An important aspect when choosing to study in the United States is the possibility of obtaining scholarships or financial aid. The United States is the destination that offers the greatest amount of financial aid to national and international students. There are several types of aid ranging from merit-based scholarships, need-blind & need-based scholarships or athletic scholarships (see NCAA and NAIA)
Study in the United States
Study in USA
The American University System
Study in the United States offers a wide variety of programs and majors in virtually every field of knowledge. Whether you are interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), arts, humanities, business or social sciences, you will find a wide range of options to choose from according to your interests and career goals.
The average length of an undergraduate degree in the United States is 4 years, while a graduate degree generally lasts between 1 and 2 years. This allows you to obtain advanced academic training in less time compared to other countries.
Interdisciplinary character
The interdisciplinary character offered by American universities is undoubtedly the most notable aspect of their educational system. Regardless of the area of study, there is a common component to all of them, and that is the ability to teach, and transmit other equally important aspects during the professional career.
It is about acquiring skills that will help the student when they enter the working world.
Large number of scholarships
In addition, there are numerous organizations, both inside and outside the university, that offer smaller scholarships to students with certain abilities (one example is IEFA that allows you to seek for any type of financial aid such as scholarships or loans)
Cost of attendance in the United States
The cost of studying an US University for an international student is very broad and ranges from 8,000 USD per year (tuition fees) to 70,000 USD per year. The cost depends mainly on the type of university (public or private) and its ranking. The cheapest institutions are the Community Colleges which allow you to study for the first two years and transfer the third year to finish your degree at a university of your choice. The most expensive universities are the so-called TOP universities or those belonging to the IVY League. These universities are private and offer a very elite education.
But in between the Community Colleges and the TOP universities, there is a wide variety of universities and colleges (public and private) that offer a very high quality education at a more affordable price. In this group we find universities from 16,000 USD per year, such as the state universities in California, to an average of 30,000 USD per year in some private colleges.
There are other costs to be taken into account when calculating the total investment, such as:
- Housing (+- 8,000 USD)
- Meals (+- 3,000 USD)
- Health Insurance (+- 2,000 USD)
- Books & Supplies (+- 300 USD)
- Travels (+-1,500 USD)
- Personal Expenses
Five Lands helps you to minimise the investment required by obtaining scholarships at universities in the United States that will allow you to reduce the total cost of attendance. We know which universities offer scholarships and how to get them, and we provide you with the necessary tools to maximize your admission and scholarship options.
Requirements to study in the United States
The basic requirements for admission to universities in the United States are as follows:
- Level of English (DET 90, TOEFL +70, IELTS 6.0)
- Academic qualifications from the last 4 years (> 70%)
- Several “essays” from different topics
- 2 or 3 letters of recommendations
If the university level is raised the additional requirements are:
- SAT above 1300
- Quantity and Quality of extracurriculars
- Advanced Placement Tests (AP)
- Honors and awards
- Interview
