The information is expert, current, and valuable and covers topics such as how to select the right degree programs, search and compete for financial aid, gain admission, prepare to cover the cost of college studies, find low cost quality universities and colleges, and obtain student visas.  International university candidates, their parents and school guidance officers who counsel students regarding study overseas will discover that this information enables them to plan effectively for university study in the United States and Canada.  The information is accurate and authoritative.

Because of the rapid changes which engulf businesses in the United States, Canada and globally, particularly as a result of constant changes in the use of information and technology, expect a few of the agencies and organizations identified and listed in this publication to change names, contact information, focus or move addresses altogether.  Be aware that institutions or materials references in this text may change without notice.  In such cases, the author will make every effort to update future editions accordingly.  However, as you use the principles and strategies outlined in this book, you will uncover new or updated information on related agencies or organizations which other readers may find useful.  Please write the publisher (see Chapter Twenty Five) with this information. 

LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION

Congratulations!  You are reading this book because you have made up your mind or are exploring the possibilities of an American or Canadian education.  You could not have made a better investment if that is your priority.  This book will quickly get you on path and will smooth your search for that university or college which opens doors to your future, wherever you end up after you have achieved your American or Canadian university degree. 

A college degree in today’s global economy is essential for competing in the job market and securing a better quality of life.  The US Department of Labor has predicted that by the year 2010, almost 80% of all jobs will require a post-secondary education.  New advances in global technology require a well educated workforce.  Ultimately, for those who make the investment, a post-secondary education will lead to better job opportunities, higher salaries, a sense of personal accomplishment and a better quality of life.  For students from developing countries, the United States and Canada offer affordable first class, high quality university education and a chance to cash in on their investments.  

Because of the high value of a United States and Canadian degree in today’s highly competitive job market, more than half a million students from across the world are seeking higher education opportunities at American and Canadian universities annually.  However, finding one’s way into a US or Canadian institution from overseas can be a very expensive, complicated, daunting and confusing process for many.  The author of YOU’RE ADMITTED!...The Art of Admission to American & Canadian Universities has accomplished a major initiative in writing this guide. 

It provides information that significantly simplifies the admissions process for international, (including US and Canadian students), their parents and even professionals working in the field.  Further, this book eliminates the myth that American and Canadian universities and colleges are too expensive for international students, illustrating that a quality education is within their reach.  Consider studying in your chosen program for less than $8000 (US) in tuition and fees for a full academic year.  Yes, this is achievable in the United States and Canada! 

In the ideal world when access to higher education is limitless and educational opportunities abound, students may be drawn to particular colleges and universities that match their personalities (Thomas, 1976).  However, the great majority of international students contemplating studying in Canada and the United States do not have this luxury of being drawn to particular institutions based on their personality make-up and the characteristics of the institutions.  For those students, there are more practical factors such as affordability, costs, availability of scholarships, fields of study and  climate, to name a few. 

The author has tremendous experience working with international students. YOU’RE ADMITTED!...Art of Admission to American & Canadian Universities clearly outlines the requirements and processes involved in attending colleges and universities in the United States and Canada.  This publication can make a difference by providing international, as well as United States and Canadian students, with a distinct advantage in navigating through the complex application process for admissions into US or Canadian universities and colleges.   

YOU’RE ADMITTED!...The Art of Admission presents a very clear and detailed understanding of the issues confronting international students at US and Canadian universities and colleges. This book provides valuable information for students before they embark on their journey of higher education in the United States and Canada.  It reliably addresses the concerns of those international students seeking post secondary education opportunities in both the United States and Canada.   

YOU’RE ADMITTED!...The Art of Admission to American & Canadian Universities clarifies admission requirements, costs of education, characteristics of competitive schools, US and Canadian Visa, college sports, scholarships and other qualifications for international students.  In addition, it lists hundreds of sources of scholarships to US and Canadian universities and colleges and directs the reader on how to contact those agencies or institutions.   

Normally, international students attempt to access this information through varied, costly and unreliable sources.  This Book makes available all the relevant and critical information in a single, easy to read publication.   

Students who live in Canada and the United States will also realize great advantages to studying in each other’s country.  Apart from being great neighbors, both countries share many characteristics that are complementary to each other.  Besides, it is not necessary to obtain a Student Visa (US) or Study Permit (Canada) to study in each other’s country. 

International, American and Canadian students considering higher education in the United States or Canada should read this book.  It is well researched, easy to read and will serve as a valuable guide in identifying the best among the many affordable universities and colleges in the US and Canada. 

This book will save and find you money and put you on your career path and journey to a quality of life beyond imagination!

TO ORDER THIS BOOK CLICK BELOW!

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LESSON 12: PREPARING TO OBTAIN FINANCIAL AID

Here is an abridged version of Lesson 12.

Studying in America and Canada can be as exciting and seductive as it can be challenging to finance.  Both the tuition and the cost of living can be much higher than in other countries.  However, the wide range of programs and their up-to-date facilities, research capability and accessible technology make the United States and Canada very attractive in spite of apparent cost. Sometimes, international students compete with American, Canadian and other international students for the same sources of funding.

Regardless of which institution you choose, attending American and Canadian universities is expensive, even though it may be within your financial resources.  Moreover, higher education in the United States and Canada requires a major investment of time, energy and money.  Students and their parents need to learn about as many sources of financial aid as possible in order to bring within reach, the education that is right for them. 

However you analyze it, financing a post-secondary education is no easy task in most countries.  Fortunately, there are many North American and international resources to assist you.  If you take time to prepare, explore your options and learn about financial aid programs that may be available to pay for part, if not all, of your education, an American or Canadian degree can be within your reach.  

Yes, there are $$$ Millions out there!

It is true to say that America and Canada have millions of dollars which can be used to pay for your education, if you can locate those dollars.  To cash in on that vast amount of money, you need to prepare yourself for searching effectively, sharpen your research skills and quickly acquire a good selective knowledge of the North American education and financial aid systems, and how those systems relate to you, governments and industry. 

For many students, the search for financial aid is tedious, time-consuming and sometimes fruitless.  Needless to say, many international students are turned away from a Canadian or American education because of lack of sufficient personal funds or because of their inability to find the amount of scholarship funds needed for their education.  On the other hand, tens of thousands of international students receive financial aid to complete their degrees in America and Canada.  

More than 600,000 international students attended colleges and universities in America and Canada every year.  It is estimated that about eighty-one percent of international students in the United States finance their education through personal and family resources at the undergraduate level, while forty-seven percent at the graduate level finance their education in a similar manner (NAFSA, 2004).   

About 90 percent of international students at Community Colleges are self-financed.  International students in Associate Degree programs at community colleges tend to finance their own education, mainly because these colleges are more affordable and the credits earned there are transferable to the Bachelors Degree programs.  

As a result, these colleges, especially in America, have increased their international student enrollments by more than 40 percent since 1993, compared to the 15 percent growth rate of post secondary institutions overall (Open Doors, 2000).  If an American or Canadian education is your goal, pay attention to this trend by enrolling in the Community Colleges, at least as a first step.  

Although in the last few years, the rate of increase in tuition and fees in America and Canada has outpaced the rate of inflation and gains in family income throughout most countries, there are also more options available to pay for a university education than ever before.  By taking advantage of a variety of available resources, students may find financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, loans or work-study programs.  Be aware, however, that the portion of your total education costs covered by financial aid may vary a lot from institution to institution.   

Don’t Waste Money on Scholarship Searches!

There are many scholarship search services in the United States.  Those are advertised mainly on the Internet.  International students are advised to avoid spending money on those services because the awards are always restricted to US citizens and permanent residents or the awards may not be sufficient to warrant the investment.  Even if scholarships searches result in reducing the amount of fees you have to pay for college or university, it does not always transfer to “affordability”. For example, according to one college expert: 

You may spend $50 or $100 for the cost of each scholarship search.  In the end, even if you are offered $5000 dollars in scholarship when the actual cost of attending the institution may be more than $25,000, you are still left holding the bill for more than $20,000!  If you really want to find that big prize, do your search yourself, for free!  The information you need is available in this book, in cyberspace or in libraries, and is yours for free.  Several companies (with very large, up-to-date databases) offer free scholarship searches.  Others just give you lots of valuable information! 

Access to Financial Aid Sources is Available

Applying for financial aid does not affect a student’s chances of being admitted to a college or university.  Therefore, if you doubt your ability to meet the entire cost of the university or college education, then you should apply for financial aid as soon as you determine that you are applying to study in America and Canada.  Some American States allow you to borrow low interest student loans to cover the full cost of your studies in the United States, if you meet their lending requirements.  Information on funding sources and publications on the same are provided in Lesson 13.

Scholarships are sometimes available to students who achieved academic and/or athletic excellence.  However, foreign students cannot access most United States Federal or State (and Canadian Federal or Provincial) financial aid programs since those programs are reserved for Permanent Residents and citizens of the United States and Canada.   

In the United States, most college financial aid programs are managed by the US Federal and State governments, private foundations, companies and universities.  In Canada, most financial aid programs are managed by each Province.  As an international student, you have a better chance of obtaining financial aid from a university or private foundation, than from Government and financial aid programs (whether it is United States Federal or State and Canadian Federal or Provincial). 

NAFSA estimates that only two percent of all international students in the United States receive any funding from the US government.  In Canada, a very small number of international students receive financial aid from Canadian Government programs.  In 2005, less than 2500 international students (from about 100,000 students) received funding from Canada’s two largest Federal funding sources: Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and Official Development Assistance (ODA) program. 

Where to Find Financial Aid in America and Canada

Some international countries provide financial aid for their citizens to study in the US and Canada, and there are some aid sources available from the American and Canadian government for students from specific countries.  American and Canadian government student loans, however, are not available to international students.  

As mentioned earlier, international graduate students have significantly more opportunities for financial aid than their undergraduate counterparts.  Graduate applicants, however, should contact both the university’s financial aid office and their intended departments directly, about financial aid, as early as possible.  The availability of financial aid from private sources varies, is very limited and usually requires that you apply from your home country, before entering the United States or Canada. 

Although financial aid from US or Canadian sources is available to international students, you need to plan and prepare to “compete” for those awards.  The rest of this lesson contains advice and information to enhance your chances of obtaining financial assistance. Lesson 13  contains 100's of sources and resources you can use to find out about financial aid programs for study in the US and Canada.  Whether you are already in America or Canada, the information and advice summarized in the rest of this lesson describe you should know or do while you prepare for using the information contained in Lesson 13.

Remember that abundant information is available about funding sources in many places if you do your research.  While in your home country, for information regarding the United States sources, contact the United States Information Service (USIS) post or the educational advising center designated by the American Embassy in your country.  Addresses and contact information are provided elsewhere in this book. 

The rest of this Lesson covers the following important topics: 

• The Search for $$$ for Graduate Study

• Develop your “List of 60” of Graduate Schools

• Research and Reduce your “List of 30”of Graduate Schools

• Introduce Yourself to the Graduate Departments

• Application Procedures for Scholarships

• Designing a Great Resume

• Resume´ Format

• Sample Resume´

• Using a Cover Letter

• Sample of Cover Letter For Scholarship Application

• Sample College Background Information “Form B”