Transcript Document

Applying for graduate studies
at American Universities
A short guide for Romanian candidates
with some personal opinions
of
Mihai A. GÎRŢU, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Physics,
and
Educational Adviser
at the Ovidius University of Constanta
Overview
I.
II.
III.
The application process: Main problems
encountered by Romanian students
The application process: Overall planning and
scheduling
Details regarding the various steps of the
application process
Problems for Romanian applicants
1.
Understanding the US educational system
(equivalence between degrees, institutions, etc)
2.
Understanding the application process
(what they need to do & when to do it)
3.
4.
Finding info resources & getting info from universities
Completing the application process
a. Filling up the application forms
b. Writing a good Statement of Purpose essay
c. Getting suitable letters of recommendation
d. Explaining special circumstances
(need for financial aid, waiver of application fees, financial
support for travel and accommodation, different grading
system)
e.
Carrying out the process (not giving up)
The US & Romanian Educational systems
Graduate studies
Studii postuniversitare
Universities
Graduate
School
PhD
2-4 years
Medical Law
School School Business
School
MD
JD
4 years 3 years MBA
2 years
MA/M
S
2 years
Undergraduate studies
Community
College
Associate degree
(AA/AS) 2 years
College or
University
Bachelor’s
degree
(BA/BS)
4 / 4-5 years
Universitate
Diploma de Doctor
3-4 ani
Diploma St.
Aprofundate
1 an
Diploma de
Master
2 ani
Studii universitare
Universitate
Diploma de
Colegiu Licenta/Inginer
/Medic
Diploma de
4 / 5 / 6 ani
Absolvire
3 ani
High school /
Liceu
High school graduation diploma / Diploma de Bacalaureat
Types of Higher Education institutions
• Two-year colleges (community, junior or technical
colleges)
– Technical/vocational education
– First half of undergraduate education
 transfer to a 4 year college
• Four-year colleges
– Undergraduate education
• Universities
– Colleges - undergraduate education
• Eg.: College of Arts and Sciences, College of Physical
Sciences, etc.
– Schools - graduate/professional education
• Eg.: Graduate School, Law School, Medical School,
Business School, etc.
undergraduate
• Public institutions
~ 600
• Private institutions
~1200
~2200
Total # of students
# of foreign students
~ 15000000
~ 500000
graduate
~ 600
~ 600
~1200
Costs & Financial aid
Approximate
Private
Public
(non-resident)
$
High
cost
Low
cost
High
cost
Low
cost
Tuition & fees
20000
10000
12000
6000
Room & board
6000
4000
5000
3000
Books & supplies
1000
1000
1000
1000
Personal expenses
6000
4000
5000
3000
Total
33000
19000
23000
13000
costs
• Scholarships:
– partial or full tuition waiver
– no work obligation
• Assistantships: (teaching, research, administrative)
– tuition waiver plus stipend
– part time, on campus work obligations (teaching,
research or administrative duties)
• Fellowships
– tuition waiver plus stipend
– no work obligation
General requirements/Application package
1.
2.
3.
4.
Application forms
Official copies of diplomas and transcripts
Official translations of diplomas and transcripts
Tests
–
–
TOEFL
GRE general and GRE subject (for sciences) or GMAT
(for business)
5.
6.
7.
8.
Statement of purpose essay
Letters of recommendation
Financial aid application or proof of financial support
Application fee
•
Approximate financial burden of the application
process that one might expect …
–
–
–
–
–
–
Tests
125 + 125 + 150 = 400
Application fees
(15-100)*(# applic) = ~300
Translation of transcripts and diplomas
~150
Mailing
~100
Other
~ 50
Total
USD ~1000
Statistics (source: Open Doors)
FOREIGN STUDENT TOTALS BY PLACE OF ORIGIN, 1997/98 & 199
Place of Origin
AFRICA
ASIA
China
Hong Kong
Japan
South Korea
India
EUROPE
Eastern Europe
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic
Estonia
Serbia&Muntenegru
Hungary
Latvia
Lithuania
Macedonia
Moldova
Poland
Romania
Russia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Ukraine
Western Europe
France
Germany
Greece
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
LATIN AMERICA
Central America/Mexico
South America
MIDDLE EAST
WORLD TOTAL
1997/98
23,162
277,508
46,958
9,665
47,073
42,890
33,818
71,616
21,314
2,265
662
769
190
1,498
1,029
239
319
182
117
1,844
1,951
6,424
364
182
1,402
50,301
5,992
9,309
3,065
550
992
3,090
4,371
4,412
1,850
7,534
51,368
15,211
25,302
30,962
481,280
1998/99 % Change
26,222
275,076
51,001
8,735
46,406
39,199
37,482
73,809
23,131
2,573
716
915
213
1,562
1,100
267
363
226
124
1,916
2,233
6,609
465
194
1,582
50,674
6,241
9,568
2,847
539
1,034
3,066
4,195
4,546
1,867
7,765
55,436
15,455
28,097
32,836
490,933
13.2
-0.9
8.6
-9.6
-1.4
-8.6
10.8
3.1
8.5
13.6
8.2
19.0
12.1
4.3
6.9
11.7
13.8
24.2
6.0
3.9
14.5
2.9
27.7
6.6
12.8
0.7
4.2
2.8
-7.1
-2.0
4.2
-0.8
-4.0
3.0
0.9
3.1
7.9
1.6
11.0
6.1
2.0
The application process
No.
Activity
1
Understand what you want
2
Understand what opportunities are offered
3
Understand the requirements
4
Understand the application process
5
Start studying for tests
6
Search for and select universities
7
Write to universities for information and
application forms
8
Arrange to take the tests
9
Select universities based on their responses
10
Search for professors
11
Select recommenders and ask for letters
12
Start writing the Statement of Purpose
13
Ask for transcripts and have them translated
14
Take the tests
15
Send the application packages
16
Write to professors
17
Accept / reject offers
18
Get the I-20 and apply for an F1 visa
19
Make housing arrangements
20
Make travel arangements
Approximate
deadline
May / June
June
July
July / August
August
August / Sept.
November
December
Dec. / Jan.
Apr. / May
June / July
July / August
Financial aid tips for Graduate students
•
The case for larger universities
–
–
Advantages
•
Many undergrads  many teaching assistants
•
Strong research  many research assistants
•
Many students  many administrative assistants
•
Variety of research opportunities
Disadvantages
•
•
The case for smaller universities
•
•
Many applicants, strong competition
Fewer applicants (… big fish in a small pond … )
There is more aid available for
–
PhD students than for MS students
(for longer term commitment & better research skills)
–
Science students than for arts and humanities students
(due to state and private investment in science research)
–
Second year students
(need for better proof of competence)
–
Note: Arts and humanities students have opportunities
for financial aid from sources other than the university
Financial aid for
Professional and Business students
• Professional programs (in medicine, law, etc.) are the
most expensive
• Financial aid for professional programs is rarely
available
• Financial aid for MBA programs is available but hard to
obtain
Financial aid for
Undergraduate students
• Primarily available at private universities
• Rarely covers full cost
• Special consideration given to students with special
talent (athletic, artistic, etc.)
• May be given in the form of on-campus part-time
employment
• Students with good scores at supplemental tests (SAT II)
have increased chances
• In 1997-1998 financial aid was awarded by universities to
•
•
7% of international undergraduate students
36% of international graduate students
Selecting the right university
• Criteria:
– Does the accredited university offer the degree you want in the
field you want?
– Does the university/(specific department) have many
international students?
– Does the university/(specific department) offer financial aid?
– How strong is the department?
(ranking, research facilities, faculty, admission requirements)
• Select up to about 30 universities
– 5-10 where you have less chances to be admitted
– 10-15 where you have reasonable chances to be admitted
– 5-10 where you have good chances to be admitted
– Where is the university located?
• Costs of living
• Other Romanian students
• Friends and relatives or a Romanian community nearby
• Entertainment (Urban/rural area? Tourism opportunities?)
• Climate (Alaska versus Hawaii… )
• Resources: Peterson’s guide, Index of Majors & Graduate degrees
International Student Handbook, Funding for US Study
Requesting info
• Why it should be done well?
(Incomplete letters of inquiry  delays in finding info)
• Use special form: “Request for application material” or
• Write a letter of inquiry
– Content:
• State clearly from the very beginning what you are
interested in
– Program (field of study and degree)
– Enrollment Date
• State your background and your qualifications
– Age and citizenship
– Degree and when it was received
– Tests taken or to be taken
– Any other information that makes you a strong
candidate (relevant work experience, grades, knowledge
of English, etc..)
• State what you want
– Information regarding the programs
– Information about financial aid available
– Application forms
– Format/Style
• Brief and clear (keep in mind who reads it – clerks…)
(3-4 paragraphs; ½ to 1 page maximum)
Search for a professor
• Why it’s a good idea?
shows clear goals, motivation, determination, maturity 
 increases chances of admission and getting financial aid
• Criteria for choosing the professor:
–
–
–
–
Field of interest
Accomplishments
Likelihood of strong funding
Age
(you don’t want him/her to retire before you’re done!)
– Administrative position
(a dean/chair won’t have time for you)
• How to find him/her?
–
–
–
–
Look through the bibliography of your thesis
Look through the info sent by the university/department
Look on the web pages
Search the web by subject to find the people involved
Letter to a professor
• Content:
– What you want (attend graduate studies and work for
him/her during your studies)
– Who you are
• Age and citizenship
• Degree and when it was received
• Tests taken or to be taken
• Relevant educational experience
– Classes taken
– Grades
– Professors that can recommend you
– Knowledge of English
– Research done and papers published
• Relevant work experience
• Any other information that makes you a strong candidate
– Why you chose to contact him/her and not somebody
else
• Research interests
• Accomplishments in the field
– Why you think you can have a valuable contribution
• Style:
– Be concise (1 page), clear and well organized
– Be honest about yourself but don’t be excessively modest
– Be unique, show your strengths
– Be careful with English grammar and spelling
Graduate admissions committees
• Members:
•
•
•
•
Mainly from the specific department
Vice-Chair for graduate studies
Secretary for graduate studies
Faculty members
US and foreign graduate students
• What do they want?
•
•
•
•
Outstanding students  good academic & research results
Committed and motivated students  no drop outs
Diversity of backgrounds  students around the world
Ethnical, religious diversity  students around the world
• Admission criteria
• Outstanding test scores and GPA
• Strong Letters of Recommendation
• Convincing and memorable Statement of Purpose
• Note: Compensation can work! Be sure to increase your
chances even if you have weaker points!
Undergraduate admissions
• Admissions Office (for the whole University) 
 clerks…
• Admissions Committee (from the department) 
 faculty members that can better evaluate you…
• Similar requirements as above
Grades
• What is the correspondence between the US and the
Romanian grading systems?
US Grade
Value
A = 4.0
Excelent
B = 3.0
Good
C = 2.0
Average
D = 1.0
Below average
F = 0.0
Fail
Ro Grade
Value
10
9
Foarte bine
8
7
Bine
6
5
Satisfacator
4
Nesatisfacator
• What is a GPA (grade point average)?
GPA = grade * (# credits / total # credits)
• How important is the GPA?
• Minimum GPA requirements are specific
• Outstanding academic results are a plus
• Average academic results need to be compensated
for by showing other strong points
• Transcripts & notarization
• Only authorized translations and notarized transcripts
and diplomas are accepted!!!
Tests
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
– Required for all foreign applicants
– Has 4 sections: Listening, Structure, Reading, Writing
– Costs: $125.
• GRE (g) (Graduate Record Examination - General test)
– Required for most science programs
– Has 3 sections: Verbal, Quatitative, Analytical
– Costs: $125.
• GRE (s) (Graduate Record Examination - Subject test)
– Recommended for some science programs especially when
applying for financial support
– Costs: $150.
• GMAT
– Required for business programs (MBA)
– Has 3 sections: Analytical writing, Quantitative, Verbal
– Costs: $190.
• Resources: ETS bulletins, web page http://www.ets.org/
• NOTE: Undergraduate applicants are required
(recommended) to take SAT I (SAT II)
Statement of purpose
• Why it is important?
It can increase chances of admission and getting financial aid!
• Keep in mind who reads it!
• The members of the admission committee are human and
busy people!
• They have to read carefully, remember and sort hundreds
of application packages
• What do they want? - Part I
•
•
•
•
Outstanding students with high test scores and GPAs
Committed and motivated students
Students with a diversity of backgrounds
Students from diverse ethnical, religious and cultural
groups
• What do they want? - Part II
• To do a fine job in a minimum of time…
• Conclusion:
• Make their life easy by writing a convincing, brief and
memorable Statement of Purpose
Statement of purpose
•
Possible content
– Why you want to attend graduate studies
– Why you want to attend graduate studies in the USA
– Why you want to attend graduate studies at that particular
university
– What your strengths are (relevant skills, knowledge, and
experience, including the one outside the school environment,
prizes and awards)
– Why you think you can be successful
– What the department has to gain by admitting you
– What your plans for the future are
•
Style
– Be concise but not superficial
– Be clear and well organized
– Be honest about yourself but don’t be excessively modest
– Be unique, show your strengths
– Be careful with English grammar and spelling
•
Tips
– Start your writing well ahead
– Go back from time to time and polish it
• Prioritize
• Get it checked by somebody knowledgeable
• Make it unique, memorable, unusual
with things that only you know, or only you have experienced
•
Resources:
Letters of recommendation
• Why they are important?
They can increase the chances of admission and getting
financial aid!
• Choose the right evaluator
–
–
–
–
One that knows you well
One that likes you
One that can asses your qualifications
One that can compare you with other students, both
domestic and from abroad, preferably from US
– One that is recognized for integrity and achievements
• Help the evaluator
– Waive your right to see the letter
– Give him/her
• A copy of your Resume
• A copy of your Personal statement
• Resources of information
– Remind him/her to send the letters
• Be careful with confidentiality issues
Application package
• Application forms:
– Are generally different from institution to institution
– Be careful with the name of your diplomas; it may be
better to write it in Romanian (Diploma de Bacalaureat,
Diploma de Licenta) and mention their presumed
American equivalents (High School Graduation Diploma,
BA/BS)
• Ask for an application fee waiver
– given your special circumstances (low income)
Final tips
• Be consistent about your name
• careful with special characters
• Keep copies of all documents
• they may get lost in many circumstances
• Make sure the application dossier is complete
• Clerks may disregard the whole dossier for a missing file
• If a part of the dossier is missing state when it will be sent
• Make sure you meet the deadlines
Letters of acceptance or refusal
•
A thick envelope is good news…
(it has housing, transportation, health care info)
1.
Make your choice after careful thought
(financial aid / reputation / location)
Accepting
2.
•
•
•
3.
Refusing
•
•
4.
Thank for your being accepted
State clearly but politely that you do not plan to
enroll, as you will be attending another school
Postponing the final decision
•
•
5.
Thank for your being accepted
State clearly that you plan to attend
State that you are waiting for the I-20
Thank for your being accepted
State clearly that you need until … (specify the exact
date) to make your final decision because you are
waiting for an answer from a different school
Postponing your attendance for various reasons
•
•
Thank for your being accepted
State clearly that you wish to attend graduate studies
starting … (Eg. the following fall) due to … reasons
The visa application
• Types of visas
–
–
–
–
F1 student visa (F2 – student spouse visa)
J1 exchange visitor visa (J2 – spouse visa)
M1 vocational student visa (M2 – spouse visa)
B visitor visa
• Visa requirements
–
–
–
–
–
Passport valid over the period of study
I-20 for F1 or IAP-66 for J1
Admission as full time student
Proof of financial resources
Proof of strong financial and family related reasons to
return to Romania after completion of the program
• At the interview
– Be honest - speak for yourself
– Be confident
• Show good command of English
• Show that you have strong reasons to return
– Don’t be too modest - Show your strengths &
achievements
– Be brief (the interview only takes a couple of minutes)