Minimum Test Requirements for International Students – Update
Posted by admin in Test requirements - International students on January 27, 2010
International students who want to study in the United States must get certain minimum scores in TOEFL, IELTS, and GRE. Following is a listing of indicative minimum test scores.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
This is the most well-known test for international students. If your native language is not English and you do not hold a degree from a university, college or institution accredited in the United States, and then you need to take TOEFL.
Some American community colleges accept foreign students without TOEFL score, provided that you take it at your earliest convenience.
Minimum Internet-Based Test (IBT) is 100, minimum computer-based test is 250 and minimum paper-based test is 600 for many universities and colleges. Some universities and colleges accept international students who received 550 TOEFL score.
The SPA institution code for TOEFL score reporting is 5007. There is no department code.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
As an international student you may want to take IELTS instead of TOEFL. Minimum score required by many universities and colleges is 7.0.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
If you hold a higher education degree from an institution and the main language of instruction was not English, then you need to take GRE. It does not matter whether your educational institution was in or outside the United States.
Many U.S. universities and colleges require average 560 GRE scores for verbal, 630 for quantitative, and 4.5 for analytical.
The average GRE scores are 560 for Verbal, 630 for Quantitative, and 4.5 for Analytical.
This information set the general averages. Different universities, colleges, and higher education institutions in the United States have different minimum scores and they make adjustments over the years.
Tuition Fees of U.S. Universities and Colleges Still Attractive for International/Foreign Students
Posted by admin in Financing your education in U.S. on January 26, 2010
Studying at U.S. higher education institutions is still attractive for international students as a result of weak dollar. While the annual tuition fees increased by 5.9 percent from 2008 to 2009 in general, the real cost of education at American universities and colleges is still reasonable.
Due to worsening economic conditions in the U.S. economy and budgetary cuts in federal and state governments, public universities and colleges had to raise their tuitions 6-10 percent while private and non-profit institutions raised their tuitions only 4.4 percent according to data gathered by College Board, a non-profit organization.
Traditionally, private higher education institutions in the United States have higher tuition rates as compared to public universities as they try to admit highly successful American and foreign students. However, higher tuition fees by private higher education institutions are partially, compensated by scholarships and grants provided by foundations and endowment funds.
Tuition rates differ widely within the United States. Private universities and colleges in south-west regions of the U.S. have lower rates as compared to those in north-east regions.
Tuition of “private” universities and colleges: In 2009, the average tuition fees in southwest are in the range of $22,500 for four-year higher education institutions and about $3,992 for private two-year colleges in south-west.
Tuition of “public” universities and colleges: Students paid $9,400 for four-year universities and $1,857 for two-year colleges in south-west in 2009.
In general, out-of-state students and foreign or international students pay higher tuition fees as compared to in-state students (living in the same state).
International Student Finds Easy Way for Admission to U.S. College
Posted by admin in Easy U.S. College Admission on October 30, 2009
Do you know that you can be admitted to a U.S. college without taking TOEFL and other tests?
Many international students who want to study in the United States have problems because they cannot get good scores in TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or ACT (American College Test) or they have low grades from their high schools. Do you have any of these problems? Carlos did!
Carlos was admitted to college in two months!
Carlos from Tijuana, Mexico, 23 miles from San Diego, California, did not get good grades in high school and he did not take TOEFL, SAT, or ACT but received an acceptance letter from a college in San Diego in two months. How did he do that? He learned an easy way to do it. Was Carlos an above average student? No! He hardly passed his classes and graduated from a high school in Mexico with an average degree. His family was not a rich family, probably considered a middle-income family. His father was operating one of the pharmacies in Tijuana, close to the U.S. border and his mother was an elementary school teacher. Here’s what Carlos did:
Carlos gets frustrated after learning the cost of university education
In May 2008, he came to San Diego to visit his friends studying at the universities here. First day, he was discouraged when learned that being accepted to any of the universities would require a minimum 550 TOEFL score and he should take SAT or ACT with a good score for admission. He saw no chance to study in the United States as his English was not that good and, succeeding in TOEL, SAT or ACT was practically impossible for him. Especially after hearing that his friends were paying more than 7,000 dollars just for tuition, he said to himself: “Hey, I am out of here fast.”
Carlos meets Miguel and finds a way to study in the United States
That night, Carlos considered his options: one option was to work for his father. This was not an attractive option for him. He wanted to go to a university in Mexico but that would be too much financial burden for his family. Also, getting to a college in Mexico was not easy. After having trouble in sleeping at his friend’s dormitory that night, he called Miguel, elder brother of his good old friend from his elementary school. Carlos and Miguel used to go for fishing in Mexico so many times but they didn’t see each other for almost six years. Carlos and Miguel met at a small Mexican Taco restaurant for lunch next day. Carlos shared his frustration with Miguel and said: “You guys are lucky that you are all studying in the United States. It seems that I will not be able to get a college education.”
Carlos has never heard of community college
Miguel said: “Carlos, did you ever consider going to a community college?” Carlos has never heard of community college before and asked: “Do you mean university?” “No, no!” Miguel responded. “Community colleges are for two years. In two years, you get a license to work as a legal assistant, computer support specialist, or any other profession and find a job, or you can transfer your credits to a university for your Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or system analyst or in teaching. I got 468 in TOEFL, but community college accepted my application. I took intensive ESL (English as a Second Language) classes for three months and now I am studying computer programming. Next year, I will transfer to University of California and get my Bachelor’s degree to become computer systems analyst.
Can Carlos afford the cost of education at U.S. college?
Carlos asked how his family was paying that much money for his education. Because, Miguel’s family was also a middle-income family. Miguel said: “You know what? I am already paying less than of half of what those amigos are paying to the university. And, next semester I will start receiving financial aid, covering almost 40 percent of my costs. “
After learning that tuition would cost him no more than 2,800 dollars as compared to over 7,000 dollars for the university, Carlos was so happy and felt lucky that he met Miguel. And, best of all, he does not have to take all those tests for admission.
Carlos studies in community college in San Diego
Here’s the happy ending: Now, Carlos is in San Diego, where I live, studying English, day and night. He is taking intensive ESL courses. That’s why he is working day and night to start his regular credit classes at the community college in Spring semester 2010. Once he takes the TOEFL test, he is ready to go full speed. After studying for two years at the community college, he will transfer his credits to a university that has a “Student Transfer Agreement” with his community college. And, our Carlos, who did not do well at the high school, but working so hard now, will be graduating from an American university with Bachelor’s degree. Can you repeat the same success for your admission to a U.S. college? Definitely, yes!
In my next video presentation, I will go into the details of how you can graduate from an American university easier and faster at a minimum cost by taking simple steps that many international students do not even know.
Please visit our website (http://www.acr-translations.com) for more information. Thank you!
International Students: How can you finance your education in United States?
Posted by admin in Financing your education in U.S. on September 27, 2009
How do international students finance their education in United States?
According to surveys conducted by National Association of Foreign Student Affairs, over 30 percent of foreign students obtained financial assistance from U.S. educational institutions and over 20 percent received employment income (on-campus and off-campus jobs, teaching and research assistantships) to finance their education while great portion of foreign students had their own money (from parents, relatives, and their own funds).
How can you finance your education in United States?
- Scholarships
- Grants
- Employment
- Borrowing loan
- Your own money
If you do not have the financial resources your undergraduate or graduate study in the United States, you may start by looking for any of these sources of income.
Scholarships and grants: These are free sources that you do not need to pay back. Of course, you need to qualify. You must have extraordinary skills or degrees to get such scholarships and grants as you are a foreign student. Getting scholarship in sporting fields is easier if you have any talent in a specific sports activity.
Employment: This is not a difficult option. Foreign (not U.S. citizen) on-campus students are allowed to work 20 hours (40 hours during summer vacations) per week without having Work Permit. You can enjoy your vacation and earn income by working at locations where people spend their vacation. Check nearest beaches, mountain resorts, lakeside activities, summer festivals and events.
Borrowing student loans: Remember that you need to pay not only the principal but also the interest on loans. In general, interest rates on student loans are lower that commercial and consumer loans. Those students who have higher potential of income in the future (as in the case of medicine, dentistry, etc.) can obtain such student loans easier.
Do not limit your research for financial assistance to U.S. market only. Government agencies and education institutions in your country may offer financing your education in the United States. Ministry of education, universities and colleges, and foundations allocate funds for such purposes. Some may ask you to work in your country upon completion of your degree in the United States.
Please visit our website and blog to get most recent information on studying and working in the United States.
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