Complete step by step timeline and plan for getting into Graduate School Admission in USA.
Students find it difficult to understand the complete timeline for Studying in USA and Graduate School application, admission to US Universities.
This post should provide a clear description of Graduate school application timeline and how far in advance, students should start preparing.
College Admission Timeline
2 Years
- Start thinking and planning about your Higher Education in USA or other foreign countries. To have well planned admission strategy and select perfect programs, planning has to start 2 years in advance. If you aim is to get into top programs of your department, then with 2 years advance planning, you can improve your academics.
- Top Graduate programs for Statement of purpose. To have strong SOP, you need research experience.
- Research Experience can be gained by research paper publication, Summer research internship and work experience.
- Also, getting involved in community service will boost your application.
- Create a file to maintain documents relating to you future education plans.
- How to get into Ivy League?
18 Months
- Start looking at Graduate school programs offered at various universities that best matches your interests.
- Identify universities, department, programs, application requirements, admission deadlines and funding deadlines.
- Universities might have financial aid deadlines and regular deadlines. If you want admission with aid, apply before financial aid deadline. Departments may have a separate deadline for applicants who wish to be considered for funding such as department fellowships, teaching, research, or project assistantships.
- Prepare for GRE, TOEFL or IELTS and other required exams. Schedule the GRE , TOEFL or IELTS atleast 3 to 5 months before admission deadlines. Earlier the better.
- Report your test scores GRE and TOEFL scores directly to the University from ETS.
- Identify who will provide letter of recommendations.
3 Months
- Refer to sample Statement of Purpose and prepare your first draft
- Fine tune your resume for Graduate application.
- SOP should be a concise essay indicating your background and career goals. Check with your program’s admissions coordinator to find out what should be included in a statement of purpose for your program. Share your draft with an advisor, mentor or writing expert to obtain feedback.
- Contact your references and get your Letter of recommendation.
- Identify required bank balance and make arrangements for the bank balance.
- Start conversation with Professors. Email to Professors Tips.
3 Weeks
- Get Official transcripts ready
- Get Bank Statement
- Start filling Online application, get SOP, LOR and other documents.
- Pay application Fee or send application fee with application documents
- Submit Online application. You should receive application ID.
- Include application Id and Online application submission confirmation page with application documents.
- Official transcripts or academic records from each institution attended.
- Letters of recommendation are submitted electronically to graduate programs through the online application.
- Test Scores:
- GRE and TOEFL scores are sent electronically from Educational Testing Service.
- Portfolios, tapes, CD’s, publications.
- Application Fee and right mailing address.
- Mail Application Packet – Checklist, Tips to mail application.
After Application
Application processing time depends upon when you apply and all test documents are received, test score and fees. When your application file is complete, graduate school will start the review process.
Some schools will require students to send 2 application package (1 to Grad school and 1 to department). This post is written under assumption that one package is mailed to Graduate school directly. Typical process will look like the following (but changes within university)
- Your application details are entered into a central database. (Mini Admission process flowchart)
- You can track your application status online. 5 Ways to Check College Admission Status
- Graduate School reviews application for completeness and minimum academic requirements are met. Forwards application to department.
- Department’s admission committee reviews your application material and makes an admission decision.
- Department forwards your supporting materials to the Graduate School’s Office of Admissions if a positive admission decision is made.
- International applicants need proof of financial support. Your online status check will provide specific information required to finalize admission.
- The Graduate School makes the final admission decision.
- Graduate School then forwards your admission details to International Students Office.
- International students office will process and issue I-20 (sample I-20)
- Continue to monitor your progress through the online status check.
- I-20 will be mailed to the address provided on your application.
After You Have Been Admitted
- You will receive an official admission (sample college admission letter with scholarship) and I-20.
- Newly admitted graduate students will details about new student orientation, travel details and other information to admission with admission packet.
Which University?
Pretty much same criteria that you considered when making your decision to apply to a specific graduate program(s) will be used when you decide to which program(s) to enroll.
- Ask lots of questions and find answers
- Does the program emphasize theory or practice?
- Flowchart – Masters Degree Course Plan
- Where do their graduates go after graduation and does the program offer placement information?
- Does the professors have finding, is he taking students under his research?
- Funding chances
- CPT Rules.
- Are there opportunities to teach?
- Are there opportunities for professional development?
- Is there any Indian students organization (or your country) student organization?
- Does the program publish time to degree and graduate student funding statistics?
- International student population?
- Part time job availability?
- Student F1 visa chances?
- Talk to your counselors, mentors, friends, current students at the school.
- Compare with other admissions.
- Find the total cost living and compare them. (Apartment rent and cost of living)
- Understand course structure and majors options. (Masters in 1, 2 or 3 years?)
- Identify if classes offered appeal to you. You should also check on the frequency those classes are offered.
Once you have all the information, then decide on the final choice of university. Then start preparing for student visa interview.
Hello.
I am a graduate student in Petroleum Engineering. I’m going to do an MA in a European country. Has two local papers in National Conference of Iranian oil. It goes up to 16 undergraduate grade point average of 15.18. Working as Karamzz Drpvhshgah Iranian oil, and 2 letters of recommendation and Hyt Rys of polymer science college full time. Kjarv Mykvnyd suggest?
Thanks
Hi
I am a sophomore at Department of Aerospace Engg, IIT Kharagpur. I am interested in pursuing higher studies in USA. As your article says the preparation should begin 2 years before, I guess the time is right for me, but I still have no clue as to how to go about it. When should I start my preparation for GRE? Do I need to appear for TOEFL too? As my family’s financial condition isn’t that great, what would be more feasible financially, USA or Europe? Are there any relevant fellowships for Indian engineering undergraduates going abroad? Also, how difficult is to get a work visa after finishing the education in both USA and Europe?
Regards
Hi
I am pursuing B.Tech Biotechnology in india. I got GRE score – 298 ( Q- 155, V – 143) and TOEFL – 95. I ve applied for Master’s in Microbiology & Immunology for Fall 2013 at the University of North Dakota & awaiting for result.
Would you suggest the universities which accept my scores for Biochemistry or any other biological sciences course?
Hello,
I am swati. I have 68.5% B.sc score and 59.9% M.sc score which is very bad but I still want to do research in USA. currently I am doing a project in IISc and might publish a paper soon. Please suggest me something so that I can overshadow my marks and get through a good universty
Hello, I completed my b.tech(biomedical) 67%. gre is scheduled on this month end, having 5 months internship experience and 5 months work experience. please recommend me an average universities for MS in biomedical for fall 2013. Most of the university deadlines got over.
Hello my name is jide from nigeria. Have just finished my first degree in history and strategic study. I would like you to place tell me any school in USA that can admit me for Masters degree in management. My GPA is second class lower division. please I need a university to apply to that would grant me admission. Thank you
I wish to study Agriculture related course in usa, i would be glad if you can recommend a school with the best agriculture program,facilities and is afforable, am Emmanuel from Nigeria..thanks.
Hi Emmanuael, There are a variety of programmes in Agriculture and related fields offered at US Universities. You need to select programme based on appropriate research. To help you start I am mentioning some of the programmes.
Oregon State University – MS Agri. and Horticulture
Michigan State University – MS Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies
University of Florida – MS Agriculture
Texas A&M University – M. Agri. in Food Science and Technology
Post further queries on profile evaluation in the forums section.
Hai HSB
I have submitted all my application documents to SDSU Graduate school. Very recently I got an email form Graduate School and they ask me to submit Official WES (or similar) evaluation of all international transcripts (must include GPA calculation). And I check WES site they need a huge amount of money for transcripts evaluation process. Please advice me as soon as possible.
Hi, Well there is no alternate to transcript evaluation. Many Universities ask for WES evaluation of your transcripts to assess your GPA as per the US education system. You should go ahead with the evaluation process if you are considering SDSU seriously.
Would you please tell me the deadline for atmosphere of “University of Wyoming (UW)- Laramie, Wyoming” and deadline for Computer science department?
I ahve 1+ years of experiance in IT.
I got verbal-145 and quant-155. I want to attend for fall.
I have applied to
Luciana state university Lafayette,
New york State University Sunny New Poltz,
Indiana State University,
Northern Illinois University. Which is good according to atmosphere and tution fee. Would you please suggest me any other university?
Thank you.