Your 5 Steps to U.S. Study

1. Research Your Options The first step to studying in the United States is researching your options to find a college or university that best fits your needs. You shouldn't try to match yourself to the school, but rather find the school that matches you and your priorities and long-term goals. 2. Finance Your Studies Invest in yourself! The cost of living and studying varies across the United States. With the right amount of planning and research, pursuing a U.S. higher education can be made affordable with high returns on your investment. 3. Complete Your Application You've now reached Step 3: Complete Your Application. This step covers the general application requirements for U.S. colleges and universities. Applying for U.S. study is a task that takes time and concentration as each application is different and involves collecting recommendations, writing essays, and routeing the results of required standard examinations. Plan to give this step the time it deserves for a successful result. 4. Apply For Your Student Visa You've now reached Step 4! Applying for your U.S. student visa. This next step will cover F, J and M student visa types. Information pertaining to visas and travel can be found on the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Study in the States. Choose your level of study to learn more about applying for your student visa. 5. Prepare For Your Departure You've made it to Step 5! Preparing for your departure is the final step to Your Five Steps to U.S. Study. Key components to this final step include making your travel arrangements, attending a pre-departure orientation at your local EducationUSA center or online, gathering pre-departure materials and documents for arrival, as well as reporting to your school and attending orientations. Check your new institution's website for additional pre-departure information that will be more specialized and have information about health insurance, average local temperatures throughout the year, local transportation options, housing, and more. Attend Pre-Departure Orientation EducationUSA advising centers organize pre-departure orientations for students getting ready to depart for the United States. EducationUSA advisers and U.S. alumni provide information and resources that will help you prepare for new experiences and develop skills to adjust to new challenges. Topics discussed include cultural differences, motivation, changes from your home environment, academic systems and expectations, housing, and coping in a new cultural setting. Contact your closest EducationUSA advising center to attend a pre-departure orientation.