USA

School education lasts 12 years: elementary, middle and high school. There is no single national standard — curricula are set by the states and school districts.

High school ends with a High School Diploma. There is also no single final exam; for university admission, the average grade (GPA), the SAT or ACT standard tests, essays, references and extracurricular activities are considered.

In the upper years a student chooses their own subjects, including advanced courses (AP or IB) that can later count towards university credit.

Sport, volunteering and clubs are not a formality but an important part of an applicant’s profile.

For the first one or two years of a bachelor’s, a student takes broad general-education subjects and only then chooses a major; it can be changed during the course.

The system is very varied: two-year community colleges with inexpensive tuition and a later transfer to university, large research universities, and small liberal arts colleges focused on teaching. A master’s takes 1–2 years, a doctorate 4–6 years and is usually funded.

Tuition costs vary widely: public universities are cheaper for in-state residents, private ones are more expensive but more generous with financial aid.

You need TOEFL or IELTS, often the SAT/ACT, a transcript of grades, 2–3 letters of recommendation and a motivation essay. A master’s adds the GRE or GMAT depending on the field.

The application process is long, with deadlines 8–10 months before the start of study; bachelor’s applications are conveniently made through the Common App platform.

Almost all universities offer financial aid and scholarships — merit-based, athletic, and also need-based (on the family’s financial situation). International students more often have access to merit scholarships.

An F-1 visa allows work on campus; practical training in your field (CPT/OPT) is available after the first year and for up to three years after graduation for STEM fields. The fastest way onto an American campus is a semester exchange, a summer school or an internship: the requirements and costs are lower.