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Below is the recommended timetable for applying to universities
in the United States. It is sometimes possible to complete
the process more quickly, but you may have a much more limited
choice of schools. Planning ahead gives you sufficient time
to make successful applications to the universities of your
choice.
12 TO 18 MONTHS PRIOR
to the academic year in which you hope to enroll, begin to
consider, research, and do the following:
- What are your reasons for wanting to study in the United
States?
- Which universities offer your subject and specialization?
- Will you need financial assistance?
- Begin narrowing down your choices of schools to approximately
10 to 20 institutions, and make sure they meet your academic,
financial, lifestyle, and other needs.
- Find out application deadlines. This will affect when
you take the standardized tests required for admission since
test results must reach admissions offices
no later than these deadlines. The tests should be taken
in advance of submitting university application forms.
- Register to take paper-based GRE Subject Tests if required
by the universities to which you are applying.
12 MONTHS PRIOR
to enrollment, start to complete the following (months indicated
are estimates):
August
- Contact universities for application and financial aid
forms and catalogs.
- Register to take the TOEFL and the GRE General Test, GRE
Writing Assessment, GMAT, or other admissions tests, as
necessary
September – December
- Request official transcripts from your undergraduate institution.
- Brief your recommenders and request letters of reference
from them.
- Draft personal statements or statements of purpose and
research proposals, if requested.
- Submit completed application forms (for admission as well
as financial aid).
- Double check that transcripts and references have been
sent.
- Take the necessary admissions tests.
January – March
- University application deadlines must be met.
April – June
- Letters of acceptance or rejection arrive. Decide which
university to attend, notify the admissions office of your
decision, complete and return any forms they require.
- Send letters of regret to those universities you turn
down.
- Organize finances (arrange to transfer funds to a U.S.
bank; make sure you have funds for travel and expenses on
arrival).
- Finalize arrangements for housing and medical insurance
with your university.
- Notify any sponsoring organizations of your plans.
June – August
- Contact your nearest U.S. educational information or advising
center to let them know that you have been accepted to a
U.S. institution.
- Apply to your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for a
visa upon receipt of your Certificate of Eligibility and
well in advance of your departure date. (See "Applying
for a Student Visa.")
- Make travel arrangements, planning to arrive in time for
the university's orientation program.
- Contact the International Student Office at your university
with details of your arrival plans, and confirm details
of any orientation for new students held by the university.
Getting Ready to Go
Once you know that you are going to study in the United States,
you will probably have many questions about visas, accommodations,
health insurance, banking, how to study, and other "predeparture"
information. Most U.S. Educational information and advising
centers conduct predeparture orientation presentations in
the summer, and some may also offer sessions midyear. Contact
your nearest center for their schedule and to reserve space
for these popular events. Some centers may charge a fee for
this service.
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