Graduate School Admissions in the US

Getting accepted as a graduate student into an American college or university requires a lot of effort and time spent on demonstrating a student's suitability, preparedenss, competency and commitment, including:

• Identifying and complying with deadlines
• Compiling necessary documentation
• Diligently filling out substantial paperwork
• Taking standardized assessment tests
• Communicating regularly with government offices both in the US and the student's home country
• Diligently following up on each step, to make sure everything gets done according to the timeline

Although completing each step thoroughly is not a guarantee admission, it demonstrates a sincere desire to succeed and a respect for the opportunity to be a student in the US, both of which are held in high regard by graduate admissions committees.

Graduate Admission Application Timeline

It will take more than a year to complete the application process, including the necessary student visa. It is recommended that international graduate students plan ahead 18 months or more in order to have a wider range of choices in financial assistance opportunities and programs.

Starting 12-18 months prior to arriving in the US at the beginning of the target academic year (usually August or September), graduate students should:

1. Conduct initial research on graduate programs - Interview faculty members and professionals in the desired field for guidance on selecting a graduate program. Identify academic researchers who are conducting research of similar interest, and talk with those professors and students in the program for additional insight.
2. Compile a preliminary list of schools - Select 10-15 schools of interest. Consider location, tuition, access to faculty, current areas of research, testimonials, rank on lists (and the criteria used), online study options, tuition and fees, financial assistance opportunities, student services, ease of transportation, availability of housing, and cost of living in the surrounding community. It's essential that any program be accredited by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Read more about the importance of program accreditation and about accreditation in the US in general.
3. Identify key deadlines - In addition to application and financial aid form deadlines, consider registering for any required standardized tests (such as the TOEFL, SAT I, SAT II, and/or ACT). Deadlines for test registration are 5-6 weeks before the test date, and the test date should be at least six weeks in advance of application and financial aid deadlines. Test registration forms are available online or they can be requested from any school that requires them.
4. Look into financial aid opportunities - Research financial aid offered through the graduation program or school, home country and US government aid, assistance from international organizations, and funding from local community or family members. Apply for scholarships, grants and other means of assistance.

Between September and December:

1. Narrow down list of preferred schools - Conduct online research and/or order university catalogs to narrow down choices to 5-10 schools. Applications can be time consuming, and usually involve a fee, so thorough research is advised. Make note of application deadlines.
2. Compile application forms - Applications and financial aid forms are frequently available online, or they can be requested from a school's admissions office. Make a checklist of all forms, supplemental documentation, and application fees to make sure everything is included properly. Be sure to spell a student's name the same way on each document to avoid delays. Avoid abbreviations. A form may have a field for Social Security Number, but one is not required.
3. Take standardized tests - Choosing to send the scores at test time, rather than at a future date, can prevent delays and additional costs.
4. Order school transcripts - Request official transcripts from postsecondary schools. The transcript should be sent directly by the school on letterhead with the school stamp, or may be sent to the student in a sealed envelope to be forwarded without opening.
5. Obtain letters of recommendation - Schools typically provide a recommendation form that can be given to faculty members and advisors. In addition to the form, give each reference a stamped, addressed envelope, a written reminder of the deadline, and plenty of time to send in his or her recommendation. Ask them to sign the envelope's sealed flap.
6. Send applications and follow up - Complete and submit applications for admission and financial aid. Be sure to include copies of test results, as some schools can begin processing an application with just copies. Keep copies of all records, forms and documents to avoid potential delays. Make sure transcripts, test scores, application forms and reference letters are received and processed.

Between April and June:

1. Make a final decision - Acceptance or denial letters will arrive, followed by information on financial assistance, orientation, health insurance and housing. Make a final school selection, and confirm acceptance by returning any forms and required deposits. Be sure to send letters of regret to other schools so that slots can be opened to other candidates. Return unused student visa Certificates of Eligibility.
2. Organize finances - Transfer funds to a US bank, and make sure to have money for travel and expenses related to arrival.
3. Receive SEVIS Form I-20 from Foreign Student Advisor - Foreign Student Advisors assess whether students who have been admitted meet student visa requirements. To those students who meet the requirements, including sufficient income as documented with a Declaration and Certification of Finances or Affidavit of Financial Support form, they issue the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant [F-1] Student Status (or Form DS-2019).
4. Finalize housing and other services - Make payments and complete forms for housing, health insurance, meals and other university services.

Between June and August:

1. Demonstrate SEVIS requirements are met - Complete SEVIS Form I-901 using information from Form I-20 or DS-2019, and include payment for the fee, as soon as possible.
2. Fill out application for student visa - After the payment receipt for the I-20 and SEVIS I-901 is obtained, promptly apply to the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy for a visa. This should be done as early as possible from the planned date of departure, as it can take quite a while to be processed.
3. Arrange travel - Discount travel rates are available through StaTravel, a travel agency operated by the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE).
4. Communicate travel plans - Confirm finalized travel plans with the school's International Student Office (this is important in order to protect the status of a student visa). Verify student orientation details.

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