In American universities, students make their own schedule and choose their own courses. They have a major – a major specialization and a minor – an additional specialization. For example, journalists can take a minor in film in order to work as a film critic in the future. Some courses will still be compulsory. Freedom, but not freedom.

In addition, some colleges in the U.S. also have core curriculum courses – required subjects of a broader orientation. For example, at American University, core curriculum courses include science studies, ethics, and social history. Students must take them in order to graduate.

Besides finals – exams at the end of the semester and academic year, in the USA there are also midterms – midterm tests in the middle of the semester.

Classes are usually held in the format of seminars and discussions. Lectures are not honored in the USA. This approach allows students to better digest the material and develop critical thinking. In specialties related to economics, business, sociology, case studies are common, when students are offered to solve a real problem from life or the activities of a company.

Special attention is paid to independent work. Unit consists of 3 hours of work, only one of which is allocated for classroom study. But a student should devote 2 hours to independent study of the material.

Initiative, creativity and ability to generate ideas are also valued. Back in the distant 30s of the last century, Stanford encouraged the entrepreneurial spirit of its students. As a result, Google, Yahoo, Netflix and others were born within its walls. And a whole community of IT companies and startups was formed near the campus.

Student life in American universities

Student interest clubs are widespread in US universities.

Traditionally, a special place is given to sports. Even the legendary Ivy League was originally an association of soccer teams. Now almost all universities in the United States have their own student team in some kind of sport: golf, rugby, baseball and even hockey.

But this is just a tiny drop in the ocean of activities that are available to students in American universities. Dartmouth College goes hiking in the Appalachian Mountains, MIT makes chocolate, and Alaska Pacific University plays pool. Creative individuals can try out the theater club, music groups and orchestras. There are book clubs, cooking circles, movie nights, debate clubs, and more.

Here everyone can find something to their liking and will not be left alone in a dorm room with their interests.

The most famous student organizations in the United States are sororities and fraternities. As you can understand from the name, members of the community are like family to each other and usually they live all together in a separate large (huge) house. The main purpose of fraternities and sororities is to help each other both during school and in later life. In addition to this, members of the community are involved in social activities, volunteering, and charity work.

The post Format of study at US universities appeared first on How Works-TheUniversity.

US universities have several periods of accepting documents from applicants:

• Early admission. It is usually held from mid-September to early December. There is a lower competition during this period. Plus you will have a head start to find a scholarship and thoroughly prepare for the visa interview. Early filing is divided into three more stages:
• Early decision – you send your documents to only one university. If you are accepted, you will not be able to apply to other universities.
• Single choice early action – here you also submit a single application. However, even in case of a positive decision, you will be able to try your luck at another university during the main application period.
• Early action – gives you complete freedom of action. You can submit several applications and try a second time if you are not accepted.
• Regular admission. It takes place from December through February. During this period, the largest number of applications are considered – competition is skyrocketing.
• Rolling admission. Universities accept documents all year round and enroll successful candidates when there is a free place on the program. This is an additional opportunity for those who could not apply in previous periods. But if you plan to receive a scholarship, rolling admission is not an option for you. At the time of application to the university, the funding program may already be closed, and you will be left without money.

In American universities, you need to recognize a certificate or diploma. Usually it is done by the university itself. But in some cases you can apply to independent organizations – WES, ECE.

After confirming the application, the university enters the future student in a special database SEVIS – Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. This serves as the basis for a student visa. It is important that the chosen university is included in the list of SEVP-certified schools.

The post Admission to American universities appeared first on How Works-TheUniversity.

Colleges in the USA

College in the United States is a higher education. Here enter graduates of the last class of high school. At the same time, they have a key difference:

• Two-year colleges (two-year / community / junior colleges) are autonomous institutions. They mainly teach applied majors. Upon graduation, you will receive an associate degree.
• Four-year / liberal arts colleges (four-year / liberal arts colleges) – can be stand-alone, or they can be part of a university. They are academically equivalent to a bachelor’s degree and award this degree to their graduates.
• Four-year colleges are more or less self-explanatory. There you get the same bachelor’s degree that you get at a university. Perhaps the cost will be lower. Perhaps, due to the size of the college itself, you will have more individualized work with a faculty member. But that’s about it. All other things being equal, it is better to choose a university, especially if you are planning an academic career. Master’s and doctoral programs at colleges are rare.

Two-year community colleges are one of the most striking features of education in the USA. For this we will consider it in more detail.

Mostly in community colleges teach applied specialties, such education allows you to quickly assimilate into the labor market. Training lasts two years. Upon completion, students receive an associate’s degree. And the opportunity to work at junior positions.

But what is more important and interesting – after two years of community college it is possible to enter the 3rd year of “ordinary” bachelor’s degree in the university. For this purpose in many colleges there is a separate type of degree – Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT).

Universities in America

Universities in the United States are larger educational institutions. Here you can get any degree from Bachelor’s to PhD.

They can be private or public. It is interesting that in both of them tuition is paid.

Public universities receive money from the state in which they are located. That’s why they are cheaper for in-state students – local students. It is as if a person with Moscow residence registration pays less for studying at Moscow State University than a person who came from Astrakhan.

Everyone else in public universities in the United States pays more. They are called out-of-state students. As you have already guessed, this also includes foreigners.

Private universities do not depend on funds from the state. Their budget consists of donations from sponsors and students’ tuition. The cost here is the same for everyone, including foreigners.

Private universities, in turn, also come in two types: for-profit and non-profit. The non-profit ones spend their income entirely on education, while the for-profit ones invest more in their promotion.

Now it can be a little complicated and confusing, but we’ll try to lay it all out.

Universities train everyone from bachelors to PhDs. But it happens in different divisions:

• college – already familiar to us four-year college, but now as part of the university. Bachelors study there;
• graduate school – this includes master’s and doctoral programs;
• professional school – this is a combination of master’s and doctoral programs in a particular specialty. Professional schools include Medicine, Nursing, Business, Engineering, and Law schools.

A prerequisite for obtaining a student visa is enrollment in one of the SEVP-certified schools.

The post Types of educational institutions in the United States appeared first on How Works-TheUniversity.

Briefly about higher education in the USA

• Education in the US is the most popular destination for international students. There are more than a million of them here[1].
• Price. Higher education in America is one of the most expensive in the world. Universities cost 20,000-50,000 USD/year, and colleges from 10,000 USD/year. Accommodation will cost at least 11,000 USD/year.
• Requirements. You can apply for a bachelor’s degree in the USA right after the 11th grade of school. You need to pass two compulsory exams: SAT and TOEFL. Preparation should start 1.5-2 years before applying. The documents themselves are submitted one year before the start of studies. Universities also set a minimum grade point average (GPA). GRE/GMAT exams are often required for admission to graduate programs.
• Preparing for Graduate School. Students can take a 1-2 semester Pathway preparatory program. This will help to tighten up the language and major subjects, to get into a new environment. After graduation, some Pathway programs offer guaranteed admission to a partner university. However, the cost of such programs is comparable to a bachelor’s degree.
• Competition. Despite the paid tuition, there is a very high competition. Some universities enroll only 5-10% of applicants.
• College. An alternative option is to enroll in a two-year Associate’s degree program at a Community College. It is less prestigious, but allows you to save money and further transfer to the university in the 3rd year without high competition. For 10,000 USD you can find good colleges even in California.
• Scholarships. There are two main types of scholarships and grants in the USA: need-based for those in need and merit-based for talented applicants. Merit-based usually cover only part of the costs and are extremely difficult to win. They are mostly available to Master’s and PhD students. There are also sports scholarships, but you need outstanding achievements to get them.
• Visa. To study in an American university, you need a student visa F-1. The main thing here is to pass the interview and prove that you are not going to immigrate under the pretext of education.

Professional education in the USA

Vocational education in the USA is received at two-year (community) colleges. They have many names: two-year / community / junior / technical / city colleges. Upon completion, students are awarded certificates, diplomas and associate degrees. Four-year colleges differ in that they award both associate and bachelor’s degrees.

Similar to the bachelor’s degree, associate degrees come in the forms Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), and Associate of Applied Science (AAS), as well as AAB, AAT, ABA, AE, AEng, AIT, AN, AOS, AT, and other major varieties. In the first year, general disciplines are studied there, and from the second year onwards, specialized subjects appear. The labor intensity is 60 credits.

Admission to community colleges is much easier than to four-year colleges, as admission is based on an open admissions policy. Entrance requirements often include only a high school diploma.

The minimum threshold for English proficiency is TOEFL iBT 55-61 / IELTS 5.5, but at many colleges this figure is arbitrary. A student may be admitted with a lower level. In this case he/she will be offered language courses. SAT results, as a rule, are not taken into account.

After two years, graduates already have access to employment. But most continue their studies at a higher level of higher education. Many community colleges have partnerships with four-year colleges and universities. Students are enrolled immediately in the third year of study, followed by a bachelor’s degree. This scheme is becoming increasingly popular among both locals and foreigners. First, it is a significant saving of money – education in a two-year college is many times cheaper. Secondly, it is the absence of competition when transferring – the applicant does not have to participate in the competition when entering the 1st year of university.

Bachelor’s degree in the USA

Bachelor’s degree is the first stage of higher education. Bachelor’s degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the USA can be obtained in four-year educational institutions – colleges and universities. Each year at a bachelor’s degree has its own name: freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years. After two years of general education courses, a student focuses on his or her major.

In the fields of medicine and law there is no bachelor’s degree as such. There are professional graduate schools for them in the USA. Before enrolling there, future medical students must take a mandatory set of courses – pre-med.

The post Higher education in the USA appeared first on How Works-TheUniversity.

Master’s degree in America is divided into two types:

• Academic Master’s – comprehensive study of the subject area and preparation for scientific activity. Modules are divided into compulsory and electives. Compulsory, as always, are general, and electives are more specialized. At the final stage, Master’s students write a dissertation – an independent research with the support of a supervisor.
• Professional Master’s – provides professional skills necessary for future career. The curriculum of such programs is more rigorous and there are fewer electives. Professional graduate schools (business, medical, law and so on) often conclude partnership agreements with employers. This affects the content of educational programs and increases their prestige. The result of training is an internship in a company.

Doctoral degree in USA

Doctoral degree in the USA is the final stage of higher education. Like a Master’s degree, it is not based on research alone. Full-time programs on average last from 4 to 6 years.

• The coursework stage (1-4 years). The first stage is devoted to the usual coursework, which is divided into core classes and elective classes. Some PhD programs also include volunteer and professional internships, personal growth trainings, and foreign language courses. At the end of the program, the student will take a comprehensive exam.
• The dissertation stage (2-4 years). The second part of the program begins with the approval of the research topic and writing a dissertation prospectus – a kind of abstract. It is evaluated by the university. Each student is assigned several advisors (committee of supervisors / advisors) with similar research interests, one of whom is appointed as the thesis supervisor (principal advisor / dissertation director). In some programs it is mandatory to perform administrative or teaching work and publish in scientific journals. The final stage is a presentation and oral defense of the dissertation.
• Most graduate schools award graduates a traditional PhD degree. Some schools also offer professional DBA, EdD, JD, MD degrees. Doctoral degrees in medicine and law are quite specific and are usually not recognized in other countries. International students should only consider these fields if they plan to live and work in the U.S. upon graduation.

A master’s degree is not always required for admission to a PhD program in the US. The reason is that Master’s and PhD programs are often merged into one graduate program. Sometimes students are awarded a Master’s degree at the end of the first stage of the PhD program. For those who already have it, universities may give credit and shorten the PhD program.

The average grade point average at previous levels of education is usually not the main criterion, but it can also be taken into account. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is considered a good result.

The post Master’s and Doctoral studies appeared first on How Works-TheUniversity.

There are 256 buildings on the campus of Duke University, which consists of 4 main zones. The west campus is considered the main campus.

History of Duke University

The history of Duke University is not that long. It was founded by two Christian groups in 1838 in North Carolina, since then it has changed several names. At the end of the 19th century, it was renamed at the request of the head of one of the colleges in gratitude to Washington Duke, an American tycoon whose donations greatly contributed to the development of the university. Washington Duke bequeathed 100,000 USD with the wish that the university open its doors to women and guarantee full equality.

Subsequently, his son James Duke continued the work of funding the university by founding the Duke Foundation. Duke Graduate School opened in 1926.

Over the past three years, Duke University has risen significantly in many rankings (both national and global). In addition, being a private university, Duke receives quite high funding (the program conducted in 2003 brought the university over $2 billion).

The university consists of the following colleges: Trinity (arts and humanities), Pratt (engineering), Nicholas (natural resources and ecology), Sanford (political science), as well as schools of law and medicine.

Specialties and tuition

Duke University offers students 46 majors in arts and sciences, 4 engineering majors, 52 minors, and two programs that will allow you to create your own business in the future. Not to be overlooked is the availability of 24 program certificates that open up many opportunities. As statistics show, almost 85% of students choose Trinity College for their studies, the rest prefer Pratt School of Engineering.

As for research, the university is actively investing in this direction, state as of 2015 it has invested more than 1037 billion dollars in this university offshoot.

The cost of education at the bachelor’s and master’s programs for residents of the country is not more than 20 thousand dollars.

Foreigners can expect to pay for an academic year in the amount of 47,488 dollars – at the bachelor’s level, and 43 thousand dollars – at the master’s level. Including the costs of accommodation, food and other everyday trifles, a foreigner will need to have at least 65 thousand dollars for a year of study. In this case, qualified experts UP-STUDY recommend looking at universities in Poland, which offer many areas of study, quality European diploma and a fairly loyal cost.

To summarize, it is worth noting that Duke University is a promising university that provides an opportunity to study and conduct research. Has many scientific achievements and conveniently arranged classrooms that contribute to the development of its students and researchers. It helps students in international exchange programs and allows them to get scholarships. However, it is not the only interesting university, so there are many alternatives.

The post Duke University appeared first on How Works-TheUniversity.

NDSU schools:

Despite the large number of faculties, the educational institution carries out its educational activities through three main schools:

• The College of Arts and Sciences, which maximizes the creative potential, spiritual development, moral and aesthetic improvement of each student (the direction to study such courses as art therapy, psychology, philosophy, art, graphic design, modern languages, etc;)
• The School of Business and Management, widely known in professional circles for its strong curricula that provide inexhaustible practical skills (focus on accounting, business management, public relations, and public administration);
• The School of Education and Leadership, which imparts professional expertise in pedagogy and management (focus on the humanities, liberal studies, and education and management).

Diversity as a path to excellence:

The University of Notre Dame de Namur strives to show by example that diversity is not a reason for cultural misunderstandings, discrimination, or any inequality in general. That is why multinationality, diversity of interests, social position in society and religion are intensively supported here. Maintaining a positive atmosphere in the large intellectual world of the university is one of the main tasks of the institution. The doors are wide open for international students, and therefore the admission requirements are more than loyal.

Benefits of studying at the University of Notre Dame de Namur:

You can make sure that your choice is right by mentioning just a few advantages of this university:

• Highly moral and fair atmosphere that prevails within the walls of the educational institution;
• well-designed curricula that provide not only theoretical but also practical skills;
• the opportunity to obtain a diploma that is recognized worldwide.

The post University of Notre Dame appeared first on How Works-TheUniversity.

History of Northwestern University

Northwestern University was founded in 1851 by nine lawyers and businessmen. One of the founders of the institution of higher education is John Evans, later the city of Evanston was named in his honor. The university was created for residents of a large territory: residents of the modern states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and part of Minnesota.

In 1853, the founders of Northwestern University purchased 379 acres of land on the shores of scenic Lake Michigan 12 miles north of Chicago. A university campus was established here. The first university building, today known as Old College, was completed by 1855. A couple months after construction was completed, classes began at the university. The number of students, as well as the faculty, was negligible, totaling no more than 12 students.

In 1891, Northwestern University opened a law school, and in 1908, a school of commerce. Another year later an engineering college was opened. From this time on, the rapid development of the university began: it became known as a major educational institution, combining fundamental education with research activities. Over time, the university began to expand, opening new schools and colleges, as well as additional campuses in Chicago and in the Qatari city of Doha.

Two university campuses are located on Lake Michigan, one on 240 acres in Evanston Township and the other on 25 acres in Chicago, Illinois. Another campus is located in Doha, the capital of Qatar.

The Evanston campuses include the Institute of Technology, nanomaterials and molecular biology laboratories, the Dearborn Observatory, an art museum, a concert hall, libraries and reading rooms. Near the campus buildings are student-run cafes and restaurants that offer discounted lunch rates to Northwestern students.

The Chicago campus is home to a medical school and laboratories, hospitals and clinics, and a law school. It is also home to the MBA program, evening and Sunday classes for working adults.

Northwestern’s smaller Qatar campus, which trains bachelors in journalism and communications, has several buildings and athletic complexes.

Why attend Northwestern University?

• Northwestern University’s library contains more than 5 million volumes and about 100,000 periodicals.
• In 2014, the university spent 550 USD million in sponsored research funds. By the end of 2014, Northwestern University’s endowment totaled 98 USD billion, one of the largest in the United States.
• Northwestern University’s business school is considered one of the best in the country.
• Northwestern University has 19 intercollegiate sports teams. They are called the Wildcats and are part of the famous Big Ten conference (Big Ten).
• University research takes place in 1,500 laboratories, many of which are also available to students.
• The NU School of Medicine has a Center for Global Medicine, which conducts prospective research in more than twenty countries around the world.
• NU’s main campus in Evanston stretches along the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan, one of North America’s Great Lakes. Public transportation stops are nearby, and the campus itself is punctuated with biking and walking trails. The Chicago campus is also adjacent to the lake.
• More than 250 special interest clubs are organized at the university.
• The Nemmers Prize was established at Northwestern University in two disciplines: math and economics. It was created thanks to two Nemmers, Frederick and Erwin. The brothers bequeathed 14 USD million to the institution for this purpose. The prize is awarded every two years.

The post Northwestern University appeared first on How Works-TheUniversity.

Studying at Yale has always been difficult. For several decades, teaching within the walls of the university was conducted in Latin. English was forbidden. Even outside of classrooms, students had to speak only in a dead language. Later, Latin still surrendered its position, giving way to English in communication and teaching. However, until 1931, Latin was a compulsory discipline in the Yale curriculum, regardless of specialization.

The main direction of study at Yale University is the arts, humanities and social sciences, but the faculties of medicine, natural resources management, applied sciences and engineering are not inferior in the quality of teaching, and the achievements of researchers in the exact sciences do not lag behind the technical American colleges.

Yale University is one of the most famous educational institutions in the world, and, as a consequence, one of the most demanding to applicants, so among its graduates the university has a lot of talented people – from musicians to heads of state (by the way, five U.S. presidents graduated from Yale University).

Achievements of Yale University

• A group of researchers at Yale University recoded the DNA of E. coli. In the process of the experiment, scientists replaced some of its genes. This is the first step toward a new discovery – changing the genes of harmful bacteria so that deadly diseases can be treated without antibiotics and other drugs.
• Yale scientists have developed a drug that significantly reduces the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Initially, the researchers developed an antitumor vaccine, but a side effect of this experiment turned out to be the drug’s ability to restore lost memory.
• Within the walls of the University were artificially synthesized antibodies that allow to strengthen the human immune system. In the near future, scientists will be able to create a new drug that will help in the fight against cancer and AIDS.
• A non-standard solution to the problem of plastic utilization was proposed by scientists at Yale University: in the course of the experiment they discovered a special type of fungus, a source of food for which can be polyurethane. The substance produced by the bacteria will make it possible to combat overcrowded landfills in the future.

The post Yale University appeared first on How Works-TheUniversity.

Brown University History

Brown University has its origins in 1764, when three residents of the town of Newport (Rhode Island) drew up a petition to the General Assembly of the colony with a request to organize an institute or school for young people. This school was to teach mathematics, geography, history, and languages. As early as September 1764, the petition was supported, and by resolution of the Rhode Island General Assembly, Rhode Island College was founded, the seventh college established in what is now the United States during the colonial era.

The college was the first institution of higher learning in the British North American colonies to have no restrictions on admissions based on religion, even though Baptist minister James Manning was elected the college’s first president.

The university is named for the philanthropic work of Nicholas Brown Jr. who regularly made large donations to Rhode Island College. As a token of his appreciation, the university was named after him in 1804. The buildings Hope College, Manning Hall, and Providence Reading Room were constructed with Brown’s funds. The Brown family subsequently supported the developing university financially on more than one occasion.

Brown University was the first Ivy League university to develop an engineering program – the first class of students in the program was recruited in 1847. In 1969, Brown University students, through their protests, achieved a reform of the university’s educational program. Henceforth it began to focus not on dry teaching of facts, but on the development of thinking skills and the development of analytical abilities of the student. From that time on, the student was put at the center of the educational process. All basic courses were abolished and the student became free to create his own program of study.

Today Brown University is among the top 50 best universities in the world. Throughout the entire period of the university’s existence, a number of outstanding graduates came out of its walls. Among them are Horace Mann, the creator of the American high school system (to whom we owe the concept of “high school”), Secretary of State John Hay, Supreme Court Justice Charles Evans Hughes, financier and philanthropist John Rockefeller Jr, media mogul and founder of CNN Ted Turner, actress Emma Watson, and Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi.

Why choose Brown University?

Brown University has recently been one of the top thirty universities in the United States. In addition, there are a number of reasons why a Brown education can help build a successful career, and time spent on campus will provide a wonderful opportunity for comprehensive personal growth and self-development.

• Brown University is considered one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States. With over 250 years of history, the university has a rich academic tradition. Engineering, biology, math, and physics are considered to be the strengths of Brown University’s research work.
• The university is highly ranked in teaching in Life Sciences and Medicine, Natural Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Social Sciences and Management, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, and Economics and Business. It ranks among the top universities in the Arts and Humanities.
• Brown University is regularly recognized as one of the best universities for the quality of education and is in the top 100 of the world ranking for this indicator. In addition, the institution has an excellent reputation among employers around the world.
• Brown University pays great attention to sporting events, which is no coincidence, because the Ivy League is, first of all, a sports association. The Brown University sports team is known in the United States as the Brown Bears. Among the most developed sports are rowing, baseball, sailing (intercollegiate regattas are held annually in Narragansett Bay), English soccer and other team sports.
• Like other Ivy League universities, the university is characterized by rich student traditions: freshman convocation, large-scale dance events and competitions on the campus, grand graduation ceremonies lasting for a whole week. Graduation ceremonies are accompanied by a symbolic walk through the main gate of the Brown University campus, and celebrities are often guests of the festivities. For example, during the 2010 ceremony, Nelson Mandela and Morgan Freeman received honorary PhD degrees.

The post Brown University appeared first on How Works-TheUniversity.