education consultants for USA

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 or website:Usually, the application forms are available on the university website you 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, and source of financial aid, English skill, and test scores.
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Eligibility

Most schools require qualifications comparable to a U.S. Bachelor’s (Honors) degree (Four Year Degree Program). That means a minimum of 16 years of formal education is needed. In the Indian context, it signifies passing in a professional four-year degree like engineering or other professional courses.

For Doctorate programs, most universities require a Master’s degree in that subject. In a few extraordinary cases like an Undergraduate engineering degree, they may grant direct admission to a Doctorate course.

If you have completed a three-year degree program in India, the advisable plan of action to maximize eligibility for U.S. graduate schools is to apply for a Post Graduate degree here in India. A one-year university-affiliated program will make up for the fourth year of a U.S. Undergraduate degree.

Important

  • Professional programs like the CA, ICWA, part-time diplomas from a university such as those in management, communication may or may not be accepted. Though many universities, especially Business Schools, have started recognizing the Indian CA.
  • Independent certificate courses offered by private institutions like Aptech, NIIT, etc. may or may not be accepted based on each University’s evaluation.
  • One-year education of a two-year degree course (like M.Tech, MA, etc) may not be accepted by most schools. The full course has to be completed for qualification, unless there is a recognized University exam at the end of one year.

No standardized policy exists regarding the acceptance of such programs. Some universities may accept the three-year Indian Graduation Degree for a few programs. Confirmation can only be obtained by either writing directly or formally applying to the universities concerned.

Application Requirements

Academic Records

Your past academic history is one of the most significant deciding factors in obtaining admission to a university abroad. Most schools ask you to have a fairly reliable academic record primarily for programs and courses awarding a master’s or doctoral degree. Each university has its minimum qualification for its programs, which are adaptable depending on the applicant’s profile.

Universities in USA have their evaluation methods, which are considerably distinct from the Indian system. They follow the GPA (Grade Point Average) system which is based on the 5 points scheme – A, B, C, and D& F.

It is advisable not to convert your marks in the Indian system of grading to the American Grade Point Average system or any other system since the conversion may not be exact. You may attach an explanatory letter of your college to designate your status in your University. The letter may also designate the number of students in the class and the number of colleges and students in the University along with your rank. You may also give any other information or certificates that you believe may help you in the selection process.

Students applying for Graduate courses (MBA, MS etc) are obliged to submit an authenticated transcript (mark-sheets) from each college or university that they have attended after secondary school with complete details of the subjects/credits involved (for each year) and other details like correspondence courses, diplomas etc. Most universities ask for the transcript (mark-sheets) to be sealed in an envelope and attested across the seal by the registrar. Some universities may ask for more than one copy of the transcript.

If the transcripts are in a language other than English, they must be paraphrased into English only by the issuing authority or university.

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

Many Courses and Universities in US ask you to take one of the standardized tests like GRE, GMAT along with English Proficiency tests like TOEFL, TWE and TSE.

English Proficiency Tests

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).

TSE: This test is essential if you plan to apply for a Teaching Assistantship. Though many universities don’t mention it, but it is advisable to take this test if you are looking for a Teaching Assistantship.

Other Tests

Different programs require you to take certain standardized tests for admission and there is a certain minimum that you have to score in those tests to get admitted to the prominent universities abroad.

The various tests are:

  • GMAT: For Graduate Courses in Management.
  • GRE: For Graduate Courses in fields other than Management.
  • LSAT: For Admissions to Law Schools.
  • USMLE: For Admission to Medical Colleges.

For other tests, click on Tests to be Taken

Work Experience Details

Several professional and vocational programs demand relevant work experience. For instance, many MBAs or master’s courses in information studies require at least a couple of years’ work experience. Most Australian Universities are moderately stern about aforementioned.

A detailed resume is an important component of your application. It should include all information of professional work experience along with the details like positions held, achievements and range of work.

Check out the Resume section for tips.

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 enlist 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.

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.

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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 our 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.

interview

Importance of Networking in Admission Decisions and Aid

Many graduate departments at universities give teaching assistantships or research assistantships to their graduate students (students pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree especially in engineering). Assistantships usually constitute a tuition award and some kind of salary in return for teaching or research services. Every school has a short number of availabilities for assistantships based on the number of funding designated. As a result, such scholarships are merit-based, meaning they are competitive, based on your academic performance to date.

Individual departments at the university usually control funds. It always helps to write directly to the department to review about available funding. Students who are research oriented or have published papers in a particular field should reach professors interested in that field. By contacting professors in advance and building a relationship, you can considerably improve your chance of getting help.

Unfortunately, many deserving students do not get support along with the admission. If you are one of them and plan on joining anyway, we strongly suggest you arrive a few days before the registration time. This will allow you to individually communicate with the professors and market your skills. Professors usually have funding open for various projects and you may be able to find something that suits your skill set. We also strongly recommend that you don’t restrict yourself to your particular department.

There are several opportunities in other departments particularly for students with strong computer skills. You have to be determined and steadfast in your approach. Although there is no guarantee that you will get financial aid, it is worth the try.

0Always remember, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. We have met many students who have received assistantships in several U.S. universities after joining the school.

The story is very different for MBA programs. There are very few MBA schools that give any assistantship to international students. However, there is no assistantship available in private schools. Some state schools receive funding for projects and provide some opportunity to receive aid.

 Nevertheless, if you have skills that you can sell, we would advise you try to find assistance from other departments (engineering), even if you are applying for MBA..

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