Studying in USA
Education System
The richness and diversity of the American higher education system is second to none in the world. Over 4,000 recognized institutions of higher learning and more than 900 fields of study available, the diligent student can find schools that will provide an excellent education in almost any field of study.
There is no distinction between Science & Arts students; all first year undergraduates study almost the same subjects irrespective of their course of study. This gives students time and opportunity to decide on their desired course after the first year.
Universities and colleges use a system of credits. Under this system, students are required to complete a certain number of credits in order to graduate.
There are two calendar systems used by the universities although the semester system is by far the most widely used calendar:
Semester system:
First semester (fall): Early September – Mid December
Second semester (spring): Mid January – Mid May
Summer season (optional): June - August
Quarter system:
First Quarter (fall): Mid September – Early December
Second Quarter (winter): Early January – Mid March
Third Quarter (spring): Early April – Mid June
Fourth Quarter (optional): Mid June – Mid September
Entry Requirements
Academic Requirements for Malaysian Students:
Undergraduate: SPM with minimum 5 credits or its equivalent. Graduate programs require the equivalent of an honours degree from a Malaysian university. Transfer students applying to universities must meet the minimum GPA (grade point average).
Testing Requirements:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores are the most common language requirements for American universities.
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam scores are the most common language requirements for Canadian universities.
- Most North American universities pathway providers will accept secondary school English tests as proof of your English language ability.
Expenses
The cost of education varies greatly from one institution to another as each determines its own fees.
| Average fees at US universities | Public four-year colleges (out-of-state fees) | Private non-profit four-year colleges |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and other fees | $25,620 | $34,740 |
| Room and board | $10,800 | $12,210 |
| Total (per year) | $35,420 | $46,950 |
Visa Application
The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the United States as a full-time student. F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year, but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment, these three types of employment are:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) (pre-completion or post-completion)
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT)
