How to get into the best US universities for MS

Making it to the best US universities (2)

Getting into the best US universities is a dream of every student who aspires to pursue a master’s in America. However, these top universities have higher academic and co-curricular requirements that one needs to keep in mind before starting the preparation and application process.

Following are the key requirements to make it to the top 25 US universities:

GRE score above 320: Topmost US universities require a high GRE score, usually more than 320, and a Quant score of 165+. At Dilip Oak’s Academy, our experienced faculty offer thorough guidance to make sure you score well. Two of our students scored 340/340, and two others scored 339/340, along with many others who scored more than 330.  Our GRE Online Coaching is as interactive as classroom coaching, and we already have more than 1000 students enrolled with us.

Good academic performance: A consistently good percentage (70% and above) or a GPA above 8.5 in your bachelor’s program is ideal for securing the best admits. If you are still in your third year and your GPA is not up to the mark, you have a good chance to amp it up.

Projects/internships: Projects and relevant internships contribute a lot to the selection process. Make sure that you have worked on good academic projects that demonstrate your technical skills. Internships show your practical experience and knowledge of the subject.

Paper presentations: Some of the best US universities often require students to publish research papers in nationally and internationally recognized seminars and reputed international publications. If you have enough time and you have not presented any paper yet, go for it. It is a great way to upscale your academic credentials and also stand out among the many applicants.

Work experience: Work experience is often an add-on to your other achievements. If you are not in a hurry to pursue MS right after graduation, we recommend you to work in your relevant field for at least one or two years and then apply for MS. This will give an edge to your application and also help you get a good job after your MS.

Strong SOP and LORs: A Statement of Purpose is a crucial document in the application process because it explains why you wish to join the university and the program. Your intent must come across strongly for the university to find you suitable for admission. At the academy, our SOP faculty helps you to draft appealing SOPs and LORs as per the university requirements.

Enroll for our online GRE batches
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Call us for more information: 91-020-67444222, 91-8007878495.

Four ways to build a great career profile during lockdown

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We know how this lockdown has affected your future plans, delayed your dream of flying to the US to start your master’s, and has left you wondering what to do! Well, our suggestion: Do not let the pandemic dampen your spirits. While at home, seize the opportunity, enhance your skillset and start building a strong career profile. Value-addition is the need of the hour and with ample hours at your disposal, you better spend them productively.

Here are four great ways to build a solid profile and skyrocket your career:

  1. Add to your certifications: There is nothing more comfortable than sitting on the couch, snacking and taking an online lesson without the hassle of travelling, or sitting in a class of 100 people! Lookup for online courses, certifications, short term diplomas and get started. There are various websites that offer tons of free courses that are certified and recognized by recruiters.
  2. Internship/Job: If you aren’t already working and you have made up your mind to defer your MS admission to spring 2021 or fall 2021, you have enough time to take a high leap and start working. Look actively for a job that matches your skillset or you can also try something that is not directly in the spectrum of your profile but you are enthusiastic about. Not only will this help you utilize your time prudently, but will also make you independent.
  3. Freelancing: If you do not want to go for a full-time job because you are still dicey about your deferral decision, take up freelance projects. It is flexible, keeps you occupied, gives you hands-on experience, and pays you well! It is a win-win situation.
  4. Learn something new: Co-curricular activities and unique skills are always appreciated by US universities and recruiters. Challenge yourself and pick up a new skill. If not great at it, you will have learnt something 20 other students of your batch or 50 other candidates for the position you apply for, do not know!

So gear up and get going!

Lockdown dilemma: Go for Fall semester 2020 or defer to Spring 2021?

According to the recent update, many universities especially from California, New York, Pennsylvania, etc. have decided to offer online courses for the Fall 2020 semester. However, we do not recommend going for online courses for several reasons which we have explained in our earlier blog Go For Online Semester or Request a Deferral? dated April 23.

Of course, some universities from a few states are also planning to resume in-person instruction for the Fall 2020 semester but they will give a concrete decision in July after consulting the public health officials. In that case, it will be difficult for students to obtain visas at such short notice.

Also, the US consulate has been non-operational since March 16 and with the extension of the lockdown, they have temporarily suspended the visa interviews. The exact date for resuming the process has not been declared yet. There is a possibility that the consulate may reduce visa interview slots and a limited number of applicants will be allowed at the consulate at a given time due to social distancing norms.

Therefore, there is no guarantee that you will get your visa on time.

Moreover, there is no certainty on when international airlines will resume operations. As per the recent update by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the suspension of scheduled international commercial passenger flights would continue until midnight on June 30. Though it implies that operations will resume in July, no official date has been declared yet.

Given the above-mentioned points, it will be wiser to defer your admission to Spring 2021 since in-person instructions are likely to begin from January 2021.

Of course, we recommend students to consider all these factors and make their own decision.

University Application Deadlines For Fall 2020

The application season is on and December is just around the corner. Here is our much-awaited blog for university application deadlines for fall 2020.

Deadline-2020

 

Following a list of universities with deadlines ranging from November 2019 all the way up to July 2020. At the end is a section on universities with rolling deadlines (click here to find out what is meant by rolling deadlines).

We have compiled a list of university deadlines with utmost care. However, remember that US universities may update deadlines on their websites at different times during the academic year so, we request you to cross-check the dates on official websites of the university.

University Deadline
Deadlines in November
University of South Carolina, Columbia 1-Nov
University of Pennsylvania 15-Nov
Deadlines in December
Arizona State University 1-Dec
Howard University 1-Dec
University of Colorado, Boulder 1-Dec
Mass Institute of Technology 15-Dec
Temple University 15-Dec
University of California, Irvine 15-Dec
University of California, San Diego 15-Dec
University of California, Santa Barbara 15-Dec
University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign 15-Dec
Deadlines in January
Dartmouth College 1-Jan
Duke University 1-Jan
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 2-Jan
Kansas State University 8-Jan
Washington State University, Pullman 10-Jan
Carnegie Mellon University 15-Jan
George Washington University 15-Jan
Northeastern University, Boston 15-Jan
Texas Tech University 15-Jan
Tufts University 15-Jan
University of Central Florida 15-Jan
University of Cincinnati 15-Jan
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 15-Jan
University of Pittsburgh 15-Jan
University of Southern California 15-Jan
University of Virginia, Charlottesville 15-Jan
Vanderbilt University 15-Jan
Indiana University 31-Jan
Deadlines in February
Case Western Reserve University 1-Feb
Ohio University 1-Feb
Oklahoma State University 1-Feb
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa 1-Feb
University of Florida, Gainesville 1-Feb
University of Kentucky 1-Feb
Western Illinois University 1-Feb
Columbia University 15-Feb
Florida Atlantic University 15-Feb
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology 15-Feb
Polytechnic Institute of New York University, Brooklyn 15-Feb
South Dakota School of Mines & Tech 15-Feb
University of Illinois Chicago 15-Feb
University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth 15-Feb
University of Montana 15-Feb
University of Rochester 15-Feb
University of San Francisco 15-Feb
University of South Florida 15-Feb
Deadlines in March
California State University, Sacramento 1-Mar
California State University, Chico 1-Mar
Central Michigan University 1-Mar
City University of New York 1-Mar
Colorado School of Mines 1-Mar
Idaho State University 1-Mar
New Mexico State University 1-Mar
Portland State University 1-Mar
San Francisco State University 1-Mar
State University of New York, Albany 1-Mar
Texas Technological University 1-Mar
University of Alaska Fairbanks 1-Mar
University of Nebraska Lincoln 1-Mar
University of Oklahoma, Tulsa 1-Mar
University of Texas, El Paso 1-Mar
Boston University 15-Mar
Brown University 15-Mar
Chicago State University 15-Mar
University of Texas Arlington 15-Mar
Deadlines in April
Arkansas State University 1-Apr
California State University, Fullerton 1-Apr
California State University, Los Angeles 1-Apr
Idaho State University 1-Apr
Oregon State University 1-Apr
San Diego State University 1-Apr
San Jose State University 1-Apr
University of North Texas 1-Apr
University of Oklahoma 1-Apr
University of Texas, San Antonio 1-Apr
University of Utah 1-Apr
University of Virginia 1-Apr
Virginia Tech 1-Apr
West Virginia University 1-Apr
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo 1-Apr
Wichita State University 1-Apr
California State University, Long Beach 15-Apr
Clemson University 15-Apr
Georgia State Univ 15-Apr
Louisiana State University 15-Apr
Old Dominion University 15-Apr
South Dakota State University 15-Apr
Stevens Institute of Technology 15-Apr
University of Georgia 15-Apr
Youngstown State University 15-Apr
Deadlines in May
Clarkson University 1-May
Eastern Michigan University 1-May
Grand Valley University 1-May
Illinois State University 1-May
Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis 1-May
Minnesota State University 1-May
Mississippi State University 1-May
New Jersey Institute of Technology 1-May
North Carolina State University 1-May
Northern Illinois University 1-May
Tennessee Technological University 1-May
University of Dayton 1-May
University of Idaho 1-May
University of Louisville 1-May
University of Memphis 1-May
University of Michigan, Dearborn 1-May
University of Nevada, Las Vegas 1-May
University of New Haven 1-May
University of New Mexico 1-May
University of North Dakota 1-May
University of Texas Dallas 1-May
Wayne State University 1-May
Boise State University 15-May
Cleveland State University 15-May
Montana State University 15-May
Southern Methodist University 15-May
University of Colorado, Denver 15-May
University of Louisiana, Lafayette 15-May
University of Tennessee, Knoxville 15-May
Lawrence Technological University 26-May
California State University, Northridge 31-May
Deadlines in June
California State University, East Bay 1-Jun
California State University, Fresno 1-Jun
Louisiana Technological University 1-Jun
Middle Tenn State University 1-Jun
North Dakota State University 1-Jun
Santa Clara University 1-Jun
Syracuse University 1-Jun
Texas A & M University, Kingsville 1-Jun
Texas State University 1-Jun
University of Alabama, Huntsville 1-Jun
University of Arizona 1-Jun
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 1-Jun
University of Arkansas, Little Rock 1-Jun
University of California, Riverside 1-Jun
University of Detroit, Mercy 1-Jun
University of Houston, Clear Lake 1-Jun
University of Illinois, Springfield 1-Jun
University of Massachusetts, Boston 1-Jun
University of New Orleans 1-Jun
University of Southern Mississippi 1-Jun
Florida Institute of Technology 8-Jun
Drexel University 13-Jun
Auburn University 15-Jun
California State University, Northridge 15-Jun
Illinois Institute of Technology 15-Jun
Kent State University 15-Jun
Marist College, Poughkeepsie 15-Jun
Missouri University of Science & Technology 15-Jun
Tulane University 15-Jun
Villanova University 30-Jun
Deadlines in July
Florida International University 1-Jul
Florida State University 1-Jul
George Mason University 1-Jul
Lamar University 1-Jul
New York Institute of Technology 1-Jul
Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville 1-Jul
State University of New York, Albany 1-Jul
University of South Alabama 1-Jul
Monmouth University 15-Jul
Oakland University 15-Jul
University of Bridgeport 15-Jul
University of Connecticut 15-Jul
Rolling Deadlines
Kettering University Rolling
Marquette University Rolling
Michigan Technological University Rolling
Oklahoma City University Rolling
Rochester Institute of Technology Rolling
State University of New York, Binghamton Rolling
University of Akron Rolling
University of Alabama, Birmingham Rolling
University of Denver Rolling
University of Massachusetts, Lowell Rolling
University of North Carolina, Charlotte Rolling
University of Tulsa Rolling
Worchester Polytechnic University Rolling
Wright State University Rolling

Why 2019 is a Good Time to Pursue an MS in the USA – Part 2

Following the positive response we received on our last blog post “Why 2019 is a Good Time to Pursue an MS in the USA – Part 1”; here are some other key benefits of applying for an MS from a US University this year.

Blog Part 2

Due to needless panic following the election of President Trump, there has been a drop in the number of students joining US universities. The reality is that the job situation is actually improving for students completing their MS from the US. In fact, the decline in number of applicants makes it easier for students with even lower GRE scores and average academics to get into good universities. Financial assistance too has become easier to secure! Read on for an in-depth understanding of the current advantages of applying to the US.

Certainty of Admission to Reputed Universities
Since the USA is a larger country, it boasts of a large number of reputed universities all across the country. Thus, American universities can absorb a greater number of students into Masters Programs as compared to other countries.

Further, the number of students applying to the US for post-graduate degrees has been declining. As a result, more seats are available since the competition is less cut-throat right now.

Financial Assistance during MS
Due to lesser students enrolling for programs, there are more campus jobs available – so it’s now easier to get one. Getting a campus job can take care of the living cost for both years. Apart from this, chances of getting Teaching Assistantship, Research Assistantship and Graduate Assistantship in the first or second semester itself are much higher as compared to earlier.

Jobs and Visa after Graduation
Contrary to the rumors floating around, job opportunities after MS in the USA are still available. What matters is your networking and the internships secured by you during your graduate degree. Students from Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields have 3 years to work on Optional Practical Training (OPT) which allows students with MS degrees to work in the USA without an H1B visa. During these 3 years, you get 3 chances to apply for the H1B visa.

An interesting fact is that for H1B applicants who have completed their MS in the US and who are being sponsored by an American company, the rejection rate is just 1%. Hence, there is a greater certainty of obtaining the H1B visa.
We advise all study abroad candidates to take into consideration all these factors when deciding where to pursue an MS. In case you missed our previous article on why you should apply for an MS in the US in 2019, click here – Why 2019 is a Good Time to Pursue an MS in USA

University Application Deadlines For Fall 2018

The application season is on, December is just round the corner …and university deadlines are coming up soon. So, here is our much awaited blog for university application deadlines for fall 2018.

deadline

Our list covers 128 universities with deadlines ranging from November 2017 all the way up to July 2018. At the end is a section on universities with rolling deadlines (click here to find out what is meant by rolling deadlines).

Remember that US universities update deadlines on their websites at different times during the academic year so, we will update this blog to keep up with changes on their official websites. We have compiled a list of university deadlines with utmost care, however, we request you to kindly cross check the dates displayed on official websites of the university.

Presenting the first in our round of deadline alerts.

Continue reading

The Art and Science of Drafting your Statement of Purpose

Drafting your Statement of Purpose should be considered to be, essentially, a communication exercise, which you ought to take very seriously. Why do we say this? Well, for two reasons: first, going forward, there will be many such situations in which you may have to interact with others by means of the written word. And second, subject-matter knowledge is not enough. You would need to find an effective way to communicate your message so as to evoke the desired response from its target reader(s).

Below are a few tips to draft a decent SoP:

  • Cover all important points: make sure you mention your academic accomplishments and major achievements, if any, along with papers presented, seminars and workshops attended, projects undertaken, and internship experience you have had, in their order of importance.
  • Highlight your soft skills: exhibiting good communication skills will enhance the impact of your academic performance and may even prove to be decisive if you happen to be tied with another applicant for admission whose academic performance is identical or equal to yours.
  • Avoid clichés: As far as possible, avoid words like “team player”, “leadership qualities”, etc. Try and find better ways to showcase such qualities or accomplishments. For instance, you may mention how effectively you worked with others in a close-knit team to successfully complete your project in a timely manner.
  • Keep it simple: It’s a rough draft. The beautification of language can come later as your suggested draft takes on a more sophisticated shape.
  • Start early: Some people tend to put things off until the last moment. On the other hand, starting early will give you more time to reflect on what you intend to include in your SoP. It will also minimize the risk of inadvertently leaving things out, enabling you to present a comprehensive narrative and present a strong case for your candidature.
  • Get help from experts: There are experts around who can help you draft an attractive Statement of Purpose thereby increasing your chances of getting admitted to the university of your choice. So, avail of their expertise and ensure that your SoP is a winner.

University Application Deadlines For Fall 2017

The application season is on, December is just round the corner …and university deadlines are coming up soon. So, here is our much awaited blog for university application deadlines for fall 2017.

Our list covers 145 universities with deadlines ranging from December 2016 all the way up to August 2017. At the end is a section on universities with rolling deadlines (click here to find out what is meant by rolling deadlines).

Remember that US universities update deadlines on their websites at different times during the academic year so, we will update this blog to keep up with changes on their official websites. We have compiled a list of university deadlines with utmost care, however, we request you to kindly cross check the dates displayed on official websites of the university.

Presenting the first in our round of deadline alerts.

Continue reading

University Deadlines For Fall 2016

It is our continued endeavour to keep you updated with the university deadlines well before the application process. As per tradition we are publishing the university deadlines for fall 2016 semester. Please bear in mind that some universities may change deadlines on their websites without prior notice. The department deadlines may differ from the graduate school deadlines, hence you are advised to cross check not only the graduate school deadlines but also the department website of the university you are applying to.
Why is it impThe deadlines mentioned below are for the graduate school only.

Deadlines in November
University of South Carolina, Columbia – 30-Nov

Deadlines in December
Massachusetts Institute of Technology – 15-Dec
Tufts University – 15-Dec
University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign – 15-Dec
Yale University – 15-Dec
Harvard University – 14-Dec
Indiana University, Bloomington – 1-Dec
University of Miami, Coral Gables – 1-Dec
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill – 1-Dec

Deadlines in January
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – 1-Jan
University of Maryland, Baltimore County – 1-Jan
Worcester Polytechnic Institute – 1-Jan
Washington State University, Pullman – 10-Jan
Florida Institute of Technology – 15-Jan
Northeastern University, Boston – 15-Jan
State University of New York, Buffalo – 15-Jan
Texas A & M University, Kingsville – 15-Jan
Texas Tech University – 15-Jan
University of Central Florida – 15-Jan
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor – 15-Jan
University of Southern California – 15-Jan
Vanderbilt University – 15-Jan
Duke University – 30-Jan
Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago – 31-Jan
Indiana University Purdue University – 15-Jan with funding 1-Mar without funding
Deadlines in February
Case Western Reserve University – 1-Feb
Colorado School of Mines – 1-Feb
East Carolina University – 1-Feb
Kansas State University – 1-Feb
Pennsylvania State University, University Park – 1-Feb
University of Connecticut, Storrs – 1-Feb
University of Rhode Island, Kingston – 1-Feb
University of Tennessee, Knoxville – 1-Feb
University of Tulsa – 1-Feb
Colorado State University, Fort Collins – 15-Feb
Eastern Michigan University – 15-Feb
Florida International University – 15-Feb
Marquette University – 15-Feb
Polytechnic Institute of New York University, Brooklyn – 15-Feb
University of Illinois, Chicago – 15-Feb
University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth – 15-Feb
University of Oregon, Eugene – 15-Feb
University of South Florida, Tampa – 15-Feb

Deadlines in March
California State University, Chico – 1-Mar
California State University, Sacramento – 1-Mar
Illinois State University, Normal – 1-Mar
New Mexico State University, Las Cruces – 1-Mar
North Carolina State University – 1-Mar
Oklahoma State University, Still Water – 1-Mar
Temple University – 1-Mar
University of North Carolina, Charlotte – 1-Mar
University of Pittsburgh – 1-Mar
University of Toledo – 1-Mar
George Washington University – 15-Mar
South Dakota School of Mines & Tech – 15-Mar
University of Colorado, Denver – 15-Mar
University of Kentucky, Lexington – 15-Mar
University of North Texas, Denton – 15-Mar
University of Pennsylvania – 15-Mar
California State University, Northridge – 31-March Online, 30-April Document submission

Deadlines in April
California State University, Fresno – 1-Apr
Idaho State University – 1-Apr
Oregon State University, Corvallis – 1-Apr
San Jose State University – 1-Apr
Stevens Institute of Technology – 1-Apr
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville – 1-Apr
University of Arkansas, Little Rock – 1-Apr
University of Houston, University Park – 1-Apr
University of New Hampshire, Durham – 1-Apr
University of Texas, Arlington – 1-Apr
University of Texas, San Antonio – 1-Apr
Villanova University – 1-Apr
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University – 1-Apr
West Virginia University, Morgan Town – 1-Apr
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo – 1-Apr
Wichita State University – 1-Apr
California State University, Los Angeles – 15-Apr
Lamar University – 15-Apr
Old Dominion University, Norfolk – 15-Apr
South Dakota State University, Brookings – 15-Apr
University of Georgia – 15-Apr
University of Iowa, Iowa City – 15-Apr
California State University, Long Beach – 1-April online, 15-April Document submission

Deadlines in May
City University of New York, City College – 1-May
Clarkson University – 1-May
Minnesota State University, Mankato – 1-May
Mississippi State University – 1-May
New Jersey Institute of Technology – 1-May
North Dakota State University, Fargo – 1-May
Northern Illinois University, Dekalb – 1-May
Oakland University, Rochester – 1-May
Southern Methodist University – 1-May
Tennessee Technological University – 1-May
University of Idaho, Moscow – 1-May
University of Louisville, Louisville – 1-May
University of Memphis – 1-May
University of Michigan, Dearborn – 1-May
University of Nevada, Las Vegas – 1-May
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque – 1-May
University of Texas, Dallas – 1-May
Wayne State University – 1-May
Western Illinois University – 1-May
California State University, Fullerton – 4-May
University of Louisiana, Lafayette – 15-May
University of North Carolina, Greensboro – 15-May
Wright State University, Dayton – 15-May

Deadlines in June
Louisiana Tech University, Ruston – 1-Jun
Monmouth University – 1-Jun
Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville – 1-Jun
University of Alabama, Huntsville – 1-Jun
University of Alaska, Fairbanks – 1-Jun
University of Detroit, Mercy – 1-Jun
University of Illinois, Springfield – 1-Jun
University of Wyoming, Laramie – 1-Jun
Drexel University – 13-Jun
Marist College, Poughkeepsie – 15-Jun
Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla – 15-Jun
University of South Alabama, Mobile – 15-Jun

Deadlines in July
Arkansas State University – 1-Jul
Florida State University – 1-Jul
New York Institute of Technology – 1-Jul
Santa Clara University – 12-Jul
Lehigh University – 15-Jul
University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport – 15-Jul

Deadlines in August
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology – 1-Aug
University of Houston, Clear Lake – 1-Aug

Rolling Deadlines
Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison
Rochester Institute of Technology

Departmental Deadlines
Johns Hopkins University
Michigan State University, East Lansing
Michigan Technological University
Montana State University, Bozeman
Northwestern University, Evanston
Ohio State University, Columbus
Portland State University
Purdue University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
San Diego State University
San Francisco State University
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Stanford University
State University of New York, Albany
State University of New York, Binghamton
State University of New York, Stony Brook
Syracuse University
Texas A & M University, College Station
Texas State University
University of Alabama, Birmingham
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
University of Arizona, Tucson
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Davis
University of California, Irvine
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Riverside
University of California, San Diego
University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Chicago
University of Cincinnati
University of Colorado, Boulder
University of Hawaii, Manoa
University of Kansas, Lawrence
University of Maine, Orono
University of Maryland, College Park
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
University of Minnesota, Duluth
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
University of Missouri, Columbia
University of Missouri, Kansas City
University of Nebraska, Lincoln
University of Nevada, Reno
University of North Dakota, Grand Forks
University of Oklahoma, Norman
University of Southern Mississippi
University of Texas, Austin
University of Texas, El Paso
University of Utah, Salt Lake City
University of Vermont, Burlington
University of Virginia, Charlottesville
University of Wisconsin, Madison

Application Timeline for Fall 2016 – Make Sure You Are on Track

Timeline_blog

If you are applying for admission in fall 2016 the clock has begun to tick. So, don’t delay. Review this Application Timeline for Fall 2016 immediately and get to work.

June 2015

Review your goals for your MS in US and choose some specific areas in which you would like to specialize.

July 2015

  1. Begin preparation for the GRE/TOEFL tests
  2. Register for the GRE and TOEFL examinations – if you are targeting the top 10 or 15 universities, you should take these examinations preferably by September 2015. If you are targeting other universities, you may take these exams by 20 December 2015 so you can meet the deadlines of universities which are in December 2015.
  3. Register for the Subject GRE – important for doctoral programs in pure sciences and biological sciences in top schools.

Note: the exam is held once in a year in November, however, seats usually get filled up by August.

August-September 2015

Make a preliminary list of about 30 universities which meet your requirements considering:

  1. Location
  2. Costs of living and education
  3. Broad specializations you are interested in (for departments and specializations see the ‘university info‘ page on online.dilipoakacademy.com)
  4. Recommendations by seniors, your professors etc.
  5. Whether your academic profile fits the universities requirements.

For more details, see: Selecting a University for Your MS in the US. Also refer to our post on university information available on the social media

September 2015

  1. Arrange for 10-13 sets of transcripts in sealed covers from your college or university – some universities insist on university transcripts/university attested mark sheets
  2. Choose your recommenders (generally 3 recommendations are required, at least one of which should be from the educational institute last attended) and give them the necessary details – resume, copies of your mark sheets etc.
  3. Start working on your Statement of Purpose and resume

October 2015-January 2016

  1. Take the GRE and TOEFL exams latest by January 2016 (ideally 20 December 2015)
  2. Carry out a comprehensive review of the 30 universities considering:
    1. Your academic performance in bachelor’s degree
    2. GRE and TOEFL scores of students admitted in the past
    3. Any minimum cut-offs with respect to GRE and TOEFL scores
    4. Whether courses of your choice are offered in the Fall semester
    5. Cost of education
  3. Make your final shortlist of 8-10 universities.
  4. Complete your Statement of Purpose (SOP) and resume
  5. Request the ETS to forward your GRE and TOEFL scores to the universities you are applying to, specifying the correct codes for the universities/departments you are applying to.
    Note: some universities require certain documents to be sent to the department you are applying to.
  6. Complete online application process and send the required documents by courier

This completes the application process; however there are further steps to be taken:

  1. Track the status of your application on your status page of the university’s website. Though universities generally communicate decisions or requirements by either e-mail or post, it often happens that the only source of information is your status page.
  2. If there are any deficiencies in your applications (missing documents, non-receipt of GRE or TOEFL scores, recommendations etc.) immediately correct the deficiencies.
  3. When you receive an offer letter from the universities (or when your status page shows that you have been given admission) email your acceptance(This is very important especially when you are offered funding)
  4. When you have accepted the university’s offer of admission and the documentation formalities are complete, the university will send you the 1-20, an immigration document, which is essential for obtaining a visa.
  5. When you receive the I-20, check that it is correct in all respects:
    1. Your name and date of birth should be exactly as in your passport
    2. Your course and course duration should be correctly specified
    3. The financial sources indicated should exceed the costs etc.
  6. Prepare the visa documentation
  7. Study the visa application formalities specified on the websites of the applicable US Consulate and the VFS (Visa Facilitation Services)
  8. Apply for a visa interview date – you can apply for a visa interview 120 days before the joining date mentioned on your I-20.

For further details on the F-1 visa see our previous blog on the subject.

Note: Dilip Oak’s Academy organizes a ‘Pre-departure Orientation’ in June-end every year for students who have been admitted to the fall semester. In the Orientation, Mr. Dilip Oak covers matters such as:

  • the student (F1) visa
  • foreign exchange
  • airport formalities (port of entry/immigration procedures)
  • insurance
  • medical checkups & immunizations
  • initial formalities in the university
  • accommodation (on- & off – campus)
  • financial and other formalities for the first semester of studies

Keep a look out for our announcement of the Orientation. The announcement will appear on this blog sometime in June.