Fall 2025

Received an Admission for Fall 2025! What to Do Next?

Dilip Oak's Academy

Many Students have already submitted their applications for Fall (August) 25. Of course, many universities are still accepting applications since their deadlines are available until March 31, 2025. However, since universities process applications on a rolling basis, students have already started receiving admissions and will continue getting decisions till May/June 2025.

Congratulations on receiving admission offers for Fall 2025. Having achieved this huge milestone, you are now entering the crucial phase of planning your next steps till your Visa is approved.

Selection of Final University

Once you have received an offer, here’s what you need to do next:

  • Evaluate the university’s ranking, course curriculum, job opportunities, and tuition fees before making a decision.
  • Consider factors like location and cost of living.
  • Check for merit-based scholarships and assistantships (RA/TA positions) at your university.
  • Part-time on-campus jobs can help cover living expenses.

Types of Admission Offers

Each university follows a different process when it comes to issuing admission letters and the I-20 form, a crucial immigration document that is necessary for obtaining a student visa. Here are the most common types of admission offers you might receive:

1. Admission Letter with I-20 Form

  • Some universities issue both the admission letter and the I-20 form simultaneously.
  • This is the most convenient scenario, as you can accept the admission and still wait for responses from other universities before making your final decision.

2. Admission Letter Without I-20 Form

  • In some cases, universities send an acceptance letter but will not issue the I-20 until you formally accept their offer.
  • You can accept their offer, request to issue the I-20 form and keep your options open while you wait for decisions from other universities.

3. I-20 to be issued Based on Financial Documents

Some universities require proof of financial capability before issuing the I-20. Students must submit a bank certificate or a letter of a sanctioned education loan to demonstrate sufficient funds.

  • The required amount should cover two semesters of tuition, one year of living expenses and other costs, if any.
  • You can include funds in Savings Bank account, Fixed Deposits and Public Provident Fund. Some universities also accept funds in the General Provident Fund.
  • Students can also temporarily borrow funds from family or friends to obtain a bank certificate and repay the amount immediately after issuance of the bank certificate.
  • Since students apply to multiple universities, it is advisable to get around eight copies of the bank certificate, which is valid for three months. The bank certificate should be equal to the cost of the most expensive university among your options so that it can be used for all the universities you have applied.
  • If personal funds cannot be arranged, a loan sanction letter from a bank or non-banking financial institution (NBFC) can be submitted instead.

4. Non-Refundable Deposit Requirement

  • Some universities require a non-refundable deposit (ranging from $100 to $750) as a confirmation of admission before issuing the I-20.
  • If you are unsure about enrolling at that university, it is better to delay the payment.
  • However, if the university is your preferred choice, paying the deposit within the deadline is advisable.

Cost of Education:

Studying for a master’s in the USA is a significant financial investment. Unlike domestic students who may qualify for in-state tuition, international students must pay out-of-state tuition fees, which are typically higher.

For example, if the annual in-state tuition fee is $10,000, the out-of-state tuition fee can go up to $25,000 or more. Additionally, due to the appreciation of the USD and increasing living costs in the U.S., education costs have risen further.

On average, a master’s degree from a decent university can cost between ₹45–50 lakhs, including tuition, living expenses, and other fees.

Education Loans for MS in the USA

Due to the high cost, many students choose to fund their education through education loans. These loans can be obtained from:

  • Nationalized Banks (State Bank of India,Bank of Baroda, etc.)
  • Private Banks (HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, etc.)
  • Cooperative Banks (Cosmos Bank, Saraswat Bank etc.)
  • NBFCs (Non-Banking Financial Institutions) (Credila Financial Services, etc.)

Interest Rates and Loan Benefits

  • Education loan interest rates generally range between 8.50 to 12%.
  • Nationalized and Cooperative banks usually offer lower interest rates compared to private banks and NBFCs.
  • Female students can benefit from a 0.5% interest rate discount at Nationalized and Cooperative banks.

Loan Sanction Process
To get your loan approved, you need:

  • Admission letter from the university
  • KYC documents (passport, ID proofs)
  • Academic transcripts and test scores (GRE, TOEFL/IELTS)
  • Income proof of co-applicant (if applicable)
  • Collateral (for secured loans)

However, before the loan is disbursed, the student must submit the I-20 form issued by the university and a photocopy of the F1 Visa approved by the US consulate.

Apply for Your Student Visa (F-1 Visa)

  • Once you receive your I-20 form, pay the SEVIS fee ($350) and fill out the DS-160 visa application form.
  • Schedule your visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate.

For a detailed guide on Student Visa, wait for our next blog.

If you need personalized guidance on university selection, loan applications, or visa preparation, our counseling team is here to help!

Stay tuned for more updates and expert tips on your study abroad journey with one of the best abroad educational consultants!

As India’s leading Study Abroad Consultant, Dilip Oak’s Academy offers a comprehensive suite of services, including TOEFL, IELTS, GRE coaching, as well as GRE Self Prep. Furthermore, our admission counseling services can guide you through the entire process, from Shortlisting Universities to Visa Counseling. With our expertise, we have successfully sent 32,000 students to various prestigious American universities like MIT, Stanford, Cornell, and Carnegie Mellon. To enroll in our comprehensive overseas education consultancy services, book a free consultation or call us at 91-20-67444222.

Fall 2025 MS Applications: Tips for Writing a Resume

Dilip Oak's Academy

A resume, much like other application documents, is designed to address the core question: “Why should you be chosen?” While the SOP, recommendation letters, and transcripts offer broader insights, the resume delivers the most concise yet comprehensive answer. To serve its purpose effectively, a resume must showcase your key accomplishments and qualifications in a clear, focused, and concise format. This allows it to deliver a compelling snapshot of your strengths as a candidate, effectively persuading the Admissions Committee of your suitability for selection.

Here are some tips that will help your resume to achieve its intended goals:

Focus on Achievements

Highlight accomplishments that showcase your impact, using specific details and measurable results. Admissions committees appreciate evidence of problem-solving, leadership, and innovation. 

For example:

Instead of: Worked on a project to improve maintenance efficiency. 

Write: Developed a machine learning model to predict equipment failures, reducing downtime by 30%.

Quantify Results

Use numerals wherever possible to emphasize the scale of your contributions. Percentages, rankings, and numerical achievements make your resume stand out. 

For example: Ranked in the top 5% of a class of 120 students; achieved a GPA of 9.2/10.

Keep It Brief

Admissions officers review numerous applications. Aim to fit your resume onto a single page by using abbreviated sentences and prioritizing key information. 

For example:

Instead of: I was awarded the first prize for my final year project titled ‘Robotic Arm for Assembly Line’ in Robocon 2024

Write: 1st prize, Robocon 2024 for ‘Robotic Arm for Assembly Line’ (final year project)

If you’re preparing your MS application for Fall 2025 and need expert guidance, visit Dilip Oak’s Academy today. Our experienced counselors are here to help you craft a winning application package, from resumes and SOPs to university shortlisting and more!

Use Bullet Points Effectively

Break up dense text into clear, concise bullet points to improve readability. Begin each bullet point with strong action verbs that convey responsibility and impact: 

Designed, implemented, analyzed, collaborated, optimized, conducted, presented 

 For example, it is much easier to read the following:

  • Used critical path analysis and PERT techniques to finish the project 10 days before the submission deadline and within budget. 
  • Applied ergonomic criteria to analyze worker fatigue and reduced productivity
  • Automated the process, resulting in a 233% increase in the job tightening rate from 18 to 60 jobs/hour

Proofread Meticulously

Typos and inconsistencies can weaken your application. Follow these tips:

  • Check spelling and grammar mistakes
  • Capitalize only when necessary, i.e., avoid the use of capital letters for the names of subjects you have studied (e.g., computer architecture, digital signal processing) or hobbies (e.g., trekking, listening to music) etc.
  • Capitalize uniformly, i.e., write ‘Chemical Engineering’ or preferably ‘chemical engineering’; do NOT write ‘Chemical engineering’ or ‘chemical E’
  • Ensure verbs are in past tense for completed tasks and present tense for ongoing work.

Tailor for Academic Audiences

  • Find out how standard academic journals in your field write titles (some capitalize only the first letter of the title, some italicize the whole title etc.), but in general, remember that words like ‘in’, ’of’, ‘to,’ ‘and’ are not capitalized except when they are at the beginning of a title.
  • Use full forms, not abbreviations, for degrees and terms:
    • Write ‘Bachelor of Engineering’ and not ‘BE’
    • Engineering rather than ‘Engg.’
    • ‘and’ instead of ‘&’ etc.

Prioritize Relevant Information

Admissions committees look for experiences that directly relate to your chosen program.

Highlight: 

  • Research projects
  • Internships
  • Publications
  • Leadership roles in technical teams or organizations

Additional Key Considerations for Crafting an Impactful Resume

Beyond showcasing achievements and formatting effectively, there are several other crucial aspects to ensure your resume leaves a lasting impression:

Avoid jargon: Always remember that a simple, precise, original, and honest resume makes a much greater impact on the recruiter than one dotted with jargon and unnecessary fancy words. Keep it simple, comprehensive, and realistic.

Leave no gaps in work history: At times, certain work experiences may be omitted intentionally or unintentionally. However, noticeable gaps in your work history can act as significant deterrents and raise concerns. To avoid this, ensure your work history is listed chronologically and includes all relevant experiences, leaving no room for doubt.

Ensure your information is legally accurate: This is a very important point to consider. Make sure everything you write in the resume is authentic, verifiable, and legally accurate and will stand up to background checks. Even minor discrepancies serve as red flags and threaten your chances of getting a good admission.

Make sure your resume is “easy on the eye”: Many times, people are inclined to use fancy resume templates with a variety of colors, fonts and designs because they think it keeps the reader hooked. However, it has the opposite impact. A gaudy resume distracts the recruiter. Hence, it would be best if you kept it very decent and easy to scan and absorb.

The recruiter typically spends as little as 15 seconds and no more than 2 minutes assessing whether you are the right fit. So make sure you provide everything necessary to be noted in this brief time.

A strong, tailored resume reflects your readiness and enthusiasm for graduate studies. Pair it with a stellar SOP and letters of recommendation for a winning application package. Good luck with your applications!

At Dilip Oak’s Academy, our expert counselors provide personalized guidance to help you identify and highlight your achievements, structure your work history effectively, and tailor your resume for academic audiences. In addition to resume building, our counseling services extend to a range of application needs, including crafting a compelling Statement of Purpose (SOP), writing strong letters of recommendation, university shortlisting, and visa assistance. Join our counseling services for expert guidance and resources to boost your chances of success and confidently navigate the competitive application process!