EducationUSA
Slovakia

Your Five Steps to U.S. Study

• 1
  Research Your Option

  The first step to studying in the United States is researching your options to find a college or university that best fits your needs. There are over 4000 options to choose from to study in the U.S., so don’t be concerned if during your research you come across a college name unfamiliar to you. Instead, this is a sign that you need to investigate and research further! Get to know institutions through their websites as part of your decision-making process, and try to talk to current students and alumni. A great place to start is to identify your interests and things that are important to you. You shouldn't try to match yourself to the school, but rather find the school that matches you and your priorities and long-term goals.

  We advise you to begin your research at least 12 to 18 months prior to the academic year in which you hope to attend a U.S. college or university.

  If you choose to study in the U.S., it’s important your degree is recognized and accredited to be of a standard comparable to those in Slovakia. Rankings can be useful tools, but shouldn’t be the only method you use to choose a university. However, there are several other aspects to consider when choosing a school or program, such as academic credit and standards; majors and learning environment, selectivity, admission requirements, type of school, tuition and fees, location and climate, campus and housing facilities for students, sport and activities, Greek life, diversity, additional support programs.

  We recommend you narrow your research to six to ten colleges you want to apply to, consisting of two to three dream, highly competitive, universities; three to four that match your academic profile; and two to three safe universities where your academic profile (i.e. your academic and extracurricular performance during your high school) is higher than their average.

  To search for universities you can use various search engines, such as BigFuture, College Navigator, Peterson’s Graduate Programs, or GradSchools.

• 2
  Finance Your Studies

  The cost of living and studying varies across the United States. Although U.S. universities and colleges provide financial assistance and support to their students, it is relatively complicated and rare for schools to award full scholarships, especially for first-year international students. However, with accurate planning and research, pursuing a U.S. higher education can be made affordable.

  You need to start your financial planning as early as possible. Remember to keep in mind that your overall costs include not only tuition and fees but also living expenses. Actual costs vary by institution and location, so refer to each institution’s website for specific costs. When budgeting, you should estimate that tuition costs typically increase 6-10% each year. You need to assess your finances and establish what you are able to contribute towards your education and living expenses. To receive scholarships or financial aid, international students are required to fill out financial documentation, such as a CSS Profile; however, some universities and colleges may use their own application forms.

  If affordability is a key aspect when choosing a university, consider community colleges as a great way to save on funds as tuition costs tend to be lower there. However, U.S. universities can offer several types of funding to international students to make their studies more affordable. Need-based scholarships are given to students who show financial need. These awards determine eligibility based on family income. Merit scholarships are typically awarded to students with excellent academic, athletic, or artistic achievements. Many universities offer scholarships to students who have high grades as well as leadership roles, SAT/ACT scores, and involvement in community service. An athletic scholarship is a kind of merit award for students who excel at their sport. There are also other scholarships available for dance, art and music. To make university studies more affordable, students can also apply for some external scholarships offered by private donors, charities, ministries, governments, or financial institutions, such as banks.

  There are much more opportunities for funding your graduate or Ph.D. studies. International students at the graduate or Ph.D. level can be offered several types of funding. Graduate assistantships are provided in exchange for services to the graduate school or department, such as teaching, research, supervision in a laboratory, or working in an administrative office. A fellowship gives graduate students the chance to get more graduate and post-graduate research experience.

  There are limited options to use loans to finance your higher education in the U.S. for Slovak citizens. Slovak banks will offer you only personal loans. You can take a private loan in the U.S. only if you are a U.S. citizen or if you have a creditworthy U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident who can co-sign the loan agreement with you.

• 3
  Complete Your Application

  U.S. college applications will be different from what you may experience applying to institutions in Slovakia or elsewhere in Europe. Applying to U.S. colleges and universities requires preparation and planning and application requirements can vary greatly from one institution to another. It is therefore important to check the specific requirements on the website of each institution you are applying to.

  Community colleges usually have rolling admissions throughout the year, so the timeline for applying is more fluid than for a four-year college or university. Undergraduate applications are typically due between November and January to enroll the following autumn. For graduate study, applications are typically due between December and March to enroll the following autumn.

  You should start your application approximately 12 months before your enrollment. Each university can set its own deadlines, so make sure you do your research and planning properly. There are several types of admission to which you can submit applications. Early decision is restrictive and binding. You can apply early to only one university and if you are admitted, you promise to enroll. Early action is non-binding. You are not obliged to enroll if you are offered a place. The vast majority of students apply through Regular Decision, and they can apply to as many schools as they like.

  Your U.S. application is not just about your final grades in high school—instead, it is reviewed holistically. Admissions officers are evaluating what you can offer their college campus and they want to see your character, personal interests, and professional goals, so communicating this through your application is critical. There are several types of applications accepted by universities and colleges in the U.S. The most commonly accepted one is the Common Application. Some general application requirements include educational credentials (i.e. high school diploma and transcripts), standardized test scores (to learn more about standardized tests required by U.S. universities, please visit the STANDARDIZED TESTS section), recommendation letters, and essay/personal statement. A strong personal essay can set you apart from other applicants. This is your chance to write about your interests, long-term goals, and strengths. A personal statement for a graduate school will be more likely in the form of a clear and coherent study or research plan. Some universities can request a separate research statement. This is an opportunity to share your research interests with the admission officers.

• 4
  Apply For Your Student Visa

  If you are accepted to your dream U.S. university, congratulations! The institution will likely send you information on why you should and how to accept their offer. When you accept the offer, the next step is to apply for your student visa. Please remember that your university has to be SEVP certified (Student and Exchange Visitor Program by the Department of Homeland Security) which allows institutions to issue the I-20 Form to international students after admitting them for a program of study.

  There are three student visa types. The F Student Visa is for study at an accredited U.S. college or university or to study English at an English language institute. The J Exchange Visa is intended for participation in an exchange program, including high school and university study. The M Student Visa is for non-academic or vocational study or training in the United States.

  Once accepted at an SEVP-certified school, you will receive Form I-20 or DS-2019 from the institution's international student office to present when you apply for your student visa. The I-20 form is a multi-purpose document issued by a government approved U.S. educational institution certifying that you have been admitted to a full-time study program and that you have demonstrated sufficient financial resources to stay in the U.S. Once you receive your form, you can start the visa application process.

  Visa requirements are subject to change. Please visit the U.S. Embassy Bratislava website as that is the best resource for the visa application process.

• 5
  Prepare For Your Departure

  Studying in the United States is a memorable and rewarding experience. Congratulations on taking this exciting step towards your future! Preparation for your departure should include making travel arrangements, gathering pre-departure materials and documents for arrival, as well as reporting to your school, and attending orientation.

  Check your new institution's website for additional pre-departure information that will be more specialized and have information about health insurance, average local temperatures throughout the year, local transportation options, housing, and more.

  Contact our EducationUSA Advising Center to get you ready for your departure. We can provide information and resources that will help you prepare for new experiences, such as cultural differences, academic systems and expectations, housing, and coping in a new cultural setting.