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You've decided to become a student in the U.S. Don't let the prospect of a bureaucratic maze scare you out of a great opportunity. Get to know the system and the necessary steps you must take to get your academic career started.
What to Expect
You should have a good handle of the following factors during the
application process:
- Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
- Documentation
- Legal documents (passport, visa, academic records, official forms, etc.)
- Health records (e.g. certificates for immunizations and vaccinations, medical and dental files) & prescriptions (e.g. medication, eyeglasses or contact lenses, etc.)
- Academic records
- Contact information (emergency contacts, both at home and in the U.S.)
- Fees (VISA application, academic application, etc.)
- Deadlines (academic, VISA, etc.)
Be prepared for unexpected delays and complications where you
will be asked to provide additional information.
Concepts & Terminology
Below is an overview of the concepts and associated with the
application process:
Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
SEVP falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs. The SEVP provides a central
location for U.S. government organizations to access information
regarding schools, programs and current students (and dependents)
in the U.S. academic system. It is a web-based system closely
related to SEVIS.
For your convenience, we have attached the SEVP FAQ offered by the Bureau of Education & Cultural Affairs.
For your convenience, we have attached the SEVP FAQ offered by the Bureau of Education & Cultural Affairs.
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
SEVIS is a web-based interface where students can findinformation
pertaining to all phases of their academic experience in the
U.S.
For more information, visit http://www.ice.gov/sevis/
For more information, visit http://www.ice.gov/sevis/
Documentation
For more information on the documentation you must provide, visit
our sections on Immigration & Visa Issues and Culture Clash
& Local Customs.
Fees
During the application process, you must make sure to provide
evidence of financial status to prove that you can afford to
study as an international student. Tuition will depend on the
institution itself, while housing and general cost of living will
vary depending on regional economic trends.
Please see our section on Immigration & Visa Issues to see a more detailed account of incidental fees pertaining to Student Visas.
Please see our section on Immigration & Visa Issues to see a more detailed account of incidental fees pertaining to Student Visas.
Deadlines
Start your application process as early as possible. According to
the U.S. Department of State, it takes around 4 months (120 days
before your study registration date) for the application to be
processed.
For academic deadlines, check with your prospective institution, since different states and institutions have their own regulations.
For academic deadlines, check with your prospective institution, since different states and institutions have their own regulations.
Before You Leave Checklist
To help you kick-start your application process, consider
including the following items in your checklist:
- Get to know your host country and local customs. Read up on current events, research the surroundings of each town in which your prospective program is located (including cost of living, climate, etc), and see about mentoring or welcoming programs at each university or college. International Student Offices often have great resources in this area, and they will pair you up with other international students who've been there and are familiar with things.
- Make sure you have up-to-date certified copies of all your documents, and that your passport is valid.
- Check the status of your visa application regularly.
- Make sure to have enough funds to cover your tuition, living expenses and incidentals. Check your research on local cost of living from the top of this list for details. Bring Traveller's Cheques with which to open a local bank account.
- Research each institution's policies on International Student Health Insurance, and get extra coverage before you arrive.
- Research flight information from various sources (according to visa application deadlines and status), and book your flight as early as possible.
- Have a clear plan of what you will do upon arrival, considering transportation from the airport, temporary and/or long-term accommodations, etc.
Finally, take advantage of the myriad resources available to help
you during the application process and upon arrival. Start by
checking out the guide we have attached as reference material,
Getting Ready to Go: Practical Information for Living and
Studying in the United States, produced by the Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
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