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For many international students, the United States of America is an attractive destination for postgraduate study. How does the United States attract thousands of international students into its fold? The reason is clear: the United States is the world leader in many fields, from computers to medicine and engineering. Naturally, foreign students flock to US shores to improve their knowledge and skills and to shape their careers.
Start: In the United States, there are more than 1,000 universities and colleges. So how do you select a university/college? Base your choices on your academic profile, test scores (more on this below), the financial aid opportunity, your graduate school budget, and more. Are you interested in pursuing postgraduate studies only at top-tier universities? Do you want to study at a university in a big city or do you want to enroll in a university in a quiet town? Does the cold bother you? The answers to such questions can also play a role in selecting a college.
Eligibility to apply for a graduate program: Most US universities require international students to have a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Almost all graduate schools require TOEFL. It tests your proficiency in the English language. Several colleges also require the GRE/GMAT, which tests your knowledge of high school math, verbal reasoning, and analytical writing ability, among others. Please note that the test format of GRE and GMAT is different. Visit ets.org and mba.com for official and latest information on TOEFL, GRE and GMAT respectively.
Before taking the TOEFL and GRE/GMAT, select a few colleges according to the guidelines in Getting Started above. Why should you select graduate schools before taking the tests? With no additional fee, you can designate up to four colleges, when you take the test, to receive official test scores. If you want to send official score reports to more colleges, you can do so by paying an additional fee for each report.
How to apply: Many American universities allow students to apply online through their website for graduate programs. Applying for admission online is faster, more convenient and cheaper.
Pay the application fee with your credit card. Then, complete the online application form and upload your statement of purpose/personal essay, transcripts/report card, and other required documents.
Ask your professors to recommend you for admission. Ask them to upload their letters of recommendation through the university’s website instead of mailing the letters. Again, speed, convenience, and cost savings are the benefits of online referral.
Financial proof: American universities require international students to demonstrate that they have the funds to pursue a graduate program. The proof is usually a bank statement that certifies that your account or that of your sponsor (parents, relatives or others) has specific money. You must cover the cost of postgraduate education.
Some universities require applicants to submit/upload the financial certificate along with their application for a graduate program. With other schools, you should submit the bank statement only if your application is approved. In either case, the financial proof must be with the university before it can issue the I-20 form, which is necessary to obtain the student visa.
Financial help: Graduate Assistantship (GA), Teaching Assistantship (TA), and Research Assistantship (RA) are the three types of financial aid available to graduate students. GA, TA and RA are competitive and limited to international students. American universities consider your undergraduate transcript, GRE/GMAT scores, and letters of recommendation, among others, to award you financial aid. The mantra for getting financial aid from a college is “the better your academic profile and test scores, the better your chances of getting financial aid.”
If you are in your third or fourth year of college, strive to create as impressive an academic record as possible. Through hard and smart work, earn top grades/percentages and increase your financial aid prospects. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, work to earn the highest possible score on the GRE/GMAT and TOEFL.
Campus Employment: International students often work on campus, which helps cover a small part of the total cost of postgraduate education. You can work up to a maximum of 20 hours a week. Most jobs on campus pay minimum wage. It is, currently, $7.25 per hour.
Final note: With a good academic record, high test scores, and strong letters of recommendation, among other things, you can fulfill your dreams of earning a Master’s/PhD from an American university.