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If you try to get an idea about what you are suppose to do in order to study in USA (and not only) this is a good place to start. All the informations that you will find here is nothing else that other people's shared experience. Our intention is to give you a comprehensive check list; we will explain what are you suppose to do. And here we go with the checklist:
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1. Question: Do you Really want to do this? It might sound like a silly question but be sure that it is not. Why? This is not like planning a trip. This is building up your life and your carrier. In most of the cases, one has to let behind years of his life and start all over again. You must be aware that althought USA is a great country:
I am almost sure that reflecting about these things won't change at all your plans. But it worths a thought. |
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GRE (General and Subject) - This is usually the most important test. The GRE General test is COMPULSORY by 90% of the Universities. You must not skip this test. If you skip it your chances will be minimized. The test is built up from three modules: Verbal, Analytical and Quantitative. The modules: Verbal Most of the test takers will find the Verbal module the most difficult. Why? Basically because it tests your vocabullary in a different manner. You are supposed to know the meanings of rarely used words and of words that are not used in a regular manner. You will need to improve dramatically your vocabullary in order to get a big score here. In most of the cases, the only people who find this section an easy one will be those who graduated in a philology or foreign languages department or faculty. In order to prepare for this module there are a few choices:
Analytical The Analytical module is the real "brain washing" module. Not particullarly because of the dificulty of the questions, but because of the time management and the structure of the module. You will be given to solve a set of problems. The tipical pattern for those problems is : John lives in a red house and has a dog; Jim has a cat and like to travel; Mary doesn't live in a blue house and doesn't like to cook; If Mary has an orange house them Jim's house must be white......and so on. The typical set of questions are based on logical inferences: "Why John's dog hate Mary's cat?", Who let the dog Out?", "Is Bruce-Lee tougher than Van-Damme?", Is he Really?","Why?"(Just kidding... ) What is Mary's house color, who likes what and so on... You must be aware that both speed and accuracy are major assets here. If you give the wrong answer at the first question of the problem, you might find yourself in a difficult situation, giving wrong answers for the rest of the problem if the answers are cascade-related Quantitative This will be a funny test for most of the Romanian test takers and the easiest for most of the people. It tests basic mathemathics, close to what you were studying when you were bellow age of 14 :) You have to pay serious attention anyway; you have to train yourself for speed; you will only have 30 minutes. You woudn't want to waste some good points just for not paying enough attention Also, generally speaking you shoud find out what the requirements are regarding the test scores for the University where you apply for. If the required score is higher for Verbal and Quantitative, allow them more time in the preparation process GRE Subject This test intends to test your background. Usually it is compulsory for top Universities (like Harvard, Sorbone,...); and it implies a lot of work because it is a complex one. Since this test is not absolutely necessary you should think about taking it or not. You must check the target university websites and the department website for more information about admission requirements.
This is also a compulsory test. It is also built up from 3+1 modules: Listening,Structure,Reading-Writing Listening You will be asked a bunch of questions based on some monologs/conversations you will hear in the headphones. The tough part will be the lectures; and that's because listening to a lecture with a topic that do not present any interest for you (the topics are some kind random and very diverse) could be very annoying. Also keep in mind that you don't have to agree with anything, you JUST HAVE to LISTEN. Training for listening:
Structure This module intends to test the grammar and the language structure knowledge . For preparation you just have to study and practice
Reading/Writing The reading module obviously test your ability to understand written english. You will have to parse a bunch of text blocks on various topics and after that will have to answer different kind of questions based upon text; this part is usually the easiest part of the TOEFL. And the only part where once you answered a question, you can go back and give another answer. For preparation: (Same as above)
The writing module: You will be giving a silly topic (usually from the category "Sava the Whales" and "Word Peace", like those in the beauty contests :). You will have to write en essay on that topic. You will have two options: Write directly on the computer or write on paper; your choice TIPS:
This test is somehow the equivalent GRE test for business schools. In order to succeed, folow the tips given in the GRE section Usually this test is not compulsory or, you will have to take it after you will be here. Check the University Site for more infromation. |
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In order to apply you will have to request/download the application forms.In order to do this, the only real option is to surf the net. If you don't have a computer or internet access, when you go out change your favorite pub for an internet caffee. Also, if you don't have an e-mail address YOU HAVE TO GET ONE. Otherwise, you are "blind". If you don't know how to get a free e-mail address check this out: Yahoo, Hotmail or even better ROL.ro (a romanian portal that even provide you with free dial-up (excluding Romtelecom Charges) access number. Usually you can get the forms in to ways: downloading them from the internet and printing them (sometimes you can apply OnLine, without mailing anything), or requesting them via internet and waiting for them. The second option is not recommended in most of the cases considering the delays that sometimes will be huge and the fact that in 80% of the cases you will receive already open envelopes (Courtesy of Romanian Postal Services) |
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Mark list ("foaie
matricola" in Romania) This document is ABSOLUTELY required! Without him you won't have too many chances in the admission process. Original and translation. TIP You better do your own translation and AFTER that go to an authorized translator. In most of the cases, especially if you graduated a technical University, the translator will choose some funny names for the courses you took. And this is not healthy :) Diploma (BS,MS degree) Note: BS= Bachelor of science or Bachelor Degree - Diploma de absolvire MS= Master of science
Degree - (Diploma de Master) If you have obtained a BS,MS (or MA) degree you should also provide copies after your diploma (for the original and the English translation). Same advises as for the mark list applies to the diploma (authentication etc.).
Normally the university
requires 3 recommendations letters from three persons which know your
work and your personal abilities. This is a CRUCIAL part of your application
package. For some universities is even considered to have the most important
influence in the admission process so be careful when choosing your recommenders.
Normally, you should ask for recommendations from your teachers but you
can also request one from your employer (however, if you are going to
apply for an assistantship position, this is not a good choice). Ask for recommendations
from teachers who know you well: you worked on projects with them, followed
many of their courses (2-3 at least) etc. They will be able to give you
more personal letters which will have an important impact on the admission
committee.
This is also an important piece of your application. Through the "Statement of Purpose" you present yourself and your career goals to the admission committee. This your only chance to plead for your acceptance to the committee. So give it your best shot!
It could be a good idea to include a resume in your application. It is not a required part of your application, but, as it present more thoroughly your achievements and experience, it can make the difference between being admitted and being rejected.
After receiving your official copy of your scores, you should forward them to the universities. Except for the 4 GRE recipients and for the 3 TOEFL recipients which will receive original scores directly from ETS, for all the other universities you should instruct ETS to forward your scores to each other recipient. This process is expensive as for each supplemental recipient you will pay $13 for GRE and 11$ for TOEFL. The solution is to provide only XEROX copies after your official documents. For most universities this will be enough (some will require you to sent official copies for them to validate your admission).
This part is very simple. Simply complete the forms sent to you by the university and add it to your application package. This can take some time, so start completing the forms when you still have the time to do it (ie. BEFORE your scores arrive!).
This is the most tricky part of your application. Nearly all the universities require an application fee in order to evaluate your application. Your application may not even be looked over if it the fee has not been paid. This is your decision: you can take a chance and not paying the fee (with the risk that your application can be discarded regardless of your scores!) or paying the fee.
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If you succeeded convincing a professor that he needs you (that is what you are supposed to achieve), your chances of beeing accepted are on a very high rate. |
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If you don't get accepted at your first shot, don't even think that your are not good enough! The process of admision is somehow random and complicated. They process zillions of apllications every semester, your file can be lost, your file might not really be reviewed and somebody else could be very lucky also. And keep in mind that, you probably are better than a lot of international students that are already here. Your chances will be really big if somebody there knows you better; if somebody there knows how you think and trusts you. Professors usually choose who will join the team; becouse they will work with you. So, don't despare and try again. |
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If you already received admission confirmations, don't rush. If you received more than one, wich usually happens, do a background check:
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After you choose your "destiny", and you confirm your admission you should receive the official papers from the University. DO NOT LOSE them. Those papers are required in order to get the VISA from the American Embassy. Also check that they did not misspelled your name. |
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| Getting your VISA
A trip to the embassy could be a walk in the park or a nightmare; it depends. Usually there are no problems for students if they have all the papers. And be sure that you will not will give silly answers at the interview. Typical questions (if any) are:
Also:
You will need the follwing documents:
The interview tax
is not refundable |
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If everything else is set, make the reservations in time. In time means at least two months in advance. Also, you can make the reservation before you get the VISA. It's FREE. You usually have to pay 2 weeks before the flight date. The prices differ very much, depending on the time of the year and the company. Do an extended check and don't let anybody fool you. You might pay for a round trip something like 500$ (lucky ones) and 1200$. |
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See the "NewComers Guide" |
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