sikkinixx66

Hi, I am looking into applying for a student visa to gain access to America (specifically New York or surrounding area) as my girlfriend lives over there and I want to as happyboyruss put it 'take the giant flying leap'!

I have read previous posts and have a fair idea on what is involved (I think).

I am thinking of starting at the start of the school year (I am assuming it is September, the same as in the UK?) and am wondering what preparations are I need to start making?

I understand a lot of money is needed and, although it will be hard to do I am hoping I will be able to save the majority of it and get a loan to cover the rest.

At the moment I am looking at postings to America in my current job but if they don't come up then I would like to apply as a student. When should the actual Visa process be started if I was to apply for a student visa and how would I go about it? As I said before I am looking to start in September time...

If there is anyone that has gone over to the US on a student visa (or is just very knowledgeable in the subject) that can give me any advice and tips about the process that they can pass on, it will be much appreciated.

Thanks

Steve

twiggy1984

Hi Steve,

This post is a bit long, but I've just been through the whole grad school process and thought I might be able to offer some help!

First of all, what sort of schools are you thinking of applying to?

Are you serious about academia or is it just a means to an end?

What educational level are you considering (i.e. BA/BSc, MA/MSc, PhD, JD or other)?

How much have you saved? Bear in mind many US institutions, especially private ones generally run from $20'000-$40'000 before living expenses per annum.

If you're looking at graduate level education, many schools will require that you sit a GRE (they happen on pretty much a daily basis in London but it is expensive and many people will spend outrageous amounts of time and money just preparing for them).

Don't forget application fees will also add up, charges range from $60 -$200 and above per institution.

On top of all of that, if you're looking at a September 2008 enrollment date, you will need to start applying NOW as most applications for graduate school close around early december-mid january. and you will need all your letters of recommendation, transcripts and GRE results all sent to the school!

You can't actually apply for your visa until you have been accepted by an institution and acceptance letters generally arrive between March and April.

The benefit of actually getting through graduate school is that you will have the opportunity to apply for OPT which is basically a one year work visa. If you intend on working during the school year, there are massive limitations (e.g. only 20 hours per week, usually within school grounds). But if you plan on starting your OPT post graduation, you can work full time for a year.

Hope this helps!

sikkinixx66

Thanks for the info, its really helpful!

Well, first a bit of background... I am currently a Civil Servant in London and am looking at possible transfers to D.C, New York or Boston area as it would be easier to go through my current occupation than any other way.

Although in my post I said that I know what is involved that is about all I have. I don't know what schools are good/bad etc. and individual prices of schools. I am looking at completing a bachelors in an IT related course, preferably Network Security or similar although I am not too fussed.

I am considering applying for a college over there as it seems my only possibility if I cannot get a job posting over in the US through my current job. It is for me a means to an end but that is not to say that I won't work hard and strive to complete my course the best I can.

Currently I have around about £2500 saved and am trying to save as much as I can, if I am short of money then I can most probably (not definite) get a loan from my parents to cover the rest. How much do you think will be a good some to strive to save? Or will it differ depending on the college I go to etc.?

I haven't got much knowledge in the American education system and what the different schools and such mean, is there anywhere that will give me information on this?

Thanks for all the information, it has given me a lot more to think about!

Lilyella

Hello.

The main difference between the college system in the US and the UK is that in America there are both "state" colleges and "private" colleges. Private colleges, which include many of the most prestigious eg, Harvard, tend to charge fees of between $20-30,000 per year. The state schools are much more affordable and tend to be about $6,000 per year, and still offer plenty of good programmes.

For New York, you might want to look at the City University of New York website. CUNY is the main state college system in New York city, and includes various different colleges in Manhattan and the boroughs: http://portal.cuny.edu/portal/site/c...ront_door=true

This article also might be helpful: http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandre...ndex_brief.php

Good luck!

twiggy1984

Glad to be of help!

Just had a few more thoughts...

With regards to 'state' and 'private' schools, that is definitely a good point that I forgot to mention. However, if you are applying to a state school, make sure you check their non-state resident tuition fees as they can also spiral into 5 digits.

When you're applying to school, there will usually be a section concerning your ability to support yourself financially. If and when you are accepted, the school office that helps in issuing your I-20 will ask for bank statements from you and any potential sponsors (i.e. your parents).

The schools are definitely interested in how much cold hard cash you can pony up before they even consider financial aid (what a wonderful thing that is too! effectively a scholarship, but at state institutions they're rather hard to get for non-residents). Whilst most schools say that they don't factor how much tuition you can afford into acceptance, it might potentially be an issue when attempting to get your visa. It certainly was something my visa officer commented on.

So, with the visa officer in mind - In terms of how much money you should strive to save, try to at least have enough for living expenses, most schools will provide you with an approximate figure of how much that will be on their homepages. If you can get a loan from your parents, try to cover at least a third to half your tuition for private institutions as there is a possibility that you may get some form of financial aid.

The USNews site that lilyella posted will definitely be useful (I have issues with their ranking methodology but that's a little irrelevant, so I'll shurrup about it.) If you can get a hard copy of their issue on schools and colleges go for it as it will be incredibly useful (I think the Waterstone's on Piccadilly used to stock it)

But can I also ask...

Have you considering marriage???

Good luck! and let us know how you're getting along with the entire process!!

sikkinixx66

I have looked at CUNY and their 'Admission Guide' on their website and have found a lot of information.

I have a few questions though...

There is 2 separate sections for admissions, one for Freshmen and the other for Transfer students, as I have completed an Apprenticeship with the Ministry Of Defence in Telecommunication Engineering and have gained a Foundation Degree will I be a transfer Student?

My education history has had some flaws as well, I passed all my GCSE's and gained good grades, however I then flunked college (AS level) achieving (if you can call it that!) 3 U's and 1 C grade. I then started an apprenticeship and passed with a foundation degree with no problems. Will my poor record in college affect my application into college in the US?

Another thing that was mentioned in the Admissions guide was the applications deadlines for freshmen and transfer students is March 15th, am I right in assuming that that is the very latest that all my documentation and application has to be in or are there things that need to be sent off earlier?

What financial aid will I be eligible for? will that be all included with the application to the college or will it be something that I will have to sort out separately?

Unfortunately, I don't think I am in a position to get married quite yet... The thought has certainly crossed my mind though!!

Thanks to you both for the info, its certainly been a huge help!

twiggy1984

Hello again!

I'm afraid I'm no expert on the issue, and the only information that I can offer would largely be either anecdotal or experiental.

But, I hope that my own experiences can be of some help...

With regards to your first question, I'm not quite sure which you qualify for, however most college admissions will require that you have an SAT score. This may actually work to your advantage as, they would most likely disregard other exam results.

However, please don't take what I say as gospel, it really is best to contact the admissions department directly with a list of questions. Get yourself a phonecard (there are really cheap ones in Chinatown for about a fiver or so and they'll usually provide you with well over 100-200 minutes of talktime)

With regards to the application deadline, try to have it in a little earlier if possible. The March deadline is fantastic as it will give you time to revise for SATs (if the admissions department deems them necessary).

Now, for financial aid, most appication forms will have a section directly related to financial aid and whether or not you would require it. The financial aid information (if granted) would normally be included in your acceptance package. If you do not qualify for financial aid through the university itself, there are tonnes of foundations out there that specialise in helping college students, this book may be of some help: http://www.amazon.com/Scholarship-Bo...9420941&sr=8-6

On somewhat of a tangent, although your grades do matter to some degree, American Universities will also pay A LOT of attention to your statement of academic purpose and your letters of recommendation. If you can get glowing reports from your supervisers at the MoD, or people with swanky titles who are ready to write a fantastic letter of recommendation, that will definitely get noticed. Also, nepotism is well and alive within the Academy, if you know any alumni or professors within the college who will write on your behalf, that would be an added bonus!

Seriously, I didn't do particularly well at school, due largely to laziness and my love of err... drinky drink. But I wrote a fantastic statement of purpose and had glowing letters of recommendation for people I had worked with. I ended up being accepted by one of, if not the best academic research universities in the US with a 50% scholarship.

Best of luck and let us know if there's anything else that we might be able to help you with!

Lilyella

Maybe -- this is something only the school would be able to decide. Why don't you see if there's someone there you can talk to?

It depends on where you apply. Some places are highly competitive, some less so -- just like in the UK. But I would imagine a foundation degree would get you in to CUNY. Again, you should ask.

Yes -- but it wouldn't hurt to do it sooner, if you can, in case your chosen course is popular.

As a foreign student you wouldn't be entitled to any financial aid, unfortunately -- you'll have to show you can self-fund.

Anytime.

sikkinixx66

Thanks again, its given me a good insight into what to expect.

I will contact the college and see what they come back with.

I will let you know how it goes! I will most probably be back with more questions soon!