Can Canadian citizens study in the USA?

I'm a Canadian citizen and considering studying in the USA for college. What is the process like for Canadian students, and are there any special requirements or hurdles I might face?

Indeed, Canadian citizens can study in the United States, and many do each year. The process involves a few key steps.

1. Research and Application: Your journey begins with researching potential schools that align with your academic and personal interests. Once you've selected potential schools, you must apply for admission, just like domestic students. This process typically involves submitting an application that includes your transcript, test scores (SAT or ACT), letters of recommendation, as well as application essays.

2. Acceptance: If accepted to a U.S. school, you will receive an admission offer. Once you have decided on which school to attend, you would have to reserve your spot by paying a deposit.

3. Obtain I-20 Form: After your admission and deposit, the school you're attending will issue you an I-20 form, which is a document asserting your invitation and acceptance to study at that particular institution.

4. Apply for a Visa: Canadian students will then need to apply for an F-1 student visa. To do this, you must schedule an appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate for a visa interview. This generally involves filling out the online DS-160 visa application form and paying the visa application fee. While technically, Canadian citizens do not need a visa stamp in their passport to enter the US as a student, the majority do get it to avoid any future inconveniences when traveling.

5. Health Insurance: It's also necessary to look into health insurance. Some schools may offer health insurance plans to international students, or you may wish to seek out a plan independently.

6. SEVIS Fee: Canadian students, like other international students, must also pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, which funds the Student and Exchange Visitor System.

7. Academic Records: Additionally, Canadian students often have to provide certified copies of original academic records, and schools may also require that these records are evaluated by a U.S. evaluation service.

8. English Proficiency: If English is not your first language, even if you're from an English-speaking area of Canada, the school may request proof of language proficiency via examinations like TOEFL or IELTS.

Throughout your time studying, remember to maintain your student status, mainly by being a full-time student and adhering to work restrictions. There might be a few extra steps Canadian students have to take, but they have the unique advantage of being so close geographically, allowing for more opportunities for campus visits and networking.