Cost of MS in US

Cost of MS in US

Cost of Education
Cost of studying in US is huge, when compared to the cost students pay for college in India. If you plan to study in US Universities, then plan for the worst case scenario. Make sure you take into account of all possible expense you come across. Never think, you can get scholarship or assistanship as soon as you reach U.S. It takes time and some students wait long time before they get to see some form Financial Aid ( Grants, Scholarships, Research Assistantship, Teaching Assistantship or part time job)
First question parents who ask, if you say about your plan to study in U.S. - How much would it cost to study in U.S.? do we have so much money to pay for it? Will they give aid for studying in U.S. Schools? and many more..

Total Cost of MS in US

I have written few article about cost of living in U.S. for students and how much a typical student from India would spend per month. But, as soon you you reach U.S. all the things you heard about will become reality. You will come face to face with certain uncertainties and way of life. But, that’s the way it will be and every student have to face it. Most of the information that gets passed to students back in India or other places are not true.
You will wonder what kind of questions I get and how students believe that. But, when there is no place to find such information, then what they hear is what they believe as truth. I try to clarify lots of questions and one I’m going to explain today is total expenses for studying in U.S. For this example, I’m going to assume a student coming to US to study MS without any form of aid.

Living Expenses

Student share the apartment, grocery bills, food expenses, phone bill, internet, and many more day to day activities. Usually, a new student tend to spend very less for first few months. You can read more about spending habits of International students. But, as time goes, one of the reality will set in - You will not convert $ to Rs. It takes time, but over 3-4 months, you will see $1 equal Rs.1.
Even though you will be paying all the cost from your parents money or your savings, that’s the reality. Time will change you and way of life, but its for better. So, you can expect to spend from $250 to $700 per month by living life with basic necessities. Remember cost of MS in US varies based on location and university.

Tuition Fees

Tution Fees is the major cost you will incur while studying in U.S. International students have to pay Out of State Fees. In state fees is usually 1/3rd of Out of state fees. So, if you don’t get scholarship, get ready to pay $5000 to $9000, maybe more per semester for 3 courses ( 9 Credits). MS runs from 2 years to 2.5 years in other words 30 to 36 credits. Based on that you can do that math.

Why Pay so much to study in U.S.?

Well, you can get to pay back the student loan in 2-3 years time after you get a job. You get to study the latest technologies that are invented and used by rest of the world. You might get to take a course under a professor in U.S. University, who’s book you should have used as part of syllabus back in India or other places in the world. I would say, cost of MS in US is big, but its worth every penny. America is land of wonders, opportunity and many more.

Student Visa F1 interview Questions

Student Visa F1 interview Questions

College and University
Why the specified university?
Which universities did you apply to? (Both admits and rejects)
Which universities accepted you?
Where have you done your under-graduation?
What is your undergraduate GPA/Percentage?
Tell about your university?
Mention some professor’s names?
When and where did you get your bachelor’s degree?
Why this university and not other universities?
How long will you study in USA?
How do you know about this university?
What is your academic background?
Do you plan to study Ph D after MS?
Why did you apply to these universities?
These subjects are also taught in other universities also but why this university?

Bank and Finance Related

Who is sponsoring you?
What does your father do?
What is your father’s income?
What is your university yearly expense?
Have you got any loans?
Show your Pass Book/ Bank Statement?
How will you finance your education for 2years or 3 years? (generally youhave to prove that you can fund the first year of your education but weSuggest that you be prepared with this answer)
Your passbook shows that a large amount of money has recently beendeposited? How do you explain that?
What is your father’s salary? / How long has he been working here?

Relatives and Family Members

How many brother and sisters do you have?
Do you have any relatives in USA?
What is your mother?
Where did your brother/ parents complete their studies?
Where do your parents live?
Do you have a brother/ sister, or any other relative already at thisuniversity?
Work/Job Related
Why are you leaving you current job? (if you are working)
Show your experience certificate?

General Questions

Why did you choose US but not Canada or Germany?
What kind of good things do you know about America?
What do you expect after returning back?
Why do you plan to do MS?
Why are your GRE/ TOEFL scores low?
You look like a potential immigrant or I don’t think you will come back?
What do you know about US education?
Why are you applying for Fall only?
What will you do after completing MS? What are your plans after graduation?
Why study in USA?
Did you get any scholarship?
Tell me how you can prove that you are going to come back?
Have you ever been to US?
What will you do after coming back?
Do you know anyone (in USA) in your university?
What will you do if your visa is rejected?
Will you come home during summer?
Why do you think the university is giving you a scholarship?
Why do you wish to study in the USA and not in India?
If you have changed your field of specialization (for e.g. If you are BE
Mechanical and opting of MS in Computer Science) then tell the reasons !!!
If you know other questions you can be asked or you were asked during the F1 Student Visa interview, you can write a comment to this article. I like to know if the above questions were useful. Just pen down your thoughts in the comments below.

schloarship links

Below are some links for websites that provide information on international student scholarships and financial aid for international students:
ScholarshipExperts.com - This site helps international students who want to study in the USA with time-saving international student scholarship search tools. It also contains advice sections for international students.
International Education Financial Aid (IEFA) – This site provides a searchable database that contains various sources of aid available to international students. It is a free service.
International Student Loans – This site offers loans to international students, so long as the international student loan is co-signed by an American citizen.
Fulbright – Fulbright grants are available for international students in graduate school.
Rotary International – This organization provides some limited international student scholarships.
The Soros Foundations Network – This foundation offers international student scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students. Many are restricted to students from specific countries.
AAUW – This organization provides fellowships for international graduate students who are women.
American Councils for International Education – The councils provide international student grants and fellowships to international students from the former Soviet republics.
AMIDEAST – This organization provides grants for international students from the Middle East and North Africa.
Institute for International Education – The institute publishes a book titled Funding for U.S. Study: A Guide for Citizens of Other Nations that provides information on hundreds of grants and international student scholarships offered by governments, foundations and international organizations.
Cornell University Graduate School Fellowship Notebook – This database contains a list of funding and international student scholarships available to graduate international students.
King Faisal Foundation – This organization provides an international student scholarship program for Muslim students to undertake post-graduate studies at any USA university.