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Studying in the US
Emma Loughney Communications Manager
Fulbright Commission / EducationUSA
Who Are We ? - Background
1946: Fulbright Program established in the US under legislation
sponsored by Senator J. William Fulbright
1991: Ireland – United States (Fulbright) Commission for Educational
Exchange established by Irish legislation as a body with charitable status,
supported by the US Department of State and the Department of Foreign
Affairs & Trade
2010: Commission begins offering EducationUSA Service
2012: Commission begins co-ordinating Irish language learning &
teaching in the US on behalf of the Irish Government
What is EducationUSA? Global network of more than 450 advising centres in 170 countries supported by the US Department of State
Primary source of information for potential under & post-graduate students & scholars around the world who seek access to US higher education
EducationUSA advising centre is based in the Fulbright Commission in Dublin
US Higher Education US Higher Education
An OverviewAn Overview
What are the key differences?What are the key differences?
– Much longer application process – Apply directly to the university– No centralised admissions
process (Note: Common Application)
– Fees can vary significantly– Holistic review of your application– Students are notified of
provisional acceptance April/May of the year they hope to attend
– Law and Medicine are studied at postgraduate level
US Higher Education US Higher Education SystemSystemTypes of Degrees
- Associate’s Degree: Two year degree, typically offered at a community college
- Bachelor’s Degree: Four year degree
Ivy League – What does this Ivy League – What does this mean? mean?
A sports conference of eight private colleges
Some of the oldest higher education institutions in the US
Average acceptance rates are around 10%, but often closer to 6%
Excellent, but thousands of other schools out there
Applying to US CollegesApplying to US Colleges
Typical TimeframeTime Before Enrolment
Notes
Spring / Summer - End of 4th early 5th year
1 – 1 ½
Years•Learn about US higher education and application process•Begin choosing universities
Autumn of
6th year – Before Semester Holiday
10-12
Months
•Finalise your selection of 4-6 universities •Register for admissions exams •Begin admissions and funding applications
Autumn of
6th year – After Semester Holiday
8-10
Months
•Submit admissions applications •Submit funding applications
Spring of
6th year
4-7
Months
•Receive admissions decisions
Summer after
6th year
1-3
Months
•Notify universities •Apply for your visa•Read the Pre-Departure Section of Fulbright website.
Aug. / Sept. -- •Begin study in the US!
TimelineTimeline
Your Five Steps to Study in the USYour Five Steps to Study in the US1. Research Your Options
2. Complete Your Application
3. Finance Your Studies
4. Apply for Your Student Visa
5. Prepare for Your Departure
1. Determine the factors that are important to you in choosing a university and prioritize these.
2. Narrow your search to a manageable list by using a search engine to help you identify universities meeting your criteria
3. Narrow your options to four or six schools of interest and research them online
How To Narrow Down Your ChoicesHow To Narrow Down Your Choices
1. Degree: Bachelor’s programs in Business
2. Location: Ohio due to family connections, weather
3. Extracurricular opportunities: outdoor adventure, sports ethos
4. Academic opportunities: Study abroad in major field
5. Funding: Looking to minimize up front costs and have a good chance of receiving funding
6. Prestige: Degree that is accredited (of course) and will be recognised as a top program
Funding Your StudiesFunding Your Studies
Four Main Sources of FundingFour Main Sources of Funding
1. Personal/family funds
2. Loans
3. Scholarships and merit and need-based aid from US universities
4. Scholarships from external organisations
How Much Does College Cost?
Average College Costs (College Board, 2013) Community College (2 yr) = $3,131.00 / year Public University (out of state, 4 year):
$21,706.00 / year Private University (4 year): $29,056.00 / year
Cost of AttendanceCost of Attendance• Tuition and fees can vary significantly between universities• May be a set semester/yearly rate or calculated on a per-credit
basis• Cost of living: books, personal expenses = $8,500 - $10,000 Awarded on basis of:
Academic meritFinancial needNiche criteriaAthletic ability
Can students work and study?Can students work and study?
International students on F1 visas can:
Work up to 20 hours per week on campus during the school year and up to 40 hours per week during school vacations
Completing a Successful Completing a Successful ApplicationApplication
An Application to a US An Application to a US CollegeCollege Application form with CV and 2-3 essays Admissions exam scores – SAT / ACT Transcript and/or school report Application fee 2-3 recommendation letters Leaving Certificate Results
What are they evaluating?What are they evaluating?
Academic achievement – Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate, final results from all 4 years
Academic potential: Admissions exam scores Extracurricular involvement – do not
underestimate this! Reason for attending institution / personal
attributes: Interest in your academic field of choice Character Leadership abilities Why you fit
Common Application – Common Application – www.commonapp.org www.commonapp.org
The Common Application is used by over 450 American universities.
You will save time by being able to complete information and essays that you can submit to multiple universities
Approx 2/3s of universities ask for supplemental information
Confirm admissions requirements on the school’s website
AdmissionsAdmissions TestsTests
• Admissions Tests are intended to supplement, not replace, high school records. Leaving Cert is still important and typically required.
• Sit SAT/ACT in 5th Year, if possible, and again in 6th Year if a higher score or subject tests are required
Options:- SAT Subject Tests- ACT & ACT with Writing - English-language proficiency exam (if required)
Admissions TestsAdmissions Tests
SAT: www.collegeboard.org SAT: www.collegeboard.org
Reasoning test sections : Critical Reading, Math, Writing
Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
Scores: 3 sections marked 200-800. Max is 2400
Test Centres: Dublin: St. Conleth’s,
Ballsbridge Dublin: St. Andrew’s College,
Booterstown
Cost: $50 registration fee plus international processing fee of $31
Upcoming Dates:
June 7 / Apply by May 9
NOTE: SAT will be changing! See the website for more details.
Sections in: English, Math, Reading, Science, Optional Writing
Exam Fees: $74
Testing sites:
Dublin City University
ACT Test: www.actstudent.org ACT Test: www.actstudent.org
Visas
F-1 Student Visa or J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
Generally, straight-forward process in Ireland: Once accepted receive your I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019
(J-1) from the US university Complete SEVIS application (I-901) and pay fee
online Complete visa application and pay fee online Schedule an interview at the US Embassy in
Dublin
Refer to US Embassy for visa enquiries: http://dublin.usembassy.gov
Post-Graduate Study in the USA Overview
+ 1,700 universities awarding postgraduate degrees No pure research degrees - combination of research & taught
elements Academic Master’s degrees are generally completed in 2
academic years and usually lead to a career in academia or research
Professional Master’s degrees are designed to prepare you for a particular profession (e.g. business administration, architecture, social work, public policy/administration, etc.)
Doctoral degrees typically require between 4 & 6 years of study, varies by university, department, topic of study and student.
JD/LLM degrees in law: Law is a postgraduate degree in the US. International students, with a Law Degree generally do a 1 or 2-year LLM - Master’s in Law. LLM degrees offer specialized study in a particular area of law, such as international law or tax law
MD degree in medicine: Medicine is also a postgraduate degree in the US. Students typically complete a first degree in a science-related field before completing a four-year medical school degree
How to Fund?
Tuition and fees vary significantly between universities and even degree programs
Can be set semester / yearly rate or calculated on a per-credit / quarter basis
Factor in cost of living, books and personal expenses = $10,000 - $12,000
Average cost of attendance:Master’s: $21,900 (public) - $34,100 (private)Doctoral: $28,600 (public) - $40,200 (private)
How to Fund? Personal/family funds US universities: tuition waivers, teaching assistantships (APPLY at time
of application) External funding bodies Loans Online scholarship searches:
www.fundingusstudy.orgwww.iefa.orgwww.edupass.org/finaidwww.globalgrant.com
Fulbright Awards
Fulbright Awards 2016-17
What do We Offer ? - Awards
Fulbright Awards for Irish / EU & US Citizens
Summer Institute for 1 Irish 3rd year undergraduate
to study social entrepreneurship in the US
Ireland – United States Commission for
Educational Exchange Awards for US Scholars
and US learners / teachers of the Irish language
Fulbright Awards - OverviewFulbright grants = monetary award, visa administration, insurance and
programming
For Irish citizens & EU citizens for postgraduate research, study, and or lecturing in the US. Applicants apply to Ireland and are shortlisted / interviewed in Ireland.
2016-17 Competition open August 2015
Categories of Awards:
1. Student Awards: visiting researcher or degree-seeking all disciplines
2. Irish Language Foreign Teaching Awards
3. Scholar Awards: post doc / professional all disciplines
4. TechImpact Scholar Awards: post doc / professional
Fulbright Awards – How to Apply?
Applicants must: be an Irish citizen or E.U. citizen living in the Republic for 3+ years not be a dual U.S.-Irish citizen / green card holder /currently living in the U.S. not already have extensive experience of studying or living in the U.S must demonstrate academic and personal excellence, a strong rationale for
going to the United States, a robust program of study, research or lecturing, strong leadership skills or potential, and an understanding and commitment to the ethos of being a Fulbrighter
Find full information on www.fulbright.ie Application for 2016-2017 Awards opens August 2015
Commission Staff & Contact DetailsColleen Dube, Executive Director
Emma Loughney, Communication & Information ManagerE: [email protected]
Lisa Nic an Bhreithimh, Irish Awards OfficerE: [email protected]
Sonya McGuinness, US Awards Manager / EducationUSA AdvisorE: [email protected]
The Fulbright CommissionBrooklawn House, Crampton Avenue, Shelbourne Road
Ballsbridge, Dublin 4T: + 353 (0) 1 660 7670 Twitter: @fulbright_eire
W: www.fulbright.ie
