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Chapter V: Application Process
Pre-application
This section is for students who wish to apply to a university themselves, without the help of a consultant, such as F1study.com. The first step of the application process is for students to get the application forms from the universities of their choice. Once they have decided on a set of prospective universities, they must collect information such as the department's general queries e-mail address. Most universities send an application form upon request, but some universities require prospective students to fill out an online request. Many universities do not send applications or brochures to international locations, so students are required to print the form off of the website. It is always preferable to apply through online applications.
For Fall semester admission, students should start requesting forms in January or February of the previous year. For Spring semester admission, the application should be completed by August. As the application package takes a minimum of one month to arrive, it is advisable to do it early. Keep tabs on the universities, and if they do not respond within a couple weeks, re-send the request.
When applying to several different universities, it might be a good idea to create a separate email account for the entire application process. This will prevent other miscellaneous emails from getting mixed up with important ones.
Choosing a University
Choosing a university from overseas is a very difficult task. There are over 4,000 U.S. universities, and they all offer a wide variety of courses. The following information is important criteria to consider when choosing a university:
- Academic Importance: Students should choose a university that offers a degree in the field of study that they wish to pursue.
- Course Emphasis: Some universities offer a fixed course curriculum while some offer independent study, which allows students to choose their own subjects. Go through the course catalogue and course descriptions to gain a clear understanding of the types of courses offered.
- Accreditation: In the U.S., accreditation is used to assure quality in educational institutions and programs. Accreditation is a voluntary, non-governmental process of peer review. It requires an educational institution or program to meet certain defined standards or criteria. Students should always choose to attend an accredited university.
- Cost Factor: Study the fee structure printed in most university prospectuses carefully and estimate the cost of living, insurance, and other expenses.
- Type of University: U.S. universities are either private or state-supported. In general, the tuition fees at state-supported universities are less expensive than private universities. International students are charged "out-of-state" tuition rates, which are higher than in-state rates but still much less than most private universities.
- Financial Aid: Getting Financial Aid from the university can lower the tuition rate. Check with the present students of the school or the school officials about the possibility of scholarships, loans, and assistantships.
- On-campus Jobs: The U.S. allows international students to work up to 20 hours per week, which can help to cover monthly living expenses. Most on-campus jobs are awarded through the university's Financial Aid Office.
It is up to each individual student to decide which criteria is most important when choosing a university. Consultants like F1study.com can help students narrow down the choices by listing important factors. The goal is to help students find the best university for them. F1study.com also provides information about university fees, available programs, financial assistance opportunities, campus jobs, and the cost of living.
Applying
Applying to a U.S. university is a very different from applying to universities in other parts of the world. Getting admitted in a U.S. university is not an easy task. Even though it takes lot of hard work, the results are rewarding. There are over 3,000 accredited colleges and universities in the U.S. that accept international students. Other than this, there are nearly 2,000 private and community colleges, many of which are as good as the state-supported schools. Students should choose the university that fits their needs and goals the best. The best way for a student to begin his or her search is to first decide on a Major. Then he or she can research colleges and universities that specialize in the chosen field of study.
Students planning to pursue their degree in the U.S. should start their preparatory work at least 6-7 months before they plan to begin their studies. In the U.S., there are two admission times per year. Classes for the Fall semester begin in August and classes for the Spring semester begin in January. Most students typically begin in the Fall semester.
The expert F1study.com panel will guide students through each step of the admission process. For more information on the admission process, visit F1study Students Forum or F1study FAQs.
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