So, you’ve decided (or maybe someone suggested) to study in the United States. But now you’re wondering which education consultancy in Nepal to approach for help?
Let me tell you clearly—you actually don’t need one. Wait, what? No consultancy?
Yes, you heard that right. The U.S. has streamlined the process so much that international students can apply easily without any hassle. In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know. All I need is a few minutes of your time, and by the end, you’ll have a clear idea of what to do.
Documents You’ll Need and How to Get Them
- Transcripts
- If you’re applying for a Bachelor’s degree: You’ll need your +2 transcripts. If you’ve just graduated from high school (+2) and don’t know how to get these, check this article – “How to get NEB +2 Transcript” for guidance.
- If you’re applying for a Master’s degree: You’ll need your Bachelor’s transcripts, which you can obtain from your college or university.
- English Proficiency Test
This requirement is often overhyped in Nepal. People are misled into thinking that without an English test, you can’t apply or that it’s the most critical part of the process. Yes, it’s important, but it’s simply a way to assess how proficient you are in English—something that’s common for students from non-English speaking countries.
So, what test should you take?
You can choose from IELTS, Duolingo (which, by the way, is accepted by most major U.S. universities, including top ones like Harvard and MIT), or TOEFL. Do some research online or watch a few YouTube videos to understand the format of these tests. It’s typically just speaking and writing assessments.
Duolingo, for instance, is an exam you can take from the comfort of your home, and it gives results within 48 hours. Plus, you can take unlimited practice tests, so you’ll only sit for the final test when you’re confident.
Wait, why are you pushing Duolingo over IELTS? Is this a paid promotion?
I wish it was a paid promotion, but no—this is just from personal experience. Duolingo makes the whole process so convenient for students. You can take the exam anytime, so why not? What about IELTS?
You can find plenty of institutes in Nepal that offer IELTS preparation classes. You can take classes wherever you feel comfortable or study online. Once you’re ready, book your IELTS exam date. - SAT/GRE
- If you’re applying for a Bachelor’s degree, consider taking the SAT. For Master’s programs, the GRE is an option.
- Bank Balance Certificate
This is an important requirement. You’ll need to show a bank balance certificate as proof that you can afford your education and stay in the U.S. The bank balance certificate should show an amount of around 50 lakh+ rupees. This is a one-day process done through the bank, so visit your nearest branch and discuss how to obtain this. - Letter of Recommendation
International students applying to U.S. universities typically need to submit two or three Letters of Recommendation (LORs). The good news is, you can use the same LORs for multiple universities. To get these, simply visit your current or former college/university and request them. They should provide the LORs without any hassle. These letters should ideally come from your college or university.
But Wait—Do I Even Need SAT/GRE or English Proficiency Tests? – Actually, No
Wait, what? Didn’t you just say we needed these?
Let me explain. While many universities recommend the SAT/GRE and English tests, there are also universities that don’t require them at all. It’s all about finding the right ones. I’ll explain more about how to research these universities later in the article.
Now that we have the documents ready, it’s time to research our future.
First, make sure you know what subject you want to study. Don’t fall into peer pressure or rush the decision—it’s a critical, career-changing path. If you already know what subject you want to pursue, great! If not, now is the time to start thinking about it.
“Hehe, can you suggest what I should study? Please, please, please?”
Of course! The subject I suggest for you is… DECIDE IT YOURSELF.
I’m not joking! If you ask an education consultancy or an institute, or even someone referred to you, chances are they’ll push you toward a course offered by a university that gives them a commission. Yes, many consultants get paid based on the fees you pay to the university, sometimes even until you finish your degree! So while it’s okay to seek guidance, just be aware and make the decision wisely.
So, you’ve decided what to study (hopefully). Now, let’s find the right college.
The United States has 50 states, so you might already have a preferred state or city. If not, don’t worry—I’m here to help you.
For this example, let’s say we’ve decided on Criminology as our major. Some of you might have expected me to choose Computer Science or Cybersecurity, but surprise—I didn’t! 😄
Now, let’s start with a basic internet search. Don’t worry about grammar—just focus on keywords like:
- Best Criminology universities in the United States
- Universities with Criminology programs in the U.S.
- U.S. universities offering Criminology
- List of U.S. universities with Criminology
- Criminology tuition fees in the U.S. for international students
Important tip: Since you’re an international student, make sure the universities you’re checking accept international applicants. Also, tuition fee = education fee. It’s called “tuition” in the U.S., which is just like a college fee.
What’s next?
After doing these searches, start browsing through all the articles and websites that come up. Trust me, it might feel like a pain in kidney, but it will be worth it in the end!
Give yourself a few days to do this research. After some time, you’ll have a good list of potential universities. Even if you don’t find your perfect match right away, you’ll get close.
Once you’ve shortlisted universities, visit their official websites and check the Tuition & Costs section. This will show the cost of the program you’re interested in. The fees may be listed by semester or by credit, but you’ll get the general idea. If you can’t find the fee details, do a simple search like this:
“[University name] [Course name] fees/costs”
For example:
“Harvard University Criminology fees” (Disclaimer: This is just an example—I don’t actually know if Harvard offers Criminology.)
Apply to as many universities as you want.
Some people might say, “You should only apply to 1 or 2 universities, or you’ll get into trouble.” What trouble? There’s no such thing, so don’t worry about that! You can apply to as many universities as you like.
However, keep in mind that some universities may charge an application fee. It’s usually small, around $10 or so. Sometimes, universities offer fee waivers or promo codes, so always check for those. You can search online for promo codes, or email the admissions office and request a fee waiver. You can find their contact details on the university’s website. Even if they don’t grant the waiver, you can always pay the small fee if you’re serious about applying. Otherwise, explore other options!
I’ll assume you’ve found the university and are ready to apply!
First step: Go to the university’s website. You’ll usually find a “Register” or “Create an Account” option on their homepage, in the admissions section, or under the international student section. This will give you access to their portal, where they’ve made it super easy to upload all the necessary documents. Check what documents are required (like I mentioned earlier) and download any forms they might provide in PDF format.
Don’t forget to check the application deadlines! Universities have specific dates for different intakes. For example, if you’re going for the Spring intake (usually starts in Jan/Feb), the applications are open until about two months before the start date.
What documents do you need to upload? As mentioned before, just check the portal for what they need and upload it accordingly.
Before applying, don’t be shy to contact the university about scholarships or financial aid. Ask them if there are any available for you and how to apply for them (if applicable). Trust me, don’t feel hesitant to ask for a scholarship or any question, no matter how small. Sometimes you might think, “What if they think I’m an idiot for asking this and reject me?” But seriously, they’re there to help you! If they can’t even answer your questions, are they really worth trusting with your future? So go ahead, shoot that email with any doubts.
After you’ve asked your questions, submit your application and wait for the university to get back to you. Depending on the university, it might take a while to hear back from them, so be patient.
Keep an eye on your email inbox, especially your spam folder, because you don’t want to miss that “Congratulations, you’ve been accepted!” email. In that email, they’ll also tell you who your admissions officer is or who to contact if you need more information.
Official Transcripts
After you’ve been accepted to a university or during the application process, many universities will require you to send official transcripts. But wait, didn’t you already upload your original and official transcripts?
We understand the confusion. Here’s the difference: official transcripts are those that are sent directly from your high school, college, or university in Nepal to the university you’re applying to in the U.S. They need to be sent through official channels to be considered valid by the U.S. university.
When you’re accepted, the U.S. university will provide you with an email address or a physical address to send your official transcripts. The transcripts must either be sent directly from your college’s official email by a college representative or through a postal service. However, most institutions prefer the electronic option, which is easier and faster.
- If you’re applying for a bachelor’s degree, visit your high school or your +2 college and request them to send your transcripts directly from their official email.
- If you’re applying for a master’s degree, and you completed your bachelor’s degree in a Nepali or foreign-affiliated college, you don’t need to visit Tribhuvan University (or other universities) for this. Instead, you can request your bachelor’s college to send the transcripts directly from their official email address.
By following these steps, you can ensure your official transcripts are sent correctly, helping you move smoothly through the admission process.
*You must be tired by now, make sure to drink water and stay hydrated!*
Receiving the I-20 form
The I-20 is basically everything you need from the university to move forward. It’s a form that includes your tuition fee, any scholarships you’ve been awarded, the major you’re going to study, and more. You’ll need it for your visa interview at the U.S. embassy and for paying other related fees. Sometimes the I-20 comes with your acceptance letter, but usually, you’ll receive it after that.
If you haven’t received the I-20 yet, follow up with their admissions department or the person they assigned to you. It’s usually someone from the International Student Services team. They might need some additional documents from you before they can issue the I-20, so be quick to send anything they ask for.
Some universities send the I-20 within a few days, others might take months. If it’s taking longer than expected, keep emailing them to stay in the loop and remind them to send the I-20 quickly.
But what if I applied to 10 universities and got I-20s from all of them?
First off, congrats! You’ve done yourself a favor by not hesitating to apply to more than one place. Now, don’t stress about it. Just compare the I-20s: the tuition fees, the location, the vibe of the university, and everything else that matters to you. Pick the university that feels right for you.
That’s it! Now that you’ve made your decision, it’s time for the next chapter!
Before we move on to the next chapter, what if I told you there’s an easier way to apply to multiple universities, all in one go, without having to submit documents to each university one by one? Yes, it’s possible!
You can use the Common App at https://www.commonapp.org/ or download the mobile app called “Common App.”
I saved this tip for last because I wanted you to understand the process first. Now that you know what to expect, this tool will make everything much smoother.
Here’s how it works:
- Go to the website or download the app.
- Select “First Year Students” (since you’re a fresher).
- Fill out your information – all the basic details like your name, background, education history, etc.
- Once that’s done, log into the app and head to the “My Colleges” section. Here, you can search for the universities you want to apply to. It’s super easy to navigate, and you’ll quickly get the hang of it. Feel free to explore and make mistakes – just don’t accidentally submit an application full of errors, lol.
In the app, you’ll also find the Financial Aid Resources tab, where you can apply for fee waivers and check other financial aid options.
The main thing about the Common App is that you’ll need to write an essay with a 650-word limit. In this essay, you’ll explain more about yourself: your background, personality, challenges you’ve faced, and basically what makes you, you. This essay is crucial for acceptance and for scholarships, so take your time with it.
I’ll leave the rest to you now. Once you start using the app, you’ll get the idea of how to check your application status and handle other details.
I believe in you! Don’t let me down 😄.
Now it’s time to schedule your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. For Nepal, the U.S. Embassy is located in Kathmandu, where you’ll need to attend your interview.
First, you have to fill out the DS-160 form, which is free of cost. This is a crucial step because it acts as a summary of your background and personal details that the visa officer will review during your interview.
To get started, visit https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.aspx, select your location, and click on “START AN APPLICATION.” Take note of the Application ID at the top right or screenshot it so you can return to complete the form later, as it autosaves your progress. If you feel like you’ve made a mistake after submitting the DS-160 form, don’t worry! You can start a new application and use the “retrieve” option to fill in your information again. You can do this as many times as needed—there’s no limit. Just make sure to use the DS-160 confirmation number of the application that you feel is accurate when proceeding with your visa process.
Once you’ve filled out the DS-160 form, download the confirmation letter, which will include your photo and a “Confirmation Number.” You’ll also receive a PDF with all the details you’ve submitted, but you don’t need that. The confirmation letter with the confirmation number is what’s important.
After that, it’s time to book your visa interview.
Check out this guide: “How to Book F1 Visa Interview in Nepal“, where I’ve explained the process step-by-step.
Next, you need to pay the SEVIS fee, which is around $350. You can find more details in this guide: “How to Pay SEVIS Fee in Nepal.“
I didn’t want to include both guides here to keep this article from becoming too long, so be sure to check those out to get a clear understanding of the booking process and SEVIS fee payment.
Once you’ve booked your interview slot, make sure to be on time and well-prepared.
Not sure what documents to bring to the interview? Check out this helpful article: “Essential Documents for Your F1 Visa Interview.“
Worried about the questions they might ask? Don’t worry! Here’s a guide that will help you prepare: “Common F1 Visa Interview Questions“
I’ve tried my best to cover most aspects of the process in this article. There may be some points I missed (hopefully not!), but I’ll make sure to update this regularly to address any doubts.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments below—I’d be happy to respond to your queries.
Good luck!
FAQs:
1. Can I apply to US universities by myself without a consultancy?
Yes, you can! This guide walks you through the step-by-step process of self-applying to US universities, from filling out applications to scheduling visa interviews.
2. What documents do I need to apply to US universities?
You will typically need transcripts, standardized test scores (SAT, GRE, etc.), Letters of Recommendation (LORs), a personal statement or essay, proof of financial support, and a valid passport.
3. How do I fill out the DS-160 form?
You can fill out the DS-160 form by visiting this link. Make sure to save your application ID and complete the form with accurate details. Once submitted, download the confirmation page.
4. What is the SEVIS fee and how do I pay it?
The SEVIS fee is around $350 and is mandatory for F1 visa applicants. You can pay it online using a credit card through the SEVIS fee payment portal or NIMB Bank.
5. What should I do if I make a mistake on the DS-160 form?
If you realize you’ve made a mistake after submitting the DS-160, you can start a new application and retrieve the information from the previous one. Just ensure you use the confirmation number from the correct DS-160 form when scheduling your visa interview.
