Study in America: how university works in the USA

by

Learn how the U.S. university system works and what you need to do if you want to study in America for a semester or an entire cycle of studies

Studying in America is the dream of many, for several reasons: to refine the language, visit the country, attend prestigious universities and have a unique cultural experience.

It is possible to study in the USA as an Italian citizen both for short periods and for the entire course of university studies, but of course for anyone who wants to throw themselves into this enterprise it is necessary to be in possession of a study visa and be economically prepared.

To study in America there are several possibilities:

  • attend English courses (at universities or language schools)
  • do a student exchange for a semester or academic year
  • enroll in university in America for a bachelor’s or master’s degree or doctoral program

In this article, you will find the main and most important information to understand how the American university system works and how to study in America at university.

The American university system

The first difference between the American and Italian university systems concerns the types of institutions where to study and the duration of post-diploma courses.

Once they have finished high school, American students who wish to continue their studies can choose between two types of undergraduate pathways (i.e. for “non-graduates”):

  • Community College: two-year higher education for entry into the world of work. The title awarded is the associate degree. After community college, you can also continue your studies at a college or university.
  • College or University: academic/university higher education course for those interested in obtaining a bachelor’s degree and possibly pursuing their studies with a master’s degree and a PhD. The short degree lasts four years: the first two transversal to all courses, the second two years of specialization in the subject of address (eg law, economics, psychology etc.), called major.

Once the bachelor’s degree has been obtained, one can access the graduate level of university education, divided into master’s and PhD.

With the Italian three-year degree it is possible to directly access this type of courses:

  • Master’s degree: equivalent to the Italian master’s degree, they represent a specialization often associated with a better entry into the world of work. There are different types of masters: at Business school (MBA – 2 years), law school (Jd – 3 years), medical school (Md – 4 years) and finally the master of arts (MAs).
  • PhD: the PhD involves the realization of an autonomous research project and is aimed at insertion into the world of scientific research and academic teaching. It can last one or two years after a master’s degree or four/five for those with only a bachelor’s degree.

How much does it cost to study in America?

Studying in America at university is very expensive (we are talking about tens of thousands of dollars for an academic year), which is why, normally, American students use a loan of honor (or student loan) that they will repay after graduation, once they find a job.

Clearly, the cost of university studies varies from one university to another and depending on the faculty, and loans and other forms of study financing are not always available to foreign citizens (but we cannot say that they do not exist). Information on costs and funding should be checked with the individual universities on a case-by-case basis.

That said, it is also possible to study in America with scholarships independent of individual universities, such as the Fulbright scholarship for masters and doctorates in America.

To support themselves and pay for their studies, many students also work part-time, even within the college, carrying out the so-called student-jobs.

How to enroll in university in America

The timing for enrollment in an American university is quite dilated: for courses starting in September, it is necessary to apply for admission between December and February. The outcome of the selection process is usually communicated after a few months.

Given the difficulty of access to university courses, it is always advisable to apply at several institutions, in order to have more chances of being admitted.

To apply for admission to an American university, the following documents must be submitted:

  • Transcripts of records: all school certificates, from report cards to degrees, study plans and grades of individual subjects are often required.
  • Statement of purpose / Study Project: these are two motivational letters. The candidate must indicate the reasons for his choice, the objectives he wishes to achieve and the course of study identified to do so. They are fundamental documents for the selection, so it is better to have clear ideas.
  • CV: training and professional experiences of the candidate, volunteering and projects.
  • Reference letters: two or three references from professors who know the candidate well. The reference letter is uploaded online directly by the professor. If the letter is in Italian, a sworn translation must be submitted.
  • Standardized Test Scores: we can say that they replace the admission test. These are the results of different disciplinary tests: English (TOEFL exam, see below); general school preparation (Sat/Act test); logic (Gre test, for PhDs); mathematics (Gmat test, for economic master’s degrees).
  • Financial documentation: documents demonstrating the economic independence of the candidate during the studies.

Language requirements to study in America

The most requested English certificate to study in America is the TOEFL, recognized both in the USA and in the rest of the world.

The TOEFL does not provide a minimum score to pass the exam, but certifies a certain level of competence depending on the score achieved from 1 to 120. Each university and institution defines what is the minimum score to be admitted to its courses of study.

In addition to TOEFL, IELTS is also a certification that can be recognized to study in American universities. Also in this case it is advisable to consult the specific admission requirements of the university where you intend to study. In the meantime, you can read our article on the differences between IELTS and TOEFL.

 Online English course? Choose the right one with our Guide

Study in America with scholarships and student exchange projects

To study in America with a scholarship or loan, you should check the funding options for international students made available by individual universities, usually in the “Fees and Fundings” or “Financial aid for international students” section of their websites.

Scholarships usually cover tuition costs between 50% and 100%. They are awarded by merit or economic necessity, but usually foreign students can only apply for the first type of scholarship, demonstrating their academic excellence.

In addition to the scholarships provided by individual universities, there are also possibilities of financing for a study stay in the USA thanks to bilateral agreements between states or academic exchange programs promoted by institutions outside universities, such as the aforementioned Fulbright scholarship for Italian masters and doctorates in America.

Another possibility for Italian students interested in studying in America is to contact the Italian Student Loan Fund. It is a non-profit organization that offers honor loans to Italian graduates who wish to start or continue studies for the achievement of a Master’s or Ph.D. at a university in the United States.

Looking for scholarships to study in America

To search for calls and scholarships, you can consult the following useful sites:

Choose your course of study and university in America

To search for courses of study and universities in America, there are several useful websites:

Leave a Comment