Your Dream
Starts in America

Many top US universities — including MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Carnegie Mellon and Michigan — have made GRE optional or permanently waived it for several Master's programs. However, a strong GRE score (320+ for STEM, 315+ for other fields) still significantly strengthens your application. Business schools generally still require GMAT (700+ for top schools like Wharton and Booth). Always verify the specific 2026 requirement on your target program's official webpage before deciding whether to take the test.

Yes. F-1 students can work up to 20 hours/week on campus during the academic term in roles like research assistant, teaching assistant, or campus food services. During official university breaks and holidays, full-time on-campus work is permitted. Off-campus work requires proper authorization — CPT (Curricular Practical Training for degree-linked internships) or OPT (post-graduation). Unauthorized off-campus work is a visa violation — always get authorization from your university's Designated School Official (DSO) first.

OPT (Optional Practical Training) allows F-1 graduates to work for any US employer in their field of study for 12 months — no employer sponsorship required. STEM degree holders can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, totaling 36 months of US work authorization. This critical window lets Indian students gain US work experience, build a track record, and find employers willing to sponsor H-1B visas for permanent US employment. Strategically choosing a STEM-designated program is the smartest move for Indian students targeting US careers.

Total annual costs in 2026 range from $32,000 to $85,000 depending on university and city. Top private universities (MIT, Harvard, Stanford) cost $80,000–$90,000/year all-inclusive. Top public universities (Berkeley, UCLA, Michigan) cost $45,000–$65,000/year. State universities in the Midwest and South can be as low as $30,000–$40,000/year. In INR (at ₹86/USD), this is ₹27–77 Lakhs/year. Scholarships, assistantships, and on-campus earnings can reduce the net cost by 30–70%. G2H provides personalized cost estimates free of charge.

In 2026, the complete F-1 visa process takes approximately 3–5 months for Indian applicants. After receiving your I-20 (1–3 weeks post-admission), you pay the SEVIS fee, complete DS-160, and book your Embassy appointment. US Embassy appointment wait times in India currently range from 4–12 weeks. After a successful interview, the visa is typically issued within 3–7 working days. G2H strongly recommends starting the visa process at least 5 months before your program start date to avoid last-minute delays.

The best city depends on your program and lifestyle. Boston (MIT/Harvard, tech + biotech hub), San Francisco/Silicon Valley (Stanford/Berkeley, tech career access), New York City (Columbia/NYU, finance/media/arts), Chicago (Northwestern, business, more affordable than coasts), Austin, TX (UT Austin, tech boom, very affordable, large Indian community), Pittsburgh (Carnegie Mellon, AI/robotics, most affordable major tech city), and Seattle (UW, Amazon/Microsoft proximity). All these cities have substantial Indian communities, grocery stores, temples, and cultural associations.

Guide to Heights (QEAC #10439 · British Council #49805) provides complete, end-to-end USA application support — entirely free for students. Services include: university shortlisting based on GPA/test scores/career goals, SOP and LOR guidance, application submission support, scholarship identification, F-1 visa document preparation, mock visa interview training, education loan guidance, and pre-departure orientation. With offices in Kochi (Kerala) and Sharjah (UAE), we specialise in helping students from across India and the GCC. WhatsApp us on +91 7306583820 to get started today!