Many parents are of the opinion that the most effective investment is in children's education. For this reason, they seek to send their children to study in the USA, because the American educational system is considered one of the most prestigious in the world. In this article, SMAPSE experts will consider TOP-5 most important things you need to know to get an education abroad, and talk about organizing a trip.
Obtaining an international diploma or certificate opens up new opportunities and prospects for further education or employment: students gain experience in communicating with the best teachers, make useful contacts, attend linguistic courses, travel to new places, move out of the comfort zone, discover new talents and abilities, are engaged in career guidance and communicate daily with native speakers.
In the USA, the most famous seven universities are located - “Ivy League” - where graduates after school are happy to enter:
- Harvard University
- Yale university
- University of Pennsylvania
- Princeton University
- Columbia University
- Brown University
- Cornell University.
To realize the dream of studying abroad, SMAPSE experts will talk about the features of studying abroad.
TOP-5 important things you need to know about education in the USA
- It is necessary to apply to elite and popular schools, universities abroad in advance in order to be in time by the beginning of the school year or course - experts recommend taking care of this for 6 months or even a year at least
- To pass the competitive selection, it is necessary to prove high academic and linguistic knowledge indicators - diplomas, certificates with the results of language exams are confirmation. To increase the chances of admission, the average mark of certificates should be high enough (if the student has not yet received a diploma of secondary education, then a report card with grades for the past few years must be provided)
- It is important to know in advance what exams you need to pass for admission in order to have time to prepare and get a high score. For example, to enter high school they often take the results of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test)
- Studying in the USA is one of the most expensive in the world, but the cost of education will be 100% justified: after graduation, graduates of educational institutions work in prestigious international companies and get prestigious positions. Also, almost every student has the opportunity to study in the USA for free - for this you need to apply for a scholarship or grant that can cover the cost of studying in full or in part
- Foreign students cannot immediately after graduating from school continue their studies at the University of America - for admission, students take international preparatory courses or enter US schools and earn educational loans. Types of pre-university programs:
- University pathway
- Transfer program
- International Foundation.
Education in the USA for foreign students: requirements and prices
There is no generally accepted academic program in the United States: students have the opportunity to draw up an individual curriculum in accordance with the capabilities of the school - this organization of education allows you to study those subjects that are useful in the profession, or choose classes for interests. In addition to academic subjects, students receive moral education, engage in sports, creativity, attend debates, interest groups, and study oratory - the list of additional classes is quite large.
You can increase the readiness of foreign students to study at a university in high school: there is an effective program for students aged 16-18 - Advanced Placement - which allows you to combine academic studies with English and in-depth study of specialized subjects. School teachers take into account the peculiarities of teaching and raising children, students earn educational loans, taken into account when entering the university, and also receive unique life experience.
How to enter a school abroad:
- choice of educational institution and program
- interview with a representative
- preparation of necessary documents for school
- getting a visa
- housing search
- purchase of air tickets, medical insurance, transfer order.
A particularly important point is obtaining a student visa: you have to very carefully fill out the questionnaire and provide a full package of documents to the visa center.
The average cost of studying in US schools varies from $ 12,000 to $ 83,000 per year: the final price depends on the ranking of the institution, type of program, duration. It is important to understand that the price usually includes only the main points:
- educational program
- the opportunity to use the entire infrastructure of the campus, which allows you to play sports, use the resources of the library, attend interest groups, conduct research
- food (full board / half board)
- educational materials
- residence in a school residence.
Additional expenses:
- flights
- transfer
- medical insurance
- school development fee
- additional classes
- visa fees and services
- excursions, travels.
At what age can foreign students study in the USA
Most often, foreign students enter US schools after 16 years, when they can independently move abroad and live separately from their parents, which positively affects the development of their independence and responsibility. However, children under 16 years old come to America with pleasure to attend a language school or summer camp with learning English - the child feels comfortable under the supervision of experienced teachers and educators, among peers for a couple of weeks or even months.
American curriculum and student age:
| 5-10 years | |
| 11-16 years old | |
| 16-18 years old | Advanced placement |
| from 18 years | |
| from 18 years | undergraduate |
| from 21 years | Master, Doctoral, MBA. |
For effective study and high results, it is important that the child fully understands the program in a foreign language - if the level of English is still not enough at the time of enrollment, students attend additional language courses. Usually they are paid, but in some educational institutions they are absolutely free and are carried out in their free time.
Admission to the best schools in the USA on the example of North Broward Preparatory School
Using the example of a private North Broward Preparatory School (Florida), SMAPSE experts will analyze the key moments of studying in the USA and the cost of studying in high school.
Admission Requirements:
- TOEFL / IELTS
- report card with grades for the last 2-3 years
- additionally, you may need to take a test on one of the items.
The cost for a year of study at the American North Broward Preparatory School is 59,400 $, which includes the price for an academic program and full board accommodation. Additional expenses:
| 500 $ | fee for foreign students |
| 300 $ / course | additional courses |
| 350 $ / course | skills development courses |
| 800-1,200 $ | books, educational materials, laboratory fees |
| 350 $ | graduation fee |
| 1,600 $ / year | medical insurance. |
Here, Americans and foreign students study, and among teachers, approximately 80% of specialists have a degree. On the campus there is everything necessary for a comfortable stay and study, since 2007 the Center for Arts, Science and Creativity has been functioning.
Parents can completely get rid of solving many organizational issues - just contact SMAPSE, and you can do this at any stage of preparation. The best educational institutions of the USA cooperate with SMAPSE - experts know everything about foreign education! A nice bonus is the lack of a fee for admission to educational institutions in America.
