Application Forms
The applicant must send inquiries at least 15 to 18 months before the date of admission. There are two ways to get application forms:-
- Requesting Application Forms via email:Usually, the application forms are available on the University website. One can simply download them;however, you can also request the Universities for the application forms via email.
- Requesting Application Forms via Air Mail:The other way is to send a request the application for is through airmail. The request should include a summary of your educational background, academic goals, source of financial aid, English skill, and test scores.
Eligibility
Admission to a College or University in the US demands twelve years of elementary and secondary education history. In the Indian context, this implies qualifying in Class 12th examination or junior college as mandatory.
The acceptable standards includes:-
Indian School Certificate.
Intermediate Certificate.
Higher School Certificate.
Higher Secondary Certificate.
All India Senior School Certificate.
You can either have a two-year Associate degree like Associate of Science (A.S.) or a four-year degree like Bachelor of Science (B.S.).
Application Requirements
Academic Records
Students who are applying for a Bachelor program or another Undergraduate course would be obliged to present a secondary school report and transcripts (report cards) of the final exams. The report form should be filled out by a school official like the Principal, Counselor, or Headmaster. However, the form should introduce you in the context of your whole school experience. The school report should talk about your achievements and must give a prophecy of your opportunities for success in university-level studies.
Since there are variations in the scoring methods abroad to the ones in India, ask your school to add a guide to the grading criteria of your school. If your school grades students by their level of academic performance, make sure that the ranking is combined with the other details. Also, send the school / junior college leaving certificate, whenever feasible.
If the transcripts are in a language other than English, then it must be transcribed into English only by the issuing authority or University, otherwise it may not be acceptable.
Standardized Tests
English Proficiency Test
TOEFL: This test is mandatory for International students applying to a Graduate course or University in the US. The minimum score required by most universities for admission is 570 (Paper-based test) and 230 (Computer-based test).
Other Required Tests
- SAT I: This is required for almost all Courses and Universities.
- SAT II: A few Universities may require you to take two or three subject tests.
- ACT: A few Universities may also require you to take this test.
Letter of Recommendation
Letters of reference or recommendation letters act as a very significant element in your admission particularly in courses that draw you a master’s or doctoral degree. A recommendation letter is a signed statement from a person who knows you well professionally or has taught you in a subject that is related to the course you are applying to. It should list your positive and negative qualities, strengths, and other before-mentioned information.
The author or teacher must signify his position, how long he/she has known the applicant, and in what capacity. He/she should briefly discuss the need, importance, and usefulness of the study the applicant proposes to undertake.
Authors are usually asked to rank applicants in their letters of recommendation, which helps admission officers to interpret the academic credentials of foreign students. Students should obtain letters of recommendation (often on the prescribed forms sent by the institutions) from teachers who know them as a person as well as a student.
Many universities have their format and questions that have to be answered by the person who is giving the letter of recommendation on your behalf. Letters, which do not give enough information, can risk a candidate’s possibilities of selection.
Note: Even if not mentioned, it is advisable to include at least two letters of recommendation in your applications as they increase your chances of getting admissions.
For more details on letters of recommendation, formats, and tips, check out the section,Letters of Recommendation.
Statement of Purpose
The personal essays, and/or statement of purpose, play a very important role in the process of evaluating your application for both admission as well as financial aid because it gives the faculty evaluating your application most significant impression of you as an individual. This section is the key to distinguish your application from other suitable candidates and a chance to market yourself.
A personal statement should include your reasons for choosing a particular course, the suitability of your education and experience for the chosen course, your interests, and career goals. Some courses like Business school courses will have their essay questions and format. Others may ask for a résumé or reasons for applying to that particular course.
For more details on various essay topics, tips, sample essays, check out, Essays/Statement of Purpose section.
Financial Support
You must present a financial aid application if you desire financial help for your graduate studies at a US university. Financial assistance for non-US citizens is very confined.
The evidence of financial support is necessitated by universities to issue the documents needed for visa application. Although it is a requirement for application, it is usually not taken into consideration into factors that determine admission. Most universities make their admission decisions without regard to the source and amount of financial support.
You would be required to submit documentation of your family’s financial resources to help schools assess your need. Most of the universities have their financial aid form, which you would have to complete.
You would also be required to submit a bank statement demonstrating your financial capacity to support your education in the US. Some US state institutions offer tuition waivers to international students in return for some type of educational contribution.
For Scholarships, loans, and other financial aid information, check out the Financial Aid section.
Interviews
A few universities may take the interview to know you better. The interview could be with a college representative or ‘third party’ representatives, staff, faculty, or alumni of the college or simply a telephonic interview. These interviews are usually informal and more of an opportunity to exchange information. The interviewer will try to assess your strengths and interests.
