Housing:
90% of the students from the academy live away from the campus, in private apartments which are less expensive and more convenient for our students. They usually live with a group of fellow Indian students, so they do have a support system. These students have not been impacted and continue to live in their own rented space.
For students who do live on the campus itself, some universities have asked students to look for housing out of the campus to encourage social distancing, however it is important to note that in many such universities – students can file applications to request an exception to the campus closure. Additionally, several U.S. universities are willing to work one-on-one with international students and assist them with accommodation during hardships.
In the majority of the universities, food service, campus health, libraries, and computer labs are open to supporting international students.
Additionally, university medical phone lines and medical services are open for diagnosis and potential testing of students who may show any symptoms or need medical attention.
Food:
Grocery stores are open all across the U.S.A and online food delivery services are open as well. Universities have been in constant communication with students regarding the COVID-19 outbreak and as a result, students were already alerted early on that they need to stock up on groceries and essential supplies. Medical pharmacies too, are open across the USA in all states. These pharmacies also carry basic food supplies which the students can purchase in case of emergency.
Academics:
The majority of the US universities have canceled in-classroom instruction and have moved the classes online, and this will most likely continue for the entire spring semester.
For future students: coming from a country where coronavirus is present has no effect on whether students are admitted or not in the universities. The admissions process will continue as per the usual guidelines of each university.
We urge everyone to stay safe and take the utmost care during these times. We also want to ensure that there is no anxiety or incorrect information that can cause additional worry to friends and family in India.
If you wish to study abroad and you are having a hard time deciding between the USA and other countries, you have probably landed on the right page. After the election of Donald Trump, there were a lot of rumors going around about difficulty in getting H1B Visa and students were reluctant for applying to American universities. Even now, they are opting for other countries like UK, Canada, and Australia where getting a visa is easier even if job opportunities are much lesser than the US. It is high time that we correct these misconceptions and understand the many advantages that the USA has over any other country, the biggest one being President Trump’s support to merit-based immigration policy that promises better education and employment opportunities to Indians.
Here are a few other reasons why the United States remains the best choice for Indian students:
- Abundant employment opportunities
Apart from ace education, the USA offers abundant employment opportunities to students, especially from the STEM category (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The USA has an unemployment rate of only 3.5 %, which is the lowest since 1969 and there are abundant job opportunities available. Our students too have secured jobs without any hassle and the demand for Indian employees is on the rise. As per the CNN Business survey for 2019, Google has over a hundred thousand employees to this date and more than fifty percent of them are Indians. Other tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Facebook have more than a hundred thousand employees who testify the favorable employment scenario in the US.
- The strongest economy in the world
The USA has retained its position as the world’s largest economy for decades and its current GDP is $19.3 trillion. Occupying more than a quarter of the world economy, the USA has emerged to be a superpower and promises to stay so in the years to come. Compared to the USA; GDPs of other countries are way behind, especially the UK where Brexit uncertainty has caused a dip in the employment rates and pay scales. Also, countries like Ireland, Denmark, and Sweden have very limited capacity to absorb immigrants.
- Worldwide acceptability of US degrees
It is seen that students who earn degrees from the US are often sought and preferred by employers for their overall experience, research-oriented knowledge, and diversified skills. Most of the international companies that strive to make a global presence opt for US graduates since their communication, negotiation, and business skills are better as compared to graduates from other countries.
- Wide range of universities to choose from
With over 200 good universities for almost all the disciplines, the United States has the largest university pool to select from as compared to any other country. From the popular Ivy League schools to some of the best state universities, you have ample scope to select what suits you the best according to your score, field of interest, budget and long term goals.
Stay tuned for the second part which will be uploaded on Thu, March 19, 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.
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 |
For those of you who want to pursue higher studies abroad, it is time to start brainstorming about your admission essays. And, though they may seem insignificant, important aspects that need to be covered in both these documents are your co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.
Especially for those of you applying for undergraduate programs, i.e. your bachelor’s, the co-curricular and extra-curricular activities carry equal weight along with your academic and SAT score. For the master’s program, your co-curricular activities will set you apart.
While “co-curricular activities” refer to those activities that go together with your academics in school or college, an extra-curricular activity is any activity you take part in that does not involve your academics.
Here are a few examples of co-curricular activities you can highlight in your application
Undergraduate Applicants (BS/BA): school Headboy/girl, class prefect, House Captain, college newsletters, science clubs and projects, inter-class and inter-school competitions and state/national level competitions, elocution, etc.
Graduate Applicants (MS): technical quizzes during college fests, Robocon, SAE BAJA, filing for patents, articles contributed for academic publication, state/national level technical competitions.
A few examples of extra-curricular activities: sports, athletics, debate, dramatics, learning foreign language, arts, chess and book clubs, Rotary/Rotaract, Lions/Leo club or AIESEC memberships, Boy Scout or Girl Guides, volunteer work (blood donation, tree plantation, old age homes, underprivileged children, etc.), painting or dancing, National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Sports Organisation (NSO), National Service Scheme (NSS).
If they are “extra-curricular”, why do colleges and universities care about these activities?
Colleges and universities like students who take efforts to develop their talents and passions. They want students who interact well with others and add something to the community. There is more to college life, particularly in the US than just attending classes. US colleges and universities appreciate students who will go the extra mile by taking initiative and participating in academic as well as social activities on campus.
Which are the activities to highlight and how to describe them?
Before you decide to include co-curricular or extra-curricular activities in your SoP or essay, consider the following questions:
1. Did you actively participate in the activity: provide specific details of the role you played in the activity.
2. Did you engage in this activity for a significant number of years: give specific numbers to give the admissions committee a clear idea of your dedication towards the activity.
3. Were you specifically chosen for any activity: list events, competitions, or showcases that you were selected for based on your expertise in the field.
4. Did you take initiative: state your experience as a leader or mentor and discuss what impact you had on others.
5. Did you make positive changes to the activity: describe the work you did to expand and improve any clubs or events that you were a part of.
6. Did the activity change you in a positive manner: illustrate the changes the activity brought about in you such as deciding to be a part of the debate team to get over your fear of public speaking.
Now, that you have this information, make sure that you focus on the co-curricular and extra-curricular activities when you draft your admission essays. Remember, it is never too late to start participating in activities and events that can highlight your skills and abilities to make your profile diverse and well rounded.
As the GRE® test is computer-delivered; the test-taker has to be comfortable with solving questions on the screen. After years of appearing for paper-based tests, this may be a little daunting for the average college student in India. One of the best ways to boost your confidence on the test day is to get used to the computer-based delivery of the GRE® test.
Dilip Oak’s Academy offers an online suite of practice modules and tests. This online suite will help you prepare on the go! The suite includes Focused Practice, Test Prep, Mock Tests, and Vocabulary App and has hundreds of GRE-like questions for both the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections. A single sign-in will be your key to unlocking all the online features.
FOCUSED PRACTICE
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View our Plans & Pricing for Oak’s Online GRE Prep Tools
VOCABULARY APP
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