: 

Tuition Fees & Living Cost

All costs indicative and vary from region to region. 

Most universities in the US offer on- campus residence to international students. Living as a resident on- campus is a very affordable option. 

Intakes

• August/ September - Fall session 
• A few others also provide a January/February intake, called as the Spring intake that goes on till April.
• A summer intake is also available for limited programs and colleges between the months of May and August. 

Documents Required for Admission

• Passport.
• Resume/ curriculum Vitae.
• Transcripts.
• Marksheet and pass certificate.
• Letters of recommendation (LOR).
• Entrance exam scorecards- GRE/GMAT/LSAT/MCAT.
• English Language Proficiency Test Scores.
• Statement of Purpose (SOP).
• Experience letters.
• Application Conformation copy.
• Essays.
• Certificate for extra- curricular activities.
• Proof of Funds.
• Research proposals/ Portfolio/ Project Description (for specific courses). 

Work Rights and Stay Back

1. OPT (Optional Practical Training)

The OPT in USA allows students to stay back in the USA after completing their studies. For this, you need to get authorization from the USCIS and also from the international student office of the school. Under this program the students is allowed to work for 12 months be completed his course in USA. You are suggested to submit you application for OPT in USA nine months after you have started your study in USA. However, students need to receive the Employment Authorization Document or EAD from the USCIS to begin working under OPT in USA. 

Post Study Work Permit in USA under OPT:

The post study work permit in USA under OPT is for 12 months after the completion of the program. You are allowed to stay back in USA for 1 year under the OPT.

As per the new rules of OPT, the students pursuing a STEM course (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) have an extension of 24 moths. 

How to get OPT? Requirements of OPT in USA: 

• The student must possess an F-1 visa. 
• The student's employment should be related to the course he did to study in USA.
• He must apply for OPT before completing all his work related to his course.
• You have to complete a certificate course at university for your case to be put forward for OPT. A DSO(Designated School Official) recommends you for the OPT.
• you need to fill Form 1-20 apply for the OPT. University will send your application to SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) to generate the form. 
• The candidate must find a job in 90 days of completing the program for OPT Extension. 

2. Curricular Practical Training

Curricular Practical Training or CPT is an employment option that is off- campus and is available only for those students who have F-1 visas. To obtain CPT, the candidate need authorization from the Institute's International student desk and also, he needs to notify the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Service, also known as USCIS. The CPT employment is a paid one which helps students to earn during their stay back after they complete study n USA. 

CPY Rules for F-1 Visa:

• The students must get CPT training leading to the attainment of the academic credit.
• The student must have been studying in USA for at least a year and he should have a valid F-1 visa.
• The student must have got a job  offer in his or her field of study before he applies for CPT authorization. 

Optional Practical Training Jobs in an International Organization 

international students studying in USA and having an F-1 visa can get employment in a reputed international organization if the organization is any one of the following options: 

• Red Cross
• Organizations that are in the Official State Department list. 
• Asian and African Development Banks.
• World Health Organization.
• World Trade Organization.
• Any other internationally known organization. 

Here are the conditions that are needed to be fulfilled for working in an international organization: 

• The academic record of the student should be excellent. 
• The student must secure a job during the duration of his course.
• He must have a valid F-1 visa.
• He must have got a job or an internship with a reputed international organization. 

Checklist For USA Student visa

• Passport valid for travel to the United States- your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country specific agreements). Each individual who needs a visa must submit a separate application, including any family members listed in your passport. 
• Non- immigrant visa application forms DS-160 confirmation page. 
• Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before the interview. 
• Photo- you will upload your photo while completing the online form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the photograph requirements. 
• Certificate of eligibility for non- immigrant (F-1) student status- for academic and language students, form I-20 or Certificate of Eligibility for Non- immigrant (M-1) student status for Vocational students form I-20 - Your school will send you a form I-20 once they have entered your information n the SEVIS database. You and your school official must sign in the Form I-20. All students must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS). Your Spouse and or minor children, if they intend live in the United States with you, will each receive an individual Form I-20.   

Additional Documents may be Required: 

A consular officer will interview you to determine your qualification for a student visa, and may request additional documents, such as evidence of: 

• Your academic preparations such as:  Transcripts, diplomas, degree or certificate from schools you attended, and standardized test scores requires by your U.S school.
• Your intent to depart the United States upon completion of the course of the study.
• How you will pay all educational, living and travel costs.