Five As – The mantra behind success in pursuing U.S. higher education
One of the fundamental requirements for graduate students who want to succeed in higher education in the United States is to have the ambition to pursue a career
Updated On - 8 March 2025, 08:17 PM
The mantra behind the success in pursuing US higher education is Five As – Ambition, Affordability, Awareness, Alumni-access, and Articulation.
Ambition:
One of the fundamental requirements for graduate students who want to succeed in higher education in the United States is to have the ambition to pursue a career.
The Statement of Purpose (SOP) application is not a simple component, but is your first chance to show what you want to achieve and what expertise and skill you want to gain.
The world is moving very fast, and we now live in a technology-mediated world. Students are expected to be adept at skills like critical thinking, problem solving, and collaborative learning. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is integrated into some fields of education and enhances the workforce in many fields.
Students should identify the fields of study based on future skills in demand and be confident in what they want to achieve. Remember, you can create virtual reality and augmented reality if you want, but you must not get lost in the virtual world!
Affordability:
U.S. college websites clearly mention the Cost of Attendance (COA), which includes the tuition fee and the living expenses for one year. It takes some advanced planning to keep college affordable, keeping in mind your family budget, your interest and your intellectual capability.
Every student aspires to get a scholarship, and almost every U.S. university encourages students to get one. But scholarships are not usually only need-based, they are mostly merit-based.
You must make an effort to demonstrate your merit to secure a scholarship. EducationUSA offers a free online resource to help get you started on your scholarship search: https://educationusa.state.gov/find-financial-aid
Awareness:
The course curriculum, credit system, culture on campus, curricular practical training and climate of the place are the most important things students should be aware of before making the decision.
Take the time to explore university websites for this information in detail, as well as classroom etiquette, assignment evaluation and collaborative projects, and codes of conduct. The exam and assessment patterns in the U.S. universities are different from what students experience here in an Indian classroom.
Alumni-access:
In the present age and generation, networking is not a challenge at all! If the students want to reach out to the alumni members of a particular department, there are many social media handles to navigate.
U.S. college alumni members are typically very cordial and always ready to help. To know about the new atmosphere and opportunities available for internships, and Optional Practical Training (OPT)/Curricular Practical Training (CPT), the alumni network is the best route to approach.
Articulation:
Be clear and truthful to yourself. Your skills, goals and needs – you understand these better than anyone else. Visualize your goal and align it with your potential and express it vividly!
Don’t try to distort and manipulate. Your failures, gap years and low grades can be explained honestly instead of camouflaging them with different colors! This easy mantra is not so difficult to decipher.
An EducationUSA adviser is always ready to hold your hand and take you through the journey. Don’t ever hesitate to come to the EducationUSA center in Jubilee Hills and receive free and valuable resources for your dream of pursuing higher education in the United States.
EducationUSA is the U.S. Department of State’s official resource for accurate, free, and up-to-date information about studying in the United States. Students can download the EducationUSA India app, available for free on iOS and Android devices, for the latest information about the college applicationprocess. Or visit https://educationusa.in/.
In Hyderabad, visit EdcationUSA@Y-Axis foundation, S.L. Jubilee, Road No.36, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad-500033, Landline: 9000522000, Mobile: 91 9618680143 | 9618761143, Email: yaxishyderabad@educationusa.org and Website: https://educationusa.state.gov.