Study in the United States
One of the widest ranges of programmes; a strong outcome needs an early start and a balanced school list.
The United States has no single national application system and no document list that fits every school. Each institution sets its own admission criteria. A sound strategy compares academic fit, total cost, funding prospects and SEVP status together.
Last verified: 19 September 2026Official source links are listed at the end of the page.
- Application
- Institution by institution; some use a shared platform
- Visa
- F-1 and the I-20 from the school
- SEVIS I-901
- USD 350 for F/M students
- Work
- Tied to status and limited
Who the United States suits well
- Applicants who want to compare departments, campuses and funding options across a wide pool
- Applicants who can build a coherent file from grades, activities, essays and references
- Applicants who calculate the total cost of attendance after funding
- Applicants who can start the application and visa process early
Make this decision first
Do not build the school list on rankings alone. Course content, campus environment, graduate outcomes, total cost of attendance and support for international students are a better measure of fit.
| Admission criterion | Each institution sets its own conditions |
|---|---|
| Before the visa | Admission from an SEVP-certified school and the I-20 |
| SEVIS fee | USD 350 for F/M students |
| Work during study | Subject to the authorisation and limits of F-1 status |
Test-optional does not mean a test score is worthless for every applicant. Scholarship, departmental and international applicant conditions must be read separately for each institution.
Does this country fit your profile
Rather than comparing grades one by one, let us assess them together with your educational background, language level and budget.
Assess My ProfileHow the application proceeds
An application may consist of transcripts, school documents, English proficiency, essays, references and any additional material the institution requires. Some schools use shared platforms such as the Common App, others use their own portal.
At postgraduate level the departmental committee assesses previous courses, academic or professional experience and research fit. A GRE/GMAT requirement varies by programme.
- Build an academically and financially balanced school list
- Record each institution's international applicant and scholarship conditions separately
- Do not leave the essays and references to the last day
- After admission, verify the school's SEVP status and the I-20 process
Reading the budget correctly
The published tuition figure in the United States is only one part of the total cost. Mandatory fees, health insurance, accommodation, meals, books and transport should all be read within the cost of attendance the school publishes.
The net annual cost is calculated once the scholarship offer arrives. The renewal condition, the performance threshold and how many years the award runs must be checked in the written offer.
A scholarship percentage means little on its own. Compare on the net total payable after the award.
Visa, residence and work
An F-1 student visa first requires admission to an SEVP-certified school, then the I-20 and SEVIS registration. The I-901 SEVIS fee is USD 350 for F and M students; the visa application fee is separate.
On-campus work in F-1 status may be up to 20 hours per week during term. Practical training routes such as CPT and OPT are authorised processes tied to the field of study; they are not an automatic right to work.
| On campus | Up to 20 hours per week during term |
|---|---|
| CPT | Curriculum-related practice authorised in advance |
| OPT | Field-related temporary practical training |
| STEM extension | 24 months on an eligible programme and under the employer's conditions |
What a strong file should demonstrate
A US application rests on the parts being consistent with one another rather than on a single high score.
- A school list balanced against your academic goal
- A story that points the same way in the CV, the essays and the references
- A deadline, test and scholarship table for every school
- A plan covering the I-20, SEVIS and visa steps after admission
InterAX brings the programme shortlist, the application timetable, document organisation and the post-admission steps into a single plan. No admission or visa is guaranteed; every decision is made by the relevant authority.
Not sure where to begin?
In the first assessment let us identify the right programme type, the critical dates and the gaps in your file together.
Start the pre-assessmentFrequently asked questions
Is the SAT compulsory for a US application?
Institutions set their own policy. Some schools are test-optional; departmental and scholarship requirements must be checked separately.
Is the Common App valid at every university?
No. Many institutions use it, but some use their own portal or another system.
What is an I-20?
Issued by an SEVP-certified school to an eligible student, it is one of the core documents of the F-1 visa process.
How much is the SEVIS fee?
The I-901 SEVIS fee for F and M students is USD 350. The visa application fee is separate.
Can an F-1 student work?
On-campus work may be up to 20 hours per week during term. Off-campus work requires CPT, OPT or another official authorisation.
Does an offer of admission guarantee a visa?
No. School admission and the I-20 make a visa application possible; the visa decision rests with the consular authority.
Related programmes
Sources
- EducationUSA — Five steps of a US study application
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security — SEVP-certified school search
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — I-901 SEVIS fees
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — F-1 work conditions
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — CPT, OPT and STEM practical training