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.
Verbal : 139
Quant : 157
Aw : 2
Btech : 8 (YGPA)
12th : 85.8%
10th : 88%
Help me finding some universities in US.
I m planning for the masters over there.
u also have to give toefl or ielts . & wht is ur specialization in btech?
Dear sir,
I passed the inter level previous year.now i decided to join for Graduate School Admission in USA.
so,please i need yours suggestation and i have to know how i can get the admission offer from usa in graduate level?
I will be pleasure for yours reply.
Thank you
Can someone help me to select a good Uni?
Hi !
My girlfriend and I have applied to US universities for 2012 fall. We got several offers already but need your expertise to choose the best option .Your help would be greatly appreciated.
My girlfriend got 1020 for GRE (295 for revised GRE) and 90 for TOEFL with GPA of 3.51 (use World education service to convert GPA to US system),
She graduated from University of Colombo, Sri Lanka on 2011 with BSc special in Molecular biology and biochemistry.
She got offers from
University of Arizona
Wayne state
Auburn
Kansas State
University of Texas at Arlington
Washington State
I got 1200 for GRE and 108 for TOEFL
But GPA of just 3.1 with BSc special in Chemistry from University of Colombo
I’m in waiting list of Carnegie-Mellon.
University of Arizona but got offers from Washington state, Wayne state
Hi i got 1090 in my GRE test and looking for admission in grade school in civil engineering. I do have 2 years experience related to my professional. With this score is it possible to get financial aid and will you please list out colleges.
hi sir, how r u….i got 5.5 band in ilets exam ( L 6.5 , S 6 , W 5.5 , R 4.5) I HAVE DONE MY 12TH in 2010 in non medical stream 64% marks and one year diploma in 2011…..and i want to go usa for my further studies…..plzzz help me can i get a student visa with this requirements ……i want to apply in portland community college, oregon…..so plzzz help me
Hello sir, m abhishek…
please give me your views on lawrence technological university(MS in CS) and long island university cw post (MIS)
how many students go to lawrence and LIU from mumbai (or averall india)…and how many went frm past 2-3 yrs..
which university is bettr plz reply…thnku
All is well. I have no word but questions 1. I wanna get admission M Sc sustainable electrical power in any good Uni in California: 2. If I wanna catch September semister when should I apply ? 2. For financial aid whats the requirement i.e GRE score , accademic result, etc… Could you pls inform me. <<< Zahid
hi
i hav dne ma bse biotechnology with 63% and ms biotechnology with 68%in aug.2011
i want do ms biotecnology from us
plzzzz hlp me regarding requirement.
nd hw much minimum gre score require plzzz help m vry tensd
thnx
hello i want admission information about MS computer science program details of san jose state university.will it open for admissions in dec/jan 2013?
Hi HSB,
I am a 2010 passed out graduate. I am working in a reputed Software concern for the past 1 year(R&D Department). I am planning to work another year and do my Masters in Computer Science by fall 2013. What will be the right time to take GRE and Apply for the Universities??…..Also i am Planning to take a completely Database Specialization….Will my work xperience help??…Do Reply…Thank You!!!
hello HSB,i completed my b.tech in 2011 with 64%.i want to pursue M.S by august,2012.till now i did not take GRE and all.is it possible to go for M.S by august if i complete GRE and TOEFEL by this february in a good university?is it possible to get aid?please suggest me as soon as possible…thank you..
Yes, you can apply for Fall 2012 if GRE by Feb.
This is an unique site which cover postings of people with variety of experience
to guide students for higher studies in top universities in USA. The students with
less GRE and toffil score may face difficulties to get good university for MS/Phd study.
The prime job of the students who aspire for MS/MBA/PhD in top Universites of USA is to
make a high score in GRE/GMAT.
GRE score is not below 1300
GMAT score not below 650
ha hsb got 290 in new gre ,is it agood score
Hi, I’ve completed my masters from an Indian university with moderate score & my GRE score is 1050, not having any work experience or internship, want to study MS in economics in USA. I’m married & right now staying with my husband in Michigan on L2 visa. I want to know
* if i’m good enough to get a chance to do MS from any Michigan university!
*can i apply for F1 while being on L2?
Hi, HSB could you tell me some good university for phd in environmental engineering. I wants to apply in us govt university like Georgia, Texas, Florida San Francisco , new jersey etc
Thanks & Regards
parnika
this pic….isnt this from some univ’s grad webpage…forgot though….applied for it a fortnight back n i clearly remmbr this!
great post! m/
Inspired by University of Wisconsin – Grad Admission Page, customized for Indian students.
HOW DO U GET IN CONTACT WITH THE CURRENT STUDENTS OF MY APPLIED SCHOOL?
1) Find Indian students association, you will see the members.
2) See if there is Facebook groups
3) Search with university name in facebook
I think, this really depends on what you want to become, the guide might work out for someone who wants to get an terminal M.S and get into the job market. If you want to do research/PhD , you should not go after the schools, you should go after the researchers/professors with specific areas in your field of interest. Once you get more research experience as an undergraduate , you will begin to realize this.
Very Informative….Great Work.
thnx a lot
bst post
You are the best counsellor HSB. Thanks for directing me and everyone. Love you for all your hard work.Thanks a lot sir..
Great post !!!
hey is it necessary to send the bank documents with the application ??
Most universities require bank statement with application.
Can we show Loan sanction letter instead of Bank statement??
You will not get loan before getting admission. To get admission, you would need bank statement.
Hello sir, m abhishek…
please give me your views on lawrence technological university(MS in CS) and long island university cw post (MIS)
how many students go to lawrence and LIU from mumbai (or averall india)…and how many went frm past 2-3 yrs..
which university is bettr plz reply…thnku
Very nice !
awesome post!