Scholarships to Study in the US

International students often state boldly,"I want a "full scholarship" and "full financial aid" to study in the US. Often they will ask, "Can you guarantee that I will get a full scholarship?" There are a few simple truths about scholarships for international students in US universities:

1. There are very few scholarships for international students.

2. These are merit-based, not need-based. In other words, rarely will a student get a scholarship because they "need the money."  Scholarships are given out based on merit and accomplishments.

3. Most scholarships are awarded AFTER the student is admitted, not as part of the acceptance letter.

4. You must have good communication skills to get a scholarship. This means you must be able to speak English and write English well in order to qualify as a meritorious student.

If someone tells you that they can "get" you a scholarship because they have "connections" in US universities or know how the "system works" well heck, then I am the Queen of England writing this blog post.

Dr. Uma G. Gupta is the CEO of USAsiaEdu, a consulting company that recruits students for US universiteis. www.USAsiaEdu.com She can be reached at exec@usasiaedu.com

International students – uncle is not always the best judge!

International students sometimes have a tendency to select their university based on where their uncle or some relative lives. This is particularly true for Asian students. We repeatedly get requests from students stating that they MUST find a university in the same street where their uncle, sister, friend, or someone close lives (Ok, street is an exaggeration!)

Ask yourself if you want to make the most important decision of your life that will have great consequences on your career and future income based on where your uncle lives. You want to study abroad so that you can learn to fly, adapt to new cultures, face new challenges, meet new people, and get out of your comfort zone. It won't happen if you decide to live only next to uncle and go to the university that is next to uncle's house. In general, this is a bad idea. Occassionally, a great university that has exactly the program you are looking for is right next to uncle's house, in which case it is a great, great idea!

Dr. Uma G. Gupta is the President of USAsiaEdu (www.usasiaedu.com) and recruits international students for US universities. She can be reached at exec@usasiaedu.com

I have never heard about this university!!

International students and their families sometimes wrongly assume that if they haven't heard about a college or university, it must be a bad university. That is like saying if you have not heard about a city somewhere in the world, it must be a terrible city. The United States has close to 3500 colleges and universities. Even people born and brought up in the US often don't know or have not heard about all the 3500 institutions. It doesn't mean they are bad or not worth getting to know. It simply means YOU have not heard about it. 

 

London, Paris, New York and a few other cities in this league are like Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and MIT. Everyone (almost everyone) has heard about these cities and these institutions. But there are many great places in the world (that is why travel magazines sell so well!) that no one has heard about and yet are great treasures. This is true for universities as well.

Advice: Don't disregard a university because you have not heard about it. Research it and then decide what you want to do! The most important lesson for those interested in study abroad is to keep an open mind!

Dr. Uma Gupta is the President of USAsiaEdu. She blogs about study abroad and international students.

I want to get into a ranked university

Every student I know (almost everyone!) I know wants to gain admission to a ranked university in the US. Students with high GMAT or GRE scores and students with low GMAT or GRE scores – everyone (really!) wants to get admission to a "good" university or a "ranked" university – preferably in the Top 50, most students say to me. One of the reasons these universities and colleges are ranked among the best in the world is because they are HIGHLY selective. If you have low test scores, the chances of you getting admission to a highly ranked university is pretty slim. In fact, even if you have high test scores, there is no guarantee that you will get admission into a top ranked university. In some cases, the rejection rate is 75% or higher. In other words, only 1 out of every 4 applicants may get in!

This does not mean the end of the world. This does not mean that universities that are not on the "ranked" list are bad or that you won't get a good education if you attend a university that is "non-ranked." Some very fine universities and colleges do not appear on the ranked list for reasons that have nothing to do with quality. While ranked universities are renowned for their quality, the opposite is not true. In other words, simply because a university does not appear on the ranked list, does not mean it is a bad university. 

Advice: Aim high but be realistic. Otherwise, you will set yourself up for disappointment

Why study in the US? Eight Good Reasons!

Many students are excited about the prospect of studying abroad. "I
want to study somewhere else in the world other than my home country!"
is commonly heard around the world. Today there are many interesting
study abroad destinations – US, UK, Australia, Canada, Singapore – to
name a few. While several countries offer great programs at great
universities, the US continues to attract record numbers (yes, I am
biased!)

So what makes the US the most favored destination in the world:

1. US colleges and universities offer hundreds and hundreds of
   programs in every imaginable subject and even in those fields that you
   never imagined existed! If you are looking variety, look no further.
2. The US has a range of universities from the very best in the world
   to average ones and some even below par. Select the right university
   for the right reasons.
3. US education is recognized world over.
4. US education encourages creative thinking and problem-solving (not
   in all cases, but in many cases!) Case studies, class presentations,
   group projects, research papers, and essay exams all test the abilities
   of the learner in different ways and caters to different learners as
   well.
5. If you want to pursue higher studies, it is easy to move from
   undergraduate to graduate to post-graduate in the US. There are many
   gates that open readily for the student who wants to continue to study.
6. You will meet people from all over the world! Guaranteed!
7. A meaningful degree from a good university will lead to a good
   job. You have to compete with the best, but if you are good, you will
   land in a good place.
8. Most faculty genuinely care about international students and will
   work closely with them. They are bright, dedicated, and creative (not
   all faculty, but most are!0

I am sure there are other good reasons as well including making
lots of friends, being free to do what you like, and achieving great
things.

Dr. Uma G.Gupta is CEO of USAsiaEdu (http://www.USAsiaEdu.com), a New
York company that helps international students with study abroad
decisions.

I want to study in the US!

For many international students, studying in the US is a life-long
dream. A great education, great career prospects, and a great nation
that values freedom and diversity is an exciting landing place for any
student! Unfortunately the process of selecting the right university
for the right reasons is not an easy choice for many international
students. They are overwhelmed with questions:

1. What should I study?
2. How do I find the right university?
3. What kind of a job will I get once I graduate?
4. What is the time line for applying?
5. Will I get admission?
6. Will I get a scholarship?
7. What tests should I take?
8. What scores should I make on these tests?
9. What should my essay say about me?

These and many other questions make it difficult, very difficult, for international students to take the next step forward.

While
there are many websites, combined, they tend to confuse the student
more than offer clear counsel. What should a student do? Where should a
student begin to learn about this process? When is it a good time to
start researching your university and your career? These and other
similar questions will be addressed in this blog.
In the meantime, if you have any questions you can write to me at exec@USAsiaEdu.com

Dr. Uma G. Gupta is the CEO of USAsiaEdu, a New York company, that helps international students interested in studying in the US.

My Life, My Words

Published by the Democrat and Chronicle, October 1, 2006

There is an ongoing national debate about how to increase the number of foreign students pursuing higher education in the United States. Today the US continues to be one of the most sought after nations in the world for higher education, although other countries such as Australia, Canada, and England are competing today for a spot on the top destinations for international higher education. As an immigrant who came to this country nearly twenty five years ago as an international student on a Rotary scholarship to the University of Central Florida, I speak for many students when I say it has been a life transforming and life enriching experience.

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