The world's top universities
The US has more universities in the global top 100 than any other country, including MIT, Stanford, Harvard and the rest of the Ivy League.
United States
Study in the USA
The world's largest and most diverse higher-education system, from the Ivy League to great public research universities, with flexible degrees and up to three years of post-study work through OPT. AMET's San Diego office and global network support your application.
4,000+colleges and universities
1.1M+international students
8Ivy League universities
3 yearspost-study work with OPT and STEM OPT (up to)
Why study in the USA?
Unmatched choice, a flexible system that lets you shape your own degree, and campuses that are the world's innovation engines.
A flexible degree structure
Explore subjects before declaring a major, combine majors and minors, and transfer credits between institutions; the system is built around choice.
Work experience built in
Work on campus during study, gain experience through CPT internships, then stay for 12 months of Optional Practical Training, or up to 36 months for STEM graduates.
Research and innovation
US universities lead the world in research funding and sit at the heart of Silicon Valley, Boston, and the biotech and finance hubs that hire their graduates.
Scholarships and funding
Merit scholarships, need-based aid, assistantships and tuition waivers are available to international students, particularly at postgraduate level.
Campus life and diversity
More than 1.1 million international students, hundreds of clubs and societies, college sport and a campus culture that welcomes newcomers.
The Ivy League and America's leading universities
The eight Ivy League universities are among the oldest and most selective in the world. Alongside them sit MIT, Stanford and the great public universities. AMET's US Ivy League program is built around applications to these institutions through our global office network.
America's oldest university and one of the world's most recognised, with world-leading business, law, medicine, government and liberal arts.
25,000+ studentsGlobal top 5
Ask about Harvard University
A focus on undergraduate teaching and research, renowned for mathematics, physics, engineering, economics and public affairs.
8,000+ studentsGlobal top 25
Ask about Princeton University
Famed for law, drama, arts and the humanities, with a residential college system and one of the largest university endowments.
14,000+ studentsGlobal top 25
Ask about Yale University
An Ivy in the heart of Manhattan, with world-class journalism, business, international affairs, engineering and the arts.
35,000+ studentsGlobal top 40
Ask about Columbia University
Home to the Wharton School of business, with strengths in nursing, medicine, engineering and the social sciences.
28,000+ studentsGlobal top 15
Ask about Pennsylvania
The largest Ivy, with leading programmes in engineering, hotel administration, agriculture, veterinary science and architecture.
26,000+ studentsGlobal top 20
Ask about Cornell University
Known for its open curriculum that lets students design their own degree, and for the humanities, medicine and computer science.
11,000+ studentsLiberal arts focus
Ask about Brown University
A close-knit campus with an undergraduate focus, plus the Tuck School of Business, Geisel School of Medicine and Thayer engineering.
6,500+ studentsUndergraduate focus
Ask about Dartmouth CollegeThe world's leading university for science, engineering and technology, and a cradle of start-ups and research breakthroughs.
11,000+ studentsSTEM leader
Ask about Massachusetts Institute of TechnologySilicon Valley's university, world-leading in computer science, engineering, business and entrepreneurship.
17,000+ studentsSilicon Valley
Ask about Stanford UniversityThe flagship public university of California, a global leader in computer science, engineering, economics and the sciences.
45,000+ studentsPublic flagship
Ask about California, BerkeleyAmerica's most applied-to university, with top programmes in film, engineering, business, medicine and the arts.
46,000+ studentsLos Angeles
Ask about California, Los AngelesPopular fields of study
US universities lead in these fields, and most of them qualify for the 24-month STEM extension to post-study work. Pick one and tell us what you have in mind.
Computer scienceData science and AIEngineeringBusiness and managementFinance and economicsBiomedical and life sciencesPublic healthLaw (JD and LLM)PsychologyCommunications and mediaFilm and performing artsArchitecture and designInternational relations and politicsMathematics and statisticsEnvironmental scienceHospitality and tourismNursing and health sciencesEducation
US student visas and work rights
Most international students study on an F-1 visa issued after an interview at a US embassy or consulate. AMET prepares the paperwork and the interview with you.
F-1 Student visa
For full-time study at a SEVP-certified institution. Your university issues a Form I-20, you pay the SEVIS fee, then attend a visa interview. Allows on-campus work of up to 20 hours a week in term and full-time in breaks.
CPT and OPT
Curricular Practical Training allows internships that are part of your course. Optional Practical Training gives 12 months of work after graduation in your field, extendable by 24 months for STEM degrees, up to 36 months in total.
F-2 dependant visas
Spouses and children under 21 can accompany F-1 students. Children may attend school; spouses may study part-time but cannot work.
Estimated study and living costs
Approximate annual figures in US dollars. Costs vary widely: public universities charge less than private ones, and cities like New York, Boston and San Francisco cost more to live in. Your counsellor will confirm exact fees and available scholarships.
| Expense | Estimated annual cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition, public university | $25,000 – $45,000 | Out-of-state international rate |
| Undergraduate tuition, private university | $40,000 – $65,000 | Ivy League and top private universities at the upper end |
| Postgraduate tuition | $25,000 – $60,000 | MBA, law and medicine can be higher; many PhDs are funded |
| Community college (2-year pathway) | $8,000 – $15,000 | Transfer to a university for years three and four |
| Accommodation | $10,000 – $20,000 | On-campus housing or shared apartment |
| Food, transport and personal | $6,000 – $12,000 | Meal plans keep food costs predictable |
| Health insurance | $1,500 – $3,000 | Required by most universities |
| Books and supplies | $1,000 – $1,500 | Digital resources widely available |
| Total estimate | $45,000 – $95,000 | Tuition plus living costs, per year, before scholarships |
Funds for your visa
One year of costs
Your university states the full first-year cost (tuition plus living expenses) on your Form I-20, and you must show funds to cover it, through bank statements, scholarships or a sponsor letter, before the I-20 is issued and again at your visa interview. The SEVIS I-901 fee is also paid before the interview.
Admission requirements
Requirements vary by university and programme; these are the standard requirements for international applicants.
- Academic qualificationsUndergraduate: completion of Year 12 or equivalent with strong grades. Postgraduate: a bachelor's degree, typically with a GPA of 3.0 or above on the US 4.0 scale.
- English language proficiencyTOEFL iBT 80–100, IELTS 6.5–7.0 or Duolingo English Test 110–125, depending on the university and programme.
- Standardised testsSAT or ACT for undergraduate entry at many universities, though a growing number are test-optional. GRE or GMAT for many master's and MBA programmes.
- Essays and personal statementThe Common Application essay and university-specific supplements for undergraduates; a statement of purpose for postgraduate applicants.
- Letters of recommendationUsually two to three from teachers, professors or employers, submitted directly by the referee.
- Financial evidenceProof of funds for the first year's tuition and living costs, required by the university before it issues your Form I-20.
- Extracurricular profileSelective universities weigh leadership, community service, sport, arts and work experience alongside grades.
- Valid passport and I-20A passport valid for six months beyond your stay, and the Form I-20 from your university, are needed for the F-1 visa interview.
ATAR to GPA calculator
US universities report grades on a 4.0 GPA scale. Enter your ATAR (or predicted ATAR) to see an indicative US GPA equivalent.
Enter a value between 30.00 and 99.95.
| ATAR | Indicative GPA | Typical US competitiveness |
|---|
This is an indicative guide only. There is no official ATAR-to-GPA conversion: US admissions offices review your full Year 11–12 transcript, subject choices and school context alongside test scores, essays and activities, and many will recalculate grades their own way. Talk to an AMET counsellor for advice on your application.
SAT and ACT practice tests
Many US universities ask for SAT or ACT scores, and a strong score can help even where tests are optional. Start with the official free practice tests below, then try our quick sample questions.
Digital SAT
College Board SAT
- Sections
- Reading and Writing; Math
- Length
- About 2 hours 14 minutes
- Score
- 400–1600
- Format
- Adaptive, taken in the Bluebook app; built-in calculator
Enhanced ACT
ACT
- Sections
- English, Math, Reading; Science optional
- Length
- About 2 hours (core), plus 40 minutes for Science
- Score
- 1–36 composite
- Format
- Online or paper, depending on test centre
SAT · Free
Full-length SAT practice tests
Official adaptive practice tests from College Board, taken in the Bluebook app exactly like test day, with scores and answer explanations.
Open Bluebook practice tests →
SAT · Free
SAT question bank and Khan Academy
Thousands of official practice questions by topic and difficulty, plus College Board's free personalised prep with Khan Academy.
Explore official SAT practice →
ACT · Free
Official ACT practice test
ACT's free full-length practice test with answer key and scoring, plus official prep resources for the enhanced ACT.
Open ACT test preparation →
Quick check · 8 questions
Try some SAT- and ACT-style sample questions
Original practice questions written by AMET in the style of each test. Choose an answer to see the explanation.
How to apply, step by step
The main intake is Fall (August–September), with a smaller Spring intake in January. Selective universities close undergraduate applications in early January, with Early Decision and Early Action rounds in November, so start 12 to 18 months ahead.
AMET's San Diego office and our counsellors worldwide handle every step below at no cost to you.
- 1Build your shortlist
Compare universities on programme, cost, location, scholarships and selectivity, and balance reach, match and safety choices.
- 2Sit your tests
TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo, plus the SAT, ACT, GRE or GMAT where required, allowing time for a retake.
- 3Prepare your application
Transcripts, essays, references, test scores and financial documents, with AMET reviewing every essay draft.
- 4Submit through the Common App or directly
Most undergraduate applications go through the Common Application; postgraduate applications go direct to each university.
- 5Accept your offer and receive your I-20
Pay your deposit and submit financial evidence; your university then issues the Form I-20.
- 6Pay the SEVIS fee and attend your visa interview
Complete the DS-160, pay the I-901 SEVIS fee and attend your F-1 interview at a US embassy or consulate.
- 7Arrange housing, insurance and travel
Book on-campus housing or an apartment, arrange health insurance and fly in up to 30 days before your course starts.
- 8Arrive and begin your studies
Report to your international student office, attend orientation and register for classes.
Ready to study in the USA?
From Ivy League applications to community college pathways, AMET's counsellors guide you through every step, from shortlist to visa interview.
Got a question about studying in the USA?
Tell us a little about your plans and an AMET counsellor will get back to you within one working day.
Enquiry sentThanks for contacting AMET. A counsellor will reply within one working day.
