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Some Lingua Franca
school - University.
grad,MS - Post Graduate, MTech.
undergrad - Graduate, BE, BSc, BCom.
fall semester - begins around August end.
spring semester - begins around mid January.
summer semester - begins around mid May.
Making Up your mind
Make up your mind, first, for further study in US. That will be the most important driving force in your preparation.
Plan your Voyage
Some things are to be considered before you you go headlong into the preparation.
1. If you plan to start school in fall 2003, give the GRE Exam around September of 2002. Send your application packets by mid November of 2002. Deadlines start from as early as December 31 for some schools.
2. So start preparing from June, the earlier the better. Better will be to start Verbal from your days of your Degree Course.
3. Schedule your TOEFL exam after your GRE, so that you don't need much preparation. Just prepare for the listening section. Practice for 2-3 days. That should be sufficient.
Books
Get a hold of these books:-
1. Baron's GRE Guide
2. ETS Big Book for GRE questions. Remember you've got to practice lots of questions.
3. Try to mug up the dictionary. (Just kidding !). Just keep it on your study table and make it your new best friend.
4. Get hold of a pack of wordlist flash cards and 'keep your cards close to you'.
Go through
www.gre.org/faq.html to get an idea of the new Computer Based Tests.
Request Information Brochures
Go to the nearest USIS(United States Information Service) located in all the metros.
1. Get the GRE and TOEFL bullettins. They contain the application forms for the two exams.
2. Get hold of the latest edition of Peterson's Guide to Graduate Schools
3. Jot down the addresses of schools where you are going to apply(Select a mix of top tier, middle tier and lower tier schools. Remember, getting an admit is more important than a rejection!)
4. Type a letter stating that you are so and so ,interested in so and so program and so please send an application brochure. Remember to give a reliable mailing address.
5. Feel free to enquire about the free seminars about the admission and visa process.
E-mails are almost 100% Unreliable. So send your request by Post. You can download the forms but looking at the pretty pictures of the buildings and labs in the brochures will inspire you and push you further towards your goal. Be done with these chores as early as possible so that you can concentrate and devote more time on your preparation.
Check out
US Schools by State.
Preparation
1. Give yourself at least 3-4 months of preparation time.
2.
There has been a CHANGE in GRE since October 1, 2002
There are 3 sections as before. Verbal, Quantitative and
Analytical Writing. Analytical Writing involves writing essays which will show your analytical skills.
Check out
AnalyticalWritingFAQ
3. So divide your time equally (or as you are comfortable) among the 3 sections.
4. Minimum target : Verbal = 400, Quantitative = 750 . A total of 1150, is a pretty decent score, sufficient for almost all schools.
Before the exam
1. One month before the exam date, get hold of a place where you can practice Computer Based Tests. Usually available in all the metros and advertised in the major English newspapers.
2. If you are not satisfied with your scores, you can postpone the GRE Exam date.
3. The day before the exam, make a trip to the exam center so that you wont have to search for it on D-Day.
4. Sleep well the previous night.
5. Go to the center early with a cool head and when the exam begins, just go for it. Take the given break. It will help you concentrate.
After the exam
1. Go for a movie, you've exercised your brain too much and you might be having a splitting headache.
2. Lots of things need to be done, don't go overboard, yet.
3. Arrange for your Graduate Degree Certificate in you Degree course by contacting your University(be prepared to pass something under the table. You know what I mean. Right?).
4. Ask your college/university for transcripts. If they give you a blank look, copy all the marksheets and take the signature of your Principal and the Controller of Exams of your University.
5. Request 10 sets of 3 Recommendation(Reco) letters from any 3 of your Profs.
6. Arrange for a Bank Statement showing a value of roughly Rs.3-4 lakhs.
7. Arrange for a Financial Statement from a registered Chartered Accountant showing a value of roughly $23,000 - $24,000 including your assets, house value, stocks, bonds, etc,etc.
8. 6 and 7 are just for formality to show that you are financially sound. Don't bang your head on them.
9. Complete your application forms and send to around 5 schools. There should be a check list in your application packet. Go through it
10. Hope for the best.
After you get the Admission
1. Contact the students in the Indian students club of your school. Almost every school has one. They are real helpful and will come to pick you up at the airport.
2. Ask them about the things required. They might have them listed on their website.
3. If you have no financial aid, bring with you the first semester fees, at least, in money order or traveller's cheque.
4. If you have financial aid, $500 will be sufficient for initial expenditures.
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