All colleges and universities have different Admission requirements. To compare them consider the following:

• Acceptance Ratio. The number of students who apply and how many are actually accepted into the college or university
• Grade average or achievement ratings of successful applicants
• A standardized admissions test like SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test is a college admissions exam. There are seven sections: three math, three verbal, and one experimental which is not scored but is used only for research)
• ACT (American College Testing Assessment Test is a college admissions exam given five times a year. There are four sections: English, math, reading and science) required.

For all further information on test dates, places, scores and preparations visit http://www.sat-acttestprep.com/index.html.

Admission to internationally-known institutions is highly competitive. Students who apply to such institutions will need to have excellent academic records and high scores on academic entrance examinations and the TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) examination. For all further information, visit the official web site www.toefl.org.

Entry to some fields of study is also highly competitive. To apply for study in the fields at left, which are also some of the most popular fields that U.S. students pursue, you will need outstanding grades and test scores.

THE MOST HIGHLY COMPETITIVE FIELDS

Diploma acknowledgment
The United States does not have a Ministry of Education responsible for regulation of educational institutions. Instead, institutions agree to voluntary self-regulation in the process called accreditation. There are two types of accreditation:

It is important to distinguish between accreditation and state authorization. State authorization or "state approval" may not involve regulation of quality at all, but simply indicate that an institution complies with financial and licensing regulations. Some states do not regulate educational institutions at all.

University calendar
The academic year is divided into two semesters: Fall (from September to December) and spring (from January to May). You may enter school at the beginning of any of the two semesters. The application deadlines are due several (up to 6 for International students) months before.

Tuition and fees
Application fee: $ 25-100 (usually non-refundable)

Tuition: University studies are not free. The price varies from state to state and institution to institution. The price can be from $4,050 to more than $19,000 per year. Usually community colleges are less expensive that Universities. The approximate rate is $7,800 for 2-year colleges and $18,237 for 4-year colleges per school year. An MBA degree, for example, may cost anywhere from $8,000 to $22,000 plus room and board. These are prices for in-state students. Prices however may be significantly higher for non- resident, international students. Each institution lists their fees in their brochures. For one year of university in the U.S.A you should have a total budget (school, lodging, food, living) somewhere between $15,000 and $38,000.
Additional fees: fees for academic entrance examinations and English proficiency examinations: $20-75 per examination

Degrees/Diplomas
Colleges and Universities
Usually, a college offers a four-year program of study leading toward the bachelor's degree. Colleges may be independent, offering only undergraduate programs, or they may be part of a university that offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Universities emphasize research and often include professional schools, undergraduate colleges of arts and sciences, and graduate schools.

There are over 2,000 traditional four-year colleges and universities in the United States , and each has a unique identity. Each college determines its own goals, emphases and admissions standards. Liberal arts colleges, for example, emphasize excellence in teaching basic subjects such as humanities, natural sciences, social sciences and languages.

Business Schools
The MBA (Master of Business Administration) is internationally recognized as a prestigious degree. It is the most popular graduate degree in the world providing a solid background for those who want to improve career prospects, seek new jobs and are determined to start their own business.

The competition for admission is fierce, but the diploma attained will open many doors. The program originated in the US over 50 years ago and was originally a two year full-time program. Today, this format is more flexible, depending on the field of study and how rigorous the school is.

To see list of 20 best ranked business schools in the US visit www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/beyond/gradrank/mba/gdmbat1.htm.

When choosing a business college, you should consider the following:

• How academically fit the business graduate program is
• What kind of reputation the faculty have and how they teach (strict textbook or freedom to explore are two extremes)
• What kind of clubs or honor societies there are
• How helpful the advisors are
• What specific majors are available
• What kind of accreditation the business college has
• What kind of job placement and internship/co-op programs there are
• How long the graduate program will take
• If there are part-time programs and full-time programs to choose from
• What the cost will be (including textbooks)
• What kind of physical environment (location) you would be studying in
• Where you will live - at home or at a dorm
• Application process (including SAT scores, ACT scores, essays)

Graduate Degrees Offered In the United States

Main schools and universities
Well-reputed and recognized institutions are chosen by a variety of criteria. From academic reputation score, to percentage in graduates' GPA, acceptance rate to student/faculty ratio, graduates' employment, alumni giving rate, financial residence etc. However, there is no uniform formula to calculate the best school. It's up to you, the student, to carefully examine and decide on your goals and needs, and investigate which institution provides facilities and opportunities for you at what cost. This is the only way to decide which well-reputed school is the best choice for you. However there are many lists and books with various criteria for ranking that you can use to organize your criteria and narrow your choice.

Top 10 national universities
Princeton University (NJ)
Harvard University (MA)
Yale University (CT)
California Institute of Technology (CA)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
Stanford University (CA)
University of Pennsylvania (PE)
Duke University (NC)
Dartmouth College (NH)
Columbia University (NY)
Cornell University (NY)
University of Chicago (IL)

Top 10 national liberal arts colleges
Amherst College (MA)
Swarthmore College (PA)
Williams College (MA)
Wellesley College (MA)
Pomona College (CA)
Bowdoin College (ME)
Carleton College (MN)
Haverford College (PA)
Middlebury College (VT)
Wesleyan College (CT)

To see a list of all the institutions go to www.ets.org.

Programs designed for foreigners
You should find all the information you need, as a student traveling to study abroad, in the Department of State-Affiliated Educational Advising Centers in your home country. You can find a list of addresses and contact people on the following US government web site:
http://exchanges.state.gov/education/advise/asaeacs.htm

Choosing an English Language Program in the United States
There is no financial aid for students in intensive English language programs. Although some programs are less expensive, it is usually best to budget at least $ 1,000 to $1,300 a month for total expenses during English language study. If you begin without any previous English language study, it may take up to 12 months to reach a level sufficient for academic admission or even longer if your native language is very different from English.

English language institutes may be affiliated with a college, university or community college, or they may be independent. Consider choosing a program at a university, college or community college where you plan to enroll, or find an English language center nearby. if you do not have to move, you will have fewer adjustments to make when you begin academic study or training.

It is wise to take the TOEFL test early and to take your score into account when choosing a program for English as a second language. Some institutes require a minimum TOEFL score of more than 200for admission-that is, they do not accept beginners.

Compare programs with respect to cost per hour of instruction, qualifications of instructors, living costs in the area, availability of housing and support services, orientation programs, beginning dates, size and location. Look for programs that permit you to study at more than one level at the same time, since your reading, speaking and writing abilities may be quite different.

For those with TOEFL scores of 152-250, many English language institutes offer support programs to introduce students to techniques of writing research papers, taking notes and participating in class discussions. Other programs are available in English for Special Purposes, such as business English, aviation English or English for computer science.

Virtually all universities in the US offer summer session programs for their visiting students. Usually they offer two summer sessions: one commencing in the beginning of June, the other one beginning in July. The price is calculated per credits taken (usual price per credit is around $500, although there are many exceptions to this price). Summer sessions offer language courses as well as other academic courses such as art and design, social science electives and other courses included in the major curriculum. Credits earned during summer sessions are calculated in your overall credit sum.

A certificate program is a sequence of courses designed to help you expand your professional knowledge, to advance in your career, make a career change or simply get certified in a foreign language. Students entering in the spring, summer, or fall semesters may usually complete the program within one year. Of course there are shorter term programs that allow for certificates within six months. During the fall and spring semesters, courses may be offered in evening and weekend formats to allow students to continue employment while upgrading or changing careers.

These programs offer traditional credit courses and credit-free courses, in non-traditional configurations, at special times, for a wide variety of learners, such as:
Contract Training: courses uniquely tailored to suit a specific group of learners, either on campus or at the work place.

International Programs: university courses or programs developed for unique international relationships with professional and educational bodies.
Professional Development Conferences: credit-free seminars or conferences for professional development, personal interest, or community services purposes.

The Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) examination offered by Cambridge program in the US , Canada and Malta , challenges students who are already at high, intermediate and advanced levels of English. Successful completion demonstrates a high level of English competency for further professional or study purposes. Emphasis is on real-life use in these five areas; reading, writing, English-in-use, listening and speaking. For start dates, contact and other information, visit their web site http://www.globalvil.com

Principal exchange programs
Institutions with cooperative and exchange programs and the equivalence of diplomas with foreign universities: your university or the advising center in your country should have a list of national universities and their exchange programs in the US . They will also let you know about all the prerequisites and the details.

The International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) is a membership organization of nearly 220 higher education institutions in the United States and 35 other countries that are committed to international exchange. ISEP serves its member institutions and their students by facilitating affordable university-level exchanges on a reciprocal basis. ISEP is committed to international educational exchange as an integral component of higher education, accessible to all students regardless of social and economic background.

Studying abroad for a semester or a year on an ISEP exchange costs little more than studying and living at home. You pay the normal cost of tuition, room and board to your home institution, creating a place for an incoming student, and take up a place at an institution abroad created by an ISEP participant from that university.

In addition to your normal tuition, room, and board costs, the actual program fee charged by your home institution will include a modest administrative fee and the cost of providing "vacation benefits" to incoming students. (While you are abroad, you will receive vacation benefits as well as housing and meals during vacation periods within the academic year).

Documents required for exchange can be found at http://www.isep.org/intl_students/intl_multi-docs.html.
Their official website: http://www.isep.org.

Admission requirements
Undergraduate Admissions Examinations
Language proficiency: Many colleges and universities require all applicants to take one or more academic entrance examinations in addition to TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Two-year colleges usually require only TOEFL. To determine your level of English language proficiency, arrange to take the TOEFL as early as possible --at least a year before you plan to enroll. The total score is 300. Most institutions require a score of around 250 on the TOEFL examination for academic admission.

A few accept scores as low as 200; selective institutions may require 280 or above. Scores of 290 or above may also be required in fields such as journalism or literature, which demand a higher than average proficiency in English. These tests are standardized, multiple choice tests that require a high degree of English proficiency. Some also require mathematical skills or in-depth knowledge of content related to the field of study. To obtain information about these examinations, consult your advising center.

To find out if you need to take one or more of these entrance examinations, consult reference books at the advising center. These reference books also give ranges of the score levels of successful applicants. There are no passing or failing grades on these examinations, but your score will have an effect on the overall competitiveness of your application.

These tests are only one of the factors in the evaluation of a foreign student's record. Admissions officers are aware that you may be taking the examinations in a language other than your native tongue, and they will take this into account.

TOEFL examination prices:

For all further information on TOEFL, visit their official site at http://www.toefl.org.

Graduate Admissions Examinations
After finishing four years of undergraduate education, in the US or elsewhere in the world, and attaining your B.A. degree, you may apply to enroll in graduate school. The excellence of your grades, especially in the domain you wish to study, is a must and will heavily influence the choice and possibility of your acceptance. Therefore, your choice of whether or not you will go to graduate school should be made well in advance before you graduate. All graduate schools require entrance exams, GRE (Graduate Record Examination), GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test), LSAT (Law School Admission Test) or MCAT for Medical School . All further information regarding these tests can be found on the official website at www.kaplan.com.

Diploma equivalences
There are official institutions and web sites that, for a fee, do credential and grades translations. Most, however not all, universities, especially graduate schools, will require your grades and diplomas to be translated into the American system. For information on these institutions and where to find them in your own country, contact the the Department of State-Affiliated Educational Advising Centers whose addresses and contacts can be found at http://exchanges.state.gov/education/advise/asaeacs.htm or www.wes.org.

Inscription fees and conditions
Application deadlines: they vary in different institutions but in general, for international students, especially seeking financial aid, it is advisable to start the process one year ahead, and have all the paperwork sent in six months before the academic years starts (for Fall entering students, by March 1; and for Spring entering students by June 1)

Needed paperwork: Although U.S. educational institutions vary in their procedures and requirements for admission of students from other countries, formal applications usually include most of the following:

• Institutional application form
• Certified copies of original educational documents
• Certified translations of these documents if not originally in English
• Evidence of English language proficiency (usually TOEFL)
• Scores for any required academic entrance examinations
• Financial information, with applications for financial aid if requested
• Letters of recommendation from teachers
• Non-refundable application fee of $ 10 to $75