Selecting
Institutions:
With more than 3000 institutions of higher education in the US,the choice
of institutions may seem overwhelming at first.How do you begin to narrow your
choices to the best institutions for you?There are many factors to consider,
some of which may seem obvious.All of them bear some consideration,and you must
ultimately decide which factors are most important to you.
Geographic Area and Climate:
Considering that you may spend two to five years in a graduate program,it
is probably a good idea to think about your preferences in terms of geographic
area or climate.Do you prefer large or small metropolitan areas? Do you prefer
urban or rural campus? If it is important fo ryou to live on campus ,you might
not be happy at the university where most students commute from off-campus
housing areas.Do you have strong feelings about extremely hot or cold weather?
You may be able to narrow your choice of institutions by eliminating those that
do not match your preferences in terms of geographic area or climate.
Recommendations from Friends,Professors or others:
Besides that fact that you may want to study in the same part of the US
as your friends,there are valid academic reasons for considering the
recommendations of the people who know you well and who may have firsthand
knowledge about particular institutions.Your friends and contacts may be able to
provide you with "inside information" about the campus or its academic
programs that no published source of information can provide.Of course,you
should carefully balance this anecdotal information with your own research and
your own impressions.Nonetheless,current and former students,former
professors,and others may provide excellent information and be valuable
resources during the application process.
Your Own Academic and Career Goals:
The consideration of your academic goals is more complex than it may seem
at first glance.Obviously,all institutions do not offer the same programs.
Generally,an institution’s application form provides a definitive kisting of
the academic programs offered by the institution.An institution’s course
catalog, which contains a description of the degree program and all the courses
offered ,is useful to compare the same program offered by two or more different
institutions.
You may be interested in ranking either of the university or of a
specific program of study.Rankings are certainly interesting and may be helpful
when deciding among institutions ,when all other considerations are more or less
equal.Keep in mind,however,that rankings are conducted for many different
purposes ,so it is important to consider the source and the criteria of any
ranking information.
Quality of Your Previous Educational Institution:
Consider the kind of institution where you completed your first
degree.Was it excellent,highly regarded institution?If so,you may apply to other
similar regarded institutions in the US.If not,you may wish to consider a
broader range of institutions.This may mean applying to several
institutions,including some less competitive institutions.
Your Previous Educational Record:
Your previous educational record also influences your choices of US
institutions.Can your marks or grades be characterized as excellent ,average,or
poor?If your grades ar eaverage or poor,it may be advisable to apply to several
institutions, including some less competitive institutions. Awareness of your
educational assets and liabilities will server you well throughout the
application process.
SECOND STEP-Planning and Assembling the Application:
The planning and assembling of a university application can be compared
to the construction of a building. As with building construction,you must start
with solid foundation.The traditional foundation of the application is the
application form itself.
The application form usually contains a wealth of useful information
.such as deadlines, fees,and degree programs available at the institution.The
answers to many of the questions are found on the application form itself.To
build a solid application,it is best to obtain the application form well in
advance.
How to Obtain the Application Form:
Generally,a request for an application form is made in writing to the
selected institutions.If time is short requests by e-mail,fax or telephone may
also be accepted.Some institutions even offer an electronic alternative to the
paper application.
What Are the Key Components of a Complete Application:
1.Academic Records:Official transcripts
2.Required standardised examinations.(GRE and TOEFL)
3.Letter of recommendation
4.Letter of financial support
5.Application fee.
6.Statement of purpose.
