Application Process for U.S. universities

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Application Process for U.S. universities

• European Educational Advising Conference
• Riga, Latvia August 2004
• Courtesy of Diana Lopez (USA), Tove Lain Knudsen
  (Norway), Maria Paniakova (Slovakia)

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Application Process for U.S. universities -
TIMELINE

• 18 Months before Classes Begin
• Search for colleges that meet your needs. Use
  every resource your parents, teachers,
  counselors, friends.
• 12 Months before Classes Begin
• Register to take tests (ACT, SAT I and II, TOEFL,
  IELTS, GRE) as needed for the institutions you
  are considering. Narrow your list to 10-12
  colleges. Contact colleges indicating your
  interest.
• September-December
• Narrow your list to 5-10 colleges. Request
  recommendations from teachers and obtain
  transcripts from your school. Fill out and send
  admission applications. Take required tests.
• January-April
• You receive notification of admission and
  financial aid. From acceptances, choose and
  notify the college/university you wish to attend.
  
• May-July
• Apply for a visa at the nearest U.S.
  embassy/consulate.
• July-August
• Attend a pre-departure orientation at your local
  EducationUSA center to get helpful tips that will
  assure your success from the moment you arrive in
  the United States.
• August-September
• Pack up and prepare to depart for the USA.

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1. Application

• Students should be advised to
• Always complete the application carefully
• Always give their name in exactly the same way on
  the application form and on the supporting
  documents
• List the major as stated in the materials
  received from the institution

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2. Application Fee

• If an application fee is required, it should be
  submitted with the completed application
• The application fee is a processing fee, and few
  institutions will process an application without
  it
• The fee should be in US and drawn on a US bank
  for quicker processing

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3. Official Academic Records

• Both in English and in the native language
• Official academic records include
• Certified copies of official degrees or diplomas
• List of courses and grades for all post-secondary
  education
• Records should be sent in a sealed envelope with
  the application alternatively, the issuing
  institution should send the records directly.
  Students should never send originals!
• Photocopies should be certified by the university
  or other appropriate official

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4. Test Scores

• GRE - required by many, but not all
• GMAT - virtually all business programs
• English Proficiency (TOEFL) - all
• At test center, indicate to which schools you
  want the scores sent
• Include photocopy of scores with application, if
  possible

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5. Letters of Recommendation

• The best letters comment on academic achievements
  or professional potential
• Some universities provide a special form for the
  letters, in other cases the recommender can use
  his/her own letter-head paper
• As a courtesy, the student should provide the
  referee with a stamped envelope addressed to the
  institution marked Re Application of students
  name when asking for a recommendation
• Applicants should allow plenty of time for the
  referees to write the letter, and follow up to
  ensure that they are sent in time

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Information to be included

• How long has the writer known the applicant?
• What is their relationship (teacher/student,
  employer/employee, etc.)?
• A ranking of the student in comparison with his
  or her classmates

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Points to be discussed

• Intellectual ability
• Knowledge of field
• Work habits
• Motivation to pursue study
• Seriousness of purpose
• Emotional maturity

• Resourcefulness and initiative
• Adaptability to new situations
• Leadership qualities
• Potential for future contribution in the field

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6. Personal Statement

• The personal statement can mean the difference
  between admission and denial.
• Goal clear, concise, and persuasive
• academic or research interests
• reasons for wanting to pursue graduate study
• reasons for choosing a certain institution
• career goals
• Personal background/extracurricular activities
• Tailor to each institution - answer the questions
  asked!

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What to avoid

• Do not be overly informal
• Do not include irrelevant information
• Do not write your life story be brief, yet
  complete

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Application Process for U.S. Graduate Schools

• Departmental Review
• Diana Lopez
• Director, Systems and Procedures
• University of Tennessee

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Departmental Review

• Admissions committees
• What do they want?
• Outstanding students
• Committed and motivated students
• Diversity of backgrounds

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Departmental Review

• General admission criteria
• Previous degree(s)
• Outstanding test scores and GPA
• Strong Letters of Recommendation
• Convincing and memorable Statement of Purpose
• Specific admission criteria
• Knowledge/results in the departments fields of
  research
• Experience in/potential for research or teaching
• Difficulty of classes taken as an undergraduate
• Prestige of undergraduate institution

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• Questions
• Conclusion

www.educationUSA.state.gov www.ThinkEducationUSA.c
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