Scholarship for USA

Indian Immigrants Returning Home in Greater Numbers

Scholarship for USA — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 23:57:33 +0000

Here is an interesting video that I wanted to share with you guys. We’ve been hearing for a number of years now how more and more Indian immigrants are moving back to India from the U.S., and it seems like the tide is really gaining momentum now. With India’s economy growing, and the U.S.’s shrinking, and with U.S. immigration for H-1B holders getting tougher by the day, Indian professionals are going back to India in large numbers to work in their economy. Some interesting statistics in the video are that there are 2.3 million Indian immigrants in the U.S. of which 40,000 are doctors, 300,000 are engineers. There are 200,000 Indians in the U.S. that are millionaires. I guess stereotypes don’t just manufacture themselves.

Further reading: International Students Leaving the US in Greater Numbers: Most Think Best Jobs Are at Home

Top H-1B States by Number of Applications

Scholarship for USA — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 21:40:17 +0000

Readers often want to know which states hire the most number of international students. A measure of this can be the number of H-1B visa petitions filed by state. This data can give us an idea of which states have the most number of jobs for international students. From looking at data in the H-1B database for past years, it looks like California hires the most number of international students followed by New York and New Jersey. Below are tables that shows the number of H-1B visa petitions filed by state in fiscal year 2008 and fiscal year 2009.

Fiscal Year 2009

Rank	State	Number of H-1B Applications
1	California	43565
2	New Jersey	33001
3	New York	26648
4	Texas	22677
5	Illinois	14331
6	Virginia	12714
7	Massachusetts	11881
8	Pennsylvania	10911
9	Florida	9877
10	Georgia	8226

Fiscal Year 2008

Rank	State	Number of H-1B Applications
1	California	34377
2	New york	21482
3	New Jersey	14862
4	Texas	14469
5	Illinois	8571
6	Florida	8548
7	Massachusetts	7283
8	Virginia	6664
9	Pennsylvania	6213
10	Georgia	4998

Top 400 Universities in the World – U.S. Universities Dominate

Scholarship for USA — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 05:53:50 +0000

The QS World University Rankings 2010 reveal that the U.S. remains the dominant power in higher education. In its’ seventh year of ranking universities, QS a leading media, event and software company in the higher education field, found that 53 US universities were in the top 200. University of Cambridge, UK was found to be the number one university in the world, followed closely by Harvard University, USA. This is the first time that Harvard has slipped from the number one position. Thirteen U.S. universities were in the top 20.

Europe had the second most number of universities in the list, particularly universities from the U.K., Germany and Switzerland were heavily represented. There were many Asian universities that were in the top 50. Universities from Hong Kong, Tokyo, Kyoto, Singapore, Peking, Osaka and Seoul were all found a place in the top 50.

QS ranked universities on the following criteria: academic peer review, employer review, faculty student ratio, citations per faculty, proportion of international faculty and proportion of international students. To come up with the rankings, QS obtained reviews from 5000 employers and 15,000 academics and university administrators.

Here is the list of the top ten universities. To view a complete list, click here.

Position	University	Country
1	University of Cambridge	Great Britain
2	Harvard University	USA
3	Yale University	USA
4	University College London	Great Britain
5	Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	USA
6	University of Oxford	Great Britain
7	Imperial College London	Great Britain
8	University of Chicago	USA
9	California Institute of Technology (Caltech)	USA
10	Princeton University	USA

Do you see any surprises in this list? Let us know what you think in the comments.

Best GRE Prep Books – What others are buying

Scholarship for USA — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 01:32:54 +0000

I was recently looking around for good GRE test prep books, so I went on Amazon and did a basic search on GRE books. The website presented me with a long list of books, CDs, DVDs, flash cards, kindle books, etc. I was confused and didn’t know which to buy. So I went and did what every other person does when faced with a question. I googled best GRE books. Within seconds I had hundreds of articles with lists of the best GRE books that I should buy if I were to ace the test. Great! This was exactly what I needed. But wait a minute. Who were these people that were recommending these books? Were they university professors, educators, students maybe, or even someone that had reviewed the books? Nowhere on their websites did it say how they came up with their list of the “best” GRE books that I should buy. There was no way I could validate their list. So I decided to try a different approach.

I went on Half.com, eBay.com and Amazon.com and looked at what other people were buying. Essentially, I did a search on the books that sold the most. My reasoning was that if lots of other people were buying it, then that book must be one of the best GRE test prep books in the market, both in terms of content and price. I’ve listed the books I found below. Note that the prices listed were at the time of writing this article.

Half.com

Popularity	GRE Book	Price
1	Cracking the Gre, 2011 by Princeton Review	$14.35
2	Kaplan GRE Exam 2011 Premier	$17.00
3	Gre: Practicing to Take the General Test	$4.43
4	Kaplan GRE Exam 2011: Strategies, Practice, and Review	$15.35
5	Kaplan GRE Exam Vocabulary in a Box	$11.18

eBay.com

Popularity	GRE Book	Price
1	Cracking the Gre, 2011 by Princeton Review	$14.05
2	Kaplan GRE Exam Vocabulary in a Box by Kaplan (2009, Cards)	$12.83
3	Kaplan GRE Exam 2011 Premier by Kaplan (2010, Other, Mixed media product)	$24.81
4	Gre by Educational Testing Service (2002, Paperback)	$11.25
5	Barron’s GRE by Ira K. Wolf, Sharon Weiner Green (2009, Paperback, Revised)	$12.25

Amazon.com

Popularity	GRE Book	Price
1	Cracking the GRE with DVD, 2011 Edition (Graduate School Test Preparation)	$18.95
2	Kaplan GRE Exam Vocabulary in a Box [Cards]	$11.73
3	Barron’s GRE	$10.99
4	GRE: Practicing to Take the General Test 10th Edition	$4.98
5	Essential Words for the GRE	$10.19

H-1B 2011 Cap Count Update

Scholarship for USA — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:54:45 +0000

If you are hoping to apply for an H-1B visa this year, there is still time. As of September 17, USCIS has received only 38,300 applications under the regular cap quota. That means there are still 26,700 H-1B visas available for 2011 out of 65,000 H-1B visas that will be awarded. In the Master’s Exemption H-1B visa category, only 14,000 have applied. USCIS will accept 20,000 applications in this category.

If you have a job and are working under OPT or CPT, this is the right time to apply for an H-1B visas. As shown by the numbers released by USCIS, there are plenty of H-1B visas to go around. If you don’t have a job, but possess at least a Bachelor’s degree, it won’t hurt your chances to apply to a few jobs and see if the employer is willing to sponsor your H-1B visa. Unlike previous years, employers will not be put off by the possibility of an H-1B visa lottery.

Did you apply for your H-1B visa this year? Share your experience with us in the comments below.

H-1B Company Database Launched

shumon — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:10:23 +0000

Click here to access the database.

Scholarship for USA has launched a free web application that allows you to search a database of companies that have sponsored H-1B visas in the recent past. The web app allows you to search the database by job title that received the H-1B sponsorship, job category and state. You can check it out here.

Let us know what you think of this feature. If you have any suggestions on how we can improve the service or if is any additional information you would like to see, let us know in the comments below. If you have any questions or just want to say hi, also use the comments section.

New Jersey Consulting Company Fined for H1B Violations

shumon — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 01:43:50 +0000

The Department of Labor (DOL) has cited Peri Software Solutions, a software consulting company in New Jersey for violation of labor and H1B laws, as reported by DOL on February 18.

An investigation by the Department of Labor found that Peri Software had withheld over $1.4 million in back wages that are owned to its’ employees. The investigation also found that Peri Software paid lower than average wages to its H1B consultants. This is a direct violation of H1B laws. The law states that H1B workers must be paid the same wage rates that are paid to U.S. workers for the same work performed in the same geographical location. DOL also uncovered that Peri Software forced its’ employees to sign employment contracts and then sued the employees when the contracts were broken.

Also read: Email From an Indian IT Consulting Firm

Department of Labor has fined Peri Software a $439,000 fine for its’ violations. The company may also be barred from participating in the H1B program for two years.

In 2009, United State Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had arrested 11 H1B consultants and taken legal action against another New Jersey software company for H1B violations.

Average SAT Subject Test Scores for 2009

shumon — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 02:01:11 +0000

High school students can take the SAT Subject Tests to demonstrate their proficiency in the areas of Mathematics, Science, History and Social Studies, Languages and English. Students can take one or more of the 20 SAT Subject tests that are offered in these areas. Some colleges ask that applicants take at least three SAT Subject Tests while most other make it voluntary. A good score on the SAT Subject Tests can not only strengthen your admission application but can also give you an added boost if you are applying for scholarships.

If you are planning on taking the SAT Subject Tests, it helps to know the average SAT Subject Test scores. You can use the average SAT Subject Test score to compare your score with the 2009 graduating class. I’ve listed below the average SAT Subject Test scores for the graduating class of 2009. You can read the average SAT Reasoning Test scores here.

English
Literature	580
History and Social Sciences
United States History	599
World History	589
Mathematics
Mathematics Level 1	599
Mathematics Level 2	648
Sciences
Biology-Ecological	598
Biology-Molecular	641
Chemistry	638
Physics	655
Language Tests
Chinese with Listening	763
French	618
French with Listening	637
German	616
German with Listening	609
Modern Hebrew	650
Italian	667
Japanese with Listening	689
Korean with Listening	763
Latin	618
Spanish	646
Spanish with Listening	6

Are the averages what you were expecting? Let us know how your score compares with the average score. Write in the comments below.

Learn How to File your Taxes for Free

shumon — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:25:29 +0000

International students studying in the US have to file taxes every year along with other American tax filers. However, international students have very little yearly income as they can only work 20 hours a week, that too if they are lucky to find on campus jobs. So its helpful to be able to file your federal taxes for free. Below are some websites that you can go to, to file your taxes online. It is very easy to file taxes with these online websites as they ask you a few questions and generate the forms you’ll need. They’ll even e-file your taxes with the IRS.

The websites listed below will help you prepare your federal taxes for free if you meet their eligibility criteria. Select the one that best fits your needs. Keep in mind that most of these sites will file the federal tax for free, but will charge you for filing your state taxes. You can read about international student tax guidelines here.

TurboTax® Freedom Edition: Free federal online tax return preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is $31,000 or less or if you are active military with an AGI of $57,000 or less or you qualify for Earned Income Tax Credit. This federal offer is valid in all states. Free extension.

Online Tax Pros: Free federal online tax preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is between $3,500 and $57,000 and you live in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV. Free extension. En Español.

Free1040TaxReturn.com: Free federal online tax return preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is $57,000 or less and you are age 71 or younger and live in AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, HI, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, UT, VA, WI, WV. Free extension.

CitizenTaxFree: Free federal online tax preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is $57,000 or less, you are age 70 or younger and you live in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, ND, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, TX, VA and WI. Free extension.

EfileTaxReturns.net: Free federal online tax return preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is between $5,000 and $57,000, and you live in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, UT, VA, VT, WI or WV.

ICANEFILE: Free federal online tax return preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is $32,000 or less or if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. This federal offer is valid in all states. Free extension.

ezTaxReturn.com: Free federal online tax return preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is $57,000 or less and you live in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, GA, IL, LA, MA, MI, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, and WI.

CompleteTax: Free federal online tax return preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is $32,000 or less. This federal offer is valid in all states. Free extension.

H&R Block’s Free File: Free federal online tax return preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is $57,000 or less and you are age 51 or younger. This federal offer is valid in all states.

Free TaxACT: Free federal online tax return preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is $57,000 or less and you are age 19 through 55 years old. This federal offer is valid in all states. Extensions e-filed for free. Free extension.

1040NOW.NET: Free federal online tax return preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is $57,000 or less, your age is 67 years or younger and you live in AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, HI, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WI, or WV.

TaxSimple Ultimate Version: Free federal online tax return preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is $57,000 or less and you are age 66 or less and you live in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, HI, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, or WY.

OnLine Taxes at OLT.com: Free federal online tax preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is $57,000 or less and age 51 or younger. This federal offer is valid in all states. Free extension.

FileYourTaxes.com: Free federal online tax return preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is $57,000 or less and you are age 15 through 52 years old. This federal offer is valid in all states. Free extension.

123Easytaxfiling: Free federal online tax return preparation and e-file if you are 70 years old or younger, your adjusted gross income (AGI) is $57,000 or less and you live in one of the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, HI, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, UT, VA, VT, WI and, WV. Free extension.

eSmart Tax by LibertyTax Service: Free federal online tax return preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is $57,000 or less, and you are 50 years old or younger. This federal offer is valid in all states. Free extension. En Español.

TaxSlayer: Free federal online tax return preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is less than $57,000 and you are age 25 or younger, age 65 or older or active military. Also, if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit or if your adjusted gross income is less than $10,000. This federal offer is valid in all states. Free extension.

FreeTaxUSA.com: Free federal online tax return preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is $57,000 or less and you live in one of the following states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, UT, VA, WI, or WV. Free extension.

Free Tax Return: Free federal online tax return preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is $57,000 or less and you live in the following states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, VA, WI, or WV. Free extension.

ISECURETAX, INC.: Free federal online tax return preparation and e-file if your adjusted gross income is $57,000 or less and you live in AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, ID, KS, MD, MI, MS, NC, NE, NY, OH or VA.

Average SAT Reasoning Scores for 2009

shumon — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:12:40 +0000

The College Board has released the average SAT scores for the graduating class of 2009. The average SAT scores for 2009 for the reasoning test are not much different from the average SAT score of 2008. Critical reading and writing average SAT score dropped by a point. The average score for Mathematics remained the same. Following is the breakdown of the scores:

Section	Average Score
Critical reading	501
Mathematics	515
Writing	493

You can read the average SAT score for 2008 here.

So there you have it. Those were the average SAT scores for 2009. How did your scores compare to the average scores? Let us know in the comments below.

Also read: 21 Colleges that do not Require the SAT for Admission