1.1 Why USA?

The United States is the first choice of the vast majority of Indian students aspiring for foreign education. The reasons are several and strong

1. Universities are numerous, New York City alone boasts of more than 100 universities.

2. Medium of education is English.

3. A substantial number of universities maintain a good quality of education.

4. Flexibility of curricula allows switching over from earlier chosen fields to newly acquired interest area without loosing credit for the completed subjects.

5. Ample opportunity for financial assistance to the studious.

6. Opportunity to earn enough and more, from part time or even full time employment.

7. Legally permissible ways to change from student status to permanent residence.

8. For students who desire returning home after studies, an American degree out weighs everything else.

Post-graduate education in the US is known just as graduate studies. The bulk of Indian students reaching the US are of graduate types. They either clear GRE or GMAT; these tests are mandatory by the US universities for Graduate studies. There is a misconception that GRE and GMAT results are ranked like the professional entrance examinations in India. A good score in GRE necessarily need not guarantee admission to a good US university. Criteria for admission depends on reference letters, statement of purpose, experience if any and above all the marks obtained in earlier degree. This doesn't mean that a poor score in GRE/GMAT can spoil the chance for admission. Even if an Indian student meets all the admission criteria a seat can be denied due to "glass securing", a euphemism for racial discrimination for which there are no remedial measures.

Financial assistance in the form of assistantship, scholarship and fellowship, are very much possible in many US universities, especially the state owned ones. But most of them are reluctant to offer help, before the students prove their worth. Again, it all depends on the field of study chosen. Funding for Aerospace studies may be lavish but for MBA it may be non-existent. Students can make enough to support the venture, from all kinds of odd jobs, still available in plenty. A will to do any kind of work is the only required skill.

Normally the US consulate denies Visas to under-graduate students (exceptions are high SAT scorers) citing numerous opportunities in India itself for university education. But, obtaining visas for graduate studies is corporately easy and unofficial report claims that the US consulates in India sanction more than 80 percent of student VISA applications now.