Study abroad
Intakes
In the United States, the commencement dates for university admissions can vary depending on the specific institution and its academic calendar. While the majority of universities primarily adhere to two main intake periods, there are instances of additional intakes, notably during the summer months:
- Fall Semester:
- This marks the primary intake for a majority of U.S. universities.
- Typically, the fall semester commences in August or September.
- Application deadlines for fall intake generally fall in the preceding winter or spring.
- Spring Semester:
- Some universities extend admissions to the spring semester.
- The spring semester typically kicks off in January.
- Application deadlines for spring intake are commonly set in the preceding summer or fall.
- Summer Intake:
- Certain U.S. universities offer additional intake opportunities during the summer months.
- Summer sessions may start in May or June.
- Application deadlines for summer intake vary but are often positioned in the preceding spring.
| Intakes | Study Program | Admission deadlines |
| Summer | Undergraduate and Postgraduate | May - September |
| Spring | Undergraduate and Postgraduate | January - May |
| Fall | Undergraduate and Postgraduate | September - December |
GRE, GMAT and SAT Exams
GRE, GMAT, and SAT are three different standardized exams that are often required as part of the admissions process for various levels of education in the United States, as well as in other countries. Below is a brief overview of each of these exams:
GRE (Graduate Record Examination):
- Purpose: GRE is a standardized exam widely used as part of the admissions process for graduate programs such as master's, MBA, and doctoral programs.
- Sections: The GRE consists of three main sections: Analytical Writing, Verbal, and Quantitative. There is also an optional section that tests abilities in a specific field (GRE Subject Test).
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test):
- Purpose: GMAT is a standardized exam commonly required for admission to business schools, especially MBA (Master of Business Administration) programs.
- Sections: GMAT consists of four sections: Analytical Ability, Integrative Analytical, Verbal, and Quantitative.
SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test):
- Purpose: SAT is a standardized exam often required for admission to undergraduate programs in the United States, although not all universities require it.
- Sections: SAT consists of three sections: Math, Critical Reading, and Writing.
Differences between GRE and GMAT:
There are some similarities between these exams. Both tests have Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections. Both exams assess essay writing skills, especially in analytical writing. However, significant differences emerge when we delve deeper into the focus of these tests and their characteristic style.
- GRE tests advanced academic vocabulary in English, while GMAT focuses on simpler vocabulary while using advanced English grammar.
- In assessing analytical writing skills, GMAT requires shorter texts, while GRE requires writing two essays, one analyzing an argument and then addressing a social issue.
Edu4US presents the remaining differences between GRE and GMAT:
| GMAT | GRE | |
| Cel | test taken by business school applicants | General test, can be taken regardless of the chosen field of study |
| Price | $285 at center or $310 at home | $220 |
| Points | 205-805 | 260-340 |
| Structure | 3 sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Data Insights | 4 sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing |
| Duration | 2h 15m | 1h 58m |
The Quantitative Reasoning section of the GMAT exam does not allow the use of calculators.
Before you decide which exam to take, GMAT/GRE, Edu4US advises you to familiarize yourself with the requirements of the US university you plan to apply to. If your university accepts both tests, it is worth considering the differences in cost, available preparation time, and the structure of the individual sections. In terms of the financial aspect, the GRE test is cheaper. However, if we look at the complexity of the exam itself, the GRE is also less complicated.
More about GMAT:
- GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a test developed by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).
- The current GMAT is different from its original version. The exam is now taken in a computer-based format and its structure has been adapted to candidates applying for business schools.
Test structure:
- Since January 31, 2024, GMAT consists of three sections, each of which is scheduled for 45 minutes. The total duration of the exam is 2 hours and 15 minutes and consists of:
- Quantitative Reasoning: 21 tasks
- Verbal Reasoning: 23 tasks
- Data Insights: 20 questions
- The maximum number of points that can be obtained is 805.
How many times can I take the GMAT?
- Candidates who do not achieve the desired test score on their first attempt may retake the exam. The GMAT can be taken up to five times in a year, with the next attempt possible only after 16 days from the previous one.
How to achieve a good score on the GMAT test?
- To achieve a satisfactory score on the GMAT, you need to score at least 20 points above the average required by the chosen university. In the case of applications to the best MBA programs in the United States, it is required to obtain around 720-740 points.
More about GRE:
- GRE, or Graduate Record Examination, is a test authored by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), a standardized exam used primarily as part of the admissions process for graduate and doctoral programs in the United States and many other countries. GRE assesses the verbal, analytical, and mathematical skills of candidates.
The structure of the GRE test includes three main sections:
- Analytical Writing (30 minutes for one writing task):
- This section requires writing two essays: one analyzing an argument and the other on a specific social issue.
- Verbal Reasoning (first 18-minute section with 12 tasks and second 23-minute section with 15 questions):
- Tasks in this section include questions related to reading and understanding texts and questions about vocabulary.
- Quantitative Reasoning (21 minutes for 12 tasks in the first section and 26 minutes for 15 commands in the second section):
- This section tests mathematical skills, including understanding mathematical problems and solving equations.
Additionally, there is an optional section that tests abilities in a specific field (GRE Subject Test), such as:
- In total, GRE consists of 55 questions that must be answered in 1 hour and 58 minutes. When it comes to results, you can get from 260 to 340 points from the exam.
How to Achieve a Score on the GRE Test?
The GRE test is not one of the most difficult, which means that passing it at a level of at least 320 points opens the door to applying for studies at many prestigious universities in the United States. However, statistical data show that the average score achieved by GRE test takers is around 292 points.
Anyone who wants to improve their test score has the opportunity to retake the exam. The GRE can be taken up to five times a year, with a required interval of at least 21 days between attempts.
SUMMARY:
- GMAT is a prerequisite for admission to MBA programs, while GRE is a general entrance exam for studies in the USA and UK.
- GMAT and GRE can be taken up to 5 times a year. Both tests are valid for 5 years from the date of certification.
- Only a few business schools in America and the UK do not require the GMAT exam.
SAT EXAM:
SAT is one of the most commonly used recruitment tools used by many American universities in the admissions process. In this article, we will take a closer look at this exam, learn what it is about, what it consists of, and how long it takes to write.
What is SAT?
SAT is a standardized student assessment test that aims to measure readiness for higher education. Developed by the College Board, the exam covers areas of mathematics, critical reading, and writing. Its results are taken into account by American universities as one of the factors deciding on the admission of a candidate to study in the USA.
SAT Exam Structure:
The SAT test is taken on a computer application (the paper version of the test has been discontinued). The SAT test includes Reading and Writing and Mathematics sections.
You can get 200-800 points for Reading and Writing and 200-800 points for Mathematics. This means that the total score you can potentially get on the SAT is 400-1600. The test takes 2 hours and 14 minutes.
SAT Exam Breakdown:
SAT is divided into two main sections:
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (Reading and Writing based on evidence):
- Assesses reading comprehension, text analysis, and writing skills.
- Consists of two sections: reading comprehension (65 minutes) and writing and language knowledge (35 minutes).
Mathematics (Math):
- Focuses on algebraic skills, data analysis, and solving mathematical problems.
- It consists of two sections, one of which allows the use of a calculator (80 minutes).
Optional Essay:
- Candidates have the option to write an optional essay in 50 minutes.
Total Time and Scoring:
The SAT exam is 3 hours long (without the essay section), and the optional essay adds an additional 50 minutes. The maximum score is 1600 points (800 for reading and writing, 800 for math), with an additional 24 points for the essay.
More about Evidence-Based Reading and Writing:
The purpose of this module is to verify reading comprehension, writing, and language skills of candidates for studies in the USA. The test includes multiple-choice questions based on short texts from various areas, including physics, biology, humanities, as well as correcting errors in sentences (mainly grammatical and stylistic). The module is divided into 2 sections: reading comprehension (65 minutes) and writing and language knowledge (35 minutes). There are about 100 questions in total.
The SAT results from this module are a maximum of 800 points (minimum 200) and 24 points for the essay (minimum 6).
More about Mathematics:
In this module, the tests consist of multiple choice and open-ended questions. The tests are divided into 2 sections and there are about 50 questions in total. This module tests skills in algebra, data analysis, solving mathematical problems, and modeling. In one part of these tests, you can use a graphing calculator. The test time is 80 minutes.
You can get a score of 800 points (minimum 200) from the SAT math module.
SAT Test Results
As mentioned above, the total SAT Reasoning Test score is 1600. The best universities require a minimum of 1500-1550 points. It is worth checking what score is required at the universities you will be applying to.
The exam can be taken multiple times. The cost of the exam is $86 and $100 with the essay. Edu4us encourages you to take the SAT exam much earlier, even in the first or second year of high school. It is best to improve your score in several attempts, as it is extremely difficult to achieve the desired result the first time.
SAT Subject Test
SAT Subject Test is a series of subject tests that assess knowledge in specific areas of science. They are an additional element of the recruitment process for higher education in the United States. It is important to check the requirements of specific universities in the context of the SAT Subject Test, as not all universities require them.
Number of Tests:
The SAT Subject Test covers 20 different subjects. You can choose any subject you want to take.
Some universities may require you to take two or three tests from different fields.
Subject Categories:
- English: Includes English literature, for example.
- History: Tests from both world and American history.
- Mathematics: Of varying difficulty, from basic to advanced.
- Science: Tests in chemistry, physics, and biology.
- Foreign Languages: Tests in foreign languages, such as French, Spanish, German, etc.
Test Format:
Each test lasts one hour.
The questions are both multiple choice and open ended, and the answers are graded on a SAT scale of 200-800.
Test Limit in One Day:
You can take up to three SAT Subject Tests in one day.
Choosing Subjects:
Candidates should choose subjects that they are most knowledgeable about and that are consistent with their future studies.
Some universities may specify specific subject requirements.
Fees:
The cost of one test is about $45 (depending on the subject), plus $26 for registration for a specific date.
SAT Subject Test helps universities assess the knowledge and skills of prospective students in specific areas of science, which may be important for certain study programs.
To prepare well for the SAT exam, Edu4US recommends getting books available online (e.g. Amazon), as well as in bookstores, which will prepare you for this exam.
Sports Scholarship - General Description
Use your athletic abilities while studying in the USA! Scholarships for international students
What do you need to know?
Athletic scholarships are an attractive opportunity for students who not only want to develop intellectually but also continue their passion for sports. In the USA, many universities offer a variety of sports programs, including disciplines such as basketball, football, track and field, and tennis, which allows you to get financial support in the form of a scholarship.
International students with exceptional athletic skills can apply for athletic scholarships. Depending on the discipline and specific university rules, these scholarships can cover a variety of costs, including tuition, accommodation, meals, and even costs associated with training and competitions.
Benefits for international students
- Financial support: Athletic scholarships provide real and significant financial support, helping to cover the costs of education and living on campus.
- Development of athletic skills: Participation in sports programs allows you to develop your athletic skills and participate in prestigious competitions, which contributes to the full development of your athletic potential.
- Social integration: Participation in sports programs is a great opportunity to make international friends.
If you are interested in an athletic scholarship, Edu4US advises you to contact the financial aid office and the athletic department at your university. The application process may vary depending on the institution, but it usually requires documentation of athletic skills, history of achievements, and meeting certain academic criteria.
Athletic scholarships in the USA are available to people who meet specific criteria. Before you start the application process, Edu4US recommends that you familiarize yourself with these requirements to assess your chances of obtaining financial support:
Age requirements:
Participants in sports programs at universities or colleges in the USA must meet certain age requirements. Typically, people applying for an athletic scholarship should be between 16 and 25 years old or should not have exceeded 5-6 semesters of study, as most available scholarships are for undergraduate studies.
Some universities, especially those affiliated with NCAA II, may offer scholarships at the graduate level as well, provided that the applicant has completed less than 8 semesters before starting their second degree. However, the qualifications of candidates are subject to a number of rules that must be taken into account.
It is most advantageous to start studying in the United States immediately after graduating from high school, which allows you to apply for a scholarship for the full four years of undergraduate studies. Each year that has passed since graduating from high school negatively affects the chances of receiving a scholarship, while at the same time shortening its period of validity. Therefore, the best chances of obtaining a scholarship are right after graduating from high school, when the application is submitted a year before the high school diploma, which allows the coaches to work with the candidate for a longer period of time.
Athletic success in the appropriate discipline
Sports programs at universities offer a variety of disciplines for both women and men, although not all teams are active every year. Example disciplines include:
- Beach volleyball
- Cheerleading
- Gymnastics
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Golf
- Baseball
- Rugby
- American football
- Rowing
- Football
- Wrestling
In the process of applying for a US athletic scholarship, it is important to consider all aspects: the full picture of the athlete, their achievements and athletic skills.
Academic achievements
When awarding a scholarship in the USA, the coach primarily considers the candidate’s athletic achievements. However, in order to be able to join the sports team at the university at all, the candidate must first be accepted by the given university. Therefore, all international candidates must have a full high school diploma and identity documents, such as certificates, diplomas, exam results and transcripts.
In addition, each international applicant (excluding applicants from English-speaking countries) is required to pass the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam. Sports departments also require candidates to take the SAT or ACT (college entrance exams).
All documents submitted in a foreign language must also be attached in the form of official, certified translations into English.
Timely submission of the application
Coaches start looking for potential athletes several months before the official start of the season
Timely Application Submission
Coaches begin looking for potential athletes several months before the official start of the season. Therefore, Edu4US recommends starting preparations at least a year in advance and submitting applications at least 9 months in advance. The earlier the application is submitted, the higher the chances of obtaining an attractive scholarship.
What are the amounts of sports scholarships in the United States?
The amount of scholarships depends on the sport and league; the best chances of getting full funding (also called a “full ride”) are for sports such as basketball and football (men), as well as tennis, volleyball, and gymnastics (women). International students can apply for scholarships in both Division I and Division II.
In Division I, it is possible to obtain a full “full ride” scholarship, which covers tuition, accommodation, meals, and university fees. Considering the high cost of education in the United States and living in the country, full financial support is a significant advantage. However, in Division II, scholarships are usually partial, and “full rides” are rarely offered.
Applicants applying for full scholarships must demonstrate high achievements in both sports and academics. Edu4US recommends starting to complete the documents at least 1.5 years in advance.
NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA: The Structure of Athletic Departments in Higher Education
In addition to the club league, there are also amateur competitive sports, which are mostly practiced in the framework of college leagues, in which universities are divided into four different divisions, covering a maximum of 30 different sports disciplines.
What is the NCAA?
The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) is the organization that oversees and regulates college sports in the United States. It is one of the most important sports institutions in the country, responsible for overseeing sports programs at higher education institutions.
The NCAA divides universities into three main divisions (Division I, Division II, Division III), depending on the size and resources of the institution. This structure allows for the organization of sporting competition at different skill levels, while also taking into account educational aspects.
The organization sets rules for recruitment, participation, professionalism of university athletes, and the organization of national championships in many disciplines.
Division I Education
Division I schools have the largest student populations, budgets, and scholarship programs in the United States. They comprise 350 institutions, representing over 6,000 sports teams and offering participation opportunities to nearly 140,000 student-athletes. The maximum number of scholarships available in this division is approximately 74,000, which means that not every candidate can count on funding. Widely known sports conferences, such as the SEC, Big 10, Pac 12, and ACC, include Division I schools.
Although Ivy League schools are also Division I, they do not award athletic scholarships. Institutions such as Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Yale focus on other forms of support.
Renowned Division I schools with the potential to award athletic scholarships in the US include Stanford, UCLA, and the University of Florida.
Division II Schools
Division II consists of 310 schools, which is a significant group of educational institutions. Although schools in this division still offer attractive forms of funding, their number is smaller than in Division I. In Division II, most student-athletes receive partial US athletic scholarships, due to the smaller budgets available to these schools. Unlike Division I institutions, where travel across the country for games and tournaments is common, Division II competition is primarily regional in nature.
Examples of Division II schools include the University of West Florida, Northern Michigan University, Oklahoma Baptist University, and Valdosta State University.
Division III Education
Division III is the largest of all, with 438 schools and over 140,000 student-athletes. The key feature of Division III is the lack of athletic scholarships. However, most students take advantage of various forms of academic or need-based aid. In Division III, training sessions are shorter and travel to games is less frequent.
Examples of Division III schools include Babson College, California Institute of Technology, Emory University, Eastern Connecticut State University, and the University of Rochester.
What is NAIA?
The NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) is a sports organization that includes higher education institutions in the United States and Canada. An alternative to the NCAA, NAIA offers sports programs for student-athletes at various skill levels. It focuses on smaller institutions, providing flexibility in academic and recruiting requirements. NAIA schools award athletic scholarships, and the organization itself oversees and regulates athletic competition, organizing its own national championships. It acts as an accessible platform for schools that want to participate in athletic competition at the university level.
What is NJCAA?
The NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) is a sports organization located in the United States that oversees and regulates college sports at the junior college level.
Junior colleges, also known as community colleges, are two-year institutions of higher education that offer associate degree programs. The NJCAA organizes and oversees athletic competition at this level of education. Within the NJCAA, junior college students have the opportunity to compete in a variety of sports, including football, basketball, baseball, softball, track and field, and many others.
The NJCAA is divided into three divisions (Division I, II, III) based on the level of athletic competition and the financial resources of each school. The NJCAA’s goal is to develop the athletic skills of junior college students, providing them with the opportunity to compete at an appropriate level, and to promote academic values and character through participation in sports.
Scholarship rules:
Division I: Colleges have the ability to award full scholarships, known as “full rides,” which cover tuition, university fees, accommodation, and meals. The number of scholarships is limited, as is the number of scholarships awarded in each sport.
Division II: Schools can award partial athletic scholarships, covering tuition, university fees, and up to $250 for learning materials. Similar to D1, there are limits on the number of scholarships awarded in each sport.
Division III: Schools in this division do not offer full or partial athletic scholarships in the USA.
Sports Scholarship Step by Step
When to start preparing?
Your local coach is the first source of information about your skills, but their assessment may be subjective and does not include the perspective of playing at the college level. It is worth investing in a professional sports assessment, which will provide you with important information about your chances of getting a scholarship, your strengths and weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Such an assessment can be conducted during a consultation or based on submitted video materials.
Coaches looking for talented athletes use a variety of tools, such as recruiting media services (e.g., rivals.com) or recommendations from specialized consultants. It is crucial to create a complete sports profile and place it in popular databases, containing information about education, academic achievements and sports skills (preferably also in the form of video and/or photos).
The three main organizations that award sports scholarships in the US are NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA (more about them...). They evaluate GPA (grade point average), statistics, athletic awards and recruiting videos.
For scholarship candidates at NCAA I and II schools, it is necessary to:- create a certified account for a fee of $150
- complete 16 core courses in high school, including English, math, and science and social studies
- achieve a GPA of 2.3 or 2.0
- earn a satisfactory score on the SAT or ACT (depending on GPA)
For NAIA scholarships, candidates must:- have a high school diploma
- meet the university's application requirements
- achieve a minimum SAT or ACT score / achieve a minimum 2.0 GPA / be in the top half of their high school graduating class
Meeting two of the three above conditions is sufficient to qualify for a scholarship in the case of the last of the listed criteria. Familiarizing yourself with the requirements will make it easier to make an informed choice of university.
There are many schools in the United States that offer athletic scholarships, but it is not possible to apply to all of them. Once you have determined your preferred organization and division, it is worth finding out which schools offer scholarships in your sport in that league. You can do this by visiting the websites of the NCAA, NAIA or NJCAA, clicking on your division, and then checking the list of "participating schools". When choosing a school, you should consider factors such as location, cost of education, available majors, and application requirements, including SAT or ACT scores.
Even if a coach offers a sports scholarship, the decision to admit is made by the school. It is worth comparing your grades to the grades of students attending the school to realistically assess your chances. Poor academic performance may affect the admissions decision.
Once you have prepared a list of schools you would like to recruit to, contact the coach at each of those schools. Their contact information can be found on the university's website. Send them your recruiting package, trying to tailor your cover letter to the specific recipient. In your letter, emphasize why you would like to attend that particular school and why you would be a valuable member of that particular team. Edu4US recommends that you personalize your cover letter for each university so that you do not send the same cover letter to every coach.
US coaches may initiate direct contact with student-athletes and are generally not allowed to give direct responses, there are some . Contact is possible through a local coach or recruiting agency. Therefore, it is important to provide the contact information of these intermediaries. They are the ones who most often conduct consultations on the best financial package. After agreeing on the terms, both parties usually sign a contract, and the promising athlete can enjoy the US sports scholarship they have won.
Despite the strict rules about when US coaches can directly contact student-athletes and usually cannot give direct answers, there are some "loopholes" in these rules. Communication can take place through a local coach or recruiting agency, which is why Edu4US recommends providing the contact information of these intermediaries.
Advantages for International Students
- Financial Support: Sports scholarships provide real and substantial financial support, helping to cover the costs associated with education and campus life.
- Development of Sports Skills: Participation in sports programs allows for the development of athletic skills and the opportunity to compete in prestigious events, contributing to the full realization of athletic potential.
- Social Integration: Participation in sports programs offers an excellent opportunity to make international connections.