美国研究生留学指南

　　The United States of America is super-sized in more ways than one. It’s the world’s fourth largest country by total area, third largest by population, has the largest national economy, highest average wage, spends more on higher education than any other nation, and exercises a global superpower influence across the fields of trade, military, politics and culture.

　　It’s also a superpower when it comes to higher education. US universities dominate international rankings tables, and include many of the world’s most famous institutions. Think Harvard, MIT, Columbia,Yale, Caltech – and so many more. This combines with the nation’s cultural attractions to make the US the number one choice for international students, at all study levels.

　　According to the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), around 15% of all graduate-level students in the US are international. The most popular subject area for international graduate students is engineering, which accounts for more than a quarter (27%) of international graduate enrollments. Next is business (17%), followed by programs relating to physical and Earth sciences, mathematics or computer sciences (20% combined).

　　Graduate-level entry requirements for most US universities specify completion of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an internationally recognized institution. Additional documents you may be asked to provide include: letters of recommendation, a research statement (for PhD applicants) and scores from standardized examinations such as the GRE, GMAT and/or English proficiency tests.　　Applying for graduate study in the US

　　While some institutions hold rolling admissions and accept applications on an ongoing basis, most colleges offer an early deadline (usually December to January) and a regular deadline (usually March to April). You can apply to as many US universities as you like, but most students opt for no more than a carefully chosen six. You’ll need to pay an application fee, usually between $50 and $100, though online applications can be cheaper or even free. Further fees include the non-immigrant visa application fee (currently $160) and a registration fee for SEVIS, the student database and tracking system ($200).

　　International students will need to obtain an F-1 non-immigrant visa. For this, you will need to have secured a place at an SEVP-approved university, prove that you have sufficient funds for the course duration, and confirm that you intend to leave the US after completing your studies. Canadian and Bermudian citizens do not need visas to study in the US, but will still need to obtain an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility form and pay for SEVIS registration.

　　The cost of graduate study in the US

　　Tuition fees in the US vary widely from institution to institution, but overall are among the highest in the world. Private universities usually have one set fee for both local and international students, while at public universities in-state students generally pay less than out-of-state and international students. As institutions set their own fees, it’s best to check their websites for specific figures. Note that professional programs such as MBAs, JDs, LLMs and MDs will be more expensive than other master’s or PhD programs.

　　The cost of living in the US can also vary considerably, due to the socioeconomic differences inevitable in a country so large and diverse. Suburban and rural areas in the South and Midwest generally have the lowest cost of living, with big cities carrying considerably higher expenses regardless of geographical location. To give an example, Cornell University’s Law School outlines a budget for those enrolling in 2014/15 which includes US$11,250 per year for room and board, $1,100 for books and supplies, $2,433 for health insurance, and $5,000 for travel and personal expenses.

　　US scholarships and financial aid

　　The good news is that a large percentage of students in the US receive some form of financial aid. This is either need- or merit-based, with the former based on an assessment of students’ finances and the latter considering academic achievements and/or athletic talent. For a selection of US scholarships for international students, visit this article. Six major US universities are entirely “need-blind”, meaning they have pledged to offer sufficient financial assistance to support all students (both domestic and international) who meet the high academic standards needed for entry. These are Amherst, Yale, Dartmouth, Princeton, MIT and Harvard.

　　In general, private US universities offer more opportunities for financial assistance which are open to international students; the latter are not eligible for most of the aid schemes provided by the US federal government. However, NYU’s Perez and Liakaris are keen to emphasize that there are lots of options for international postgraduate students seeking financial support. “Some graduate schools provide scholarships that are specific to international students. Some offer assistantships that help offset the cost of tuition while providing some practical experience in a field of interest. Some universities, such as NYU, also offer Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which allows students with F-1 visas to participate in paid, off-campus internships.”

　　Further options include fellowships (a form of merit-based scholarship), and scholarships offered via the Fulbright Program, run by the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Students may also seek work on campus for extra income, while many PhD students receive a tuition waiver and some form of annual stipend. Perez and Liakaris also recommend finding out if your chosen institution offers a flexible payment plan, which would allow you to pay your tuition balance in more wallet-friendly monthly instalments.

　　推荐阅读：

　　美国留学申请须知

　　美国留学常见问题

　　美国留学打工指南

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