Application, Preparation and Funding

Application

Do I request application materials from the universities directly?

Yes, each university has its own application process and you need to contact each university via phone, email or fax to obtain this information.

Who do I write to for applications?

Prospective international graduates should write to two locations 1) graduate school admission office and 2) the particular department where they wish to pursue a degree. The graduate school will provide an application from and information for international students and the department will be able to provide the course offerings and institutional financial aid details.

Can I do a graduate degree in a field unrelated to my undergraduate degree?

An undergraduate degree in your intended field of graduate study is recommended and usually required. However, if your undergraduate degree was in an allied field or was interdisciplinary and you took, for example, one third of your courses in political science, you may be admitted into a graduate program for political science upon the completion of a designated number of undergraduate courses at the institution in which you want to enrol. For graduates applying for professional degrees in subjects such as business (MBA), education or hotel management, the above rules may not apply. Relevant work experience may be important for MBA admission.

When am I too late to apply?

Application deadlines at US universities range from November 3rd to August 15th. If you start the process very late, you may still be able to find a university that offers your field of study and is willing to consider your application. Whether or not this is the university you really want to go to is another matter. If you have not taken the necessary standardised tests for admission, you may need to plan on taking the tests and submitting the scores before the application deadline. You can use the Peterson's Guide to find out about deadlines at US universities.

What if I have missed the university deadline?

US universities, particularly the major ones like Harvard, Yale and Stanford receive hundreds of applications each year, so deadlines are firm and you will need to ensure that the application form, test results and recommendations have reached the University before the required date. Other universities have rolling admissions which means that the deadlines are flexible and students may be admitted in the fall, spring or summer terms. In most cases, though, early application is advisable.

Should I type the application?

Although it is preferable to type the entire application, many times it is difficult to obtain a typewriter so neat printing in black pen would be acceptable.

Who should write my recommendations?

If you are applying for a professional degree, you should ask someone who knows you such as a supervisor in a work setting as well as your professors. If you were applying for academic degree, recommendations from individuals who have extensive experience with your abilities academically would carry more weight than someone you have worked with.

Preparation

What tests do I have to take?

If English is not your native tongue and you have not completed a degree in an English speaking country, you will be asked to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam. If you are pursuing a graduate degree in the Arts and Science, you will also be asked to take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination); if you are pursuing a graduate degree in a business related field, you will be asked to take the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test); for Law it is the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) and for medicine it is the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)

When should I take these tests?

The US universities will not consider your application complete until they receive your score report from the ETS. Since it takes between 6-8 weeks for your scores to be reported, and since many schools and departments have January/February deadlines, you should take all tests one year before your intended date of study i.e. October or November of the year preceding your study in the US. You can send your scores well in advance of the application deadline date; the university will hold onto the scores and will expect your application in due course.

Funding

What are my chances of getting financial aid?

It is to the universities that you must realistically look for funding. Keep in mind, that about 30% of international students in the US receive major financial aid from university departments. Of the remainder, the majority are self-financed, whilst a small percentage are recipients of awards. The Directory of Graduate Programs should indicate which departments offer scholarships to graduate students

Can I work as a graduate student?

International students are not permitted to work in their first year. After your first year, you can work on campus for up to 20 hours per week as long as you do not displace an American citizen or permanent resident. This work would probably not be enough for your tuition and cost of living so working whilst studying should be seen as a bonus rather than a necessity even if in reality this is not always the case. It is also important to note that under the terms of the student visas, teaching assistantships and research assistantships do not fall under the category of work.

If you are a student from India who is interested in studying abroad
Study Abroad Guide on International Education for Indian Students

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