Is it the dream of freedom and adventure, is it TV series about cool New Yorkers or the idea of the casual lifestyle in California? The fact is that for many people the USA is the dream destination par excellence.
Reasons for the Bachelor in the USA
To get a feel for what the American way of life means, studying abroad in the United States is ideal. A bachelor’s degree in the USA is particularly suitable for those who want to gain more than just a superficial impression of American culture.
Advantage through an excellent academic education
The course is an important stage in professional development and has a significant impact on the further career path. Therefore, the choice of course and university is of great importance. One thing is certain: the US university landscape enjoys a high international reputation. The well-known universities in the USA in particular offer top-level teaching and are regularly at the top of the global university rankings. There are more than 4,500 colleges and universities offering every imaginable degree.
Anyone who decides to do their bachelor’s degree in the USA can stand out from their fellow students in Germany. Students with a bachelor’s degree from the USA may have a head start on their competitors when looking for a job.
Student life on campus
The campus life is at many US universities pronounced than at German universities. It is not uncommon for the campus to resemble a small town. Dormitories and supermarkets are adjacent to the lecture halls and libraries. From restaurants to cinemas to fitness centers, there is everything a student’s heart desires.
First-time students in particular feel like a stranger to the new university at first. The entry falls but many students in the US easier, especially when they sign up for a guest decide dorm. Due to the special campus atmosphere and the strong community spirit, you will get to know new people faster. In addition, the universities are characterized by a huge range of leisure activities and services, ranging from sporting events to theater workshops. International students find it easier to connect there as well.
Structure of the bachelor’s degree in the USA
Just like in Germany, the bachelor’s degree in the USA is part of the undergraduate area. Therefore, the bachelor’s degree is usually the first professional degree. Students then have the opportunity to complete a master’s degree in the USA and then do a doctorate.
General facts
- Possible universities: colleges or universities
- Duration of studies: 4 years
- Degrees: Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and other degrees
Development of the bachelor’s degree in the USA
The bachelor’s degree in the USA primarily serves to impart a broad general knowledge. For this reason, in the first two years of study – general studies – students take mainly general subjects and basic courses. Courses from all fields of study are open to them.
A slight specialization is possible in the last two years of the Bachelor’s degree in the USA. Then, students choose a major subject (Major) from.
The course is tightly organized. Attendance is compulsory in almost all courses in the USA, a country located in North America according to usaers. The lecturers expect their students to actively contribute to the seminars. Moderated discussions are an integral part of the course.
Bachelor USA – requirements at a glance
In order to be admitted to a Bachelor’s degree in the USA, applicants usually have to provide evidence of a high school diploma and sufficient knowledge of English. In some cases, the advanced technical college entrance qualification is also accepted. Proof of English skills is usually provided by means of a standardized language test, for example the TOEFL or IELTS.
Some universities also require first-year students to take the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test). Alternatively, the ACT (American College Test) is partially accepted. These are two different aptitude tests that can be used to check the prospective students’ aptitude for study.
The universities decide autonomously which applicants to admit to the Bachelor’s degree. It is therefore advisable to inquire about the admission requirements at the university of your choice. Apart from the certificates, the application for the Bachelor in the USA usually has to enclose additional documents:
- curriculum vitae
- Certificate / letter (Letter of Recommendation)
- Motivation letter (Letter of motivation)
- Proof of funding
The content and form of letters of recommendation and motivation for a bachelor’s degree in the USA are often decisive for admission to the university. It is therefore advisable to prepare the documents carefully.
Financing the bachelor’s degree in the USA
The universities in the USA are financed through tuition fees. How high the tuition fees are depends on the type of institution, the subject and the length of study. Students flirting with a bachelor’s degree in the United States can save a lot of money by studying at a lower-cost community college for the first two years. As part of so-called transfer degree programs, you can then switch to the third year of a bachelor’s degree at a college or university.
The cost of living is added to the tuition fees for the Bachelor’s in the USA. These also vary depending on whether students have accommodation on campus or outside the university campus.
Financing ways of the Bachelor in the USA
There are several ways to finance participation in a bachelor’s program in the United States:
- Flat rate scholarships for international students
- Scholarships from US universities for students with particularly good academic achievements
- Scholarships for financially disadvantaged students
- Sports scholarships for students with outstanding athletic achievements
- Low-interest education loans
Visa USA and Co – what else is important
In order to be able to do the Bachelor in the USA, a student visa is necessary. This can be applied for at the American embassy after successfully enrolling at a US university.
Without health insurance for the USA, it is not possible to start a bachelor’s degree in the USA. Many US colleges offer insurance packages that can be taken out upon enrollment. If you want to save money, you can take out international health insurance in Germany in advance. However, it must first be clear whether this corresponds to the standard required in the USA.