Students who want to study in an American university must be aware of the US education system and how it works. As we know, the States is known as the land of opportunity and is often known for the best education systems in the world. Hence, its diverse culture, picturesque views, and various range of courses made the nation a perfect study abroad destination for Indian students. However, the grading system adopted by US colleges is a bit confusing. So, here's a quick rundown of the complete education system in the States.
Table of Contents
American education system follows a hierarchy from primary to post-graduate studies while offering a broad range of courses for all study levels. Here's a list of the primary stages covered under the education system of the USA:
Let's learn more about them in detail in the table below!
| US EDUCATION LEVEL | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| 1. Elementary School |
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| 2. Middle or Junior School |
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| 3. High School or Senior High School |
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| 4. Higher Education |
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Hence, this is the complete US education system that students must know before beginning their studies in the US. International students seeking to begin higher schooling must know the main intakes accepted by US universities. Therefore, we've curated the following section describing different types of intakes in USA.
Also Read: MS in USA: Best Guide for Colleges, Courses & Exams
There are majorly three main intakes in the USA: Spring, Fall, and Summer. Meanwhile, Spring intake occurs in January, Summer in May, and Fall starts in September. Also, most colleges in the States accept admissions in Fall intake, i.e. September. So, this intake is considered the primary intake in the US.
Below is a quick recap of these intakes:
| USA INTAKES & DURATION | APPLICATIONS OPEN |
|---|---|
| September or Fall Intake (September - December) | November - May |
| January or Spring Intake (January - April) | July - December |
| May or Summer Intake(May-August) | January - March |
Further, after Fall, the second most chosen intake is Spring intake. Hence, if you fail to apply in September for universities, you will have a second chance to fill college application form in January.
Lastly, if you missed out on the opportunity to apply for the Spring intake, you may apply for the Summer or May intake. Remember, not all universities in the States are open to granting admission in May since this intake has a slighter availability for courses and scholarships.
Also Read: Know about the Intakes in USA
The USA education system offers a wide range of qualifications in different fields of study. Below is an overview of the available qualifications with their duration and popular courses in the USA:
| QUALIFICATION & DURATION | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| Associate Degree (2-Years) |
There are 4 types of Associate Degrees in the US:
Top 5 Colleges to Pursue Associate Degree in the USA:
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| Bachelor’s Degree (3 - 4 Years) |
These are the types of Bachelor's Degree available in US for international students:
Top 5 Universities For Bachelor’s Courses in the USA:
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Master’s Degree (Professional) |
You can begin a Master’s Program in Professional studies in distance learning, on-campus, or blended mode. Top 5 Universities to Pursue Master’s Degree (Professional) in the USA:
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| Master’s Degree (Academic) (2 Years) |
These degrees are generally awarded in traditional humanities, arts, and science fields. Top 5 Universities to Pursue Master’s Academic Courses in the US:
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| Doctorate or PhD (5 - 8 Years) |
Top 5 Universities to Pursue Doctoral or PhD programs in the US:
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To discover the best courses offered by universities, please visit the website and search for a study program based on your interests.
Additionally, the following section provides information on the various types of accreditation that US institutions follow. If you are unsure about what accreditation is, simply scroll down and learn more about this term!
Also Read: Know about STEM Programs in the USA
A process adopted by the US education system to ensure that all the institutes across the country meet and maintain the minimum standard of providing quality education to students. It includes a comprehensive review of a school's mission, faculty qualifications, and the curricula followed by them.
This process ensures that the learning material provided to students is relevant to their field of study. Moreover, to confirm the legitimacy of educational institutions, both federal and state governments recognize the importance of the accreditation process.
Furthermore, there are different classifications of this process, which ensures a quality degree and global recognition for all graduating students.
The following types of accreditation are offered to US institutions to ensure that the degree earned by the students will have global recognition. The following are the classifications:
The general steps of the accreditation process followed in the US institutions are:
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1) Preparation and Self-Examination:
To meet the standards of the accrediting team, colleges or institutes must highlight their earned achievements throughout the years. For that, they need to prepare a written report before the accrediting team visits the university to begin the process.
2) Peer Review:
After submitting the formal paperwork, the managerial department and faculty peers conduct an intensive review of the prepared documents. It includes the written report and general workings of the college or university seeking accreditation.
3) Visit and Inspection
Once the peer review has been conducted, the accreditation organizations send a team of professionals to visit the college or university seeking accreditation status. This team consists of peer reviewers and members of the public who volunteer their time to ensure that the college or university meets high-quality educational standards.
4) Final Decision
After completing the previous steps, the accreditation organization requests their commission to review collected data and determine the accreditation status of the scrutinized college.
5) Continuous Review
After getting a positive response from a recognized accreditation organization, a college or university has to meet the quality standards set by its team. The accredited college also has to periodically submit a renewal review to the organization. Hence, because of this setup, institutions have to continually prove that they are meeting high-quality education benchmarks year after year.Talking about colleges, the US is home to many prestigious universities in the world, since they are continually meeting every quality standard set by the accreditation department. Hence, we've curated a list of some top colleges in the States offering excellent academic programs, world-class faculty, and facilities. Scroll down and check out the following section!
As we know, studying in the USA ain't walking in the park. It comes with a high tuition fee, pricey rent, etc. Hence, we've mentioned some top as well as affordable institutions in the States for overseas students. Also, don't worry; even with their low tuition fee, they've been meeting their quality standards to stand tall in the crowd. Let's explore the top 10 inexpensive colleges in the US:
| UNIVERSITIES | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| 1. University at Buffalo, SUNY |
Popular Courses:
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| 2. University of Florida |
Some Popular Courses Offered:
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| 3. Purdue University |
Top Courses Offered:
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| 4. University of Houston |
Some Popular Courses Offered:
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| 5. Florida State University |
Top Courses Offered Are:
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| 6. University of Texas at Austin |
Some of the Popular Programs Offered are:
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Also, do you understand the grading and education system in USA? The grading system is a method to assess a student's performance. Want to know more? Check out the next section!
Also Read: MS in USA: Best Guide for Colleges, Courses & Exams
A grading system is a common standard universities adopt to evaluate a student's marks and overall academic performance. Generally, in schools or colleges, your marks are calculated in grades or percentages. However, the US uses a different scoring method called Grade Point Average (GPA).
Meanwhile, the four-point grading system is the most common method used in every American university.
Further, there are 2 types of US grading systems. The first one is numerical, while the other one is the letter system. Let's understand each one of them!
Students are assigned alphabetical grades based on their performance in individual subjects. These grades are then converted into a Grade Point Average (GPA). Moreover, the grading scale ranges from A to F and includes a percentage score that reflects the accuracy of student's answers.
GPA is considered vital in the US grading system since the marks obtained by the student define if they are eligible to apply for the study program or any scholarships in a US college.
Have you ever wondered what sets apart the American grading system from others? Well, it's different in that it uses a 4-point scale where numerical values are changed to grades. Then, these grades are assigned a point value based on a pre-determined grade point scale.
Here's the overview of the scale and how it looks like at most US institutions:
Meanwhile, to know what these grades illustrate, here's a breakdown of the meaning of each letter in the US grading system.
What do you think about how the education in USA differs from India’s? Since, by now, you must have grasped what the term GPA concludes. Well, in the following section, we will provide you with an in-depth analysis of the contrasts in teaching methods, curriculum, and more between these two nations. So, sit back, relax, and delve into the fascinating world of education with us!
The education system in USA differs from India's in terms of its structure, grading scale, college admission process, entrance tests, academic curriculum, teaching pattern, and assessment methods.
Here are some notable points that separate the education systems of both nations:
| INDIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM | AMERICAN EDUCATION SYSTEM |
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Lastly, let's find out the available financial aid for overseas students in the US. Scroll down and get insights on some of them!
Have doubts about how you will fund your tuition fee to study in the USA? Or, have you heard of how free education in USA works? So, there are various scholarships and grants options for international students to fund their fees and other expenses. Wondering, if is it possible? The answer is, YES. You can fund your studies by availing various kinds of USA Scholarships for Indian Students. Hence, these can be classified as:
Here's a table below describing these aids in detail!
| FINANCIAL AIDS | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| Need-based Aid |
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| Fellowships / Grants |
(Feel Free to Reach out to Gradding.com for more information) |
| Scholarships / Tuition Fee Waivers |
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| Athletic Scholarships |
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| Teaching and Research Assistantship |
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Also Read: USA Scholarships for Indian Students
With this blog, you must have got your answer of what and how is the education system in USA works. The educational diversity of the States sets it apart from other nations and provides ample learning possibilities, which are open to all students worldwide. Further, the US grading system is different from other countries since it offers a K-12 scoring method to evaluate a student's performance. Hence, to study in the USA, you must understand its grading system.
The highest grade in the US grading system is A+, which represents a score between 98-100%. In contrast, a C is given for 70%.
A 3.0 GPA is equivalent to a "B" average, making you a competitive applicant for many colleges and universities.
It is possible to receive financial support in the form of scholarships, grants, or fellowships to attend universities in the US. For those seeking full tuition coverage, you can check the eligibility to apply for a Fulbright scholarship program.
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