Important Things For Engineering Students in USA.

Engineering is undoubtedly of the most admired subjects for international students to study in USA. Coupled with business, physical and earth sciences, the fields register 62% of all international graduate students at U.S. institutions. In all U.S. graduate programs, the top percent increases of student candidates has been from China; followed by region encircling the Middle East and Turkey; and India, generating 18%, 12%, and 7% correspondingly, more candidates in 2011 than in 2010. This shows that education in USA especially for engineering is highly sought after.

Know whom to contact

U.S. engineering schools can greatly vary in speciality areas and stress on research or pre-professional schooling, so researching programs is decisive to corresponding your academic interests and career aims to the perfect school for you.
The finest way to garner details about a specific school is to contact officials there, but finding the correct contact can be a challenge. Visit the official website to gather as much info as possible. If that isn’t enough then approach the dedicated admission staff. The admissions department staff can help you the most in such a case. Sometimes for certain international students, outreach can be more difficult, since language difficulties and cultural differences may make some students uncommunicative. Connecting with a university representative is particularly vital for future Ph.D. students, who will work directly with a faculty counsellor during the whole education. So don’t be shy or hesitant. Clear your doubts and concerns as soon as possible.
Understand the application process

In contrast to other country’s universities admissions courses at universities in U.S.A require a wide range of materials that display a student's strengths—not merely a test score. Instead, engineering applications mostly need letters of recommendation, typically written by past professors/ employers, as well a personal statement (statement of purpose).  Your statement of purpose should show that you have poise, and can handle several things apart from your tests scores to apply. So give more attention to this aspect.

Plan early
Though your entrance exam is only one element of your submission, it is still essential to study well ahead for the GRE. The test's language and quantitative proficiency sections necessitate superior preparation by students, and can cause a tougher challenge if you're not a local (not native English speaker). Yet, studying for a large amount of time (six months as some students advise) can noticeably develop your test taking ability.
Unlike domestic students, international candidates may also need to take the TOEFL examination which appraises English expertise and will need to allocate adequate time to submit application for and gain a visa.  Still, the end result of attending an engineering school is possibly worth the time it takes to steer the front end of the procedure.
Although you have to face lot of obstacles and clear so many hurdles (like the visa process and the GRE process) obtaining a master's degree from a renowned school in the U.S. is actually good to go for. Once you are a proud engineering graduate from US you are ready to face the industry and start your career.

Postgraduate Engineering Degrees in USA

Last post was about the graduate engineering degrees in the universities in USA. Now I shall tell you about the post graduate degrees in US. This will offer you the comprehensive knowledge about US engineering courses.

Master's Programme Admission
If you want to gain admission to post graduate engineering programmes in the US, the majority schools necessitate applicants to have engineering undergraduate degree, except a maths or science degree may be good enough. Several postgraduate programmes will anticipate students to be know the fundamental electric circuits and electromagnetic theory. If you aren’t at ease with some central engineering theories it might be likely to complete counteractive courses alongside  your postgraduate degree.

If you hold Bachelor's degree from an overseas institution and are looking to continue your Engineering education in USA by taking up a postgraduate degree you may have to establish that your foreign degree is considerably equal to an ABET recognized institution. Most postgraduate engineering course applications need a certified record of past studies, a letter of reference, a personal statement and a minimum TOEFL test score of 550. Some courses may need a graduate admission test, like GRE.

Master's Programme Curriculum
Postgraduate engineering students can receive a Master's of Engineering (MEng) or Master's of Science (MS). It is ordinary for graduate students to decide to focus in one of the five fundamental fields of engineering- chemical, civil, industrial, electrical, or mechanical. Most postgraduate engineering courses develop the skills enviable in a competitive work atmosphere. Many engineering schools present a programme focussed on working in teams, using technology, and taking programmes in other disciplines.

Doctorate Programmes
The two top degrees an engineer can be awarded are a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Science (DSc). To achieve a position as a researcher/ teacher, most engineers should have a Doctorate degree. This degree typically takes almost 7 years of undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Fellowships and Scholarships for Engineering Studies
Several scholarships and fellowships have been instituted to help promote study and research in the engineering area. Most of these are meant for students going to pursue careers in engineering. Students interested in Engineering have to contact organisations specialising in their specific field for information about grants that may be open for them. You should contact all institutions where you intend to apply and find out about university-funded fellowships and scholarships, which are becoming ever more frequent in engineering fields. Also look for teaching assistantships, administrative assistantships or research assistantships presented by the university.

The organisations I am listing below offer financial support for students interested in engineering and want to study in USA. It is not an exhaustive list, and you are urged to do your own research and find new funding opportunities. Students should speak to funding organisations directly to establish their eligibility for the awards.
• Engineering Fellowships, Grants and Scholarships
• Lanekasen
• Norway – America Association
• Peterson’s Scholarship Search: International Undergraduate Awards
• Peterson’s Scholarship Search: International Graduate Awards
• U. S – Norway Fulbright Foundation for Educational Exchange.

Scholarships For International Students- All To Know

There are several resources available to international students to explore for scholarships, and there are also several services that charge students for right to use to their scholarship database or to conduct a scholarship search on a student’s behalf. If you have the time and obtainable resources, most of the scholarship searches can be done online with ease.

For international students hoping to study in the US, scholarships are priceless towards funding your goals. Whether you are doing first year, a student at the end of graduate school, or just returning to college for a new year, there is monetary aid.

Ask Your School
No matter where you live or go to school, first contact your school’s financial aid office. Most schools suggest scholarship programs especially for international students. Check out your school’s financial aid website or call/email the office for more.

Am I eligible for a scholarship?
Your eligibility for a scholarship relies wholly on the scholarship; there is no common rule on whether you are qualified for a financial aid. Some scholarships need students to have a definite TOEFL score; some ask that you are from a certain nation; some want you to have a specific grade point average. Do your own research to find out your eligibility.

How do I apply?
There is no firm rule on how to apply. While some only need you to fill an application form, others may need a specifically written piece of work, or for you to be pursuing studies in a specific field. If you find a scholarship, contact the award overseer of that award. Scholarships are absolutely great, as they are basically free, as you don’t need to pay a scholarship back ever.
Now you need to be cautious of scholarship scams which can destroy your dreams of getting education in USA. The best way to protect yourself from a scholarship scam is to know what the main scams are and how they work. Here are some things to know which can safeguard you-

Money up front/ Application Fee- Whenever you apply for a scholarship never pay an application fee or send money up-front. You don’t have to send money to obtain a scholarship. Asking money from you is wrong.

Loan Fees
Be careful of companies that ask for a loan fee before they give out money to you. Real loan companies add fees to your loan amount which you reimburse over time and never make you pay upfront.

Guaranteed Scholarships
Never trust those who advertise that guarantee to get you a scholarship. They will ask for a fee and may even present a money back guarantee but will certainly not get you a scholarship. Genuine services will never guarantee.

Company/ Scholarship Names
If you see a scholarship service/company using words like "official", "national", "state" or other official sounding names be wary. They are most possibly trying to cover up the scam.
Keep yourself well-informed and be cautious when you apply for scholarships. Ensure that you are eligible and chase your dreams of getting education in USA.

Things To Know When Taking International Student Loan

In this post I am going to tell you about the international student loan and the entire process for you to understand.

What is an International Student Loan?
Central student loans are very accepted with native students in US, but they aren’t accessible to international students. Instead, they are entitled for international student loans, dedicated private education loans made available to international students who come to study in the US.

These loans are a practical way to fund your education in the US. Loans are incredibly flexible, and can proffer adequate amounts amount to pay for your full education, but with absolute repayment terms and practical interest rates, so you can reimburse after graduation.
Co-Signers

All international students who want to apply for loans must have a US co-signer in the first place. A co-signer is officially compelled to refund the loan if the borrower fails to pay. The co-signer must be a permanent US dweller with fine credit that has been in US for the last two years. The co-signer can be a close friend/relative who can help in getting credit.

Interest
Interest is the sum charged by the lender in addition to the money you borrowed. The interest is calculated on the basis of an index (Prime Rate or LIBOR Rate ) plus a margin that adds an extra percentage interest rate depending on the creditworthiness of co-signer. Prime Interest Rate is is determined by the federal funds rate and is set by the US Federal Reserve. The LIBOR’s (London Interbank Offered Rate) base is British Bankers’ Association and used on the London interbank market. When evaluating the loan, it is clarified which index will be used. Then, there will be an extra margin added which is based on the borrower’s individual criteria. Based on their creditworthiness, an added interest rate will also be added to the index. This is the total interest you owe. Once your application is accepted, your precise margin will be revealed to you, after which you can accept or refuse the loan.

Repayment
Repayment will differ upon on the loan option you select. Since most international students cannot work while they study, reimbursement has to be regarded as extremely important. You will need to calculate how much to pay monthly, when they begin, and how long you can reschedule repayments. The reimbursement period normally ranges from 10-25 years, but the bigger the loan, the longer the period. The standard repayment plan options are:

• Full Deferral – Students can defer payment until 6 months after graduation provided the permanent status is maintained. Payments can be deferred for a maximum period of four years.
• Interest Only – International students simply pay the interest while in school, up to four successive years, and can postpone the principal until forty five days after graduation, or when the student alters the course load to part-time.
• Immediate Repayment – Payments on both principal and interest are payable at once after the loan amount has been dispersed.