Application
Process For Undergraduate
Courses in U.S.A.
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This section
explains the process of applying to US universities for
Undergraduate courses. For details on
how to select a university that matches your interests, needs and academic background, go
to the Selecting Universities section.
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| Application Requirements |
- Academic
Records
- Standardized
Tests
- Letters
of Recommendation
- Statement
of Purpose (SOP)
- Financial
Support
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If
you have any doubts or require any further information,
please use our Helpline service. |
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| Send enquiries at least
15 to 18 months before the proposed date of admission. There are two ways to get
application forms. |
Requesting Application
Forms via email : You can request application forms from the universities
website. Most universities have a form on their website which can be completed online to
request application material.
Requesting Application
Forms via Air Mail : The other way is to send a request by airmail for
application material. The request should contain a brief description of your educational
background, academic objectives, source of financial support, English proficiency and
standardized test scores.
Downloading from the
university website : Many universities have a downloadable and ready to print
versions of their application forms on the net. These can be used for applying just
as regular forms.
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Admission to a College or
University in US requires a completion of twelve years of elementary and secondary
education. In the Indian context, this implies qualifying in class 12th examination or
junior college as applicable. The acceptable degrees include : Indian School
Certificate, Intermediate Certificate, Higher School Certificate, Higher Secondary
Certificate, All India Senior School Certificate.
You can either pursue a two-year Associate degree like Associate of Science (A.S.) or a
four-year degree like Bachelor of Science (B.S.). |
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| Application Requirements |
Students who are applying for
a Bachelor program or another undergraduate course would be required to submit a secondary
school report and transcripts (report cards) of the final exams. The report form should be
filled out by a school official like the principal, counselor or headmaster. This form
should introduce you in the context of your whole school experience in relation to the
other students in your class. Admission committees will be interested in learning how you
have performed in your own educational system. The school report should talk about your
accomplishments and provide a prediction of your chances for success in university-level
studies.
Since there is a variation between the styles of scoring used abroad and the ones used in
India, ask your school to include a guide to the grading standards used in your
educational system and your school. If your school ranks students by their level of
academic achievement, make certain that the ranking is included with the other details.
Also send the school / junior college leaving certificate as and when it is available.
If the transcripts are in a language other than English, then it must be translated into
English only by the issuing authority or university otherwise it may not be acceptable. |
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| Standardized Tests |
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Most Courses and Universities in US require you to take one
of the standardized tests like SAT I (Scholastic Assessment Test) or ACT (American College
Testing). A few may also require three of SAT II Subject Tests. International students are
also required to take English Proficiency tests - TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign
Language). Every university has its own minimum requirements and scores with respect to
standardized tests.
English Proficiency
TOEFL: This test is mandatory for
International students applying to a Graduate course or University in US. The minimum
score required by most universities for admission is 570 (Paper-based test) and 230
(Computer-based test). |
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Other Tests:
SAT I : This is required for almost all Courses and
Universities.
SAT II : A few Universities may require you to take two
or three subject tests.
ACT : A few Universities may also
require you to take this test.
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| Letter of Recommendation |
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Letters of reference or recommendation letters play a very important part
in your admission especially in courses that earn you a master’s or doctoral degree.
A recommendation letter is a signed statement from a person who knows you well or has taught you in a subject
at school or college. It should list your positive and negative qualities, strengths and other such
information.
The author or teacher must indicate his position, how long he/she has known the applicant
and in what capacity. He/she should briefly discuss the need, importance and usefulness of
the study the applicant proposes to undertake. Authors are usually asked to rank
applicants in their letters of recommendation, which helps admission officers to interpret
the academic credentials of foreign students. Students should obtain letters of
recommendation (often on the prescribed forms sent by the institutions) from teachers who
know them as a person as well as a student. You may like to request your author to give
concrete examples that may show your qualities and help your case.
Many universities have their own format and questions that have to be answered by the
person who is giving the letter of recommendation on your behalf. Letters, which do not
give enough information, can jeopardize a candidate’s chances of selection. |
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Note :
Even if not mentioned, it is advisable to include at least two letters of recommendation
in your applications as they increase your chances of getting admissions.
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| For more details on
letters of recommendation, formats and tips, check out Letters of Recommendation |
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| Statement of Purpose |
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The personal essays, and/or statement of purpose, play a very important
role in the process of evaluating your application for both admission as well as financial
aid because it gives the faculty assessing your application their most significant
impression of you as an individual. This section is the key to distinguish your
application from other suitable candidates and a chance to market yourself.
A personal statement should include your reasons for choosing a particular course, the
suitability of your education and experience for the chosen course, your personal
interests and career goals.
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| For more details on
various essay topics, tips, sample essays, check out our Essays/Statement of Purpose
section. |
| Financial Support |
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You must submit a financial aid application if you desire financial help
for your undergraduate studies in a US university. Financial assistance at the bachelor level for non-US citizens is
very limited.
The evidence of financial support is required by universities to issue the documents
needed for visa application. Although it is a requirement for application, it is usually
not taken into consideration into factors that determine admission. Most universities make
their admission decisions without regard for the source and amount of financial support.
You would be required to submit documentation of your family’s financial resources to
help schools assess your need. Most of the universities have their own financial aid form,
which you would have to complete.
You would also be required to submit a bank statement demonstrating your financial
capacity to support your education in US. Some US state institutions offer tuition waivers
to international students in return for some type of educational contribution.
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For Scholarships, loans and other financial aid information,
check out our Financial Aid section. |
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