Britain's American colonies broke with the mother country in 1776 and were recognized as the new nation of the United States of America following the Treaty of Paris in 1783. During the 19th and 20th centuries, 37 new states were added to the original 13 as the nation expanded across the North American continent and acquired a number of overseas possessions. The two most traumatic experiences in the nation's history were the Civil War (1861-65) and the Great Depression of the 1930s. Buoyed by victories in World Wars I and II and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the US remains the world's most powerful nation state. The economy is marked by steady growth, low unemployment and inflation, and rapid advances in technology.

 The United States has approximately 4,670 colleges and universities. 17 of the top 20 scientific research universities in the world are in the United States (source: Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Academic Ranking of World Universities), and 8 out of the top 11 universities in the world are in the United States (source: Times Higher Education Supplement's world university rankings).

US universities, US colleges and US schools constantly rank very high in world rankings, just one of the reasons to study in the US. Schools such as Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, Julliard, Berkeley School of Music, West Point, are all world famous and welcome international students. The US offers international students the most exciting, rewarding and comprehensive array of study options in the world. International students who choose to study in the US have almost unlimited study choices. Furthermore, international students who successfully complete their US study are highly sought-after by employers worldwide.

There are more than 4,000 public and private colleges, universities, and community colleges in the United States, including over 600 public four-year colleges and universities and over 1,650 private four-year colleges and universities. These traditional institutions enroll nearly 15 million students. In addition, more than 6,250 other non-collegiate postsecondary institutions offer specialized vocational and technical training. You will find a size that fits you best, whether it is a small private institution with an enrolment of only several hundred students or a large state college or university system with tens of thousands of students.

Any student can find an appropriate program within the rich and diverse higher education system. This is true whether you are seeking career-oriented vocational and technical training from a community college, a liberal arts education from a small private college, an undergraduate science degree from a prestigious research institution, or one of a variety of programs offered by a multipurpose university. High quality educational programs are offered in all types of institutions at prices that vary as much as the programs and institutions themselves.

You get to study the only ‘Superpower’ in the world. This term not only refers to the military and economic power of the United States but also the huge influence it exerts upon contemporary global culture. It is crucial to see the United States as a national and a global phenomenon and understand the effects its power has on the world.

Of the 1.2 million students pursuing postsecondary education outside their home countries, more than one-third choose to study in the United States. Why do so many students from all over the world choose U.S. colleges and universities? What does the United States have to offer you...

Academic Excellence
The United States has one of the world’s finest university systems, with outstanding programs in virtually all fields. At the undergraduate level, excellent programs exist in traditional disciplines as well as in professional fields. At the graduate level, students often have the opportunity to work directly with some of the finest minds in the world. U.S. degrees are recognized throughout the world for the excellence.

Variety of Educational Opportunities
The higher education system in the United States has something for everyone. Some U.S. colleges and universities stress abroad educational principles: others stress practical, employment-related skills; and still others specialize in technical fields, the arts, or social sciences. As a result, if you are looking for an institution where you can study a particular field - no matter how unusual or specific - you can usually find several from which to choose in the United States.

Cutting-Edge Technology
U.S. universities pride themselves on being at the forefront of technology and educational techniques, and in making available to their students the best possible equipment and resources. Even if your field does not directly involve science or engineering, you will become skilled in using the latest technology to obtain and process information. You will find ways to stay connected with people in your field all over the world.
Opportunity for Research, Teaching and Training
If you are a graduate student, you may be able to gain valuable experience in research or teaching while you help to finance your education. This practical component of your education will prove useful in your future career and may give you insights into your field that would not be possible through course study alone.
International students are some of the most valued researchers and teachers in U.S. universities because they bring new skills and ideas to the classroom and laboratory. Many graduate programs in the United States offer training that enables students to become teaching of research assistants.

Flexibility
Although many programs are highly structured, you will generally find many course choices. At the advanced stages of a degree you will be able to to tailor your course work to fit your specific needs. When you choose topics for independent study for a graduate thesis or dissertation, you can emphasize ideas that are important to you, your field, and your country.

Support Services for International Students
At most institutions, services from the international student office help students from abroad to live and learn in their new environment. From orientation programs at the beginning of your degree program to assistance with resumes as you get ready to graduate, you will find people at the university and in the community who are interested in your success.

Campus Life
U.S. universities provide a rich variety of academic, cultural and athletic activities that add new dimensions to your educational experience and also help you make new friends.

Global Education
Experience in an international setting is a marketable commodity. Your long-term career prospects can be enhanced by and experience that develops self-confidence, independence, and cross-cultural skills - attributes in demand by employees world-wide.

If you are interested in studying in the USA then why not flick through Shatakshee Educational Foundation for invaluable advice on studying in the States.

 

INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS
Types of higher education institutions:
Doctoral Research Universities
Master's (Comprehensive) Universities and Colleges
Baccalaureate Colleges
Associate of Arts Colleges
Specialized Institutions
Postsecondary Vocational and Technical Schools

School leaving and higher education credentials:
High School Diploma
Certificate (Sub-bachelor or vocational)
Diploma (Sub-bachelor or vocational)
Associate Degree
Bachelor's Degree
First Professional Degree
Post-bachelor's Diploma/Certificate
Master's Degree
Certificate of Advanced Study
Education Specialist Degree
Doctorate

Surprises are always waiting as you enter any new place. One may take time adjusting him/ her in the new environment. It is normal to feel excited, confused and even overwhelmed.

Some of the Prominent Educational Institutes

Adelphi University
Adelphi is a private, coeducational university offering degrees in liberal arts and professions at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. The undergraduate student-faculty ratio is 12:1. Entrance difficulty level is competitive, and it is highly competitive for the Honors College. Merit and talent scholarships as well as need-based aid are available.

Adrian College
Adrian College offers more than forty majors and programs that are complemented by a liberal arts core. Academic and co-curricular opportunities develop students' fullest potential. Students have free Internet and e-mail access, internships, and study-abroad options, and there is a 94 percent placement record for graduates.

Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University
AAMU is a dynamic and progressive multicultural institution with a strong commitment to academic excellence. Some 100 programs are offered through six schools. The School of Graduate Studies offers M.S., M.B.A., M.S.W., M.Ed., M.U.R.P., Ed.S., and Ph.D. degrees. Serving more than 6,600 students, the land-grant research institution ably meets the challenges launched by the nation's second-largest research park in Huntsville, Alabama, and the world beyond. Moreover, AAMU students placed on USA Today's Academic Teams from 1997 to 2001. Scholarships are available in academics, athletics, music, and theater.

Albertson College of Idaho
Albertson College of Idaho is a private liberal arts institution that provides a curriculum in a challenging, intimate academic setting. Embodying its slogan “Small School. Huge Possibilities,” the College prides itself on small classes and close student-faculty interaction while also preparing its students for leadership roles in various occupations and communities. The College's liberal arts education is enhanced with the latest technology, off-campus internships, international study, and community service.

Albertus Magnus College
For eighty years, the personalized learning experience has been the focus of Albertus Magnus College's extraordinary educational program. This straight-arrow mission allows faculty members to develop the academic, personal, and professional strengths of each individual student. Students can visit the Web site (http://www.albertus.edu) or call (800-578-9160) for details.

Alvernia College
Alvernia College, a private Catholic college, blends traditional liberal arts with professional programs. Alvernia offers twenty-seven bachelor's degree programs as well as five-year master's programs in business, education, liberal studies, and occupational therapy. All programs are geared to meet the needs of students and the community.

American University
American University's rigorous curriculum combines serious theoretical study with meaningful real-world learning experiences. Academically distinctive students benefit from the many resources of Washington, D.C. American University's diverse campus community, honors program, more than 100 study-abroad programs, and emphasis on internships and research prepare students to be major contributors in their fields.

Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University (ASU) has been powering minds for almost 100 years. ASU offers more than 200 degree programs from the associate to the doctoral level, more than 300 campus organizations, thirty intramural sports, twenty-one national Greek organizations, and one of only two NCAA Division I-A programs in the state. There is a world of possibilities to power a student's future at http://www.astate.edu.

Ashland University
Ashland University’s (AU) academic experience includes individual attention to each student; a unique blend of liberal arts with professional curricula; practical internships, field experiences, and service-learning opportunities; and a holistic approach to educating the student. AU’s commitment to the future is evident in the current construction of an $18-million Sport Sciences/Recreation Center, an $11-million renovation and addition to the Kettering Science Center, and a $10-million College of Education, all of which were scheduled to open in 2006.

Augsburg College
Augsburg College, affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is located in the heart of the Twin Cities and draws upon the cultural and corporate resources of both Minneapolis and St. Paul. Its challenging academic environment is enhanced by educational and service experiences that transform theory into action, preparing students as leaders for service in a global society. Students at Augsburg come from diverse religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.

Aurora University
Aurora University combines a residential and commuter population. The curriculum emphasizes preprofessional programs offered through the College of Education and the College of Professional Studies (social work, nursing, and business), as well as traditional majors offered through the College of Arts and Sciences. The YMCA Senior Director Certificate Program is a supplemental major offered in cooperation with the YMCA of the U.S.A.

Azusa Pacific University
At Azusa Pacific (APU), a comprehensive Christian university, students are challenged academically, encouraged to participate in dynamic leadership experiences, and enabled to utilize the latest technology, gaining the skills needed to reach their goals. Located 26 miles northeast of Los Angeles, APU offers fifty areas of undergraduate study, twenty-one master's programs, five doctoral programs, and extensive credential and certificate programs.

Barry University
Barry University is an independent, Catholic university offering more than seventy undergraduate and fifty graduate degrees. Founded in 1940 by the Adrian Dominican Sisters, Barry provides a multicultural student body with a high-quality education, a caring environment, and a religious dimension, while encouraging a commitment to community service.

Baylor University
The oldest continuously operating university in Texas, Baylor is proud of its Christian heritage and continues to be affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Teaching, scholarly attention to discovery, and service to others are emphasized. Students can choose from 146 baccalaureate, seventy-three master's, and twenty-two doctoral degree programs, with the assurance of individual attention due to the low student-faculty ratio and small classes.

Becker College
Located in the heart of Massachusetts, Becker is a unique New England college. Becker College was founded in 1887 by E. C. A. Becker. A small, private, 4-year, coeducational and career-focused college, Becker offers a low student-teacher ratio of 18:1. Becker offers more than 25 academic programs. Majors include accounting, business, criminal justice, education, equine management, forensics, graphic design, interior design, prelaw, pre–veterinary medicine, video game design, and video game production. Athletically, Becker College competes nationally at the NCAA Division III level and offers soccer, football, equestrian, tennis, golf, cross-country, basketball, ice hockey, volleyball, baseball, softball, and lacrosse. For further information, prospective students may visit http://www.beckercollege.edu.

Beloit College
Experiential learning, interdisciplinary thought, and global understanding have been the hallmarks of a Beloit education since the College's founding more than 150 years ago. Beloit students, who come from nearly every state and more than forty countries, combine rigorous academics with internships, research, service, and a global perspective. The approximate full-time enrollment is 1,250.

Benedictine College
Benedictine College, in Atchison, Kansas, enjoys nearly 150 years of Catholic Benedictine commitment to learning, tradition, and spirituality. The diverse student body, which comprises more than 1,200 undergraduates, hails from thirty-eight states and seventeen other countries. In a recent survey, Benedictine College scored in the top 5 percent nationally for student-faculty interaction, supportive campus environment, and enriching educational experiences. With thirty-eight academic majors and three options for graduate schools on campus, success is a way of life at Benedictine College, where more than 95 percent of graduates are immediately placed in graduate schools or careers of their choice.

Bennington College
Bennington College is a community of resourceful, innovative students committed to the challenges and joys of collaborative and independent work. By working with faculty advisers to develop interdisciplinary, individualized plans of study, Bennington students learn what it means to engage their curiosity and to take responsibility for their own education.