Rankings and reputation
Most of the world's top universities are in the USA. Such a degree is valued everywhere.
๐บ๐ธ Study in the USA
the USA.
Universities from the top of the world rankings, freedom to choose subjects and the career opportunities an American degree opens up.
4
US universities in the world's top 10QS World University Rankings 2027
3102
students from Kazakhstan study in the USA โ a recordOpen Doors 2025
90%
of universities do not require SAT/ACT for the autumn 2027 intakeFairTest
3 years
of work after graduation for STEM on OPTStudy in the States
Why the USA
Why the USA.
American education is not only about prestige but also freedom: you build your own programme.
A flexible programme
You can choose your major by the second year and combine subjects.
Scholarships
Strong students receive grants for academic performance, talents and sport.
A route through college
Community college โ 2 years of savings, then a transfer to a university via the 2+2 scheme.
Practice after graduation
OPT lets you work in your field after graduating, and for STEM โ longer.
A campus like a city
Sport, clubs, research and networking โ university life 24/7.
Dream big.
New York, Boston, California โ universities that change the world and opportunities that stay with you.
Education system
How education works.
Colleges, universities, flexible programmes and a common credit system โ the path can be built around your goals and budget.
Community college
2years
An inexpensive start with a transfer to a university in the 3rd year.
Bachelor's
4years
The first two years are general subjects, then the specialisation (major).
Master's
1โ2years
MBA, MS, MA โ with the option of OPT practice.
Pathway
1year
Preparatory programmes at universities for international students.
Cost
How much it costs to study in the USA.
The cost depends heavily on the type of university and the state. Scholarships and colleges help cut the budget noticeably.
Tuition per year
Community collegea year for internationals, 2 years with a transfer$8,000โ15,000
Public universitiesthe out-of-state rate; at flagships โ up to ~$64,000on average $31,880
Private universitiestop universities โ $65,000โ70,000+on average $45,000
Full budget for a yeartuition + housing and meals, on average (College Board)$50,900โ65,500
FeesSEVIS and the visa fee$350 + $185
Living per month
Housing and meals โ $13,900โ15,920 for the academic year, per College Board 2025/26.
College Board average prices 2025/26. Consular fees and visa-issuing rules changed in 2025โ2026 โ we check before applying.
Admission
Admission โ step by step and on schedule.
Preparation for strong universities is best started 12โ18 months ahead: tests, essays and references take time.
112โ18 months ahead
Strategy
A list of universities, a plan for SAT/ACT and TOEFL, essay ideas.
2From 1 August
Common App
Applications open; tests, essays and references.
31 November 2026
Early Decision / Action
Early application, at some universities โ 15 November; answers by mid-December.
41โ15 January 2027
Regular Decision
The main deadline; decisions โ late March to early April.
5March โ May
Decisions and I-20
Choosing a university, deposit, I-20 document, F-1 visa.
6August
Studies begin
Orientation for international students and the start of the semester.
What you'll need
Requirements differ at each university; below is a typical set for a bachelor's degree.
- Grade transcriptFor grades 9โ11, with translation into English.
- EnglishTOEFL iBT 80โ100+, IELTS 6.5โ7.5 or Duolingo 110โ130.
- SAT or ACT90% of universities โ optional, but required at Harvard, Yale, MIT, Stanford, Penn, Brown and a number of others.
- Essays and referencesA personal essay and 2โ3 references from teachers and a school counsellor.
- Financial documentsProof of funds for the I-20 and the visa.
Visa & documents
F-1 student visa.
After admission the university issues Form I-20. With it you pay the SEVIS fee and attend an interview at the embassy.
For citizens of Kazakhstan
F-1 Student Visa
The interview takes place at the US Embassy in Astana or the Consulate in Almaty. We prepare the documents and rehearse the interview.
- Basis
- Form I-20 from the university
- Fees
- SEVIS $350 and visa $185
- Where
- Astana or Almaty, in-person interview
- Length of stay
- for the programme term, up to 4 years + 30 days
- I-20The university issues the form after admission and confirmation of finances.
- SEVIS fee and the DS-160 formWe pay the fee, fill in the form and book the interview.
- Interview preparationWe rehearse questions about your plans, studies and finances.
- InterviewAt the embassy or consulate; if approved โ a visa in the passport.
In 2025โ2026 the rules tightened: almost all applicants attend an in-person interview, social media must be public, and from 15.09.2026 the length of stay is limited to the programme term. We check the current requirements at travel.state.gov.
Universities & cities
Well-known universities in the USA.
From the Ivy League to strong public universities โ we'll build a 'dream ยท realistic ยท safe' list.
MITMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, Massachusetts
SStanford UniversityStanford, California
HHarvard UniversityCambridge, Massachusetts
CITCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadena, California
CUColumbia UniversityNew York
NYUNew York UniversityNew York
UCBUniversity of California, BerkeleyBerkeley, California
UMUniversity of MichiganAnn Arbor, Michigan
BUBoston UniversityBoston, Massachusetts
We don't claim direct partnerships with US universities โ we help put together a strong application and choose a route: community college via the 2+2 scheme and preparatory pathway programmes at universities.
Cities
The East Coast
New York
Columbia, NYU and hundreds of internship opportunities.
Campus
Student life
Clubs, sport and projects โ a campus like a separate city.
The West Coast
San Francisco
Silicon Valley, startups and Berkeley with Stanford nearby.
Choice of state
The whole country
From Boston to Arizona โ the budget depends on the state and the university.
Scholarships & discounts
Scholarships and funding.
American universities are leaders in the volume of scholarships; the key is the right application strategy.
University merit scholarships
Grants for grades, tests, olympiads and achievements.
Together with the applicationNeed-based aid
About 10 universities (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT and others) consider internationals regardless of income and cover the confirmed need.
November โ FebruaryAthletic scholarships
For strong athletes โ through the college leagues.
12โ24 months aheadWork
Working during and after studies.
The F-1 visa lets you work on campus and get practice in your field after graduation.
20 h/wk
On campus
During the semester โ up to 20 hours a week, more during holidays.
1โ3 years
OPT after graduation
12 months of practice in your field, for STEM โ another 24 months.
FAQ
FAQ about the USA
Do I need the SAT?
For the autumn 2027 intake about 90% of universities do not require the SAT or ACT, but Harvard, Yale, MIT, Stanford, Penn, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell and a number of others do. A strong result improves your chances of a scholarship.
How long to prepare for admission?
Ideally 12โ18 months: tests, essays, references and a list of universities.
Is it hard to get an F-1 visa?
The decision is made by the consul, and in 2025โ2026 the requirements became stricter. That's why we prepare the documents especially carefully and rehearse the interview, and build backup countries into the strategy.
Can I study more cheaply?
Yes: community college via the 2+2 scheme, public universities in inexpensive states and scholarships.
Can I work while studying?
On campus โ up to 20 hours a week during the semester. After graduation โ practice on OPT.
Free consultation
Get into the USA โ with Al Ma Dei.
We'll build a strong application: a list of universities, tests, essays, scholarships and visa preparation.