Welcome to the USA and EducationUSA
Tap into a valuable resource: your local EducationUSA advisor. Get assistance finding financial aid, applying for a visa, and much more with the click of a mouse or a visit in person.

“Visiting an EducationUSA advising center in person is the best place to begin your search. Not only will you have the opportunity to meet with your advisor, speak with him or her, and have your questions answered but you will also have the chance to peruse the latest books and reference materials available on the full range of accredited institutions of higher learning in the United States.”

According to Open Doors 2004, more than 572,000 students from around the world are currently studying in the United States, making it the premier study destination in the world for international students. You are probably already familiar with the many reasons students have chosen to further their education in the United States: the prestige, quality, and diversity that U.S. institutions offer. And you may even have personal reasons for wanting to study here.

Beginning your search to select the best schools and programs, preparing successful applications, taking the required entrance examinations such as the TOEFL® or GRE®, seeking financial aid, and applying for a student visa can be overwhelming and daunting tasks; you may even feel stressed out thinking about them. The good news is someone in your country can help guide you through the entire process: your local EducationUSA advisor. Help is available online at  www.educationusa.state.gov.

Access to Qualified Advisors

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State supports a global network of more than 450 advising and information centers in 170 countries, known simply as EducationUSA. These centers actively promote U.S. higher education around the world by offering accurate, comprehensive, objective, and timely information about educational opportunities in the United States and guidance to qualified individuals on how best to access those opportunities.

Who are the staff members at EducationUSA centers? They are professional advisors, many of whom have studied in the United States themselves and/or have received State Department-approved training about U.S. higher education and the advising process. They assist roughly 25 million prospective international students around the world each year, either in person, by telephone, through e-mail, or on the Internet. We estimate that an EducationUSA advisor assisted more than half of the international students who eventually choose to study in the United States.

How Advisors Can Help You

EducationUSA advisors are an invaluable resource and provide a wealth of information and services for international students at all stages of the college search, free of charge. They know the differences among the many types of colleges and universities in the United States and can provide you with information that will help you identify the best options for your educational and professional interests and choose an institution that meets your needs. They know how the admissions process works and can advise you on issues such as testing, essay writing, and letters of reference. Advisors can often assist you in identifying financial aid opportunities, as well.

EducationUSA advisors receive constant updates about U.S. immigration law and security requirements and can guide you through the student visa application process and prepare you for the interview. Finally, many EducationUSA centers also provide specialized services such as essay and resume writing workshops, academic and cultural predeparture preparation, and translation and document verification.

Visiting an EducationUSA advising center in person is the best place to begin your search. Not only will you have the opportunity to meet with your advisor, speak with him or her, and have your questions answered but you will also have the chance to peruse the latest books and reference materials available on the full range of accredited institutions of higher learning in the United States. You may even meet other prospective students similar to you during your visit. If you are unable to make a personal visit, however, nearly all of the EducationUSA advisors spend a great deal of time advising students online, so contacting your local advisor via e-mail is another alternative.

Valuable Online Assistance

If an EducationUSA advising center isn't nearby, the EducationUSA Web site  is a great alternative for finding valuable information. Visitors to the Web site find a menu with several types of programs—undergraduate, graduate, specialized professional study, opportunities for scholars, and short-term study—and links to more specific information about these programs. Separate pages provide information on student visas, the admissions process, accreditation, financial assistance, and standardized testing.

Students can also download If You Want to Study in the United States, a series of publications (available in several languages) that outline how to apply to and prepare for study in the United States. On the Web site you can also view profiles of international students currently studying at U.S. campuses, access the Find-a-School search engine, or explore related links to other U.S. government Web sites and external resources.

We encourage you to take advantage of the wonderful resources available in your country. To meet your EducationUSA advisor and find the EducationUSA center nearest you, please visit www.educationUSA.state.gov/centers.htm.