Higher Education Options for Asian Students in the United States

The United States is one of the most preferred destination for higher education in the world. Due to the presence of a plethora of study and work opportunities, the United States is also known as the “Land of Opportunities”. During 2013-14, the US welcomed almost 9 lakh international students. Hence the United States is one of the best destinations for higher education in the world. This article will clarify all the aspects of higher education in the US to the Asian students.

Types of higher education degrees in the United States:

In the United States, there are four types of degrees offered. These degrees can be done successively. Following are the types of degrees offered in the US:

Associate Degree: Associate degrees are two year undergraduate programmes that prepare a student for a particular career or for a bachelor’s degree. Students undertake associate degrees to earn more credits for a bachelor’s degree although certain jobs require only an associate degree.

Bachelor’s Degree: Bachelor’s Degree is a four year undergraduate program that provided more in depth study of a given major. It is an extension of an associate degree. The Completion of a bachelor’s degree will make you eligible to do a master’s degree. Bachelor’s degrees include Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and Bachelor of Science (BS).

Master’s Degree: Master’s Degree is a two year post graduate program that is pursued after the completion of the Bachelor Degree. It provides further in depth study of the majors opted by students in the Bachelor’s degree. It prepares a student for the doctoral programmes. Examples of Masters Degrees include Master of Science (MS), Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Arts (MA).

Doctoral degrees: The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree is the highest academic degree offered to the students. To pursue a doctoral degree in a particular field, a student will need to have a master’s degree in that same field. It involves writing a dissertation based on research and advanced study of the subjects. A Ph.D. will take three to six years to complete based on the nature and complexity of the research thesis.

Types of Educational Institutions in the United States:

In the United States there are two main types of educational institutions. They are:

Community College: A community college is a college that provides general and technical associate degrees. Students aspiring to do an associate degree to earn additional credits for a Bachelor’s degree usually come to community colleges. Community college courses are very affordable and many students use community college courses to earn credits for a four year bachelor degrees.

University: A university is an educational institution that primarily provides bachelors, masters and doctoral programmes. Students aspiring to further improve their academic credentials go to universities. Those who are completing associate degrees in community colleges can go for universities to complete their bachelor degrees.

Types of Admissions:

Fall Admissions: Fall admissions starts in late August to ends in late December. Most universities entertain applications only during the fall semester. Student will get more number of course options during the fall admissions. Also, most of the students will apply fall admissions as their undergraduate programs ends in June. Hence, most of the students opt for Fall Admissions.

Spring Admissions: Spring admissions starts in early January to ends in early May. The courses offered for the spring admissions will be lesser in number. Almost 25% of universities in the U.S do not have any spring admissions for a majority of the courses they offer. Many universities do not provide for financial aids during the spring semester. The applicants who were not offered admissions during the fall but the university wants to have the applicant as a student are provided delayed admission during the spring.

Application guidelines and requirements:

You will need to give your TOEFL and SAT exam for admission into the various courses and GMAT for admission into MBA programmes.

Application Forms: It is better to send inquiries at least 18 months before the date of admission. Students can request application forms via e-mail, air mail or students can go to the universities/college’s website and download the application form.

Academic Records: Students are required to submit their school certificates for admission into undergraduate programmes.The acceptable degrees include Indian School Certificate, Intermediate Certificate, Higher School Certificate, Higher Secondary Certificate, and All India Senior School Certificate & their degree certificate from any recognized university for admission into post graduate or doctoral programmes.

Letter of Recommendation: Not all universities require a recommendation letter but providing one will increase chances of admission. A recommendation letter is to be provided by a person who has taught the student or knows the student professionally. It must state the student’s positive and negative qualities and strengths. The author must also state his/her position and for how long he/she has known the students and to what capacity.

Statement of Purpose: A statement of purpose must also be provided. It is an essay written by the applicant stating why he/she wants to do the course from that particular university. It is given high amounts of consideration by the university in selecting its candidates.

Financial Aid application: If the student wants to apply for financial aid or any scholarships, the student must submit the relevant applications.

Student Visa: The student wishing to study in the US must apply for F Class USA non-immigrant visa.

In conclusion, the US is a wonderful country to study in thanks to the high quality of universities and availability of a plethora of job opportunities. All the best!!!

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Real Estate Agent – Find A Real Estate Agent With Experience And Character To Help You Buy A Home

Are you looking for your first home? Are you looking for an upgrade to the home you currently have? Are you looking for investment property or a place to rent? No matter what you are looking for when it comes to real estate experience and character are the things you want to find in your real estate agent. Without these two things the biggest purchase of your life can become the biggest nightmare you have ever had. How do you find a real estate agent with these characteristics?

Real Estate Agents with experience and character have a good reputation. Now this doesn’t mean everyone in town will like them, but if you ask around you can find out very quickly what the general thought is about an agent. This is easier to do in small towns than it is in large one where agents move from place to place. In towns large and small you can check out an agent/company’s reviews online. Go to Google and type in the company or agent’s name and see what comes up. You can also contact the board of Realtors and ask about a Real Estate Agent’s conduct.

Real Estate Agents with experience and character will be able to answer your questions, even when the answer isn’t what you want to hear. A professional agent will be able to answer your questions without having to always look things up. Be prepared when you go in to meet with them to ask questions that are challenging and will help you become a better informed consumer. If they are quick to answer these questions and seem to do a good job at them, there is a good chance you are dealing with someone with experience and character.

Real Estate Agents with experience and character have an online presence where they share their knowledge with others. Today the internet is the number one place we go for information. In order to be an expert in almost any field you must have an online presence. If your agent doesn’t have this presence or they seem ill prepared in terms of technology then beware that you might be dealing with someone who is either just getting started or really doesn’t know their stuff. People who have knowledge should be willing to share it.

If you are in a search for a Agent then you should keep these things in mind. In today’s economy there are so many pitfalls a person can fall into when it comes to the market. Make sure the person you choose to represent you is qualified and willing to be your advocate. Their job is to be your fiduciary, that means they are to look out for your needs over their own.

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Top Fitness Tips

We are now half way through January. Are your 2011 New Year Resolutions to keep fit & healthy already starting to wear off? Read the tips below for some motivation to help you through the January blues.

* Find a fitness goal- that you’re excited and motivated by. It has to be your goal and not something that someone else wants you to achieve.

* Change your Exercise routine periodically, because your body becomes accustomed to the demands you place on it.

* Add weight training to your exercise routine at least twice a week, it’s a great way to tighten, tone and sculpt helping keep your body fat low.

* Make use of a mirror while you work out, this will ensure you have a good technique and that all your exercises are effective.

* Using a good heart rate monitor will help you to train at the appropriate intensity to get the best out of your workout.

* Having a higher metabolism means that your body will burn more calories at rest. Weight training is one of the most effective exercises for boosting the metabolic rate.

* Grab a friend to join you in your exercise -Having a social aspect to exercising can boost your commitment to the exercise habit.

* Create a ritual - Your workout routine should become so ingrained that it becomes a ritual. This means that the time of day, place or cue automatically starts you towards grabbing your bag and heading out. If your workout times are completely random, it will be harder to benefit from the momentum of a ritual.

Remember focusing on small goals will give you a regular sense of achievement which will help you achieve your long term goal.

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