Tell me something, as few of you may be know, that i am looking to do a MS, mostly probably from a US University. I did some research and found out that this MS will cost me minimum of $26k. AT least that is the amount that I need to show on my financial statement. (Am I looking at an expensive college?)
Not to forget I need to take TOEFL and GMAT too if required by the course, before I apply for admission. This is a cost.
What about accommodation in US? If I keep $26K for my studies only, then what will I do about my accommodation, food, transportation, shopping, grocery, water, electricity etc etc?
How do guys manage it? Do they all belong from very very rich background? I dont think so. As I know few and they belong from just okayish families. Then how do they manage all these expenditures. Am I missing something?
Another question is, for example, some how, I manage to do all of the above. Is this degree worth that much of Money, time and fatigue?
Re: A degree from US. Is it worth the time & money?
A lot of us live at home.. so that saves us the living cost. Here in the U.S if you have a greencard/citizenship you get all sorts of loans and grants from the government that you can pay off later on.
Also, a lot of students work while they are still in colleges so their money+parent's money cover the costs. And a lot of parents save for their kids' education here since they know its expensive. Its definitely tougher for someone coming from Pakistan or other countries. Remember we earn in dollars too, they earn in Rs.
Re: A degree from US. Is it worth the time & money?
Like Spiral said, most of us get money from US government because we're citizens or permanent residents. For people coming from Pakistan, it becomes a huge hassle because you need to show that money in your account before they'd even consider you for an admission. There's no such requirement for people without visa restrictions.
Also, most people on student visas from other countries don't have work authorizations- which means they can't legally work. If you work illegally, there's a slew of stuff you're worried about along with getting paid significantly less. Have you looked into online education through University of Pheonix?! you might be able to stay at home (Pakistan) and avoid all this. And ofcourse, you can evaluate your reasons for getting a US degree vs one from a reputable Pakistani school.
Re: A degree from US. Is it worth the time & money?
Thank you so much for the replies. :)
I understand it is different and a bit easier for those who are living there. But you know, there are so many International Students, going to US each year. One thing I have noticed that it takes them some time to get the degree. A two yrs degree is expanded to five yrs or more. I dont want to do that. I want to finish it in two yrs and come back. But for that i need loads of money. My father is not going to help me too much. I am not the only one at home :-P .
I work with an American firm and if they agree to send me to one of our offices in US, then I think it will become easy. I can work legally, will be paid monthly and in evening i can take classes. But the question is, why will they do me this favor? Should i speak to my Boss? But wont he ask me why should I do you this favor? I have worked for them for nine yrs, and I am in good books of every Manager or team I have worked with. May be I should try this option. Who knows it work. right?
I have thought about the Online option but actually I want to temporary change my location. I badly need it.
Re: A degree from US. Is it worth the time & money?
Like Spiral said, most of us get money from US government because we're citizens or permanent residents. For people coming from Pakistan, it becomes a huge hassle because you need to show that money in your account before they'd even consider you for an admission. There's no such requirement for people without visa restrictions.
Also, most people on student visas from other countries don't have work authorizations- which means they can't legally work. If you work illegally, there's a slew of stuff you're worried about along with getting paid significantly less. Have you looked into online education through University of Pheonix?! you might be able to stay at home (Pakistan) and avoid all this. And ofcourse, you can evaluate your reasons for getting a US degree vs one from a reputable Pakistani school.
can you please confirm me about the work authorizations, because just few days back i attended a seminar held by one uni and their representative told me that yes u can work part time (up to 20 hrs/week ). thanks
Re: A degree from US. Is it worth the time & money?
FairyTale, you would have needed a MS degree from an American university if you were looking for employment in the states. If on the other hand you are satisfied with the trajectory of your current career and are earning and saving enough then it might not be a great idea to interrupt your career and go for a Masters degree at this point of time. It depends of course on your priorities and whether you have the money and can spare it.
You can definitely finish your degree in two years. I think you would need at least about $12,000/yr. for accommodation and other expenses. American universities are generally very very good but tuition can vary significantly from one state to another and between public and private universities. Especially if you are planning to continue working outside the US, I would suggest that instead of going for a "brand name" big private university, you look for more economical public universities. In some states like Michigan, Illinois and Pennsylvania even the flagship public universities are quite expensive but there are cheaper options too so invest some time on researching universities that offer the program you are interested in but are relatively inexpensive.
Some inexpensive but very good tried and tested universities that I can think of are University of Florida Gainesville and Florida State University Tallahassee. Texas has good weather and plenty of desis + Pakistani students so check out the MS options at University of Houston, UT Austin and UT Dallas too. California is another nice state people and weather wise and has great universities in the University of California system but I think tuition has gone up of late so probably those universities no longer offer the same value for money they did until a few years ago.
And yes I think it won't hurt at all talking to your boss or someone from your company about your plans. Even if your company does not offer you a position to work in the states while you study, it might still want to pay for your graduate school so that you could continue working for them afterwards.
Re: A degree from US. Is it worth the time & money?
can you please confirm me about the work authorizations, because just few days back i attended a seminar held by one uni and their representative told me that yes u can work part time (up to 20 hrs/week ). thanks
Yes international students can work up to 20 hours per week but at around $160/week or so depending on the state you are in that probably won't amount to much. I have heard universities in the UK are a better option if you want to finance your studies while working simultaneously but the drawback is that most British universities pale in comparison to American ones.
One option that you might want to consider is the generous Fulbright scholarship program. It pays for all tuition and expenses and it saves you much hassle because you just have to apply for the scholarship I think and then you are matched to the best fit university that offers the MS/PhD program you are interested in.
Re: A degree from US. Is it worth the time & money?
^Yup, basically the minimum wage jobs available on campus though some science/engineering students do get jobs as TA or RA which I think include a stipend and significant tuition concessions.
Re: A degree from US. Is it worth the time & money?
^ Queer that is true. I have read and heard the same. One can work only inside the Campus.
GoodName, thanks alot for giving such a detailed and informative reply. I am going to go to these Universities web sites and see what programs they are offering. I am looking to do something in Management. Would be great if it is about Information Systems Management.
About my Boss, yes I think I should at least try this option. Tomorrow I am required in our Dubai office, thats where he sits. May be I can offer him a lunch :halo:
Re: A degree from US. Is it worth the time & money?
Yes international students can work up to 20 hours per week but at around $160/week or so depending on the state you are in that probably won't amount to much. I have heard universities in the UK are a better option if you want to finance your studies while working simultaneously but the drawback is that most British universities pale in comparison to American ones.
One option that you might want to consider is the generous Fulbright scholarship program. It pays for all tuition and expenses and it saves you much hassle because you just have to apply for the scholarship I think and then you are matched to the best fit university that offers the MS/PhD program you are interested in.
Thank you very much for the kind guidance. Well I already have done my Msc and PHd from UK. I was just thinking of doing the MS in Engineering and Management speciallizing in either Production or Automation. Can you please suggest me some good option's. thanks in advance.
Re: A degree from US. Is it worth the time & money?
^Uff touba, MSc and Ph.D done. and You still want to study more Bas karo bhai, shadi karo, bachay banao. At least i would do that if i were in your place. Actually I am ready to get married right now, at this moment and ready to throw my MS plans into the nearest bin i find, but my bad luck ke shadi tou ho nahin rahi. So I thought lets take some advantage of the time and liberty. But tumhara kiya masla hai? you are a boy, i am sure you have already 100s of gals lined up for you.
Re: A degree from US. Is it worth the time & money?
A lot of international students for their graduate degrees end up with the teaching assistantship or research assistantship, hence paying only the tuition fees (which is bare minimum in addition to other fees and such) and in fact get paid at $20/hr as well for about 15-20 hours/week. (I did my MPH without paying a penny or getting loans because I kept the teaching assistantship for all semesters, while also working some odd jobs on campus to pay for rent etc)
look for colleges who offer these opportunities.. I remember some international students from India who told me that they were popmised these positions along with their admission to the university.. they had to show money in the account for visa requirements but university was very cooperative to accomadate them!
Re: A degree from US. Is it worth the time & money?
A lot of international students for their graduate degrees end up with the teaching assistantship or research assistantship, hence paying only the tuition fees (which is bare minimum in addition to other fees and such) and in fact get paid at $20/hr as well for about 15-20 hours/week. (I did my MPH without paying a penny or getting loans because I kept the teaching assistantship for all semesters, while also working some odd jobs on campus to pay for rent etc)
look for colleges who offer these opportunities.. I remember some international students from India who told me that they were popmised these positions along with their admission to the university.. they had to show money in the account for visa requirements but university was very cooperative to accomadate them!
I am interested to know why would these universities promise these positions to international students as opposed to students from USA .
Re: A degree from US. Is it worth the time & money?
^I am not sure why but this is exactly what I was told by someone who was unable to find teh teaching assistantship for the first semester but told me they were promised at least within a year they will have the assistantship.. probably it was to attract students! But I know most, if not all, landed a teaching or research opportunity as soon as they got here!! (my experience is limited to public health only though and to my own university)
I was a permanent resident at that time and was promised scholarship/teaching assistantship even before I applied for the admission.. but that's because he was my undergrad advisor and he knew I couldnt afford to pay for my masters!
Re: A degree from US. Is it worth the time & money?
I was very much interested in getting a position as a TA or RA when I started my masters,2 years ago.I met all the requirements they listed on the website.My advisor was upfront about it that no matter I might seem to be appropriate ,but their preference will always be someone who did his undergrad from there too.(This is what I was told so this only pertains to my field and my university)
(I was a US citizen,had not done my undergrad there,and then had to go part time due to some personal issues so never pursued it further).
Re: A degree from US. Is it worth the time & money?
Its true about the on-campus employment only for foreign students. If you want my advice (most don't :p) then go to a bigger city where you can always find something to do on the side.
Bas karo bhai, shadi karo, bachay banao. At least i would do that if i were in your place. Actually I am ready to get married right now, at this moment and ready to throw my MS plans into the nearest bin i find, but my bad luck ke shadi tou ho nahin rahi. So I thought lets take some advantage of the time and liberty. But tumhara kiya masla hai? you are a boy, i am sure you have already 100s of gals lined up for you.
