The SPOT.ph Guide to Studying in the United States

(SPOT.ph) Studying in the United States is a good way to enhance your academic knowledge while getting immersed in a culture different from yours. With this in mind, understanding the knotty visa application process is equally crucial—a challenging but rewarding process.

How to apply for a US student visa:

Identify the correct type of visa.

Depending on your academic goals, identify whether you need an F visa (academic or language studies), J visa (exchange programs), or M visa (non-academic/vocational studies).

Get admissions.

Make sure that you're applying to institutions approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. Once you've clocked in an acceptance from a school or university, you're on the right track.

Secure your I-20 or DS-2019 form.

With your acceptance, the institution will supply you with either an I-20 form (for F and M visa) or a DS-2019 form (for a J visa). These documents certify your admittance and eligibility.

Pay the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System fee.

Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a type of system that keeps track of information on international students. Once you've received your I-20 or DS 2919, you can proceed to pay the SEVIS fee. For F and M visas, the SEVIS fee is U.S. $350; for J visas, it is U.S. $220.

Complete the visa application.

Complete the DS-160 form—the standard online non-immigrant visa application. This is a standard process across US embassies and consulates worldwide.

Schedule and prepare for your interview.

With your DS-160 confirmation, schedule your visa interview and prepare for possible questions and how to address those. Make sure to give out honest answers.

Attend your visa interview.

Show up for your scheduled interview with all your supporting documentation—your DS-160 confirmation, your I-20 or DS-2019, SEVIS payment receipt, financial evidence showing you have adequate resources to stay and study in the U.S., and any additional documents requested.

Wait for your visa.

After the interview, there might be a period of administrative processing that may last from three days to a few weeks. The average processing time is five working days while delivery time takes two to three working days.

Travel to the U.S.

Just remember, you typically cannot arrive in the U.S. more than 30 days before your study program begins.

Here are the types of US student visas:

Depending on your academic aspirations, you'll be applying for an F visa, a J visa, or an M visa.

F Visa (Academic Studies)

Suitable for students aiming for an academic education from an American university. It’s also an option for those who are attending an English language program.

J Visa (Exchange Programs)

Serves those participating in an exchange program that contributes to the “global sharing of knowledge.”

M Visa (Non-academic or Vocational Studies)

Ideal if you're looking into vocational or other recognized non-academic courses, excluding language training.

How to study in the United States if you're a Filipino:

Eligibility

To know if you’re qualified to study in the U.S., you need to know if you are eligible when it comes to academic and financial aspects.

For academic eligibility, you need to show proof of your academic qualifications. For undergraduate studies, this typically includes a secondary school certificate. For postgraduate students, this calls for an undergraduate degree.

• Academic background. Applicants need to provide proof of a level of academic achievement acceptable for the intended program of study. For undergraduate studies, this usually includes a secondary school certificate (your high school diploma). For postgraduate studies (master's and Ph.D.), this includes proof of an undergraduate degree.
• Admission letter from a SEVP-approved institution. The U.S. school or university you choose to apply to must be certified by the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP). Once accepted, you would receive the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 needed for the visa application.
• English language proficiency. Since instruction in US schools is in English, students must demonstrate a strong understanding of the English language. Tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE are usually acceptable. Exceptions might apply if the course you’re applying for is fully in a non-English language.
• Intent. As a visa applicant, you must establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive a visa. It's crucial to demonstrate that you're a bona fide student—genuinely intending to pursue full-time academic or vocational studies in the US.

As for financial eligibility, you have to demonstrate you have adequate financial resources to live and study in the US without requiring public funds. While Federal student aid is reserved for US citizens, plenty of alternative funding sources exist.

• Personal and family funds. Most students primarily fund their education with personal or family funds. Providing bank statements is typically sufficient to prove this.
• Scholarships. Scholarships provided by the specific school or outside organizations can also be included.
• Sponsorship. Some students have a sponsor who agrees to financially support them during their studies.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements might vary slightly from one institution to another, but in general, you need approval (an admission letter) from the US school you've applied to before applying for a visa.

US Student Visa Requirements

A clean, organized stash of documents will help you figure out what documents you still lack at the time.

• Passport. Ensure that your passport remains valid for a minimum of six months beyond your intended stay in the US. If you have an old passport with a US visa, include that in your stash as well.
• Visa application form. Complete the visa application form. Make sure you provide all essential details without any omissions.
• Receipts of payments. Take pictures of these receipts as well so you have back-up.
• Recent photographs. Attach current passport-sized photos that adhere to the specific U.S. Visa and Immigration photo criteria.
• Itinerary. Present a comprehensive plan outlining your travel arrangements, including flight bookings and accommodation details.
• Character and health-related requirements. This includes documents, such as police clearance and medical certificates.

University Applications

When choosing your course and the university, you need to consider the following factors:

• Curriculum
• Tuition
• Location
• Opportunities for internships
• Available on-campus jobs, if applicable

The list is long, but these universities are some that top the charts for welcoming international students:

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Engineering, management, arts, and social science are just some of the courses they offer.
• Stanford University. Some of the courses they offer are law, medicine, education, and business.
• Columbia University. Accounting, actuarial science, physics, biochemistry, and music are just some of their offers for applicants who are interested in attending this university.
• University of Pennsylvania. They take pride in being non-discriminatory regardless of sex, gender, and race. Aside from academics, they also offer athletics-related recreational opportunities.
• Yale University. Aside from the usual arts and science, they also offer interesting courses on divinity, environment, and global affairs.

Acquiring a US student visa may seem challenging at first, but breaking it down into manageable tasks makes a world of difference. Be thorough, be persistent, and before you know it, you'll be recounting your college adventures in the United States.

Also read:
The SPOT.ph Guide to Applying for a U.S. Visa
The SPOT.ph Guide to Applying for Graduate Studies in the UK