It is important to
understand the educational system of the college/university that you are
joining. Orientation sessions in the
first few weeks will help you understand the educational system as well as the
cultural life in the college/university.
Broadly, American
universities confer Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees. Some colleges also offer Associate degrees or
specialize in vocational/technical training. The Bachelor’s degree typically
takes four years to complete, which are referred to as freshman, sophomore,
junior and senior years of Undergraduate study.
Graduate study involves study for a Master’s degree.
It is possible for students
to transfer from one college to another if both colleges are “accredited.” However, they will first have to join the
college from where they received and accepted the Form 1-20 based on which they
got their visa.
All colleges follow a
semester system (two terms per year) or a trimester system (three terms per
year). To earn a degree, you need to
accumulate a required number of credits and also earn a minimum GPA (Grade
Point Average). The number of credits
assigned to a course could be 1-6. The
number is typically equivalent to the number of class hours per week. There could be a set of mandatory courses and
a set of “electives” where you are free to choose your courses. There is a minimum
and maximum number of credits that you may do in a semester. The BCIS, SEVIS and BICE also require a minimum
of 12 undergraduate credits hours/ per semester, 6 graduate quarter hours per
term or 9 graduate semester hours/ per semester for you to qualify as a
full-time student.
While the quantity of
academic work is measured in credits/units, the quality is measured by
grades. At the end of each term, you are
awarded a grade for each course. The
grade is determined as per the policies laid down by the professor for the
course. At most institutes, the grades
are: A= 4 points, B= 3 points, C= 2 points, D =1 point, F= 0 point (Failure),
P=pass, F=fail, W=withdraw, Audit.
Some institutions also
follow a pass/fail system for some classes.
No letter grade is given. Wok is
adjusted to be either satisfactory (pass) or unsatisfactory (fail). Numerical grade points can help track the
achievement of students in terms of GPA (Grade Point Average). GPA is calculated by multiplying the number
of credits in each course by the grade points earned in the course. The sum total of grade points is divided by
the total number of credits earned, e.g.:
Credits Grade earned Grade points Course Grade points
1. 4 A 4 16
2. 3 A 4 12
3. 3 B 3 9
4. 2 B 3 6
12
43
GPA= Total Points divided
by Total Credits
i.e., GPA =43/12 =3.58
Scholarships may be linked
to a minimum GPA. Students with exceptionally high GPAs can also earn special
honors instituted by the college or university.
A faculty member may be
assigned to you as an academic advisor.
He/she would be able to offer you information, guidance and advice
throughout your academic program. You would need help choosing the correct courses, balancing your
work-load, identifying degree requirements, etc. Counseling can
be provided either in a group setting or in private
sessions. The academic advisors will help you to register for classes and to
choose courses and electives
for each term or semester.
Classes
Professors comprise the
teaching staff in US institutions and conduct lectures and seminars. Their
informal style of dress or speech must not be taken to mean that he or she has
a relaxed attitude towards assignments, class attendance or the quality of your
work. Professors in US are extremely
helpful and are accessible after class, during ‘office hours’ which are set up
by them for meeting students in their office.
Professors also have Teaching Assistants who assist them by taking
review sessions to help those students who missed a class or need clarification.
Lectures are the primary
form of instruction in US institutions.
Although attendance may not be recorded, you would be expected to
attend. Classes in the