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Factors to Consider
Planning Ahead | Choosing
a Program | Accreditation
| Costs | Funding
| Visas
Planning Ahead
Doing your "homework" is the best way to succeed
in any educational program. Your relatively short time of
study in the United States will be enhanced by careful planning
and advance preparation. Twelve to 18 months prior to the
date you wish to begin a program, define your goals and begin
researching programs that will best meet them.
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Choosing a Program
Begin your search by visiting your nearest
EducationUSA information and advising center. There you
will have access to a variety of reference materials about
U.S. educational programs and institutions. You can also find
information through the websites listed in 'Related
Links' and the books listed in the 'Bibliography.'
Try to identify several programs of study that will meet
your personal and professional requirements. Then, contact
the organizations or institutions running the programs and
request detailed information. Be sure to communicate your
particular situation and any special needs you may have.
Compare the programs that interest you by considering:
- application deadlines;
- whether you meet the eligibility and admission requirements;
- accreditation of the program or institution;
- costs;
- whether the program includes or arranges for housing,
or if it provides any assistance to students who are looking
for a place to live;
- other services, such as social activities, provided by
the organization running the program or by the host educational
institution;
- how long the program has been in existence, typical participants,
and, if applicable, what careers or jobs past participants
have gained entry to after completing the program;
- if this is not an international exchange program, how
experienced the program administrators are in dealing with
participants from outside the United States;
- the location and local environment, including climate
and availability of public transportation;
- the "small print": whether a deposit is required
in advance, refund and cancellation policies, and any other
obligations on both you and the organization running the
program.
If you are considering studying at a college or university,
you may also wish to consult the section on 'Undergraduate
Study' or 'Graduate Study',
which contain more information on factors to consider when
choosing a U.S. college or university.
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Accreditation
There is no central government body in the United States that
is in charge of monitoring educational standards. Instead,
the United States relies on the system of accreditation to
ensure educational quality of institutions and specific programs.
It is essential to make sure that any courses or short-term
study or training programs you choose are properly accredited.
Also check in advance with your home-country secondary school,
university, ministry of education or labor, employer, or relevant
professional association to determine whether your program
of study will be recognized upon your return.
For more detailed information concerning this very important
part of choosing an appropriate short-term study program,
please read the section on "Accreditation."
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Costs
The cost of short-term study in the United States varies considerably.
Costs are determined by the institution's tuition charges
and other fees, as well as by the program type and length
and by the materials you will be required to purchase in order
to complete the program. Information about the costs of each
program is available in program brochures, catalogs, and application
materials, and sometimes on a program website.
You will also need to budget for the cost of traveling to
and from the United States, as well as for living expenses
such as room and board. In addition, you will need to have
health insurance while in the United States. There may also
be a charge in your country for applying for a U.S. student
visa.
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Funding
Funding from universities, scholarship organizations, or grant-giving
bodies is difficult to obtain for short-term study in the
United States. Much of this type of funding is given to degree-seeking
students or to researchers.
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Visas
It is important to note that almost all types of short-term
study in the United States require you to apply for a student
visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country,
regardless of the length of the course or the type of program.
The most common visa for international students is the F-1
student visa. If you are participating in an established educational
exchange program, you may need to apply for the J-1 exchange
visitor visa instead. Confirm with the staff at the institution
running the program which type of visa you will need.
Before applying for either an F-1 or a J-1 visa, you must
receive a U.S. government form called a Certificate of Eligibility.
If you are applying for an F-1 visa, the Certificate of Eligibility
will be issued by your U.S. institution of study. If you are
applying for a J-1 visa, the Certificate of Eligibility will
be issued either by your U.S. institution of study or by the
program that is sponsoring your study in the United States.
The Certificate of Eligibility shows that you have been accepted
into a program of study and have proven that you have sufficient
funds to pay all expenses for the duration of the course or
program, either through your own funds or through funds from
a sponsoring individual or organization. For an F-1 visa application,
the Certificate of Eligibility is called the Form I-20, and
for a J-1 visa application, it is called the Form IAP-66.
(The IAP-66 will become DS-2019 in the future.)
For more information on visa requirements and regulations,
see 'Predeparture Information.'
Also contact your nearest EducationUSA
information and advising center and your nearest U.S.
embassy or consulate to find out specific visa application
procedures and visa costs for your country.
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