Smart Ways to Save Money on a U.S. Bachelors Degree

The cost of a U.S. Bachelors ranges from $10k a year at community colleges to $55k a year at expensive institutions. As the cost of college sky rockets, students and parents are looking more closely at value versus investment. Here are three ideas that both domestic and international students can do to reduce the cost of earning a U.S Bachelor’s degree:

1. Many U.S. colleges and universities offer online courses that you can take from home in your first or second semester. If you can take a few courses without being on campus in your first year, go for it. For international students, this means staying at home with your parents while taking U.S classes. It is a great idea and can save you significant dollars. You save on boarding and lodging while earning a U.S degree. Can’t beat that!

2. Many international students don’t know about community colleges or they have a bad impression about community colleges.  Even after you enroll in a 4-year university, you can still take some courses at a community college and have them transferred. This will also save you some money.

3.  Some universities have campuses around the world that offer the same degree as they do in the U.S. See if a campus is less expensive and take a few courses at that campus. This has multiple benefits. In your resume you can say that you have lived and experienced different cultures and countries. This is invaluable. Also, you earn the same degree for a lower cost. And you may be able to select a country that is closer to your home country, making travel back and forth less expensive.

 

Is a PhD worth it?

Is a PhD worth it? Well, simple answers are no longer popular and therefore a more detailed response is due. The detailed answer is: It depends! It depends on your attitude and aptitude to long hours of hard work, curiosity, frustration, and love for one’s discipline. A PhD in the US is definitely worth it is what most people who have earned a PhD in the US will tell you. Faculty (most) are passionate about their discipline and are great mentors. Lab facilities in the U.S. are usually top notch and research is often cutting-edge. US faculty are active in their disciplines and their reputation depends on the careers their PhD students pursue. So, all in all it is a great investment. But if you want to earn a PhD just to earn “more money” it may not be a good idea. The number one question to ask is: Do I love my major or discipline enough to dedicate my lifetime to it? If your answer is yes, you have crossed the first barrier. Here is a great website from Purdue (www.purdue.edu) that answers most questions students considering a PhD have:  http://www.cs.purdue.edu/homes/dec/essay.phd.html

Study in the US! Tell us what help you need!

Spring Admission to US Colleges and Universities

Want to study in the US? Want to gain admission to a top university in the USA? Best advice: Start early! Unlike other countries, admission to US universities takes a long time.  Not only that, applying to US colleges and universities is complex.  They need a number of documents, like visa, transcripts, letters of references, [...]

Cheat on college essays and get caught!

Writing a college essay is hard (Writing, for that matter, is hard work!0. It is difficult, time-consuming, and challenging. Who wants to stare at a blank sheet of paper? Who wants to toil for hours to write the perfect essay, only to find that an Admissions Officer is not impressed. Why not have someone else write the perfect college essay? Thinking about hiring someone to write for you? Think again!

Pennsylvania State University’s M.B.A. program was among the first to sign up for Turnitin for Admissions. More than two dozen institutions worldwide have used the service, and some colleges (as yet unnamed) have incorporated it into their review of undergraduate applicants, according to Jeff Lorton, product- and business-development manager at Turnitin for Admissions.

“A lot of jaws are dropping,” Mr. Lorton said of admissions officials surprised by the levels of matching they’ve seen. “There are people seeking an advanced degree at the most selective institutions who can’t even write their own personal statements.”

http://chronicle.com/blogs/headcount/new-partners-in-the-plagiarism-detection-business/27804?sid=pm&utm_source=pm&utm_medium=en

Dr. Uma G. Gupta is the founder and CEO of PlanetGPA.com

Online learning worth it?

Here is a question we received from a student:

Hello,

 I found your article through some source hunting and found it very very helpful. Actually, am planning to purse Masters in Transportation and Logistics Management from American Public University, distance learning. Since, I live and work in Dubai, UAE and am Indian national, could you please advise, if Masters program from this university are accredited all over the globe? Thanks so much in advance.  Rgds

You are asking two different questions: 1) accreditation, 2)online learning.

Accreditation: U.S. university programs are accredited by different agencies/organizations in the U.S. These agencies ensure the quality of the programs. They review faculty credentials, courses offered, and how these programs prepare students for jobs. Accreditation is a good thing! You want to look for programs that are accredited.

Second, distance learning or on-line learning. There are a number of good on-line programs. The on-line program has the same credit and value as a classroom program. You don't even need to tell your future employer that it is an on-line degree unless asked.

Hope this helps!

Dr. Gupta is the founder and CEO of PlanetGPA.com, an on-line company that helps international students find the right university and program.

 

 

Pharmacy in US

Many international students study pharmacy in the US. It is a popular degree, but it is also a program with high admission standards. Pharmacy programs require international students to take the GRE and to do well in the GRE. The subjects covered in a pharmacy program include some of the following:

Pharmaceutics; Pathophysiology; physiology; biochemistry;microbiology,chemistry, public health, dietetics, molecular biology; bio statistics pharmacy ethics; health care; immunology and other related areas.

if you have a background in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, medicinal chemistry, and related disciplines, you can apply to the Pharmacy program.

Uma Gupta is the CEO and Founder of planetgpa.com, an international student recruitment company.

 

 

Cost of Master’s in the U.S

How much does it cost to study Master's in the U.S? Cost is an important factor for most students in their university selection. Tuition costs vary significantly and hence it is difficult to give an "average." At public universities (refers to universities that are supported by the state government), tuition can vary between $5000 to $22,500 for non-residents (refers to students who do not have a residency status in a given state).  The tuition is higher in private universities. It can be from $6500 to $33,000. 

Obviously, most students cannot afford high tuition. Fortunately, graduate assistantships are available to good students. The biggest mistake students' make is to apply late. Most assistantships are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. So if you apply close to the deadline, your chances of an assistantship may go down. 

Ten Commandments for a Good College Essay

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How to write a good college essay:

Writing  a college essay is hard work. In fact, it is probably one of the most difficult assignments that students will encounter in their educational career. Staring at a blank page with nothing to say or not knowing what to say is a sinking feeling. Essays require many iterations; they should be reviewed by people from different backgrounds and age groups. Getting your friend to review your essay is not a great idea! First, the Admission Officer in all likelihood is older than your friend and second, most of your friends will not want to hurt your feelings. There are extensive resources on how to write a good essay. A few are listed at the end of this article. Just as how it is important to know how to write a good essay, it is equally important to know what not to do.

Ten Commandments for Writing a Good College Essay:

1. Thou shall not lie by passing off someone else’s work as yours. You can always ask someone to review your essay and give you ideas. But if someone else is writing your essay for you, well then, that is a bad idea.
2. Thou shall not use words that would require the reader to use a dictionary.
3. Thou shall not tell stories that are not true simply because they sound impressive.
4. Thou shall adhere to the length recommended by the university. If the university requests a two page essay, writing five will not put you on top of the heap.
5. Thou shall not list every award you won since you were in elementary school.
6. Thou shall not elaborate on how you are 100% confident about winning the Nobel Prize.
7. Thou shall not whine about what a tough life you have had.
8. Thou shall be truthful about your goals and accomplishments.
9. Thou shall not cut and paste.
10. Thou shall not commit spelling and grammatical errors.

Below are some great resources for how to write a good college essay:

http://www.depauw.edu/admission/documents/college-essay.pdf

http://www.figarospeech.com/college-essay/

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/

http://www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/writingtheessay.html

 It is hard work, but if you do the work, you will be proud of yourself and you would have an important skill!

Dr. Uma G. Gupta is the CEO and Founder of PlanetGPA.com

Myths about applying for F1 visa

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Applying for visa is often stressful for students who plan to study abroad. You have to get a number of documents ready and the chances of being rejected is always in the back of your mind. However, the worst thing you can do is to rely on rumors and myths. Here are ten popular myths about FI visa:

Misconceptions abound about the difficulty of obtaining a visa. Let’s take a look at some of the realities.  

Myth 1: The United States sets a quota on visas to limit the number of foreign students entering the country.

Reality: There is no limit to the number of student visas issued by U.S. embassies and consulates around the world. If you are a qualified student visa applicant who has gained admission to a U.S. institution, the State Department wants you to pursue that opportunity.

Myth 2: I can improve my chances of getting a visa if I hire an education agent.

Reality: Don’t believe anyone who tells you they can help you get a visa. Do not pay money or enter into an agreement with such a person. Self-proclaimed visa “fixers” have no special access to the U.S. government.

Myth 3: A visa applicant needs to document a minimum income level.

Reality: A student visa applicant should be able to provide financial evidence that shows you, your parents, or your sponsor have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period of your intended study.

Myth 4: Only the academic superstars get visas.

Reality: Visas are not reserved for the very best students, but getting a visa depends on first having gained acceptance to a college or university in the United States. When you have been academically admitted to the institution or accepted as a participant in an exchange program, the academic institution will provide you with the appropriate form required by SEVIS. You will be required to submit this form when you apply for a visa. You will need to demonstrate to the consular officer who conducts your interview that you are a serious student who is well-informed about the admitting institution. You also need to show that you have a well-developed plan of study and are knowledgeable about the subject you are studying.

Myth 5: During your visa interview, the consular officer will be waiting to hear the “right” answers.

Reality: The consular officer will want to hear your own answers and an honest description of your personal circumstances.

Myth 6: You’ll get a visa only if you are proficient in English.

Reality: If you are planning to study English in the United States, you do not need to show proficiency in the language. Command of the English language is one factor that consular officers will use in evaluating the overall competence of a student applying for a visa.  Sufficient English proficiency, however, is a pre-requisite for J1 exchange visitor visa applicants.

Myth 7: You’ll get a visa only if you have relatives in the United States.

Reality: This is not true. The interviewing consular officer may ask about relatives in the United States during the visa interview, just as he or she may ask about your family situation in your home country.

Myth 8: International students are not permitted to work while visiting the United States on a student visa.

Reality: Some job opportunities are possible, especially in on-campus work-study programs with limited hours.

Myth 9: You must have your entire future planned out to get a visa.

Reality: You need to be able to discuss a realistic study plan, but not a detailed plan for your entire career.

Myth 10: You must return to your home country immediately upon completion of your degree.

Reality: You may apply for Optional Practical Training to work for up to one year in your field in the United States to gain practical experience.

Source: www.america.gov

Dr. Uma Gupta is the Founder and CEO of PlanetGPA.com