Study in the USA

Studying in USA provides numerous national and international opportunities and affords students a wide range of choice. Obtaining a degree in the USA provides students with the ability to study at some of the top ranking colleges and universities in the world.

Post Secondary School Structure in the USA

As a Canadian high school student, you can apply to study for an associate degree or a bachelor's degree. An associate degree typically requires two years to complete and are offered at community or junior colleges. The Canadian equivalent of an associate degree is a diploma. Similarly, the Canadian equivalent of a community or junior college is a college or career college.

A bachelor degree is the USA usually requires four years of study and is offered at degree granting institutions known most commonly as colleges.

As a Canadian high school student, you would begin you American post secondary education at the undergraduate level. Undergraduate education in the USA is structured on the concept of liberal arts and sciences. Students are required to study a variety of subjects in addition to a major field.

The structure of an America bachelor degree is commonly described by year of study:

• 1st year students: Freshmen
• 2nd year students: Sophomore
• 3rd year student: Junior
• 4th year student: Senior

There are 3 types of postgraduate qualifications in the USA:

• Master's degrees: Requires one to three years of study in an academic field (such as an MA - master's of arts) or a professional field (such as an MBA - master's of business administration)
• Doctorate degrees: Requires five to eight years of study which requires students to pass a comprehensive exam and complete a dissertation based on independent research
• Professional degrees: Pertains to a license in a specialized field such as law or medicine.

Application Requirements for schools in the USA

The application process will vary depending on your school of interest. However, general application requirements in the USA include:

• Personal Data Form
• Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose: A persuasive piece of writing that highlights your individual strengths, competencies and previous experiences. The purpose of this written document is to explain why you are an ideal match for the school and program you are applying to.
• Transcripts: An official document of your completed programs and grades. This can be granted from your high school or from a postsecondary institution you are currently enrolled in.
• Recommendation Letters: Written by past professors, employers or administers, a recommendation letter discusses your strengths and accomplishments.

Entry Requirements for Canadian Students

Entry requirements will vary depending on the school you wish to apply to. It is important to know that the majority of American schools will require the completion of standardized tests. These standardized tests include: the SAT, SAT II Subjects Tests, ACT, GRE, TOEFL, or other test. For information on the differences between the SAT and the ACT as well as details on the additional forms of standardized tests, please click here.

Applying to Schools in the USA

Canadian students are not required to obtain a student visa when attending school in the USA. Instead, Canadian students are required to obtain an I-20 (or DS-2019) Certificate of Eligibility from the American school they will be attending. When you receive your I-20, you will be automatically registered with the SEVIS student tracking system. As such, you will be assigned a SEVIS number and will be required to pay a registration fee.

When entering the US to study, Canadian students must be prepared with the following:

• Proof of Canadian citizenship and identity (valid passport)
• Original I-20 (or DS-2019) certificate
• Proof of SEVIS payment
• Proof that you have the funds to pay for your education
• References to verify your Canadian citizenship

Useful Resources:

For information on Canadian students in the USA, including detailed visa information, please visit The Embassy of the University States website at www.canada.usembassy.gov.

For detailed information regarding Canadian entry in the United States, please visit www.canada.usembassy.gov.

To learn about the American postsecondary education system, including entry requirements, standardized tests and application details, please visit EducationUSA at www.educationusa.info.