How to select US universities for graduate school admission? This will be 3 part article and by end of 3 parts, you will be able to select US universities with confidence and right way. This guide will list 12 different questions you have to ask for every university before making a final decision.
US University Selection Factors
- Tuition fees
- Cost of Living
- Jobs after M.S.
- Internship
- Length of the program
- Thesis/Non-Thesis
- International Student Population
- Quality of Education
- Climate/Location
- Current Student Satisfaction
- Can you Afford
- Crime Rate in the area
Next post will discuss above 12 factors in detail. You have to understand that university selection is time consuming process. If you decide to do it on your own, it can be overwhelming for most of you. With so many universities in USA that offers wide variety of courses and degree, it will be tough to decide on best 10 universities to apply for admission. Just the effort alone differentiates prospective students from rest of the group. [Why International Students are Unique Creatures?]
Don’t forget to read Part 2 and 3 of US University Selection process.
- How to Select US Universities – Part 1 [Current Post]
- How to Select US Universities – Part 2
- How to Select US Universities – Part 3
Hi HSB Counselor,
I have a B. Tech. in CSE with 77% aggregate and currently have a 5 year work experience on PeopleSoft ERP. My GRE score is 327 (Quant 170, Verbal 157) + 4 (Writing). I am planning to apply for Fall 2014 sessions for MS/PhD in US. Research Interest: Cloud Computing. Can you please suggest me some suitable universities to apply to?
Thanks in advance!
Saurabh
Hai,
I got my gre score and toefl score 291 and 77 , i applied to the university of new haven, cleveland state university , university of texas arlington,kingsville,tyler, lousiana state university . if i get a admission from the new haven or cleve land ,what is the visa rating for the new haven and cleveland . help me .
Hello,
I have got admits from U Mass, UNCC, USU, SUNY Buffalo and SJSU for MS in Electrical Engineering. Among these, USU is a funded admit (G.A of $ 800/month for the first eight months). Kindly help me in selecting one among these admits for Embedded Specialization. I prefer to go for universities which has better internship chances and tuition/living expenses are economical
Hi
I got an admit for MS Electrical, fall 2013 with 8000$ financial aid.
I am waiting for admission decisions from 2 more universities.
Is RIT worth the money and time?
I have admits from 5 universities and i need advice on which university to select. My department is Electrical Engineering.
What i seek in an university is 1) job scenario after M.S, 2)quality of education, 3)funding, 4)internships. in the respective preference order.
Admits from
University of Arizona at Tucson,
University of Texas at dallas,
Rochester institute of technology,
Auburn University and
illinois institute of technology.
Hai guys . . . .
Hi sir,
I am planning for MS in computer science for fall 2013. My GRE score is 297 [V-143 & Q-154] and writing section score is 2.5/6.
I completed my BE in Computer science from Mumbai Univ with distinction. Also from past 1 year I am associated with an UK based IT firm.
I am considering following universities on the basis of their location, program structure and rank.
Kent State Univ, SUNY Albany, San Diego State Univ, Florida International Univ, California Lutheran Univ., Univ of Central Missouri, Texas Tech Univ.
I am bit concerned about the last 3 universities. CLU has high fees. UCM has no national ranking but is very economical.
What do you suggest? Are the listed universities good in terms of placement?
Also is it advisable to go further with my average scores. What role does my distinction BE degree and job experience will play in the admission process?
Should I select good universities other than these listed above?
Please help me here.
Hello,
I would like know which of these Universities would be better in terms of Course Structure and Placements.
I am unable to decide.
I have received admits from:
Syracuse University – MS-Information management
University of Florida- MS in ISOM
University of Arizona- MS in MIS.
Kindly let me know.
Thanking you in anticipation,
Nandini
Hi Nandini,
Well for course structure, you are the best judge to it. Check through the curriculum thoroughly. Try to get in touch with the faculty members and senior students.
Syracuse university finds a better place in rankings compared to University of Florida and University of Arizona. Also as Syracuse is in New York, you may have better prospects for internship and placements.
All the best!
Thank you for the quick response.
I want to know in terms of ranking, Should I give preference to US-National Rankings or in particular the Course rank?
As you mentioned SU is ranked better than UOA. But UOA stands 3rd in MIS program in the US Best Rankings and Syracuse stands 1st among the list of i-schools and UFL is offered by
Hough B-School which is within top 15 top B-Schools in the US.
As a result, I am in dilemma to pick one amongst the three.
Also I wanted know abt UTD as I have an admit from them as well.Is it any better than the rest of the colleges list above.
I would like to know since Syracuse is in NY, would the salary offered be better than that in UFL or UOA.
I’ll be glad if you can let me know the range of Salary offered at SU. (Lowest-Highest)
Kindly let me know.
Thanking you,
Sincerely,
Nandini
Hello Brothers,
Hi i am amit
I have few question hope someone can help
Right Now I am working with my family we are stock broker From my childhood i have learn lot about financial market
But problem is that i quite my studies after 12 i have done some modules and program from NISM related to stock market
why i quite there were few reasons like there were no specific studies related to my area of interest
Second I was earning good with family business
But now i want built career in financial studies and as related to stock market i know america is worlds financial hub
Right now i am looking for some distance education online program from U.S i have found few university like New charter charter university ,penn foster, asshoworth collage , Straighline for my associate or bachelors program
Then i will complete my masters there
Some one can guide is my plan is good ?
TO complete my masters from us will get visa and other thing which you should give your brother as advise
Thank you
Hi Amit,
Go for full time programmes for your bachelor’s degree. You will find may programmes matching your interests. You can go for a bachelors degree and a Masters later on.
Although there is no harm in online programmes. Choice should be totally based out on your family situation. An online programme will certainly help as you would be able to give sufficient time to to your family business.
Thank You Sir For guiding me
I am seeking online program because I Can also help my father in their business
Until My younger brother complete his bachelors (2 Years Left) I will have to stay in india so i dont want waste my 2 to 3 years thats why i am thinking for an online collage so i can complete my associate or bachelors from india then i will complete my remaining studies or masters from U.S.
hello sir,, I have taken my gre and scored 289 and ielts of 6.0.Iam having a undergraduate gpa of 8.9/10 or 3.7/4.0 . Will there be a problem for me during visa process sir??(F1 Process)
Hi Ram, Yes GRE and IELTS score are on a lower side. Acads are certainly good. You will not find much trouble in the visa process if you have an admission offer from the University.
IELTS I believe you may need to retake as most of the Universities ask for 6.5 wit no band score less than 6.0.
All the best!