Why Masters in USA- Reasons to study in USA

Why is the USA so famous among Indian students for study opportunities? 

When it comes to choosing an abroad destination for higher studies, the US is one of the most preferred countries by not just Indian students but by students around the globe. 

The USA offers an amazing education system, prestigious universities, guaranteed career opportunities, a strong support network for international students, and like these, there are many more reasons why a master's in the USA is so lucrative.

In this article, we'll bring forward the reasons to study in the USA, top universities for Ms in the US, top Ms specialization, fees, etc, and at last the ways you can fund your higher education in the USA. 

Why study MS in the USA?

Below are a few reasons why the USA is best for study particularly and why masters in the USA is fantasized by many Indian students

1. Home to top universities - Around half of the topmost universities are located in the USA, and these universities not just put on display their alluring campuses but also provide top-tier academic opportunities across all disciplines by having scholarly faculty on board.
2. Wider choice of specializations: US universities offer MS degrees in major fields which are further divided into over 700 specializations
3. Renowned faculties: US universities offering Ms degrees are recognized worldwide for having employed renowned faculties and resources in the world.
4. Better job opportunities - On the professional front, having a degree from a US university is a signal to employers that you are a worthy candidate for their organization. Students are almost guaranteed to get a high-paying job after their degree completion but students also can work on campus by applying for an assistantship where students help their professors and get paid in return.
5. Diversity - Study programs in the US give attention to cultural diversity, irrespective of the university you study in, you will find yourself in the midst of students from all over the world. In the US, university workshops are being conducted, students get to be a part of their interest-related clubs, students get the opportunity to learn new languages, meet new people, and experience new cultures, all while earning their degree.

Eligibility requirements to study MS in the US

You wouldn't need a specific Bachelor's degree to apply for an MS program in the US. However, completing an undergraduate degree in the relevant subject is required (concerning the MS field you have chosen).

You must fulfill these primary requirements to study an MS degree in the US 

• 3 to 4 years of a bachelor’s degree in the relevant field with an average GPA of 3.0 or 65 – 70% and above
• Proof of your English-language Proficiency tests such as IELTS and TOEFL.
• GRE score that is 290 or above (Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many universities in the USA have waived off the GRE/GMAT requirement)
• Statement of Purpose
• Two to three letters of recommendation

Additional aspects that add weight to your application: 

• Research/internships projects
• Any published research papers 
• Proof of any social or leadership activities 

Popular MS specializations in the US

MS or Master in the US primarily includes courses belonging to STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics programs. And here are the top 10 MS specializations in US universities-

1. MS in Computer Science
2. MS in Embedded Systems
3. MS in Power Engineering
4. MS in Management Information Systems
5. MS in Wireless communications
6. Masters in Marketing
7. Masters in Data Science
8. MS in Life Sciences
9. MS in Pharmacy
10. MSMS in Very-large-scale integration (VLSI) in Pharmacy

Top Universities In USA For MS with fees 

Job opportunities in the US after MS

F1 Student Visa for Ms in the USA

The F-1 Student Visa is usually offered to non-immigrants who are willing to pursue higher studies or research in the US. Also, the student must have received the I-20 form from the university he/she has been admitted to before appearing for the visa process or else their visa will be rejected.

The admitted students are not permitted to take up full-time employment, but they can work part-time jobs while studying in the USA. Only 20 hours per week is permissible for working on-campus.

Ways you can fund your education in the US

Despite being excellent in all other aspects, it requires a huge fund to finance your study in the US. it is out in the open how expensive a master's in the USA could be for students, living expenses alone can go up to 10 lakhs a year, and on average 50-60 lakhs are required for a two-year master’s program. However with proper planning ahead, one can arrange any amount to fund their US education.

• Scholarship- For a scholarship, students need to apply almost a year before their intake season starts because for most of the scholarships the deadline for accepting applications closes almost a year before the course starts. Scholarships are of three types:
  • The need-based scholarships that are given to students after considering the financial condition of their family
  • The merit-based scholarships are given based on the academic and co-curricular track record of the applicant
  • The special scholarships that are given for special causes for eg. cancer research scholarship, sports scholarship, etc.

So, most of these scholarships are merit-based scholarships and getting one is very tough.

• Education loans- When it comes to scholarships, it is mostly partially funded and not everyone will be eligible for it, so students need a backup plan in terms of abroad education loans.

Education loan lenders prefer students who opt to pursue their studies in the USA since the chances of employability are high as compared to any other country. Therefore, this is the reason why masters in the USA can be easily funded. There are two types of loans students can opt for i.e secured education loans and unsecured education loans. 

It is needed to have either collateral securities to get a secured loan or a strong financial co-applicant for an unsecured loan. 

• T.A./ R.A./ G.A. - These are Assistantships (Teaching Assistantships, Research Assistantship, Graduate Assistantship) that students can apply for during the admissions but they can only be on that post once they complete their first semester. It is like a part-time job on campus where students assist their professors and get paid in return. 

Getting these assistantship positions is not that easy but it can be obtained, it requires students to be a little proactive, have good relations with professors and peers, then students have a fairly good chance to get these assistantship positions if students get one of these positions, they get benefits like

• • A stipend of 17-20 dollars per hour and as a student on an F1 visa, they are allowed to work 20 hours per week. This is more than enough to take care of their living expenses.
  • Some universities waive off the complete tuition fees when students get employed as T.A./ R.A./ G.A.
  • Many universities transfer students' tuition fees from out-state to in-state which makes their tuition fees about 50% less.

This could be one of the reasons why the USA is preferred by students as they assume they will get these assistantships once they arrive in the US. But it is as irrational as to assume you’ll get a lead role in a Bollywood movie on your first day in Mumbai. 

So it is important to have a backup in the form of an education loan, scholarships, or self-funding. Because anyway you get these assistantships after completion of your first semester. With all the reasons clear about why masters in the USA are attractive, students still make mistakes of not arranging funds on time due to a lack of information when to approach lenders. WeMakeScholars can help you in getting an education loan at the best deal possible from lenders. So do reach out to our Financial officers by requesting a callback.