Coronavirus Lockdown: US Student Visas and Admission Deferral Updates – Part 3

With the rising number of patients in the United States and the lockdown declared in India, there is no clarity on when the consulates will start processing the visas again. Considering this, it is anticipated that there will be a backlog of visa interviews and many prospective fall 2020 students are panicking whether they will get their visas in time.

Though the consulates are positive of issuing visas on time, many universities in the US have begun offering deferrals in case situations do not improve until August 2020 and students need to postpone their travel and join the course later in Spring. 

As per our latest correspondence, the Offices of International Admissions of most universities have offered deferral for students from one semester up to one year. 

All the fall 2020 undergraduates can get deferral to spring 2021. The graduate deferral, however, can only be offered by the program coordinator. Students are therefore required to connect with the graduate advisors of respective universities since not all units (programs) are offered deferrals. 

Though most universities are offering deferrals up to one year, they are encouraging students to not defer at the moment and wait until May. 

For students who are in the middle of their semester in the US but are currently in India, can fly back to the States once the travel ban is lifted and more so, after obtaining clearance from the US Consulate. For regular updates, visit the DHS and consulate websites.

Important links: 

https://www.dhs.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus-news-updates

https://in.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/

Coronavirus Lockdown: US Admission Process Updates – Part 2

In the last blog, we saw the fall 2020 course commencement decisions that the universities are likely to make.

As per the recent updates we received from the office of graduate and undergraduate admissions of a few universities, the fall 2020 admission process is going on and students who are still sending applications can connect with the admission office staff via video chat and email. Those who haven’t received any admits yet, have nothing to worry as the admission process will not be canceled and they will receive admits, though the decision may be released later than the usual time taken by the universities. 

Fall 2020 Graduate Admissions

The graduate application deadlines will not be extended for most universities. As we informed you in the last blog, those of you who haven’t received the I-20 approval yet, the staff are creating the I-20s but the shipments are being withheld until the mail services in India fully resume. For admitted students, the university will send an email with the student’s SEVIS number from the I20 which can be used to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee that is mandatory for the F1 visa application process. 

Fall 2020 Undergraduate Admissions 

In consideration of the disruption of exams and classes, most universities have extended the application deadline for fall 2020 undergraduate applications to May 1, 2020. 

Sending official transcripts and financial documents 

In case you haven’t been able to obtain your official academic records/transcripts due to closure of school or college, US universities are allowing you to send unofficial, digital transcripts for securing admission. 

Even if the deadlines for sending graduate applications have not been extended, most universities have extended their document deadline for graduate admissions to May 1, 2020. This is however applicable to only admitted students. This means you can send your official or university attested mark sheets/degree certificates/transcripts to the office and finish other paperwork by May 1. The packages need to be post-marked by May 1, 2020. Few other universities have also extended these deadlines up to mid-May. 

Most universities have also announced an extension to send financial documents. Some universities have extended this deadline up to May 15 while some of them have extended it up to July 1. 

In the next part, we will cover the updates on visa, program decisions and deferrals offered by universities. The next blog will be published on Saturday,  4th April 2020.

Coronavirus Lockdown: Student Safety in US and Course Commencement Updates – Part 1

To update our students on the changing situations in the US due Coronavirus outbreak, we are publishing this blog that will be carried in three parts. In this first part, we shall provide you with firsthand information about student safety, fall 2020 admissions, and course commencement decision.

 International student safety scenario

All the international students in the US are safe and have been asked to stay in their respective housing facilities within the US.  For those who are on campus, many universities are providing temporary accommodations with fixed supplies until any other arrangements are made by the student.  All the universities are offering only online classes for the spring 2020 semester. Universities have offered webinars to enable students to continue their studies and chat in real-time with the faculty members. Most universities have also shifted their administrative offices online. Students have also been provided with essential contacts and links to US Health Departments.

Fall 2020 admissions and course commencement decisions  

A lot of confusion is going on among Indian students about the fall 2020 admissions and whether the course will commence in time or not, considering that the embassy has temporarily stopped processing US visas. However, universities are actively arranging webinars for the prospective students where they are informing students about the process. You can get in touch with the universities you have secured admits from and join the webinars. 

Meanwhile, here are a few developments about the fall admissions and course commencement, that as Indian students, you must pay heed to:  

  • Even if the visa process has been stopped, for now, admissions of students who have received admits for fall 2020 is secure. 
  • As per the possibilities cited by a few prominent US universities, there are three ways in which fall 2020 session will be commenced: 
    1. If the situation comes under control by May 2020, the session will commence in August as per regular schedule but the students will be required to join 14 days prior to the commencement date and they will be quarantined for these 14 days before moving them to the campus.
    2. If the situation comes under control by June/July, the semester will commence in   September and it will be an on-campus semester.
    3. If the situation does not improve until July/August, the fall semester too could likely be shifted to online mode.  The decision is also likely to be influenced by the situation in India but in any case, the fall semester and admissions will not be canceled. 
  • Those of you with I-20 forms already approved, their forms will land in India on time since the shipping process is still functional in the US but the forms won’t be delivered at home. They will be delivered only after the lockdown in India is lifted. Those who have their approval pending will have to wait for the updates as the Department of Homeland Security will be taking a call on it soon. 

 

The next blog will cover updates on the admission process to US universities and will be published on Thursday, 2nd April 2020.

Ten Reasons Why USA Remains The Best Choice For Indian Students (Part 2)

In the last blog, we covered the following points:

  1. Abundant employment opportunities
  2. The strongest economy in the world
  3. Worldwide acceptability of US degrees
  4. Wide range of universities to choose from

In this blog, we will cover the remaining six points:

  1. Access to the latest technology and research

It is a well-established fact that US education offers an updated syllabus in accordance with the industry requirements. It provides easy access to the latest developments in various fields and enables you to stay abreast of the changing technology which adds to employability. Almost all US universities focus on research-based education which again opens multiple career avenues for those of you who wish to work on research-based projects or go for a Ph.D. subsequently.

  1. Students of all calibers can make it to the US

One of the biggest plus points of studying in the US is that due to a large number of universities compared to Germany, Canada, and other European countries, students who are fairly good and not extra-ordinary, too can make it to good universities and secure good jobs. With decent GPAs, good overall experience and a GRE score above 300, you can definitely make it to a good state university in the US.

  1. Flexible course structure

In the USA, you have a wide scope to choose your subjects and there is ample flexibility to switch courses and classes to manage your studies at a steady pace without feeling burdened or obligated. This ease of learning lets you settle faster and allows you to blend in with the culture, both inside and outside the classroom.

  1. 100 percent loan availability

Another key point of studying in the USA is the easy availability of education loans as compared to other countries. Due to job guarantee and high salary structures in the US, most financial institutions have the guarantee of repayment and therefore provide easy loans for higher education in the US. We assist you in the process with our partner financial institution that offers up to 100 percent loan against property. Many a time, they even offer unsecured loan to students joining universities with a high reputation.

  1. Rich campus experience

US universities are known for their rich campus life which includes not just academic activities but also various extra-curricular activities, volunteering events, clubs, and student organizations. These engaging experiences play a huge role in ensuring the overall development of a student. What adds to the comfort is the excellent student support, aid, and services that these universities offer to make you feel at home.

  1. Lifestyle

The USA is probably the only place that offers a perfect blend of everything and has something for everyone. Its multi-cultural environment becomes one of the most conducive factors to settle down. Be it in the college or at the workplace, your interaction with diverse groups of people allows you to develop in a versatile manner.

Coronavirus and Student Lives of Academy students in USA

We have been getting several inquiries from the concerned family members and media regarding the impact of Coronavirus on the lives of foreign students and especially students from the academy currently studying in the USA. We wanted to clarify some of the questions regarding the same.

Housing:
90% of the students from the academy live away from the campus, in private apartments which are less expensive and more convenient for our students. They usually live with a group of fellow Indian students, so they do have a support system. These students have not been impacted and continue to live in their own rented space.
For students who do live on the campus itself, some universities have asked students to look for housing out of the campus to encourage social distancing, however it is important to note that in many such universities – students can file applications to request an exception to the campus closure. Additionally, several U.S. universities are willing to work one-on-one with international students and assist them with accommodation during hardships.
In the majority of the universities, food service, campus health, libraries, and computer labs are open to supporting international students.
Additionally, university medical phone lines and medical services are open for diagnosis and potential testing of students who may show any symptoms or need medical attention.

Food:
Grocery stores are open all across the U.S.A and online food delivery services are open as well. Universities have been in constant communication with students regarding the COVID-19 outbreak and as a result, students were already alerted early on that they need to stock up on groceries and essential supplies. Medical pharmacies too, are open across the USA in all states. These pharmacies also carry basic food supplies which the students can purchase in case of emergency.

Academics:
The majority of the US universities have canceled in-classroom instruction and have moved the classes online, and this will most likely continue for the entire spring semester.
For future students: coming from a country where coronavirus is present has no effect on whether students are admitted or not in the universities. The admissions process will continue as per the usual guidelines of each university.
We urge everyone to stay safe and take the utmost care during these times. We also want to ensure that there is no anxiety or incorrect information that can cause additional worry to friends and family in India.

Ten Reasons Why USA Remains The Best Choice For Indian Students (Part 1)

If you wish to study abroad and you are having a hard time deciding between the USA and other countries, you have probably landed on the right page. After the election of Donald Trump, there were a lot of rumors going around about difficulty in getting H1B Visa and students were reluctant for applying to American universities. Even now, they are opting for other countries like UK, Canada, and Australia where getting a visa is easier even if job opportunities are much lesser than the US. It is high time that we correct these misconceptions and understand the many advantages that the USA has over any other country, the biggest one being President Trump’s support to merit-based immigration policy that promises better education and employment opportunities to Indians.

Here are a few other reasons why the United States remains the best choice for Indian students: 

  1. Abundant employment opportunities

Apart from ace education, the USA offers abundant employment opportunities to students, especially from the STEM category (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The USA has an unemployment rate of only 3.5 %, which is the lowest since 1969 and there are abundant job opportunities available. Our students too have secured jobs without any hassle and the demand for Indian employees is on the rise. As per the CNN Business survey for 2019, Google has over a hundred thousand employees to this date and more than fifty percent of them are Indians. Other tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Facebook have more than a hundred thousand employees who testify the favorable employment scenario in the US.

  1. The strongest economy in the world

The USA has retained its position as the world’s largest economy for decades and its current GDP is $19.3 trillion. Occupying more than a quarter of the world economy, the USA has emerged to be a superpower and promises to stay so in the years to come. Compared to the USA; GDPs of other countries are way behind, especially the UK where Brexit uncertainty has caused a dip in the employment rates and pay scales. Also, countries like Ireland, Denmark, and Sweden have very limited capacity to absorb immigrants.

  1. Worldwide acceptability of US degrees

It is seen that students who earn degrees from the US are often sought and preferred by employers for their overall experience, research-oriented knowledge, and diversified skills. Most of the international companies that strive to make a global presence opt for US graduates since their communication, negotiation, and business skills are better as compared to graduates from other countries.

  1. Wide range of universities to choose from

With over 200 good universities for almost all the disciplines, the United States has the largest university pool to select from as compared to any other country. From the popular Ivy League schools to some of the best state universities, you have ample scope to select what suits you the best according to your score, field of interest, budget and long term goals.

Stay tuned for the second part which will be uploaded on Thu, March 19, 2020.

University Application Deadlines For Fall 2020

The application season is on and December is just around the corner. Here is our much-awaited blog for university application deadlines for fall 2020.

Deadline-2020

 

Following a list of universities with deadlines ranging from November 2019 all the way up to July 2020. At the end is a section on universities with rolling deadlines (click here to find out what is meant by rolling deadlines).

We have compiled a list of university deadlines with utmost care. However, remember that US universities may update deadlines on their websites at different times during the academic year so, we request you to cross-check the dates on official websites of the university.

University Deadline
Deadlines in November
University of South Carolina, Columbia 1-Nov
University of Pennsylvania 15-Nov
Deadlines in December
Arizona State University 1-Dec
Howard University 1-Dec
University of Colorado, Boulder 1-Dec
Mass Institute of Technology 15-Dec
Temple University 15-Dec
University of California, Irvine 15-Dec
University of California, San Diego 15-Dec
University of California, Santa Barbara 15-Dec
University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign 15-Dec
Deadlines in January
Dartmouth College 1-Jan
Duke University 1-Jan
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 2-Jan
Kansas State University 8-Jan
Washington State University, Pullman 10-Jan
Carnegie Mellon University 15-Jan
George Washington University 15-Jan
Northeastern University, Boston 15-Jan
Texas Tech University 15-Jan
Tufts University 15-Jan
University of Central Florida 15-Jan
University of Cincinnati 15-Jan
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 15-Jan
University of Pittsburgh 15-Jan
University of Southern California 15-Jan
University of Virginia, Charlottesville 15-Jan
Vanderbilt University 15-Jan
Indiana University 31-Jan
Deadlines in February
Case Western Reserve University 1-Feb
Ohio University 1-Feb
Oklahoma State University 1-Feb
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa 1-Feb
University of Florida, Gainesville 1-Feb
University of Kentucky 1-Feb
Western Illinois University 1-Feb
Columbia University 15-Feb
Florida Atlantic University 15-Feb
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology 15-Feb
Polytechnic Institute of New York University, Brooklyn 15-Feb
South Dakota School of Mines & Tech 15-Feb
University of Illinois Chicago 15-Feb
University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth 15-Feb
University of Montana 15-Feb
University of Rochester 15-Feb
University of San Francisco 15-Feb
University of South Florida 15-Feb
Deadlines in March
California State University, Sacramento 1-Mar
California State University, Chico 1-Mar
Central Michigan University 1-Mar
City University of New York 1-Mar
Colorado School of Mines 1-Mar
Idaho State University 1-Mar
New Mexico State University 1-Mar
Portland State University 1-Mar
San Francisco State University 1-Mar
State University of New York, Albany 1-Mar
Texas Technological University 1-Mar
University of Alaska Fairbanks 1-Mar
University of Nebraska Lincoln 1-Mar
University of Oklahoma, Tulsa 1-Mar
University of Texas, El Paso 1-Mar
Boston University 15-Mar
Brown University 15-Mar
Chicago State University 15-Mar
University of Texas Arlington 15-Mar
Deadlines in April
Arkansas State University 1-Apr
California State University, Fullerton 1-Apr
California State University, Los Angeles 1-Apr
Idaho State University 1-Apr
Oregon State University 1-Apr
San Diego State University 1-Apr
San Jose State University 1-Apr
University of North Texas 1-Apr
University of Oklahoma 1-Apr
University of Texas, San Antonio 1-Apr
University of Utah 1-Apr
University of Virginia 1-Apr
Virginia Tech 1-Apr
West Virginia University 1-Apr
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo 1-Apr
Wichita State University 1-Apr
California State University, Long Beach 15-Apr
Clemson University 15-Apr
Georgia State Univ 15-Apr
Louisiana State University 15-Apr
Old Dominion University 15-Apr
South Dakota State University 15-Apr
Stevens Institute of Technology 15-Apr
University of Georgia 15-Apr
Youngstown State University 15-Apr
Deadlines in May
Clarkson University 1-May
Eastern Michigan University 1-May
Grand Valley University 1-May
Illinois State University 1-May
Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis 1-May
Minnesota State University 1-May
Mississippi State University 1-May
New Jersey Institute of Technology 1-May
North Carolina State University 1-May
Northern Illinois University 1-May
Tennessee Technological University 1-May
University of Dayton 1-May
University of Idaho 1-May
University of Louisville 1-May
University of Memphis 1-May
University of Michigan, Dearborn 1-May
University of Nevada, Las Vegas 1-May
University of New Haven 1-May
University of New Mexico 1-May
University of North Dakota 1-May
University of Texas Dallas 1-May
Wayne State University 1-May
Boise State University 15-May
Cleveland State University 15-May
Montana State University 15-May
Southern Methodist University 15-May
University of Colorado, Denver 15-May
University of Louisiana, Lafayette 15-May
University of Tennessee, Knoxville 15-May
Lawrence Technological University 26-May
California State University, Northridge 31-May
Deadlines in June
California State University, East Bay 1-Jun
California State University, Fresno 1-Jun
Louisiana Technological University 1-Jun
Middle Tenn State University 1-Jun
North Dakota State University 1-Jun
Santa Clara University 1-Jun
Syracuse University 1-Jun
Texas A & M University, Kingsville 1-Jun
Texas State University 1-Jun
University of Alabama, Huntsville 1-Jun
University of Arizona 1-Jun
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 1-Jun
University of Arkansas, Little Rock 1-Jun
University of California, Riverside 1-Jun
University of Detroit, Mercy 1-Jun
University of Houston, Clear Lake 1-Jun
University of Illinois, Springfield 1-Jun
University of Massachusetts, Boston 1-Jun
University of New Orleans 1-Jun
University of Southern Mississippi 1-Jun
Florida Institute of Technology 8-Jun
Drexel University 13-Jun
Auburn University 15-Jun
California State University, Northridge 15-Jun
Illinois Institute of Technology 15-Jun
Kent State University 15-Jun
Marist College, Poughkeepsie 15-Jun
Missouri University of Science & Technology 15-Jun
Tulane University 15-Jun
Villanova University 30-Jun
Deadlines in July
Florida International University 1-Jul
Florida State University 1-Jul
George Mason University 1-Jul
Lamar University 1-Jul
New York Institute of Technology 1-Jul
Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville 1-Jul
State University of New York, Albany 1-Jul
University of South Alabama 1-Jul
Monmouth University 15-Jul
Oakland University 15-Jul
University of Bridgeport 15-Jul
University of Connecticut 15-Jul
Rolling Deadlines
Kettering University Rolling
Marquette University Rolling
Michigan Technological University Rolling
Oklahoma City University Rolling
Rochester Institute of Technology Rolling
State University of New York, Binghamton Rolling
University of Akron Rolling
University of Alabama, Birmingham Rolling
University of Denver Rolling
University of Massachusetts, Lowell Rolling
University of North Carolina, Charlotte Rolling
University of Tulsa Rolling
Worchester Polytechnic University Rolling
Wright State University Rolling

The Difference Between Co- and Extra-curricular Activities and Why They are Important!

For those of you who want to pursue higher studies abroad, it is time to start brainstorming about your admission essays. And, though they may seem insignificant, important aspects that need to be covered in both these documents are your co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.

Especially for those of you applying for undergraduate programs, i.e. your bachelor’s, the co-curricular and extra-curricular activities carry equal weight along with your academic and SAT score. For the master’s program, your co-curricular activities will set you apart.
While “co-curricular activities” refer to those activities that go together with your academics in school or college, an extra-curricular activity is any activity you take part in that does not involve your academics.

Here are a few examples of co-curricular activities you can highlight in your application

Undergraduate Applicants (BS/BA): school Headboy/girl, class prefect, House Captain, college newsletters, science clubs and projects, inter-class and inter-school competitions and state/national level competitions, elocution, etc.

Graduate Applicants (MS): technical quizzes during college fests, Robocon, SAE BAJA, filing for patents, articles contributed for academic publication, state/national level technical competitions.

A few examples of extra-curricular activities: sports, athletics, debate, dramatics, learning foreign language, arts, chess and book clubs, Rotary/Rotaract, Lions/Leo club or AIESEC memberships, Boy Scout or Girl Guides, volunteer work (blood donation, tree plantation, old age homes, underprivileged children, etc.), painting or dancing, National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Sports Organisation (NSO), National Service Scheme (NSS).

If they are “extra-curricular”, why do colleges and universities care about these activities?
Colleges and universities like students who take efforts to develop their talents and passions. They want students who interact well with others and add something to the community. There is more to college life, particularly in the US than just attending classes. US colleges and universities appreciate students who will go the extra mile by taking initiative and participating in academic as well as social activities on campus.

Which are the activities to highlight and how to describe them?

Before you decide to include co-curricular or extra-curricular activities in your SoP or essay, consider the following questions:
1. Did you actively participate in the activity: provide specific details of the role you played in the activity.
2. Did you engage in this activity for a significant number of years: give specific numbers to give the admissions committee a clear idea of your dedication towards the activity.
3. Were you specifically chosen for any activity: list events, competitions, or showcases that you were selected for based on your expertise in the field.
4. Did you take initiative: state your experience as a leader or mentor and discuss what impact you had on others.
5. Did you make positive changes to the activity: describe the work you did to expand and improve any clubs or events that you were a part of.
6. Did the activity change you in a positive manner: illustrate the changes the activity brought about in you such as deciding to be a part of the debate team to get over your fear of public speaking.

Now, that you have this information, make sure that you focus on the co-curricular and extra-curricular activities when you draft your admission essays. Remember, it is never too late to start participating in activities and events that can highlight your skills and abilities to make your profile diverse and well rounded.

Free Seminar: Opportunities for Bachelor’s Degree in USA

Attend free seminar by Mr. Dilip Oak on Opportunities for Bachelor’s Degree in USA

Open to students from all streams (Std. X and above)

Parents are strongly encouraged to attend

Click HERE to register

free-seminarSeminar Highlights

  • Why US is the best destination for Undergraduate studies
    •     Comprehensive syllabus and dynamic curriculum
    •     Flexibility in choosing inter-disciplinary courses
  • Cost of education starting at 50 lakhs for 4-year program (financial aid and scholarship available)
  • Cracking the pre-requisite examinations: SAT and TOEFL
  • Student-life and extracurricular opportunities in the USA
  • Employment opportunities after graduation 

 Information on UG opportunities in Canada to be shared as well

 Speaker: Dilip Oak (Founder & Director, Dilip Oak’s Academy)

  • A recognized expert on higher education in USA, Canada and Germany since 1996
  • Trusted counselor for university admission and the visa process
  • 30,000 of his students have secured Masters admission to American universities

Event Chief Guests

Dr. Melody Stapleton (Dean)
Dr. Seema Sehrawat (Associate Dean)
College of Computer Science & Const. Mgmt.
California State University, Chico
Margaret Wolford
(International Graduate Recruiter)
School of Engineering and Applied Science
State University of New York, Binghamton

Sunday, 23rd June 2019

10:00 am

Siddhi Banquet Hall

Opp. Siddhi Garden, D.P. Road, Near Mhatre Bridge, Pune 411004

 REGISTRATION COMPULSORY

Click HERE to register


Why 2019 is a Good Time to Pursue an MS in the USA – Part 2

Following the positive response we received on our last blog post “Why 2019 is a Good Time to Pursue an MS in the USA – Part 1”; here are some other key benefits of applying for an MS from a US University this year.

Blog Part 2

Due to needless panic following the election of President Trump, there has been a drop in the number of students joining US universities. The reality is that the job situation is actually improving for students completing their MS from the US. In fact, the decline in number of applicants makes it easier for students with even lower GRE scores and average academics to get into good universities. Financial assistance too has become easier to secure! Read on for an in-depth understanding of the current advantages of applying to the US.

Certainty of Admission to Reputed Universities
Since the USA is a larger country, it boasts of a large number of reputed universities all across the country. Thus, American universities can absorb a greater number of students into Masters Programs as compared to other countries.

Further, the number of students applying to the US for post-graduate degrees has been declining. As a result, more seats are available since the competition is less cut-throat right now.

Financial Assistance during MS
Due to lesser students enrolling for programs, there are more campus jobs available – so it’s now easier to get one. Getting a campus job can take care of the living cost for both years. Apart from this, chances of getting Teaching Assistantship, Research Assistantship and Graduate Assistantship in the first or second semester itself are much higher as compared to earlier.

Jobs and Visa after Graduation
Contrary to the rumors floating around, job opportunities after MS in the USA are still available. What matters is your networking and the internships secured by you during your graduate degree. Students from Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields have 3 years to work on Optional Practical Training (OPT) which allows students with MS degrees to work in the USA without an H1B visa. During these 3 years, you get 3 chances to apply for the H1B visa.

An interesting fact is that for H1B applicants who have completed their MS in the US and who are being sponsored by an American company, the rejection rate is just 1%. Hence, there is a greater certainty of obtaining the H1B visa.
We advise all study abroad candidates to take into consideration all these factors when deciding where to pursue an MS. In case you missed our previous article on why you should apply for an MS in the US in 2019, click here – Why 2019 is a Good Time to Pursue an MS in USA

Why 2019 is a Good Time to Pursue MS in the USA – Part 1

Blog-Why-US-2019

For years, Indian students have been flocking to universities in the United States of America to pursue higher education – mainly MS degrees. However, due to uncertainties in the recent immigration policies, there is some reservation in the minds of MS candidates about whether the USA is still the best option. In this post, we are covering a few points about why 2019 is actually an opportune time to apply to American universities.

1] Trump’s New H1B Policy

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require technical expertise. In late January, US president Donald Trump announced changes in the H1B visa lottery system, which will favour students with advanced degrees in STEM fields from US universities. The new approach may result in an increase of up to 16% H-1B beneficiaries with a master’s degree or higher from a U.S. university.

Statistical Advantage of the New Lottery System


H1B-New-System 

2] Beyond H1B – A Path to Citizenship

In January itself, Trump expressed his views on merit-based immigration in a tweet. He indicated that reforms would be introduced to ensure ‘simplicity and certainty’ to the stay of H1B-holders in the USA and also incorporate a path to citizenship. Realizing the need for legal immigration of skilled workers, he has said “we want to encourage talented and highly skilled people to pursue career options in the U.S.

11-01-19-Trump-01

Further, a new law has been proposed in the US Congress to abolish country-wise quota for Green Cards. If passed, it could benefit thousands of Indian professionals waiting for a long time to secure Green Card. The proposal has been co-sponsored by 13 Senators and received great support.

To conclude, our advice to students is that do not give up on your dream of pursuing an MS in the US because of unverified rumors. The quality of education provided in American universities, the research facilities and the internships and work experience you will be able to secure are unparalleled. Seize the opportunity and make the most of it!

Don’t Fall into the Fake University Trap! Lessons to Learn from the Arrest of 129 Indian Students in the US

In 2015, when some Indian students were offered a shortcut route to a Master’s degree from the US, it seemed too good to be true! University of Farmington, Michigan was allowing them a CPT (student work-permit) right from Day 1. The students could start working immediately and would not have to attend classes, earn credits or make any academic efforts towards their degree. All that was required was a one-time payment to 8 Indian ‘recruiters’, based in Detroit, Florida, and Virginia, who were recruiting students to this university. These agents themselves were in touch with the university authorities to facilitate the admissions.

“If you take shortcuts, you get cut short.”                                                                           Gary Busey

Little did they know that behind the façade of a fancy admissions website, a Facebook page with an events-calendar and the claim of being accredited was a trap set up by the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arm of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE). Even the authorities that the Indian ‘recruiters’ had coordinated with were actually undercover HSI agents. Last week, based on the claim that the students were voluntarily part of this “pay to stay” scheme, 129 Indian students from India were arrested and charged with civil immigration charges. If convicted, the students may face possible deportation.

In the past few years, US immigration authorities have been taking tough measures to deter fraudulent universities that enroll students only so that they can stay in the US till they get an H1B visa. Admissions are usually run by ‘recruiters’ who charge high commissions and guarantee a fake degree, without any consideration for the legality of the process or safety of students. Similar sting operations had been conducted at Tri-Valley University (2011) and Northern New Jersey University (2016) to weed out student-visa frauds – both cases saw a number of Indian students being arrested.

In light of this, aspirants to the US must keep in mind that ‘not being aware of the correct processes’ will not hold up as a justified excuse. When selecting universities, you must do a thorough background check and evaluation of the universities you are planning to apply to.

  • Talk to any seniors of yours who may be studying there.
  • A quick search about the faculty teaching your course is a good idea.
  • Some other essential checks include accreditation, testimonials and QS Rankings.
  • Even better would be to take help from a reputed professional with years of credibility.

Remember, one can never be too safe when thinking about the future.

It has become very common for phony counselors and ‘admissions agents’ to take high commissions from questionable universities in exchange for sending unsuspecting students there. It is only once the fees have been paid and the students start classes, that they realize they have been shortchanged. At this point, any further action requires more fees to be paid and a lengthy transfer process.

However, if you are a student applying through the appropriate channels and to genuine universities, do not let such incident scare you away from pursuing an MS in the US. To safeguard your dreams, it is advisable to take counseling from a reputed source. Get all your doubts regarding which university to apply to, what the visa process includes and how to orient yourself to a new country cleared at once.

Dilip Oak’s Academy has a proven reputation of sending students only to accredited and genuine universities. We take great pride in the fact that over the last 23 years, not even one of the 28,000 students we have sent to the US has ever faced such issues. Safety of our students’ future is our primary concern and that is something that should never be compromised on. We sincerely urge you all to be precautious about this aspect as well.