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USA
: Application Process
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Application
Form
Ea ch programme requires that you fill
out their specific applications. By now, most
colleges have made their application available
on-line. If you choose not to download the application,
you can call or write to the institution to
have one mailed to you. Be sure that your application
is impeccably neat. A messily filled out form
reflects badly on you. You should type the various
pieces of personal information on the page rather
than writing them by hand. Write out the responses
to short answer questions on a separate sheet
first, so as not to have crossing out or white-out
on the final application sheet.
Application
Fee
When you apply
to a university abroad you have to attach along
with the application form other documentation
like academic certificates, extra curricular
activities, recommendation letter, grade transcripts,
essays, statement of purpose, etc. To process
all these documents the university asks for
an application fee, which ranges between $50-150.
You can send this money through a dollar draft.
The
Essay
Most institutes will
require you to submit an essay with your application.
The essay is your opportunity to present a clear
picture of yourself, providing the admissions
committee with a good idea of your motivation,
ability, and written communication skills. Generally,
you should articulate how attributes of the
school align with your abilities and interests.
This will demonstrate that you have thoroughly
researched their offerings and compared them
to your interests. Specifically, you should explain
your interest in pursuing a particular course
of study within the programme at the school
to which you are applying, as well as its relevance
to your plans for a career. Remember that the
admissions committee does not know you. Information
about you that is obvious to you or your friends
will not be obvious to admissions professionals.
Draw the paral lels-do not make assumptions that items
in your background are obvious to the admissions
committee .
Letters of Recommendation
Because colleges want to receive
a consistent overall impression of the candidates
they are considering, references are important
in confirming or augmenting your credentials,
strengths, and aspirations. Meaningful recommendations
should contribute specific information that
demonstrates your ability to excel in both the
programme to which you are applying as well
as your ability to succeed in your career. When
selecting individuals to write recommendations
on your behalf, choose a good cross-section
of people who can vouch for your dependability
and who know about your plans for study. These
people may include college principal, employers,
colleagues, associates or peers.
Resume
Most applications ask
you to include your resume or a summary of your
work history. Most institutes seriously consider
work history when making admissions decisions.
Include information about any papers or articles
you have published, awards, membership in professional
societies, volunteer work, or anything else
that can give an admissions committee a clear
picture of you. Include any necessary supporting
documentation, but be cautious – admissions
committees are already reading through stacks
of applications.
Standardized
Test Scores
These include
GMAT
GRE
SAT
TOEFL
IELTS
Your scores in these tests
are considered as predictors of academic performance
in future years of study. Some schools require
minimum scores. Others only have minimum score
requirements. Find out the minimum standard
at a particular school, if it exists, so that
you do not waste time submitting an application
to a school that immediately will disqualify
you.People often take these tests more than
once. Many schools will consider your best score
rather than your most recent score, but you
should check with the individual school regarding
their policy on multiple scores. If you feel
that you could improve your score, consider
re-testing only after additional preparation.
If you do increase your preparation, you should
not expect a higher score. If you are denied
admission and have been told that your score
was not competitive, you should prepare more
thoroughly or perhaps even try a different method
of preparation.
Grade Transcripts
Colleges require that
you provide your undergraduate transcript along
with your application. These are extended mark
sheets that not only reflect your marks but
also give extra information on the medium of
instruction, grading system, number of hours
per lecture, etc. You can apply for a grade
transcript to the college you went to. Be sure
that you request that your institution
sends it in plenty of time to meet the application
deadline.
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