Curricular Practical Training or CPT is a type of work authorization that permits students holding F1 visa to work off-campus in a position directly related to their major or program of study. CPT allows students to engage in internships, cooperative education programs, or other work experiences that are an integral part of their curriculum. CPT can be full-time or part-time, paid or unpaid, and may take place during the academic year or summer breaks. In this blog, we will discuss the details of CPT, and benefits for F1 visa holders.
Consulting with the designated school official (DSO) and following the necessary procedures will help students maximize the advantages of CPT while maintaining their legal status as international students.
Duration of CPT
The duration of Curricular Practical Training (CPT) can vary depending on the program and the academic institution’s guidelines. Generally, CPT can be undertaken on either a part-time or full-time basis. Full-time CPT allows students to work for more than 20 hours every week during official university breaks or vacation periods, while part-time CPT limits students to working not more than 20 hours per week while school is in session. The total duration of CPT typically should not exceed 12 months. However, it is important to note that engaging in full-time CPT for more than 12 month can make students ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which is another work authorization available to F-1 visa holders after completing their academic program.
Eligibility for CPT
You must have been a lawful full-time student in the United States for one academic year (i.e., two full terms) to qualify for CPT unless your academic program mandates immediate participation for all students. Maintain a valid F-1 visa and a medical coverage.
Advantages of Curricular Practical Training (CPT):
- Real-World Experience and skill development: CPT provides students with the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in a practical work environment. It allows them to gain hands-on experience, develop practical skills, and understand how concepts learned in the classroom are implemented in real-world scenarios. CPT offers an environment for students to develop and refine a wide range of skills, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management. These transferable skills are in high demand by employers across various industries.
- Career Exploration and Development: Engaging in CPT enables students to explore several career paths and industries. It helps them gain insights into their field of study, identify their strengths and interests, and make informed decisions about their future career goals.
- Financial Support: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) offers F-1 visa holders in the US the advantage of financial support through paid opportunities. By participating in CPT, students can earn income that helps cover their education and living expenses. This financial support reduces the burden of tuition fees, accommodation costs, and everyday expenses. Moreover, it promotes independence and self-sufficiency by allowing students to rely less on external funding sources. The financial stability gained through CPT enables students to focus on their academic pursuits, gain relevant work experience, and fully immerse themselves in the international experience. By adhering to regulations and guidelines, students can benefit from the financial advantages of CPT while maintaining their F-1 visa status.
- Networking Opportunities: CPT allows students to build professional networks and establish connections within their industry of interest. Through interactions with colleagues, supervisors, and professionals, students can expand their professional contacts, seek mentorship, and potentially secure future job opportunities.
- Enhanced Employability and Resume Enhancement: Practical work experience gained through CPT can significantly enhance a student’s employability. Employers often value candidates with relevant industry experience, and CPT provides an avenue for students to demonstrate their skills, work ethic, and ability to contribute to the workplace. Having CPT experience can give students a competitive edge in the job market. Including CPT experience on a resume showcases a student’s practical experience and demonstrates their commitment to professional growth. It can make their resume stand out and differentiate them from other job applicants.
- Cultural and Global Exposure: For international students, CPT provides an opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultural and professional environment of their host country. It exposes them to diverse perspectives, work practices, and cultural norms, contributing to their personal and professional growth.
At Dilip Oak’s Academy, We also provide detailed guidance on these processes under our Admission Counseling Services, including a selection of universities, documentation process and visa counseling, and mock visa interviews. In addition, as India’s leading Study Abroad Consultants, we have helped more than 30,000 students to secure their dream admits for various universities in America including MIT, Stanford, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon and other top-ranked universities.
We also offer GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS coaching, GRE Self Prep and guide students with university selection, application essays, and visa counseling under our Admission Counseling Services for USA, Germany and UK. To enroll, call us on 91-020-67444222, 91-8007878495
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a program that allows international students who have completed their degrees in the United States to work in the country for a certain period of time. The duration of the OPT program can vary depending on various factors such as the type of degree, the field of study, and any extensions that may be available. It enables oversees students to work in USA without obtaining H1B visa.
Benefits of OPT for International Students
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an attractive option for overseas students coming to the USA for higher education:
Gain work experience: OPT allows international students to gain practical work experience in their field of study. This experience can help them stand out when applying for jobs after completing their studies.
Extend stay in the USA: OPT allows international students to stay in the USA for an additional 12 to 36 months after completing their degree program, depending on their field of study. This can provide an opportunity to gain work experience, and explore different career paths.
Network and make connections: While working on OPT, international students can network with professionals in their field, which can lead to job offers and career opportunities in the future.
Financial stability: OPT allows international students to earn money and become financially stable, which can be helpful in paying for their education loan.
Bridge to H-1B visa: OPT can serve as a bridge to the H-1B visa, which is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. OPT can provide international students with the necessary work experience to qualify for an H-1B visa.
Duration of OPT
The standard OPT program allows eligible students to work in the United States for up to 12 months. However, students with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields, are eligible for a 24-month extension of their OPT period.
It’s important to note that the total duration of OPT, including any extensions, cannot exceed 36 months.
It’s also important to understand that the OPT clock starts ticking the day after a student’s program end date, and any time spent unemployed during the OPT period will count against the total duration. This means that it’s important for students to secure employment as soon as possible after their program end date, and to report any changes in employment or address to their Designated School Official (DSO) within 10 days of the change.
During their OPT period, international students can request that their employer sponsor them for an H1B visa, which grants them the ability to work in the United States for up to 6 (3+3) years. The US government allocates a total of 65,000 H1B visas every year, with an additional 20,000 visas reserved specifically for STEM students. Applications for H1B visas are accepted on April 1st of every year, with approximately 250,000 applicants competing for these limited slots, resulting in a lottery system to determine visa recipients. If a STEM student is not selected for a visa in the initial round, they can continue working under OPT and apply again the following year, providing them with up to three chances to secure a work permit during their OPT period.
At Dilip Oak’s Academy, We also provide detailed guidance on these processes under our Admission Counseling Services, including a selection of universities, documentation process and visa counseling, and mock visa interviews. In addition, as India’s leading Study Abroad Consultants, we have helped more than 30,000 students to secure their dream admits for various universities in America including MIT, Stanford, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon and other top-ranked universities.
We also offer GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS coaching, GRE Self Prep and guide students with university selection, application essays, and visa counseling under our Admission Counseling Services for USA, Germany and UK. To enroll, call us on 91-020-67444222, 91-8007878495.
There has been a rising tide of Indian students going to the United States for higher-studies in recent years. The GRE is an entrance test that assesses proficiency in math, reading, and writing. It is required for admission to most postgraduate programs and doctoral programmes in the US and is also accepted by higher education institutions in the UK, Canada, Australia, and Ireland. The GRE provides universities with a common benchmark against which to compare applicants from around the world.
The increase in the number of Indian students taking the GRE is a significant development in the higher education landscape. Nearly 1,25,000 student visas were issued to Indians to study in the United States in 2022. This indicates a growing trend of Indian students opting for postgraduate education in the US and other countries.
Doubling of Indian Students Taking the GRE: A Significant Development
The number of Indian students taking the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) has doubled in the past decade to 1,14,000 which is just 10,000 examinees less than the number of test-takers in the United States.
The Educational Testing Services (ETS), a US-based organization, administers the GRE test. The organization has witnessed a 48% rise in the number of Indian test takers in the 2021-2022 academic year, with the number of examinees increasing from 68,869 to 1,02,024. This growth in GRE statistics in India has been attributed to the increasing number of Indian students opting for higher education in the US.
Hyderabad has topped the table in the number of students taking the GRE with a record 25,347 candidates. Mumbai had 5,759 candidates in 2021-22; Bangalore 5,564; Pune 3,689; Chennai 3,278; Delhi 2,845. Also, many second-tier cities are coming up. Guntur has witnessed rapid growth and the number of candidates for 2021-22 has increased to 8,983. Other Tier 2 cities like Visakhapatnam, Warangal and Nellore also performed well last year. The same can be said for many Tier 3 cities. For example, Khammam city entered the top ten following a 150% rise in the number of examinees, from 888 in 2015-16 to 2,221 in 2021-22.
Reasons for Indian Students Choosing US Universities
There are several reasons that attract Indian students to education in USA. Firstly, the US is home to some of the world’s best universities, offering high-quality education and research opportunities. Many Indian students see this as an excellent opportunity to gain a world-class education that will increase their job prospects and help them stand out in a competitive job market.
The US offers a diverse range of academic programs, giving Indian students a wide range of options to choose from. This includes courses in fields like engineering, business, technology, and the arts, among others. Also, the US offers a welcoming and inclusive environment for international students. Many universities in the US have dedicated international student support services to help students adjust to life in a new country and provide guidance on academic and personal matters.
Many universities in the US offer financial aid and scholarships to international students. This support can help alleviate the financial burden of studying abroad and make it more affordable for Indian students to pursue higher education in the US. Lastly, the US offers opportunities for practical experience through internships and co-op programs, which can help Indian students gain valuable work experience and develop their professional skills.
The GRE: An Essential Component of the Application Process for Indian Students
India’s rapid growth in GRE statistics is in stark contrast to recent trends in the US. In the US, universities are increasingly challenging the importance of standardized assessments like the GRE. However, in India, the GRE has become a critical component of the application process for admission to postgraduate programs. This growth in GRE statistics in India also makes a stark contrast against China, which has only witnessed a 20% increase in the number of test takers in the last decade. In the 2021-2022 academic year, only 50,758 Chinese students took the GRE exam, which is less than half the 1,14,000 of Indian test-takers.
At Dilip Oak’s Academy, we offer GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS coaching, GRE Self Prep and guide students with university selection, application essays, and visa counseling under our Admission Counseling Services for USA, Germany and UK.
We also provide detailed guidance on these processes under our Admission Counseling Services, including a selection of universities, documentation process and visa counseling, and mock visa interviews. In addition, as India’s leading Study Abroad Consultants, we have helped more than 30,000 students to secure their dream admits for various universities in America including MIT, Stanford, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon and other top-ranked universities. To enroll, call us on 91-020-67444222, 91-8007878495.
Pursuing a Master of Architecture (M. Arch) degree in the USA is an excellent way to advance your knowledge and skills in the field of architecture. The USA has some of the best architecture schools in the world, offering high-quality education, cutting-edge research opportunities, and access to top-notch facilities and resources. If you are considering pursuing an M. Arch education in the USA, this blog will provide an overview of the M. Arch program in the United States, covering its structure, admissions requirements, and potential employment outcomes.
Masters in Architecture is offered as M. Arch, Masters of Science (M.S) or Masters of Arts (M.A) in US universities. As one can expect, an M.S in Architecture degree offers a more research and technology-oriented focus while M.A in Architecture degrees are more art-focused and generally specialize in design. The Master of Science (MS) in Architecture and Master of Arts (MA) in Architecture programs are typically research-oriented degrees that provide students with a theoretical understanding of architecture. On the other hand, the Master of Architecture (M. Arch) degree is a professional degree that prepares students to become licensed architects.
Fortunately, a master’s degree in architecture in the United States is considered a STEM degree (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics). STEM degrees allows you to work on OPT (optional practical training) for 36 months after graduation. (compared to the 12-month OPT period allowed to other graduates)
M. Arch Program Overview
M. Arch programs in the USA are designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in architecture and related fields. These programs typically take two to three years to complete and offer a comprehensive curriculum that includes both theory and practical coursework. The curriculum covers a wide range of subjects, including architectural design, history, theory, building technology, sustainability, and professional practice. In addition to coursework, students are required to complete a design studio project, which allows them to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world design problems.
Master of Architecture (M. Arch) degree programs in the United States offer various specializations. Some of the most common specializations offered in M. Arch programs in the USA are:
- Sustainable Design and Green Building
- Urban Design and Planning
- Interior Design
- Landscape Architecture
- Digital Technologies in Architecture
- Building Information Modeling (BIM)
- Construction Management
- Real Estate Development and Design
These specializations enable students to focus on a specific area of interest within the field of architecture and develop their skills and knowledge in that area.
Requirements for Admission
Students will need the following:
- A bachelor’s degree in architecture or a related design field is required.
- Most universities require a GRE test scores.
- A resume or CV is required.
- Proof of English language proficiency in the form of IELTS or TOEFL test results.
- A SOP, or Statement of Purpose, is required for universities.
- LOR or Letter of Recommendation, depending on the institution.
- Portfolio: A portfolio of your design work is usually required. This should showcase your creative and technical abilities and may include drawings, sketches, models, photographs, and other relevant materials.
Career Prospects
To become a licensed architect in the USA, you typically need to earn a professional degree in architecture from a program that is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). The most common degree is the Master of Architecture (M. Arch), but some states may also accept a Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch) degree.
M. Arch graduates in the USA have a variety of career options in the field of architecture. Many graduates choose to work as licensed architects in architectural firms, where they may be involved in designing and overseeing the construction of buildings and other structures. Others may work in related fields, such as urban planning or interior design. Additionally, some graduates may choose to pursue careers as Project managers, design architects, senior project architects, landscape architects, urban designers and urban planners. There are job opportunities in a variety of private industries, including design, construction, urban development, and infrastructure.
The annual income of M. Arch graduates in the USA can vary depending on experience, geographic location, and the specific industry or sector they work in. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for architects, including those with M. Arch degrees, was $82,320 as of May 2020. salaries ranging from $49,790 to $139,120.
Jobs for trained architects will continue to grow in the United States, with steady demand from corporations and planning organizations. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an 8.4% increase in employment for architects between 2018 and 2028. The United States is a top choice for architecture students due to its globally acclaimed universities, engaging curriculum, emerging technologies and design trends, and readily available employment opportunities.
Conclusion
Overall, pursuing an M. Arch degree in the USA can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience for those interested in the field of architecture. The programs provide students with a strong foundation in the theoretical and technical aspects of the discipline, as well as opportunities for hands-on design experience and exposure to real-world contexts. If you’re considering an M. Arch degree, be sure to research the various programs available and their specific admission requirements to find the best fit for your academic background and career goals.
Do you want to further your education in the field of finance? Do you dream of attending a U.S. university for your Master of Science in Finance? Read on to find out how you can study abroad to build a successful career in finance.
A master’s degree in finance in the United States is considered a STEM degree (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics). STEM degrees allow students to work on OPT (optional practical training) for a period of 36 months post-graduation. (as compared to the 12-month OPT period granted to non-STEM graduates on a student visa)
Finance is the bedrock of all commercial activity. In today’s dynamic global economy, a strong financial team is essential for every company. This has created a worldwide demand for highly skilled and educated financial specialists. Those with a Master’s Degree in Finance from the US are considered highly valuable employees for any financial institution, whether they work in banking, financial research, or investments. The latest Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6% increase from 2021 to 2031 in jobs related to Finance. Despite the competitive employment market, especially for international students, the United States is a great place for finance majors to launch their careers.
Overview: MS in Finance
The Master of Science in Finance is also known as Masters of Finance degree in some universities. The course is offered from 10 to 24 months, depending on the university. This course is offered in around 50 universities across the United States. Study of the principles, processes, and practices of investment analysis, portfolio management, corporate finance, financial risk management, quantitative methods, financial data analytics, and valuation are some of the core subjects covered in a typical US Master’s of Finance program. Financial Engineering, Real Estate Finance, Hedge Funds, Mergers & Acquisitions, Fixed Income Securities, and many more electives are available to students. Graduates will be equipped to take on leadership roles in a wide range of finance-related fields, including but not limited to: corporate finance, financial institutions, investment banking, risk management, capital markets, financial modeling, behavioral finance, econometrics, investment management, and more.
Advantages of pursuing MS in Finance
- It’s a more practical and efficient way for students to become financial experts in a short amount of time.
- Unlike an MBA, a Master of Science in Finance focuses primarily on financial planning and risk management and does not typically require work experience for admissions.
- Following is a list of high paying jobs available to graduates with an advanced Finance degree :
- Investment banking
- Hedge fund management
- Financial Analysis
- Information technology auditor
- Financial software developer
- Private equity associate
- Chief compliance officer
- Chief financial officer
The average salary starts at more than $75000 per year and can range up to as high as $125000+ per year
Admission Requirements for MS in Finance
Prospective students with a bachelor’s degree in finance or a quantitative subject will have a better understanding of the subject. As a result, candidates with a good bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, engineering, mathematics, science, business economics, or a related quantitative field are ideal for the MS in Finance program. A typical MS in Finance program does not require work experience; however, applicants with some industry experience (ideally 12-15 months) are encouraged. Applicants possessing a CFA Degree (Chartered Financial Analyst) have an added advantage for getting admitted into high ranked US universities. Some universities also require applicants to submit their GRE scores. Candidates must also demonstrate strong academic potential, with a decent GPA.
To meet the English language requirements, international students are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS test. In addition to the aforementioned requirements, many programs require applicants to complete pre-requisite courses in calculus, statistics, business finance, accounting, investments, micro and macroeconomics, and other related subjects before enrolling. Those with undergraduate degrees in finance will have most likely completed these courses during their undergraduate degree term; however, those with time constraints should check with universities, as many offer pre-requisite programs that can be accessed and completed online.
At Dilip Oak’s Academy, we provide detailed guidance on these processes under our Admission Counseling Services, including a selection of universities, documentation process and visa counseling, and mock visa interviews. In addition, as India’s leading Study Abroad Consultants, we have helped more than 30,000 students to secure their dream admits for various universities in America including MIT, Stanford, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon and other top-ranked universities.
We also offer GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS coaching, GRE Self Prep and guide students with university selection, application essays, and visa counseling under our Admission Counseling Services for USA, Germany and UK. To enroll, call us on 91-020-67444222, 91-8007878495.