{"id":33006,"date":"2024-04-02T10:00:42","date_gmt":"2024-04-02T10:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interstride.com\/?p=33006"},"modified":"2024-07-13T14:11:08","modified_gmt":"2024-07-13T14:11:08","slug":"should-i-do-undergrad-or-graduate-school-in-the-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/interstride.com\/blog\/should-i-do-undergrad-or-graduate-school-in-the-us\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I do undergrad or graduate school in the US?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If students and their families know that they can only afford one degree overseas, the question becomes: what’s the better value \u2013 college or graduate school in the US? To answer this question, international students will need to think about their short-term and long-term goals as well as their budget for higher education to determine the best time to go to the US.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is graduate and undergraduate school in the US?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Undergraduate school or college in the US allows students to earn a bachelor\u2019s degree in about four years. It is typically completed after high school in the US. Undergraduate degrees include general education courses and courses focused on a chosen major.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Graduate school or grad school allows students to earn a master\u2019s degree in one to two years after they have earned a bachelor\u2019s. Graduate degrees are advanced degrees where you focus on one area of study. Most graduate schools in the US accept students who earned a bachelor\u2019s degree from any accredited instruction whether it was in the US or your home country.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Considerations and advantages of going to the US for grad school vs. undergrad<\/b><\/h2>\n

Understanding the differences between graduate and undergraduate school can help international students figure out which is best for them. These differences include application requirements, cost and financial aid opportunities, and academics. The types of experiences students have and the career opportunities available after graduation will also vary for undergrad vs grad students. Let\u2019s explore these differences between undergraduate and graduate school in the US and how they affect international students.<\/span><\/p>\n

Applying to undergraduate vs graduate school<\/b><\/h4>\n

International students applying to undergraduate school in the US have a relatively simple admissions process that involves submitting your high school grades, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. Many colleges are moving away from requiring standardized test scores but some still do ask undergraduate applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. International students will also need to submit test scores that show their English proficiency whether they are applying to undergrad or grad school.<\/span><\/p>\n

Overall, grad school applications are more complex than undergrad applications. Grad schools require you to apply to a specific program and may ask you to identify a specific faculty member that you are interested in studying under upon acceptance. Some graduate programs in the US may also require GRE scores or GMAT scores for MBA programs. Check each program\u2019s admission website for specific requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n

Common additional admission requirements for graduate school include:<\/span><\/p>\n