Lori Meadows
The United States is a top choice for Indian students seeking higher education, with over 337,000 Indian students travelling to the US for study in 2024. The US is home to many of the world's top-ranked universities, such as MIT, Harvard and Stanford, and offers a wide range of programs in STEM fields, business, engineering and humanities. In this guide, we will cover the key components of applying to a US university as an Indian student, including eligibility criteria, required documents, English proficiency tests, scholarships, visas, and more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Indian students in the US in 2024 | 337,630 |
| Increase in number of Indian students in the US in 2024 | 40.81% or 141.2% |
| Types of student visas in the US | 3 |
| Visa application fee | $50 to $150 |
| Visa processing time | Variable |
| Application fee for US universities | $50 to $250 |
| Intake seasons | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| Undergraduate eligibility criteria | Minimum of 60-65% in 12th grade |
| Postgraduate eligibility criteria | Undergraduate degree in the related field of study |
| Doctoral eligibility criteria | Postgraduate degree in the related field of study |
| English language proficiency test scores | TOEFL: 90, IELTS: 6.5 |
| Scholarships | Inlaks, Fulbright, merit-based, financial need-based |
| Number of universities to apply to | 5-6 or 8-10 |
| Pre-application process | 14-18 months before intake |
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What You'll Learn
Intakes and application deadlines
Indian students wishing to study in the US should be aware of the two main intake seasons: Fall and Spring. There is also a Summer intake, but this offers very few full-time course options and is mostly for short-term courses.
The Fall intake is the most popular choice for international students, with 90% of US universities offering admissions during this period. The application deadline for the Fall semester is usually in September, with students advised to start preparing in July. Students applying for the Fall semester are recommended to take any required standardised tests by October or November of the previous year.
The Spring intake offers admissions for international students, but the number of courses and universities is limited. The Spring intake is a good option for students who are unable to apply for the Fall intake. The deadline for Spring semester applications is usually in January, with students advised to take any required tests before June of the previous year.
The Summer intake is the least popular option for international students, as very few universities offer full-time courses during this period.
It is important to note that the application deadlines and intake seasons may vary slightly between universities, so students should always check the specific requirements of their chosen institutions. Additionally, the eligibility criteria and application requirements can differ between universities and courses, so Indian students should carefully research the requirements for each institution and programme before applying.
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Eligibility criteria
The eligibility criteria for Indian students applying to US universities vary depending on the university and course. Here are the general eligibility requirements for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees:
Undergraduate degree:
- Completed 12th grade with a minimum of 60-65% or equivalent.
- Minimum English language proficiency standard: a score of at least 90 on the TOEFL or 6.5 on the IELTS. Some universities may require additional language tests or courses.
- Submission of academic records, including a high school diploma or its equivalent (Class XII Certificate).
- SAT scores (typically between 1000-1200), although some universities are test-optional.
Postgraduate degree:
- An undergraduate degree in a related field of study.
- Submission of GRE, GMAT, or LSAT scores for admissions to PG courses.
- Submission of LORs, SOP, or admission essays.
- Interview requirement (in some cases).
- Resume submission for MBA applicants.
Doctoral degree:
A postgraduate degree in the relevant field of study.
It is important to note that these are general guidelines, and specific eligibility criteria may differ across universities and courses. Indian students should carefully review the requirements for each university and course they are interested in and ensure that their qualifications meet the institution's standards before applying.
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English proficiency tests
English language proficiency is a key requirement for Indian students seeking admission to US universities. International students are typically required to demonstrate their English language proficiency skills to enrol in higher education in the USA.
The University of Washington (UW), for example, requires applicants to submit official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET) scores that meet its minimum English proficiency requirement. The scores must be submitted by 31 December, and UW will not consider applicants who fail to meet this deadline. Other universities may have different deadlines and requirements, so it is important to check the specific criteria of your chosen institution.
The TOEFL, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is the most popular test in the USA and is widely preferred by international students. The required score range for TOEFL is between 65 and 85 for internet-based tests, although some programmes, such as PhDs, may require a higher score of between 90 and 110.
The IELTS, or International English Language Testing System, is another commonly accepted English test worldwide. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 is required for admission to most US universities, except for prestigious institutions like Harvard and Stanford, which require a score of 7.0 or above.
Other English proficiency tests accepted by US universities include the Duolingo English Test (DET), which has a minimum score requirement of 115, and the PTE, or Pearson Test of English, which is accepted by around 785 universities in the USA with a minimum score requirement of 70.
It is important to note that some universities may also require additional English proficiency testing during the application review process, so it is advisable to check the specific requirements of your chosen institution.
In addition to English proficiency tests, Indian students applying for postgraduate courses in the USA may be required to submit GRE, GMAT, or LSAT scores, as well as LORs, SOPs, admission essays, and resumes in some cases.
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Scholarships and funding
The USA is a popular destination for international students, with over one million students travelling to the country to study each year. In 2024, 337,630 Indian students went to the USA for higher studies, an increase of 141.2% from the previous year. The US is home to many of the world's top universities, but studying there can be costly for Indian students. Luckily, there are plenty of scholarship opportunities available.
There are a variety of scholarships offered by US universities and colleges to international students. Some of these scholarships are awarded based on merit, while others are granted to students who require financial aid. Some scholarships are also automatically awarded to students upon securing admission. It is worth noting that competition for government-funded scholarships is higher than for university scholarships.
Scholarships can be fully or partially funded. Fully funded scholarships cover university fees, accommodation, and living expenses for the entire program. Partially funded scholarships, on the other hand, only cover either the university fee or living expenses, and do not cover the entire duration of the program.
There are also privately funded scholarships, awarded by individual donors, private businesses, and organisations. Examples include the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, which awards scholarships based on leadership, academic achievements, and community service, and the Google Lime Scholarship, which is for students with disabilities studying computer science or related fields.
Some specific scholarships for Indian students include:
- The Tata scholarship, established by the Tata Group, provides financial aid to undergraduate students from India attending Cornell University.
- The Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai MBA Fellowship, which seeks MBA candidates who are citizens of India and are interested in contributing to the country's progress.
- The Stanford University Knight-Hennessy Scholarships, which provide funding for undergraduate and graduate studies to students from all countries.
- The Ramakrishnan Family Scholarship.
- The Akhtarali H. Tobaccowala Fellowship.
In addition to scholarships, there are also other forms of financial aid available, such as assistantships, fellowships, and work-study programs. Platforms like FundRight offer competitive education loan options for Indian students.
To find scholarships, you can use scholarship search engines, college and university websites, and private scholarship providers. It is important to start the application process early, as some scholarships have deadlines several months in advance of the academic year. Additionally, planning in advance can help you reduce your costs.
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$10
Student visas
International students from India who plan to pursue full-time academic programs for Bachelor's, Master's, or doctoral programs in the U.S. must obtain a student visa. The exact type of visa depends on the course of study and the type of school the student plans to attend.
There are three types of student visas in the U.S., each serving a different purpose. The F and M visas are for new students, while the F and M visas are for continuing students. New students can obtain their visas up to 365 days before the start date of their course, but they will not be allowed to enter the U.S. on their student visa more than 30 days before the start date. Continuing students may obtain their visas at any time, provided they are enrolled at a SEVP-approved school or institution and in SEVIS.
To obtain a student visa, students must complete the following steps:
- Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160, and print the application form confirmation page to bring to the interview.
- Upload a photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, bring one printed photo in the specified format to the interview.
- Obtain the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status for Academic and Language Students, Form I-20, or the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students, Form I-20, from the school. Both the student and a school official must sign the Form I-20.
- Pay the non-refundable visa application fee, if applicable, before the interview.
- Attend the visa interview. Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so apply early.
- If the visa is approved, pay the visa issuance fee, if applicable, to your nationality.
It is important to note that the U.S. has recently tightened its immigration rules for students, leading to increased visa uncertainties and a higher rejection rate for student visa applications. Students should be aware of these changing policies and their potential impact on their visa applications.
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Frequently asked questions
There are two main intakes in the US: Fall and Spring. The Fall intake is the most preferred admission period for Indian students as most courses start during this intake. The deadline for application submission varies from university to university, but students need to submit their applications before the deadline.
The eligibility criteria vary depending on the university and course. For undergraduate admissions, a minimum percentage of 60-65% is required. For postgraduate admissions, a student must have an undergraduate degree in their related field of study. For doctoral admissions, a student must have a postgraduate degree in their related field. Additionally, Indian students are required to meet a minimum English language proficiency standard.
The cost of studying in the US varies depending on the course and level. Undergraduate courses can cost around USD 15,000 to USD 60,000, while postgraduate courses can cost around USD 13,000 to USD 65,000. There are also additional costs such as insurance, which can range from USD 500 to USD 1,000 per year. To help with funding, many universities and organizations offer scholarships, grants, and awards based on merit and financial need. Indian students can apply for scholarships such as Inlaks and Fulbright.
