Study in the USA-ETHOS Study Guidance

STUDYING IN THE USA

Over 4,000 institution (colleges and universities), 34% public and 66% private, spread over 50 States (figures provided by the Atlas project®).
20.200 million students (in 2017) including 5% international students (figures provided by the Atlas project®) and 0,03% French students in 2019 (UNESCO statistics).
The states hosting the largest numbers of international students are California, New York State and the surrounding and Texas.

The education system is decentralised with each institution running its own programmes.
Bachelor's degree in 4 years.
Master's degree in 2 years.

Study programmes are very varied and flexible.
The system of academic majors and minors makes it possible to combine disciplines.
Required subjects from a very wide choice may form part of the programme.
The choice of major is made part way through the programme, leaving you time to explore you interests.
The areas the most often chosen by international students are : business management, engineering, mathematics and computer science.

Admission is selective.
Applications are submitted to each institution or group of institutions, or via via the Common Application portal which is used by many universities and colleges. A section of your application is thus common to the various institutions selected, and additional documents may be requested by each institution.
There is no limit on the number of applications.

Candidates are selected on criteria that varies according to institution and programme. All or part the following are assessed: an essay answer to a question chosen from a set list, essays answering set questions, supporting letter, results of standard admission tests (SAT, ACT), teachers' references, third party references, school reports from troisième on, a review of extra-curricular activities, an interview with alumni alumni.
A copy of marks achieved in the French Baccalauréat must be provided, and these marks must accord with the school report.

Dates vary from one university to another and according to the type of application (Early Decision, Early Action, Restrictive Early Action, Regular Decision etc.).
In most cases, between beginning of November and January of year of Terminale.
In order not to rush your application, it is recommended that you start working on it at the end of of year of Seconde.

Le TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) or le IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is not always accepted.

Cost varies depending on institution, up to around $60,000 a year ( 2019 figures).
Most of the time, public institutions are less expensive than private institutions, and they have a preferential rate for students from their own state.
According to College Board in 2019, you should allow for on average approximately $26,300 for a public university and $36,000 for a private university.
There are a many scholarships, which are awarded on merit or according to need.

It is possible to work on campus for 20hrs per week with an F1 visa.
To work above those hours, you must submit a special request to the Designated School Official (DSO).

With a F1 visa, it is possible to work for one year following graduation (OPT Optional Practical Training program or CPT Curricular Practical Training program).
Longer if the diploma is the STEM subjects (Sciences, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics).

An F1 student visa is mandatory.
The request cannot be made until the student has received their letter of admission from a university that is part of Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
You must pay around $200 for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information (SEVIS I-901), around $160 for the F1 student visa and go for an interview at the United States Embassy.
Applicants must show that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves during the whole of their studies.