|
Application
Procedure - Undergraduate
Bachelor Degree Courses in U.S.A.
|
This
section explains the process of applying to US universities for
Undergraduate (Associate & Bachelor Degree) programs. For
details on how to select a university that matches your
interests, needs and academic background, go to the Selecting
Universities section.
|
|
Pre-Application
Issues |
|
Application
Requirements |
- Academic
Records
- Standardized
Tests
- Letters
of Recommendation
- Statement
of Purpose (SOP)
- Financial
Support
- Interviews
(If applicable)
|
|
|
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.
|
|
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.). |
|
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. |
|
English
Proficiency Test
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).
Other
Require 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.
For other tests, click on Tests
to be Taken |
|
Letter
of Recommendation |
Top |
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
professionally or has taught you in a subject that is
related to the course you are applying to. 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. |
|
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.
|
For
more details on letters of recommendation, formats and tips,
check out Letters
of Recommendation |
|
Statement
of Purpose |
Top |
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.
Some courses like Business school courses will have
their own essay questions and format. Others may ask for
a r�sum� or reasons for applying to that particular
course. |
|
For
more details on various essay topics, tips, sample essays, check
out our Essays/Statement
of Purpose section. |
|
Financial
Support |
Top |
You must submit a financial aid
application if you desire financial help for your
graduate studies in a US university. Financial
assistance 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. |
For Scholarships, loans and other
financial aid information,
check out our Financial
Aid section. |
|
|
Interviews |
Top |
A few universities may take your
interview to know you better. The interview could be
with a college representative or "third party"
representatives, staff, faculty or alumni of the college
or simply a telephonic interview. These interviews are
usually informal and more of an opportunity to exchange
information. The interviewer will try to judge your
abilities and interests. |
|
For more details and tips on interviews, check
out our Interviews
section . |
|
|
|