Dominica News Online (DNO) is delighted to bring you a new column entitled Going To College, written by Gild-Rae Grell. Ms. Grell is a Dominican who lived in the United States for 10 years.
Here’s the reason for the column in Ms. Grell’s own words:
“I am writing this column to encourage the young people of Dominica to pursue higher education. My hope is that more Dominican youth travel afar for high education and return to help better our country. The column will cover topics regarding education all over the world and what students need to know to be successful. I want to be of as much help as possible to the youth of Dominica.”
One of the most important things you will need to study in the United States is a student visa. The screenshot feature on your computer will be very convenient, I recommend keeping digital as well as physical copies of every form, ID number, photo, etc needed to acquire your visa. Stay organized by keeping a folder on your computer as well as a physical folder for all files related to your visa application.
You need to be accepted into college or university before applying for a student visa, I will talk about applying to colleges & universities in another post.
To attend a college or University, you should apply for an F-1 visa. There are several steps involved in this process:
Paperwork L…Complete the online visa application (Form DS-160)
*Remember to take note of your Application ID!
Take a selfie!..jk… Take an appropriate photo to upload with your form DS-160
Schedule an interview – http://www.usembassy.gov/wha.html
I believe that Barbados is the most convenient location and the wait time for the interview at the time of writing this post is 3 calendar days – http://barbados.usembassy.gov/non-immigrant_visas.html
*Remember to bring your confirmation from the application AND a copy of your receipt!
Cash flow…the application fee is $160 U.S. with an additional issuance fee depending on the country you choose to travel to in order to receive your visa.
The school(s) which you are accepted to will send you a Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS) – generated Form I-20 once you have been accepted. There is a fee that you have to pay for this form! When looking for schools, check to see if it is Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) approved
Thinking in advance…your passport MUST be valid for at least 6 months beyond your period of stay in the United States. Check the date that your passport expires and update it if necessary.
These following documents might be required; I suggest having them.
Transcripts, diplomas, or certificates
Your scores from the entrance exams for the schools you are applying to SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL etc.
Your intent to depart the U.S after studying
How you will pay for all educational, living, and travel costs.
Each country with a U.S embassy has a different processing time for the passport. Use this link https://visaguide.world/us-visa/processing-times/ to determine how long your wait might be.
Remember that receiving a visa is NOT guaranteed.
Source: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/study-exchange/student.html
Please leave topics that you would like me to cover in the comments section or email me at [email protected]. My posts will be informative like this one, unless requests are made for my personal opinion on topics.
International students who have come to the US to work under this type of visa during their first year of studies can engage to work at the campus of their university for a maximum of 20 hours per week, and 40 hours per week during the breaks.
https://visahelp.us.com/working-while-studying-in-usa-on-an-f1-visa/
This is great that someone wants to share information on studying in the US. Higher education is not always easily accessible but it is attainable. There are a lot of opportunities for students to attend school you just have to do your research. There are also many scholarship opportunities even for international students. The key is to find a good University, one which offers scholarships and assistance. Here is a link to one. http://www.berea.edu/
Oh and u lived in the us for 10 years. Why are u not in dominica? U said they can come back to da to help the country. I guess your article is a contribution to dominica. Wow!
Great Idea Ms Grell, I also think that these student should also have a mentor, preferably someone in their field of study.
Seriously girl find something else to do with your time. By now everyone knows how to get to the us to study. What u need to tell them is that things have changed dramatically, and where is the job in dominica when they come back? Days of staying in the us as a student without documents are over. You are being tracked. They pick u up and send u home. Don’t forget finance is hard so if u do not have money , u can’t be in school full time, and without being ft away u go. This is what people need to know. I know u mean well but , u could do better things with your time. Don’t mean to sound ignorant, but that’s the way it is…
There is merit here. Also our passion for higher education is applauded. However, it is unfortunate that we cannot provide it from the region. The U.S. has some of the world’s best institution but many institutions are not very good and the costs, even to upper middle class Americans is prohibitive. Some of the private institutions are all about making money and not education.
We can do better from the region. In fact, like Cuba on health, we could/should be exporters of quality education.
Thank you for your very good article.
where are the jobs
My point: 911 bombings were from people who were on student visas …. I think that is why the US have their own website.. anyone can access it freely.. .
Gilda -rae Grell is not an immigration attorney. She does not have a license to practice immigration law.. Columns of this nature stresses the ignorance of Dominicans and the way in which they are led to believe anything in a partisan press.. think of the disastrous effects on Dominica and Dominicans overseas by the US State Dept when an economic citizenship student arrives in the US on a students visa provided by this info…
It is not just the US. I did my first degree in the region and my masters in the states with honors both ways. Also in your opening you spoke about coming back to make a better country. That is one thing I am all good for but the problem is coming back to look for a job and see short contracts outsourced when you know you are capable of doing the job. It was nice that I was welcomed by another caribbean country. When my contract is over I plan to return and I hope that the job market has changed. I hope i will not be now TOO qualified or TOO experienced. Thanks
You should also cover going to university in other countries such as the UK or Canada. There are some very good schools in these countries.
Thats the plan Thor, I am consulting with students I know who have studied in these locations for more information.
Good initiative. Talk about the immunizations, especially the PPD test.
Great article, keep it coming. I want to know about working while studying, do I need a work permit or the like?
Thank you Bigman, unfortunately, I do not have the answer to your question but I can direct you to the link in the article. I’m sure one of them will direct you to the correct answer
Hey Bigman you can alway get a job on campus as a student worker. I don’t think you can get a regular job on a student visa. I’ll get more info on that for you.
Although you are not allowed to work off campus if you receive a student visa to the US. you can try to obtain a job on campus, they will issue a restricted social security card. Once you obtain that number you can obtain a job off campus.
Your SS # in US is like gold..
The initial commentary should have been Going to college- how to search for the right university or college the important things one need to know before submitting a college application. Followed by this commentary post
Thanks for the feed back to help others student to pursuits their study.
Thanks well done
Great stuff! If you need info on Canadian schools on the dos and dont. I can put you in touch with a key person. Please advise.
This is the best initiative i have come across in 2015 thus far. This will be of great help to our young people wishing to pursue higher education. I applaud you Ms Grell.
One suggestion, the organization of the column can be improved upon to make reading easier …. just an observation.
Great initiative!
Good initiative, I like it.