S u p por

EducationUSAb

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eU.S. D e p art m entofto Studyin the United States

2

GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDYAND RESEARCH

If You Want to Study in the United States: Graduate Study

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
U.S. Department of State

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If You
Want
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Study
in theUnitedStatesBooklet 2
Graduate and Professional Study and Research

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Acknowledgments
This four-booklet series, published under the title If You Want
to Study in the United States, was produced by the U.S. Departmentof State’s Educational Information and Resources Branch.
The booklets are also available on the Internet at http://www.
educationusa.state.gov. This current edition is an updated
version of the original project coordinated by Evelyn Levinson in 2000-2001. The update project was administeredby the College Board Office of International Education
through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Departmentof State. Carol Blythe and Janine Farhat thank Coleen Gatehouse for her organization and editing and Rolando Ribera
for his cover design.
The Department of State wishes to thank the following
individuals from around the world who contributed theirtime, expertise, and talents to this series:
Kathleen Alam
Evelyn Levinson
Ellen Badger
Amy Lezberg
Martin Bennett
Diana Lopez
Louise Cook
Ted Mashima
Juleann Fallgatter
Michael McCarry
Julia Findlay
Beryl Meiron
Judy Freudenberger
Martyn J. Miller
Coleen Gatehouse
Terhi Molsa
Nancy Gong		Barbara Nichols
Joanna Graham
Roberta Paola
Sharon Grodzielanek
Dawn Piacentino
Sandarshi Gunawardena
Rohayma Rateb
Linda Heaney
Laura R. Ruskaup
Lisa Henderling
Sohair Saad
Lia Hutton		Jaylene Sarrasino
Judith Irwin		
Bethany Shaw
Michelle Johnson
Sharon Snyder
Rekha Kalle		
Karen Solinski
Nancy Keteku
Peter Storandt
Ann Kuhlman
Rosalie Targonski
Gaston Lacombe
James Vaseleck
Carolyn Lantz
JoAnn deArmas Wallace
Maria Lesser
Harold Woodley
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Preface
Graduate and Professional Study and Research is one of aseries of four introductory booklets produced by the U.S.
Department of State to provide objective and practical advice to prospective international students and scholars on
studying in the United States. The booklets may be downloaded from the Internet at www.educationusa.state.gov,
and print copies are available at EducationUSA advisingcenters worldwide. To find the center nearest you, contact
a U.S. embassy or consulate, or consult the list available on
the EducationUSA website.The four booklets cover the following areas:

Undergraduate Study
How to choose and apply to U.S. bachelor’s and associatedegree programs, plus information on technical and vocational educational opportunities in the United States.

Graduate and Professional Study and Research
How to research and apply to U.S. master’s, doctoral degree, and postdoctoral programs, plus information on certification and licensing procedures for professionals who wish
to further their education or practice in the United States.

Short-Term Study, English Language Programs,
Distance Education, and Accreditation
Information on opportunities to study in the United States
for up to one year, plus an overview of studying toward a
degree, diploma, or certificate from outside the UnitedStates through distance education programs. The booklet
also includes detailed information on accreditation of U.S.
higher education institutions.

Getting Ready to Go: Practical Information for
Living and Studying in the United States
Help with planning your move to the United States after
you have been accepted to a U.S. university or college. Thisbooklet provides advice on applying for a visa, moving to
the United States, and what to expect when you arrive on
campus.

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The United Sta te

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ta tes of America

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Contents
Introduction		Why Study in the United States?
EducationUSA Advising Centers
Useful Websites

Chapter 1

Graduate Education in the
United States

10

13

Graduate Degrees
Master’s Degrees
Doctoral Degrees
Academic Calendar
Course Load and Grading Systems
Colleges, Universities, and Institutes:
The Distinction
Private and Public Institutions
Distance Education
Non-degree Study at a U.S. University
Useful Websites
Chapter 2

Choosing the Best Graduate
Programs for You

20

Defining Your Education andCareer Goals
Finding the Right Program
Sources of Information to Help
You Choose
Other Considerations
Deciding Where to Apply
Useful Websites
Chapter 3

Admission Requirements andEntrance Examinations

30

Academic Background
Graduate Admissions Tests
English Proficiency
Test of English as a Foreign Language 		
(TOEFL)International English Language Testing 		System (IELTS)
Useful Websites

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Contents
Chapter 4

Preparing Successful Applications

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The Application Process
Requesting Application Materials
Registering for Admissions Tests
Completing and Returning Application 		
Materials
Application Form
Application Fee
Transcripts
Test Score Reporting
Personal Statement or Statementof Purpose
Recommendations
Financial Statement
Deadlines and Submission
The Admissions Process
Interviews
Acceptance
Useful Websites
Chapter 5

The Application Process:
A Timetable and Checklist

46

Chapter 6

Funding Graduate Study

49

Planning Ahead
Calculating Your Expenses
Tuition and Fees
Living Costs
Financing Your Education
Assessing Personal Funds
Identifying Sources of Financial
AssistanceWriting a Research Proposal
Useful Websites

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Contents
Chapter 7

Student and Exchange Visitor
Information System (SEVIS) andStudent Visas

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Student and Exchange Visitor
Information System (SEVIS)
Visa Types
Procedures for Your Country
Applying for a Student Visa:
A Step-by-Step Guide
Visa Refusals
Useful Websites
Chapter 8

U.S. University Life

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Arrival in the United States
Orientation
International Student Advisers (ISAs)
University Housing
Money and Banking
Health Insurance
Extracurricular Activities
Useful Websites
Chapter 9

Specialized Professional Study

69

Dentistry
Medicine
Nursing
Veterinary Medicine
Law
Useful Websites
Chapter 10

Opportunities for Scholars

86

Academic Environment
in the United States
Finding and Arranging
Academic Opportunities
Obtaining Funding
Other Considerations
Useful Websites

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Contents
Appendices

Glossary of Terms

95

Additional Resources

105

Index

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Introduction
Thousands of colleges and universities offer graduate degrees, specialized professional education, and opportunities
for scholars to pursue their academic and professional goals
in the United States. This vast choice means there are programs available to meet everyone’s needs, but how can you
find the best program for you? This booklet aims to give you
the knowledge you need to make the right choices and theconfidence to prepare successful applications.

Why Study in the United States?
Here are just a few of the reasons why more than 600,000
international students from around the world are furthering
their education in the United States:
Quality: U.S. colleges are known worldwide for the quality of their facilities, resources, and faculty. Accreditation
systems ensure that institutions continue to maintain thesestandards.
Choice: The U.S. education system is unrivalled in the
choice it offers in types of institutions, academic and social
environments, entry requirements, degree programs, andsubjects in which to specialize.
Diversity: You can find a mix of people from all different
backgrounds and all corners of the globe on U.S. campuses;
more than 600,000 international students come to study in
the United States each year.
Value: As an investment in your future, a U.S. degree offers
excellent value for the money. A wide range of tuition fees
and living costs, plus some financial help from universities,
make study in the United States affordable for thousandsof students.
Flexibility: Students in the United States may choose frommany courses within their university and have the option tomove from one institution to another.
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Introduction
EducationUSA Advising Centers“It is difficult to overestimate the help and support I got
from the advising center. The center was my first andprimary source of information about the American educational system. The books, magazines, and the Internet
access at the center proved extremely useful, and the staff
assisted me very much in achieving my goals.”— Business student from Russia

Choosing the best programs for you and preparing successful
applications will require commitment and careful planningon your part, but in almost every country there are specialized
advisers who understand your needs and can help you. Information and advice on study in the United States are available
to you from a network of nearly 450 EducationUSA advisingcenters worldwide. Admissions test information, directories,
and program guides are available at the centers. You can also
meet trained educational advisers who want to help you andyour family with the process of choosing and applying to U.S.
universities. Some centers also run events like college fairs
or seminars. Introductory information in the form of video
or group presentations, website access, and independent resource libraries is available free of charge, but payment may
be required at some centers for additional services.
All EducationUSA advising centers are supported by the
U.S. Department of State, with the goal of providing objective information on the range of study opportunities available in the United States; however, the names of the centers
and the organizations that run them vary from country tocountry. To locate the center nearest you, contact your closest U.S. embassy or consulate, or consult the list available
on the EducationUSA website (http://www.educationusa.
state.gov).
Good luck with your applications!

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Introduction
Useful Websites
EducationUSA
http://www.educationusa.state.gov
If You Want to Study in the United States On-line
http://www.educationusa.state.gov (Click on “If You Want toStudy.”)
Directory of EducationUSA Advising Centers
http://www.educationusa.state.gov (Click on “Find an AdvisingCenter.”)12

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Graduate Education in the
Chapter 1 UnitedStatesGraduate Education
		 in theUnited States

Education in the United States
will almost certainly be different from the system offered inyour country. This chapter gives
an introduction to the graduate
degrees available in the UnitedStates, the different types of institutions, and some key terms
and ideas you will come across
if you want to study at a U.S.
university.
Graduate Degrees
The two graduate degrees offered in the United States are themaster’s degree and the doctoral

degree; both involve a combination of research and coursework.
Graduate education offers agreater depth of training thanundergraduate education, withincreased specialization and intensity of instruction. Study andlearning are also more self-directed at the graduate level thanat the undergraduate level.
Graduate courses assume that students are well prepared in the basic elements of their field of study.
Depending on the subject, courses
may be quite formal, consisting
primarily of lecture presentations

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Graduate Education in the
Chapter 1 UnitedStatesby faculty members, or they may
be relatively informal, placing emphasis on discussion and exchangeof ideas among faculty and students. Seminars involve smallergroups of students than lecture
courses and may require students
to make presentations and participate in discussions. Class participation, research papers, andexaminations are all important in
graduate education.
Master’s Degrees
The master’s degree provides additional education or training in a
specialized branch of knowledge,
well beyond the level of a bachelor’s
degree. Master’s degrees are offered in many different fields, andthere are two main types of programs: academic and professional.
Academic Master’s: The masterof arts (M.A.) and master of science (M.S.) degrees are usuallyawarded in the traditional arts,
sciences, and humanities disciplines. The M.S. is also awarded
in technical fields such as engineering and agriculture. These
programs usually require one or
two academic years of full-time
study beyond a bachelor’s degreeand may lead directly into doctoral programs.
Many master’s programs offer athesis and a non-thesis option. The
14

degree is the same in both cases,
but the academic requirements
are slightly different. Students in
non-thesis programs usually takemore coursework in place of researching and writing a thesis, andthey take a written comprehensive examination after all coursework is completed. Students indegree programs that include athesis component generally takea comprehensive oral examination
covering both coursework and the
topic of their thesis.
Professional Master’s: These
degree programs are designed
to lead the student from the first
degree to a particular profession.
Such master’s degrees are often
designated by specific descriptive
titles, such as Master of Business
Administration (M.B.A.), Master of Social Work (M.S.W.),
Master of Education (M.Ed.), or
Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.).
Other subjects of professional
master’s programs include journalism, architecture, and urban
planning. Professional master’s
degrees are oriented more toward
direct application of knowledge
than toward original research.
They are more structured thanacademic degree programs andoften require that every student
take a similar or identical program of study that lasts from one
to three years, depending on theinstitution and the field of study.

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Graduate Education in the
Chapter 1 UnitedStates

One main difference between
master’s programs is whether or
not they are designed for students who intend to continue
toward a doctoral degree. Thosethat do not lead into doctoral
programs are known as terminal
master’s programs. Most professional master’s degrees fall under
this category. Some departments
only admit potential doctoralcandidates, although they may
award a terminal master’s degree
to students who complete a certain level of coursework but do
not go on to pursue a doctorate.
Other departments require amaster’s degree as part of the requirements for admission to theirdoctoral programs.
Check with the programs you
are considering to determine
the structure and admissions
policies for master’s and doctoralcandidates.

degree awarded in academic disciplines. In professional fields,
other doctoral degrees include theDoctor of Education (Ed.D.) andthe Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.).
To receive a doctoral degree,
candidates must pass a comprehensive, or “qualifying,” examination, usually after three to five
years of study and completion of
all coursework, and when the student and adviser agree that thestudent is ready. This exam is designed to test the student’s ability
to use knowledge gained throughcourses and independent study ina creative and original way. Students must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of theirchosen field of study.

The doctoral degree is designed
to train research scholars and, inmany cases, future college anduniversity faculty members. Receipt of a doctoral degree certifies that a student is a trained
research scholar in a specificdiscipline.

After finishing their coursework
and passing this exam, students
must complete an original pieceof significant research, write a dissertation describing that research,and successfully defend their work
before a panel of faculty members
who specialize in the discipline.
This may take an additional twoto three years. To earn a doctoral
degree, therefore, may take anywhere from five to eight years
beyond the bachelor’s degree, depending on the field of study.

The Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) is the most common doctoral

There are also many nontraditional doctoral programs in the

Doctoral Degrees

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Graduate Education in the
Chapter 1 UnitedStatesUnited States; these programsmight have very different typesof requirements from traditional
programs. Before applying to any
program, make sure you knowwhat is required to enter it andobtain a degree. This information
is usually available from university
catalogs and websites or directlyfrom individual departments.
Academic Calendar
The academic year in the United States generally lasts ninemonths, from late August or
early September until the middle
or end of May, and it may be
divided into two, three, or four
academic terms depending on theinstitution. Short breaks occur
during both fall and spring terms,
between terms, and on public holidays. An optional summer term
is often available for students whowish to continue courses or accelerate their program.
It is best to start a program in thefall term (beginning in August/
September). Many courses must
be taken in sequence, and you
may lose time in completing yourdegree if you start in anotherterm. It is easier to become accustomed to studying in the UnitedStates and meet other students inthe department if you start at the
beginning of the academic year.
Scholarship opportunities may
16

also be more readily available tostudents starting in the fall rather
than midyear. (See chapter 6,“Funding Graduate Study,” forfurther information.)
Course Load and Grading
Systems“Course load” refers to thenumber of courses students takeeach term. The normal course
load for a graduate student isthree or four courses per term.
Under the Student and Exchange
Visitor Program (SEVP), theU.S. Department of Homeland
Security requires that international students take a course loadthat is considered full-time bytheir institution.
Passing grades are typicallyawarded on a scale of “A” through“D,” and “F” indicates a failing
grade for a course. An average
grade of “B” is usually the minimum required for completion ofa graduate degree program. Other grading systems may include: agrade-point scale from 0 to 3, 4,or 5; a pass/fail system; or othervariations.
Credit, course load, grading systems, and requirements vary between institutions. Make sure you
know the policies of an individual
program and institution before
you apply.

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Graduate Education in the
Chapter 1 UnitedStatesColleges, Universities, andInstitutes: The Distinction
Degree-granting institutions in
the United States can be called byany of these terms, and colleges
and institutes are in no way inferior to universities. As a generalrule, colleges tend to be smaller
and usually offer only undergraduate degrees, while universities alsooffer graduate degrees. The words“school,” “college,” and “university” will be used interchangeably
throughout this booklet. An institute usually specializes in degree
programs in a group of closely related subject areas, so you will likely come across degree programs
offered at institutes of technology,
institutes of fashion, and institutesof art and design, among others.
Within each college or university you will find schools, suchas the school of arts and sciencesor the school of business. Eachschool is responsible for the degree programs offered by thecollege or university in that areaof study. Research centers offer graduate degrees or researchand training opportunities, andthey may or may not be affiliatedwith universities.
Public and Private Institutions
Both public and private universities offer graduate degree

programs. The terms “public”
and “private” refer to the way
universities are financially supported. Public universities may
also be called state universities,
and some include the words“state university” in their title
or include a regional element(for example, East Carolina
University or Western Connecticut State University). State
universities tend to be very large
with enrollments of 20,000 or
more students. Since public universities obtain a part of theirsupport from the state in which
they are located, the tuition theycharge is often lower than thatcharged by private institutions.
In addition, public institutions
generally charge lower tuition
to state residents (those who live
and pay taxes in the state) than tostudents coming from outside thestate. In most cases, international
students are considered out-ofstate residents and therefore do
not benefit from reduced tuition
at state institutions. A small number of institutions offer in-state
tuition to international students
through sister-city/country arrangements or because they havespecial agreements with institutions in other countries. Check
with your EducationUSA adviser to see if your country, or an
institution in your country, hassuch agreements with partners in
the United States.

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Graduate Education in the
Chapter 1 UnitedStates

Tuition fees tend to be higher at
private universities than at state
universities, and all students pay
the same tuition. Institutions witha religious affiliation and singlesex institutions are private. In
general, private universities haveenrollments of fewer than 20,000
students, and private colleges may
have 2,000 or fewer students on
their campuses.
Except for financial considerations, the public or private nature of a university should not bea factor in selecting a graduate
program. High quality programs
exist in both types of institutions.
Distance Education
Distance education is a popular
way to study for anything from ashort-term professional course toa graduate degree in the UnitedStates. Under the distance education model, students do notattend classes in a classroom on
campus; instead, classes are delivered “from a distance” throughthe use of technologies such as theInternet, satellite television, videoconferencing, and other means ofelectronic delivery.
For international students thismeans they can study for a U.S.
degree without leaving theirhome country, though they may
have to go to the United States
18

for short periods of face-to-facecontact and study on the campus. Studying for a degree using
distance education requires
students to be self-disciplined,
committed, and able to work on
their own. If you are considering
distance education, you should
thoroughly research the qualityof the program, the accreditationof the institution in the UnitedStates, and its recognition in yourhome country to be sure that thisoption is appropriate for your future goals. Further information
on distance education is provided
in Booklet Three of this series,
Short-Term Study, English Language Programs, Distance Education, and Accreditation.
Non-degree Study at a U.S.
University
Do you want to study at a U.S.
college or university, but not fora full degree? Perhaps you want toexperience life on a U.S. campus,
while improving your knowledgeof certain subjects. This is certainly a useful addition to youreducational experience, and U.S.
colleges welcome such students.
Write to colleges, explain yoursituation, and request information on applying for “special
student” or “non-degree student”
status. See Booklet Three of thisseries for more information on
short-term study opportunities

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Choosing the Best Graduate
Chapter 2 Programs
for Youin the United States, and refer tochapter 4 in this booklet for further details on requesting information from U.S. universities.

• It is also possible to study at thegraduate level in the UnitedStates as a non-degree-seeking“special student.”

Review• Institutions vary considerably insize and location. They may beprivate or public, designations
that indicate only the sources offunding for the institution andnot the quality or range of programs they offer.

• The two graduate degrees offered in the United States are
the master’s degree and thedoctoral degree. Both include
coursework and independent
research. The length of time tocomplete a degree varies considerably between programs:
from 12 to 24 months for amaster’s degree and from five toeight years beyond a bachelor’s
degree for a doctoral program.
• Master’s degree programs canbe either academic or professional, and they may or may not
be designed to lead students to adoctoral degree. Check university catalogs and departmental
descriptions carefully to determine the structure of the programs that interest you.

Useful Websites
EducationUSA
http://www.educationusa.state.gov
America.gov – Education and Youth
http://www.america.gov/amlife/
education.html
U.S. Network for Education
Information
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/
ous/international/usnei/edlite-index.html
Distance Education and Training
Council
http://www.detc.org

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Choosing the Best Graduate
Chapter 2 Programs
for You			 Choosing
		 the Best			 Graduate
		 Programs				 for You“Look at pictures, download
videos, and try to become familiar with the school. Picture
yourself on the campus. If you
don’t like the picture, then try
another one!”— Management student from Brazil

Selecting a graduate programfrom thousands of miles awaypresents some challenges — especially when there are so many
to choose from in the UnitedStates. But if you plan ahead anddo your research carefully, youwill come up with a manageable
list of programs that match yourneeds. This chapter discusses
20

several factors to consider whenchoosing a graduate institution
and offers guidelines on where to
get further help and information.
Finding the right academic andpersonal match requires carefulplanning, research, and networking. No special formula or answer
applies to everyone. You should
begin 12 to 18 months before
you wish to start studying in the
United States.
Defining your Education andCareer Goals
Defining the goals for your education and career will help you select the most appropriate gradu-

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Choosing the Best Graduate
Chapter 2 Programs
for You

ate programs and motivate you
through the application process.
It will assist you in writing application essays that ask you to explain
your career goals and how they relate to your application for graduate study. Be sure to research thequalifications for careers thatinterest you and whether or not
U.S. credentials are recognized inyour home country.
To help define your education andcareer goals, ask yourself thesequestions:• What career do I want to pursue? Is employment available in
my country in this field? Whatadvanced degree is required toenter this profession?
Speak to people already working
in the field and to representatives of professional associations.
Educational advisers or careeradvisers in your country may
have information about the skills
and background required forvarious professions, as well as thedemand in your country for professionals in different fields.
• How will study in the UnitedStates enhance my career? Willa graduate degree help me earna higher salary?
Consult educators, government
officials, and working profes-

sionals in your country about
the value of U.S. study for youat this stage in your career, including any increased earningpotential. Take into accountrevalidation or certification requirements for employment inyour particular field when you
return home.
• What is the system of recognition for U.S. degrees in mycountry?
In many countries, a U.S. degree
is highly valued, and recognitionof degrees is straightforward. In
some countries, however, graduate degrees from the UnitedStates may not be officiallyrecognized, or they may berecognized at a different level. Check with your nearest
EducationUSA advising center or with the ministry ofeducation or other appropriate
authority before you begin yourapplications.
Finding the Right Program
Deciding on a program is one of
the most important decisions you
will make. Think carefully about
what you wish to accomplish
and find out about the types ofprograms that meet your needs.
Identify institutions that offer
your subject area and any specializations you wish to pursue

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Choosing the Best Graduate
Chapter 2 Programs
for You

within that subject area. Finding
the right academic “match” between you, the department, andits faculty can be the key to a successful graduate experience in the
United States. Be sure to look at
the individual programs, not justinstitutions, since no one school
can excel in all disciplines; many
excellent graduate programs areavailable at lesser-known schools.
Sources of Information to
Help You Choose
EducationUSA AdvisingCenters
There are EducationUSA advising centers in almost every country in the world, and they are
the ideal starting point for yourresearch. EducationUSA centers
usually have a library with directories, university catalogs, introductory guides, handouts, andreference books to assist you in
applying to programs of study in
the United States. Most centersoffer Internet access and havecomputer-based search packages to help you choose the best
programs for you. Many havealso developed guides, videos,
and websites specifically tailored
to students applying from yourcountry. They all have trained
staff who can answer your questions in person, by telephone, orby e-mail.
22

Printed Directories
There are several general directories that list institutions by degree program and include helpful
articles on graduate study (see the“Additional Resources” list at theend of this booklet). Professional
associations also publish directories of university departments in
the United States, including information on different specializations
and faculty research interests. University catalogs provide the most
specific information about institutions and their programs. You canfind these directories and catalogs
at EducationUSA advising centers
and in some university libraries.
Contacts
Discuss your plans with faculty
members at your undergraduate
institution and with students who
have studied in the United States.
They are likely to have their own
U.S. contacts and may have suggestions for universities to consider. Contact universities in the
United States directly with questions about their programs or tocommunicate with international
students currently enrolled in the
programs you are considering.
College Websites and E-mailAlmost every U.S. university has
a website with information about

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Choosing the Best Graduate
Chapter 2 Programs
for Youdegree programs, application procedures, academic departments,
facilities on campus, and othertopics. Many sites include a copyof the college catalog and e-mailaddresses for current students(including international students)
who can answer your questions.
If you don’t find this informationon the website, ask the admissions
office.
Web-based Search Tools
Some websites are independentof colleges and universities andallow you to search for programsby subject area, by geographic
preference, or by a range of othercriteria that you specify — visit
the EducationUSA website andclick on “Find a U.S. College or
University” to get started. Remember that you will be receiving
a degree from and spending mostof your time with students andfaculty from within your graduate program, so you should decideon the type of program you needfirst, then consider the criteria described below.
Before beginning an online
search, think about the kind ofexperience you are looking for in
the United States: Do you want tolive in a big city, or do you prefera more rural or suburban location? Do you want to attend an
institution that has tens of thou-sands of students, or are you looking for a small or mid-size college
or university? (Keep in mind that
individual graduate programs canbe quite small or very large, regardless of the size of their hostinstitution.) Do you need accessto facilities that could supplement
your academic studies, such as
museums, other universities, orplaces to conduct field research?
By answering these questions andothers you can refine your search
criteria and generate a list of
schools closely matched with yourneeds.
Social Media Tools
Students can access information
about U.S. graduate programs
through a variety of technological tools and formats. Online
videos, social networking groups,
podcasts, and blogs about life on
U.S. campuses offer genuine stories and experiences directly fromstudents. EducationUSA advisingcenters can assist you in finding
these resources.
EducationUSATV, a channel on
YouTube, broadcasts videos produced by EducationUSA advisingcenters to help students throughthe search process — from taking
standardized tests, to completing
applications and essays, to securing scholarships and financial aid,
to applying for student visas, to

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Choosing the Best Graduate
Chapter 2 Programs
for You

attending pre-departure orientations. Videos posted by universities give you the chance to see whatthese institutions think are theirbest qualities. Social networking
groups allow you to interact withadmissions representatives or tocommunicate with current students. Podcasts provide helpfuladvice on navigating the application process or allow prospective
students to listen to classroom
lectures. Blogs give a student perspective of what day-to-day life islike at different universities. We
encourage you to explore all thesetools as you search for the rightschool for you.
U.S. College/University Fairs
and Visits
If you cannot visit the UnitedStates, university representatives
may come to visit you. Your nearest EducationUSA advising center
can tell you about upcoming fairs
or other types of visits that give
students an opportunity to speakwith admissions officers face-toface. Many of these take place inthe spring or fall of the year before
you intend to start your studies,
so it is important to start your research early. Admissions officers
who attend these fairs are eager
to get to know you and to findout why you are interested in theirprograms. Find out which schools
are attending the fair ahead of
24time so you can do some researchon those institutions.
U.S. admissions representatives
also give presentations at EducationUSA advising centersthroughout the year when they
visit other countries. These presentations explain the admissions
process and what it would be liketo be a student on specific campuses and in specific programs.
A list of fairs around the world isavailable on the EducationUSA
website.
Campus Visits
If you are able to take a vacation
to the United States before you
begin graduate studies, this could
be a great opportunity to visit the
programs you are considering.
Many schools organize tours led
by current students; check withthe admissions office for further
information. Visit the academic
and housing facilities, the student
union, and the library to get agood sense of the campus. Talk tocurrent students in the programs
you are considering.
Educational Consultants andRecruiting Agents
In many parts of the world, private
agents or agencies work to recruit
international students into U.S.
universities. There are also pri-

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Choosing the Best Graduate
Chapter 2 Programs
for Youvate educational consultants whocharge a fee to assist students withthe process of choosing programs
and compiling applications. Often these educational consultants
and private agents are graduatesof U.S. institutions or people whoare dedicated to promoting thebenefits and advantages of the
U.S. education system. Sometimes, however, they are not, so
it is important to check the credentials and past performance of
educational consultants or agents
before using their services. Sometimes agents or consultants promise things — like being accepted
at certain schools — that theycannot deliver. If you do decide
to use the services of an agent, be
actively involved in the process,and be sure to understand whatthat person or company is realistically able to deliver.
If you have found a recruiting
agent or consultant who is helpful, well informed, and dependable, he or she may be very usefulin helping you select and apply tograduate programs in the UnitedStates. Be careful, however, tolook for verifiable signs of theagent’s or consultant’s past success with students from yourcountry. Ask for a list of names
and addresses of references, particularly current students. Write,
e-mail, or telephone some of thesestudents to get their opinion of

their program and the services
they received from the agent or
consultant. Such precautions areespecially important if the agent
or consultant charges expensive
fees for his or her services. Always
check with an unbiased source(such as an EducationUSA advising center) to ensure the legitimacy and accreditation status of
the programs you are considering.
Other Considerations
Accreditation and Recognition of Degrees
An important indicator of thequality of any U.S. university is its
accreditation status. Unlike manyother countries, the United States
does not have a central government
office that approves educational
institutions. Instead, it relies on asystem of voluntary accreditation
carried out by non-governmental
accrediting bodies to ensure that
schools meet standards.
While almost all U.S. colleges
hold widely recognized forms ofaccreditation, accreditation in the
United States is a complex area;
there are different types of accreditation and a large number ofaccrediting bodies. There is also
no legal requirement that degreeoffering institutions be accreditedor hold a particular form of accreditation. Because of this com-

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Choosing the Best Graduate
Chapter 2 Programs
for Youplexity, you should check carefully whether a degree from theinstitutions you are applying towill be recognized by your homecountry government and any relevant professional associations,ministries, or employers. You
should also talk to graduates who
have returned to your country to
see if they have been successful
in applying degrees earned fromsuch institutions to their chosen
professions.
EducationUSA advising centers
can advise you regarding recognition of U.S. degrees in yourcountry and tell you whether
a U.S. degree-offering institution is appropriately accredited.
More detailed information on
the topic of accreditation can befound in Booklet Three of thisseries: Short-Term Study, English
Language Programs, Distance Education, and Accreditation.
Internship or Overseas Study
Programs: Many U.S. universities have incorporated internship(voluntary or paid work placements) or overseas study (“study
abroad”) programs into their curriculum that may be of interest toyou, particularly if you are undertaking a professional master’s degree program.
Size: Some institutions are small
and offer degrees in one or two
26

fields of study; some are verylarge and offer degrees in many
fields. When choosing where to
apply, you should consider thesize of the institution, as well as
the size of the department anddegree program. A large institution may offer better academic
facilities, while a small institution
may offer more personal services.
The same is true of the size ofthe degree program. A large program that has many students may
not provide the individual attention you need; however, there
may be more diversity within thefaculty and student body, andmore assistance may be available
from other students. A small
degree program may not expose
you to as wide a range of views
in your chosen field, but may provide more individual attention
and access to professors.
Location: Think about the typeof environment in which you
would like to study. Would you
prefer to live in a large city, or
would you be more comfortable
in a small town? City-based
campuses offer a variety of eating, entertainment, cultural, andshopping facilities. Rural universities may be quieter, and students may be more involved withthe people and institutions intown. Keep in mind accessibility to local facilities and services
that could be useful to you in

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Chapter 2 Programs
for You

your studies. For example, if you
wish to enter an art program,does the school offer programs
that involve students with nearby
museums and art galleries? If you
are accustomed to a warm climate, you might consider studying in a part of the United States
known for mild weather. Or, if
you prefer colder temperatures,
you might consider an area witha cooler climate.
Student Services: U.S. universities offer students a variety ofservices such as international student offices, campus orientation
programs, counseling services,
legal aid services, housing offices,varied meal plans, health centers, tutoring facilities, English
as a Second Language programs,
writing laboratories, and career
counseling. Compare facilities
among universities to find theservices that meet your specificneeds.
Students with Disabilities: If
you have special needs, make surethat the university you choose canaccommodate you. Request information at least two years before
you plan to leave for the UnitedStates and give brief details ofyour disability and the assistanceyou need.
Some colleges offer comprehensive programs for students withlearning disabilities, while others make a limited number of
special services available to such
students. You and your family
should look at the services offered and compare them to yourneeds. Find out which services
are provided automatically andfree of charge, and which services need to be pre-arranged
and incur a charge. If possible,
contact a current student who
has a similar disability, and visit the campus if you can. With
proper documentation, students
with disabilities can request special facilities or extended time totake graduate admissions tests
and course examinations during
the academic year.
Rankings: Although many organizations and publications dorank universities, there is no official list of the top universities
in the United States. The U.S.
government does not rank universities. Many rankings are subjective and may be based on criteria that do not include academic
standards or general reputation
as primary factors. Be particularly wary of rankings that do not
explain the criteria on which they
are based. The more establishedrankings can provide a starting
point for your search, but the“best” institution is the one that isright for you based on the factors
suggested in this chapter.

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Chapter 2 Programs
for You

Deciding Where to Apply
Once you have a list of institutions
that offer your field of study andany relevant specializations, youwill need to compare the objective data among these institutions.
Do not rely solely on rankings or
ratings of institutions to do this;
there is more to choosing theright department than choosing
the most well-known or selective
university. Keep in mind that adepartment’s reputation relies
heavily on the reputation of its
faculty. Sometimes it is more
important to study under a particular person than it is to study at auniversity with a prestigious name.
Remember that assistantships andfellowships are often based on theright “match” between student
and faculty research interests.
Good advance research can help
you find the schools with departments and faculty that meet youracademic and professional goals,
and it may enhance your chancesof obtaining financial assistance.
You may find it useful to make acomparison chart listing the differences among universities withrespect to:• research programs and facilities,
including libraries and computer facilities;• size of department (students and28

faculty) and size of institution;• qualifications of the faculty;• accreditation of the institution
and, if applicable, the department or program;• course and thesis requirements;• length of time required to complete the degree;• academic admission requirements, including required testscores (see chapter 3 for further
information), degrees, and undergraduate grade average required;• cost of tuition, fees, books, etc.;• availability of financial assistance (see chapter 6 for further
information);• location, housing options, campus setting, climate, and cost ofliving; and• international student services
and other services available on
campus.
Narrow your choices to those thatmeet your personal and professional
needs, that you can afford to attend,
and for which you are qualified foradmission. See chapter 4, “Preparing
Successful Applications,” for further
guidelines.

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Chapter 2 Programs
for You

Review• Define your educational and career goals to help you select themost appropriate programs.
• EducationUSA advising centers
can provide information andadvice about degree programs
and other aspects of study in the
United States.
• Directories and websites areuseful sources of information,
but you should also speak tofaculty at your institution and to
students who have studied in the
United States.
• Attending U.S. university fairs
and visiting campuses is anotheruseful way to help identify suitable programs.
• Rankings may be helpful, butthey should be used with caution
and in conjunction with othermore objective data.
• Always check the accreditation status of degree programs
to which you are considering
applying and find out if the degrees will be recognized in yourhome country.

of financial costs and assistanceavailable, admission and degree
requirements, the composition of the faculty and student
body, and campus services andfacilities.
Useful Websites
Directory of EducationUSA AdvisingCenters
http://www.educationusa.state.gov(Click on “Find an Advising Center.”)
University of Texas at Austin Databaseof U.S. Universities
http://www.utexas.edu/world/univ/
state/The Princeton Review
http://www.princetonreview.com/
Council for Higher Education
Accreditation
http://www.chea.org
U.S. Department of Education
Database of Accredited Postsecondary
Institutions and Programs
http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/
Mobility International USA(Information for Students with
Disabilities)
http://www.miusa.org• Once you have identified a listof programs that offer your subject area and specialization(s),compare the programs in terms
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Admission Requirements andChapter 3 Entrance
Examinations

		 Admission		
Requirements		and			 Entrance		 Examinations

The main requirements for admission to a graduate program in
the United States are:• a strong academic background;• demonstrated command of the
English language; and, for many
programs,• scores on one or more standardized admissions test.
Academic BackgroundTo be eligible to apply for a graduate level program, you should30

have completed, or be about tocomplete, a first academic or professional degree. In the UnitedStates this typically takes four
years of university study to complete, giving U.S. students 16
years in total at school and university. If your first academic degree
required only three years of study,
if you have completed only 14 or
15 years of school and university
study combined, or if your degree
study involved courses in only asingle technical field, check withan EducationUSA adviser about
whether you will be eligible foradmission to graduate degree pro-If You Want to Study in the United States: Graduate Study

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Admission Requirements andChapter 3 Entrance
Examinations

grams in the United States. Notethat although all U.S. universities
follow the same general guidelines, they may differ in the levelat which they recognize a particular degree from your country.
Graduate school applicantsshould have excellent grades,
particularly in their chosen fieldof study. Most graduate departments require a minimum grade
average equivalent to a U.S. “B”
in undergraduate work. Staff at
EducationUSA advising centers
can tell you the equivalent to thisgrade average in your own educational system. Proven researchability or relevant work experience also increases your chancesof admission at the graduate level.
Graduate Admissions Tests
Most graduate departments require scores on at least one academic admissions test: either ageneral test such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)General Test, which measuresverbal reasoning, quantitative
reasoning, critical thinking, andanalytical writing skills, or anachievement test in your fieldsuch as a GRE Subject Test.
Most business schools require theGraduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), which includes an analytical writing assessment plus quantitative and verbal

sections, but increasing numbers
have also begun to accept GRE
General Test scores. The Miller
Analogies Test (MAT), whichmeasures analytical thinking
through problems stated as analogies, may be required in fields
such as education and psychology. Professional schools such as
schools of law, medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine havespecial examinations; see chapter 9, “Specialized Professional
Study,” for further information.
Check with the programs you
are considering to find out if you
need to take one or more of thesetests. Individual institutions andgraduate school guides often givethe test score ranges of successful
applicants to different programs.
It is important to note that testscores are only one of the factors
used in evaluating applications.
Admissions officers are awarethat you may be taking the examinations in a language otherthan your native tongue, and they
will take this into account. There
are no passing or failing scoreson these examinations, but yourscore will have an effect on theoverall competitiveness of yourapplication.
Plan to take the appropriate examinations one year before you
hope to start your graduate program. Remember that at busy

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Examinations

times of the year you may not beable to take the test immediately,
so register early. For more information or to request registrationand test preparation materials,
visit the website for the test you
need. You can also find information at your nearest EducationUSA
advising center.

that does not offer the Internetbased TOEFL or the IELTS, you
can contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS) at toefl@ets.
org to request the Test of Spoken
English (TSE). Allow several additional months for the application process if you are applying
for a teaching assistantship.

English Proficiency

If you are a non-U.S. citizen andnon-native speaker of English
who has been educated in English
for most of your school life, theEnglish Language testing requirement may be waived. Be sure to
ask the institutions to which youplan to apply about this well inadvance of application deadlines.
U.S. universities are unlikely to
accept secondary school English
language examination results as
proof of your language ability.

To complete graduate study in
the United States successfully,
you will need to be able to read,
write, and speak in English witha high degree of proficiency. English language proficiency will also
help you achieve your academic
and personal goals while in the
United States.
To determine your level of English language proficiency, arrange
to take one of the tests mentioned
below as early as possible and at
least a year before you plan to enroll. Each institution sets its own
English language admission standard, so check with the programs
you are considering about theirindividual requirements.
If you are applying for a teachingassistantship, the university may
ask you to demonstrate your proficiency in spoken English. Boththe TOEFL Internet-based test
and the IELTS include speaking
sections. If you live in a country
32

Test of English as a Foreign
Language (TOEFL)
The TOEFL measures the abilityof non-native English speakers
to communicate in an academic
setting.
The TOEFL Internet-based test
(iBT) has four sections: reading,listening, speaking, and writing.
Candidates have up to four hours
to complete the test, which is administered via computer from asecure Internet-based testing network through certified testing sites.

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Admission Requirements andChapter 3 Entrance
Examinations

The
paper-based
TOEFL(TOEFL PBT) provides TOEFL
testing in areas where TOEFL
iBT is not available and to supplement the TOEFL iBT test center network. The paper-based
TOEFL does not include a speaking section. If you choose to takethe TOEFL, but live in a country
that does not offer the TOEFL
iBT, you can contact ETS at
toefl@ets.org to request the Testof Spoken English (TSE) to evaluate your oral proficiency.
TOEFL registration is available
online, by phone, and by mail, andpre-registration is required. At
certain times of year, or in certain
cities, centers may become full,
so be sure to register early. For
more information about registration, test dates, test preparation,and other issues, visit the TOEFL
website at www.ets.org/toefl orcontact your nearest EducationUSA
advising center.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
IELTS is a paper-based test thatassesses English language ability
in reading, listening, writing, andspeaking.
The reading and writing portions of IELTS are available intwo versions: Academic andGeneral Training. The listening

and speaking modules are thesame in both versions. Test takers interested in entering higher
education programs or pursuinga license in the healthcare professions usually take the Academic
version of the reading and writing modules. The General Training version is for test takers whoneed to use English daily for functional activities, secondary education, vocational training, work
purposes, or immigration.
For registration information
please visit the IELTS website
at www.ielts.org. The website
includes a downloadable “Information for Candidates” booklet,
plus a list of IELTS centers, test
dates, and the cost of the test in
local currencies.
Review• To apply for a U.S. graduate
degree program, you must havecompleted or nearly completed
a first academic or professional
degree, and you must haveearned good grades.
• If English is not your first language, you will need to complete the Test of English as a
Foreign Language (TOEFL) or
the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
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Admission Requirements andChapter 3 Entrance
Examinations

out their English language proficiency requirements.
• If you are applying for a teaching assistantship, some graduate
departments may require you
to prove your English speaking
ability. Both the TOEFL iBTand IELTS measure this. If you
choose to take the TOEFL, but
live in a country that does notoffer the TOEFL iBT, you cancontact ETS at toefl@ets.org
to request the Test of Spoken
English (TSE), which evaluates
oral English proficiency.
• Many U.S. graduate degree
programs require applicants tosubmit scores from a standardized admissions test, most commonly the GRE General Test
for academic programs andthe Graduate Management
Admission Test (GMAT) for
business programs. Some aca-

34

demic programs also requireapplicants to take a GRE Subject Test.
• Register for admissions tests
early and prepare for themat least one to two months inadvance.
Useful Websites
GMAT
http://www.mba.com/mba/thegmatGRE
http://www.ets.org/gre
IELTS
http://www.ielts.org
Miller Analogies Test
http://www.milleranalogies.com
TOEFL
http://www.ets.org/toefl

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Chapter 4 Preparing Successful Applications

Preparing
Successful
Applications

		“It is important that your dedication to your field resonate inyour application. Be sure andexplain any academic difficulties you might have experienced
and what you did to correct
them. Extracurricular activities
give the admissions committee
an idea as to the type of personthat you are.”— Medical student from Ghana

You should now have a short listof degree programs that matchyour needs, interests, and abilities. You should also feel confi-

dent that you have the minimum
entrance requirements for studying in the United States and thatyou can meet the costs of a U.S.
graduate education. Now it’stime to start putting together
your applications. This chapter
gives practical information andadvice to help you prepare successful applications to the programs of your choice.
The Application Process
The entire application process,from obtaining initial information to applying for your stu-

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dent visa, should begin 12 to 18
months before you wish to start
studying in the United States. See
chapter 5 for a summary of thetime frame for applying to U.S.
universities to make sure you
understand what you need to do
and when. It may be possible tocomplete the process in less than
12 months, but late applicants
usually find they have a more
limited choice of institutions, andeven more limited chances of receiving financial assistance.
Requesting Application
Materials
Most students limit their applications to between four and sevenprograms. Request informationfrom as many schools as you like,then narrow down your list once
you have read through the information you receive. Almost all
graduate program websites allow
prospective students to request
information online or to e-mailadmissions staff directly. If you
have access to the Internet, thisis the easiest way to send yourinquiry, and programs are usuallyquick to respond.
U.S. universities often include
their catalogs on their websites,and some have even stopped
printing paper copies. Many programs also have online applications. If there is an online appli36

cation, you should use it. This is
the quickest method for submitting your application.
If you must communicate with aschool via regular mail, use theaddress for the university givenin the reference books available
at your local EducationUSA advising center and be sure to include the name of the appropriate office or department on theenvelope.
If you plan to apply to highly competitive institutions or to seek financial assistance, request information at least 18 months before
you plan to enroll. In other cases,
send your first inquiry 12 months
before you plan to enroll. Giveyourself sufficient time for possible delays in international mail,especially if you are posting applications or requesting informationin November or December when
the high volume of holiday mail in
the United States can often double the length of time mail takes
to reach its destination.
Registering for Admissions
Tests
If you are planning to enroll ata university in September (fallsemester), take required tests nolater than January in the same
year, and preferably earlier. Findout whether you need to takeIf You Want to Study in the United States: Graduate Study

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the GRE General Test, a GRE
Subject Test, the GMAT, orsome other admissions test. (Seechapter 3 for further informationon these tests.)
If English is not your native
language, register to take the
TOEFL or the IELTS. (Seechapter 3.) As with the academic
admissions tests, make sure yourtest results reach universities
before their deadline dates. If
you believe that you qualify for
an English-language proficiency
waiver, contact universities directly and well in advance forfurther details. At least one totwo months before the test dates,
find out about test preparationmaterials and any other help you
need. Your EducationUSA advising center can give you further
information.
Completing and Returning
Application Materials
Once you have received information from the universities, readeverything thoroughly. Most
schools require similar information but may ask for it in different
ways. You will usually be asked toprovide the following items.
Application FormYour application form should beneat and clear to create a good

impression. You should fit yourinformation into the application
form provided and only use additional pages where necessary.
Keep your personal information consistent, and always spell
your name the same way on all
documents to help schools keep
track of your application materials more easily. Do not worry
about providing a Social Security Number — either leave thesection blank or write “none,”
according to the instructions.
Avoid abbreviations; it is betterto write the full names and addresses of your schools, employers, examinations, and awards.
Always provide information
about your education or employment experience in either chronological or reverse chronologicalorder. You will also be asked
when you want to start yourstudies and the degree you hope
to receive.
Application Fee
Almost all gradate programs
charge a non-refundable application fee that covers the costof processing your application.
It must be paid in U.S. dollars
by check drawn on a U.S. bank,by international money order,
or by credit card. Check the school’s
application form, website, or catalog for the current cost as well as
acceptable forms of payment.

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Transcripts
Transcripts are a record of yourpast education and include a listof classes that you have taken inundergraduate programs, when
you took them, and the grades
you received for each class. You
will be required to provide thisrecord as you apply to graduate
programs.
For international students, U.S.
colleges sometimes provide
special forms on which school
authorities are asked to write
your grades and describe youracademic performance relative
to other students. If such forms
are not provided, your school will
still be expected to submit official
documents that provide this kindof information on letterhead paper with the school stamp. If theadmissions officer requests an explanation of the grading and classranking system or descriptions ofclasses taken or subjects you havestudied, this information should
be furnished by an official of yourschool, if possible. U.S. admissions officers prefer that transcripts of previous educational
work be sent with your application in a separate envelope sealedby your school, or sent directlyfrom the school.
U.S. colleges will either evaluate
your grades and documents them38

selves or pay an outside company,
called a credential evaluator, todo so. They sometimes requireinternational applicants to pay
for the evaluation of documents.
As requested, send certified copies of your original diplomas, degrees, or professional titles, andcopies of full records of your performance in any comprehensive
examinations administered inyour home country. Do not send
original documents unless there is
no alternative; usually they cannot
be returned. Copies should becertified with an official seal fromthe school or university, or certified by a public official authorized
to certify such documents.
If English translations are necessary, you may use the servicesof a professional translator, or
you may translate the document
yourself. Such translations mustalso be certified by an acceptableagency. Some EducationUSA
advising centers translate andcertify documents to assist you
with the application process; they
may charge for such services.
Do not attempt to convert yourschool results and courses into
U.S. terms. Instead, try to provide as much background information as possible on the grading system used and the types of
diplomas, certificates, or awards
granted.

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Chapter 4 Preparing Successful Applications

Test Score Reporting
When you apply to take theGRE, GMAT, MAT, TOEFL,IELTS, or other examinations,
you should know to which universities you wish to apply. You willsave time and money by requesting the scores at test time rather
than at a later date. When you
submit an application, include aphotocopy of your test score reports if possible. The admissions
office can then more easily matchyour application with the officialscores when they arrive. In someinstances, the office may begin
processing your application with
only the photocopy.
Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose
Almost all graduate programs ask
applicants to submit a personalstatement, or statement of purpose, as part of the application
process. The personal statement
gives universities a glimpse of you
as an individual, an insight thatis not possible in the grades andnumbers that make up the rest of
your application. Write a clear,concise, and persuasive statementthat sincerely reflects your views
and aspirations. The admissionscommittee that reviews applications wants to see if there is agood match between you and thedepartment or school and wheth-er the degree program can meetyour needs.
The statement of purpose is an
important part of the applicationand is an opportunity for you to
distinguish yourself from otherapplicants. The personal statement is not meant to be an autobiography in chronological order;
instead, use your imagination tocome up with an interesting format and content that will maintain the reader’s interest.
Consider the following four questions when writing your statementof purpose:• Why do you wish to pursue a
graduate degree, and why now?
The university will often ask
about your career goals and how
they relate to your past experiences and your decision to apply
for graduate study.
• What are your academic or
research interests? The admissions committee will be looking
for a good match between you
and the department to ensurethat they can satisfy your interests. They are also looking fora demonstration of intellectual
maturity and understanding ofyour field.
• Why are you applying to thisparticular institution and de-If You Want to Study in the United States: Graduate Study

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Chapter 4 Preparing Successful Applications

gree program? Tailor eachstatement of purpose to thespecific program and institution, including, if possible,references to professors you
wish to work with, courses you
wish to take, and unique facilities available at the institution.
Admissions officers want to
see that you have done carefulresearch about their program
and that you are a serious candidate.

• Make sure your statement is atrue representation of you andyour abilities — it is importantthat the essay be genuine andhonest.

• What can you contribute to
the department or programin terms of your background,abilities, or other special qualities and interests? Discuss any
relevant past experiences andachievements, as well as any
special qualities you feel you canbring to the program, such as
your international perspective.

• Get someone you trust to proofread each statement of purpose
for grammatical and spelling
errors. Make sure statements
are clear, interesting, and logically organized. The personalstatement is an important demonstration of your written communication skills.

Some general tips:• Make sure you answer the question asked. Once you have written an outline for a statement, goback and check that it answers
the question, then do the samewith each draft of your essay.
• Do not exceed the word limit
if one is given. Keep the statement to two or three sides of
paper (typed or word processedand double-spaced) if no limit isgiven.
40• Admissions officers read many
essays. Since some programs
are extremely competitive, try
to have an interesting first sentence that grabs the reader’sattention and makes the essay
more memorable.

Recommendations“Make sure you get recommendations from people who reallyknow you and your work. Askteachers who know you well towrite about you, about how you
approach your work, and how
you participate in class and in
extracurricular activities.”– Law student from Sri Lanka

You will usually be asked for atleast two recommendations. The
people who write your recom-

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Chapter 4 Preparing Successful Applications

mendations must be able to write
about your work and assess yourpotential to do well in graduate
school. If you are applying foran academic degree program,ask professors who have taught
you in the past to write your recommendations. If you are not a
recent graduate, one recommendation can be from an employer.
For professional programs, references from both employers andprofessors are acceptable.
Some universities send recommendation forms with the application; if so, ask your recommenders to use these forms andto follow the instructions printed on them. If there are no specific instructions, ask three orfour professors, administrators,
or employers who know you
well to type letters on their own
letterhead in English, and either
place them in a sealed envelope
for you to send with your application or send them directly tothe university.
Your recommenders may wish toinclude:• a statement about the type andamount of experience they havewith your academic work or employment;• an estimate of how your work
compares with others in thesame field with whom they haveexperience;• an assessment of your particularstrengths;• your rank in their class, department, or university, if they knowit; and/or• an assessment of your researchexperience and ability.
U.S. universities expect letters ofrecommendation to emphasize astudent’s positive qualities and tobe longer and more detailed thanmight be customary in your homecountry. It is important to understand these cultural differences
when choosing your recommenders. Poorly written, negative, orlate recommendations will reflect
on your judgment in picking referees. Recommendation forms
may ask a list of questions or justone general question.
Since recommendations carryconsiderable weight in the admissions process, take the time tobrief your recommenders about
your plans, where you would liketo study, and why.
A recommendation form may
include a waiver where you canrelinquish your right to see whatis written about you. If this option is offered, most admissions

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Chapter 4 Preparing Successful Applications

officers prefer you to waive yourright so that recommenders may
feel more comfortable when writing their evaluations. Admissions
officers usually interpret waived
recommendations as more honest. If your recommendations
must be sent directly from yourreferees, it is common courtesy
to give them stamped, addressedenvelopes. Allow plenty of timefor your referees to write theirrecommendations, and remindthem to sign the sealed flap ofeach envelope before mailing it to
an institution.
Financial Statement
Most universities include a form
called a “Declaration and Certification of Finances” or “Affidavit of Financial Support” in theirapplication packets. Your parents,
or whoever is paying your college
expenses, must sign this and haveit certified by a bank or lawyer.
Keep a copy of this form since
you will also need it to apply foryour student visa. Schools usually need to know that you haveat least the first year’s expenses
covered, although many may also
ask you to indicate your source ofincome for the entire period ofstudy. If you know when you apply that you will need some formof assistance from the college, indicate how much you plan to request from the university.
42

Some academic departments or
schools decide whether to admit
students without taking into account their need for financial aid.
Other schools and departmentswith limited or no financial aid
available give higher priority toapplicants who do not need financial support from the university.
Deadlines and Submission
Each graduate department withina university sets its own deadline
date and is usually firm about not
accepting applications after thattime. For the fall semester, which
begins in late August or early
September, deadlines are usually between January and March,
although they can be as early as
November or as late as June or
July. If an institution indicatesthat it operates “rolling admissions,” late applicants may still
have a fair chance of acceptance.
In this case, a university admits
and rejects candidates until the
program is filled. It is nonethelessa good idea to submit your application as early as possible.
Some universities accept enrollment for any of their terms, although many institutions preferto enroll graduate students for thefall term. For schools that operate
on a semester calendar, midyear
admission is some time in January.
Universities that use the quarter

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Chapter 4 Preparing Successful Applications

system may offer admission bothin the winter term (January) andthe spring term (March). The
precise date differs for each institution. Deadlines for midyear
admissions are usually six to ninemonths in advance of enrollment.
If you are applying for admission
in January, take admissions tests
at least six months beforehand.
It is your responsibility to ensurethat all documents, application
forms, references, and official testscore reports reach the universities safely and on time. Often
the closing date for students fromother countries is earlier than for
U.S. students. Applications forscholarships or fellowships must
often be submitted earlier thanapplications for admission.
If possible, send all required documents — including certified academic credentials and letters ofrecommendation that have beenplaced in sealed envelopes — together in one envelope. (Someinstitutions require this.) Attach anote to any documents that bear adifferent name or different spelling from the standard one thatyou are using, and give the samefirst, second, and family name you
used on your application form.
Always use the name as printed inyour passport if possible.
Send your application by registered mail or by courier, or sub-mit the electronic application andmail all supporting documents.
Keep copies of your applicationand documents so you can supply
another set of information quickly if something gets lost. Three tofour weeks after submitting the
documents, contact the university
to confirm that your applicationis complete. Allow at least six toeight weeks after completion of
the application for a decision to
be made. Some programs andinstitutions may take as long as
three to four months to makeadmissions decisions, and many
institutions review all completed
applications at the same time andissue acceptances between Marchand May.
Throughout the application
process, do your best to comply
with instructions. If you cannot
complete a procedure or obtaina particular document, explain
your situation in a letter and send
it to the school along with a letterfrom the relevant authorities thatcan support or authenticate yourproblem. Sometimes accommodations will be made for difficult
circumstances.
The Admissions Process
No uniform procedure exists forgraduate admissions in the United States. The graduate admissions office almost always shares

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Chapter 4 Preparing Successful Applications

the responsibility for admissions
with the academic departments,and most commonly there is a
graduate admissions committee
for each department made up of
faculty members, graduate admissions office staff, and sometimes current students. The roles
and the relative authority of thegraduate admissions office andthe academic departments, as wellas the relationship between them,vary markedly from institution to
institution. To make your admissions experience more positive,
it is a good idea to network withboth the graduate admissions office and your specific department
of interest from the beginning of
the process.
In addition to looking at whether
your personal and professional
goals and background match adepartment’s academic and research objectives, admissions officers consider two other factors
when evaluating applications.
First, because graduate student
research can be highly specialized,
it is important to make sure thatfaculty and resources are available
to support a potential applicant’s
proposed program of study. A department may suggest that you be
admitted because your researchinterests match well with thoseof a particular faculty member,or may advise against admission
because faculty members and re44

sources for your research are lacking. Second, since faculty members review applications to decide
who should receive research orteaching assistantships, departments often look for applicants
who can teach or do research inparticular areas.
Interviews
U.S. universities are rarely able
to interview candidates outside
the United States, although business schools or other professional
programs occasionally send admissions officers on international
recruitment trips to conduct
interviews with applicants. International students are not at
a disadvantage because they areunable to be interviewed, but if
you are offered the chance to havean interview in your country, do
not refuse the opportunity; it is agood way to learn more about theschool and its programs.
AcceptanceIf you plan to begin studies in
September, you should hear fromthe universities you applied to by
May of the same year. Institutions usually hold places for accepted applicants for a short period of time only and may ask you
to send a deposit if you wish to
accept their offer. If you receive
more than one offer of accep-

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Chapter 4 Preparing Successful Applications

tance, write to the universities you
turn down so they can make offers to those students still on waiting lists. Return unused student
visa Certificates of Eligibility tothose schools as well.

• Make sure your applications
are complete and include thecorrect application fee in U.S.
dollars. Make copies before
sending applications to theUnited States.

Review• Send applications to the universities by courier or registeredairmail, or complete and submit the electronic applicationand mail supporting documents.
Check with each institution to
make sure your applications arecomplete.

• No uniform procedure exists
for graduate admissions in the
United States. The admissions
process may vary between universities and from department
to department within a particular university.
• Start the application process 12
to 18 months before you wish tostart your studies in the UnitedStates.
• Read program materials carefully to identify the institutions
that best meet your needs and towhich you have a good chance ofadmission.
• Register for required admissions tests early and take themwell in advance of universities’
deadlines for receiving scores.
• Allow plenty of time to prepare for tests, to write personalstatements tailored to each university, to request official transcripts from your undergraduate
institution(s), and to brief yourrecommenders fully.

• Send a letter of acceptance tothe institution you wish to attend and letters of regret tothose you turn down. Return
any official documents to institutions that you will not attend.
Useful Websites
Council of Graduate Schools
http://www.cgsnet.org (Click on “Resources for Students”)
GradSchools.com
http://www.gradschools.com
Peterson’s
http://www.petersons.com
The Princeton Review
http://www.review.com

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Application Process:Chapter 5 The
A Timetable and Checklist				

The Application
Process:
A Timetable				 and			 Checklist

The Application Process:
A Timetable and Checklist

applications to the universities ofyour choice.

Below is the recommended timetable for applying to universities in
the United States. It is sometimes
possible to complete the process
more quickly, but you may havea much more limited choice ofschools. Planning ahead gives you
sufficient time to make successful

12 TO 18 MONTHS PRIOR to
the academic year in which you
hope to enroll:46• Ask yourself:º Why do I want to study in the
United States?

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Application Process:Chapter 5 The
A Timetable and Checklistº Which universities offer mysubject and specialization?

• Identify your recommenders
and request letters of reference.

º Will I need financial assistance?

• Draft personal statements orstatements of purpose and research proposals, if required.

• Begin narrowing down yourchoices of schools to approximately 10 to 20 institutions andmake sure they meet your academic, financial, and personalneeds.
• Find out application deadlines.
This will affect when you takestandardized admissions tests.
• Register to take GRE Subject
Tests if required by the universities to which you are applying.
12 MONTHS PRIOR to enrollment (months indicated are
estimates):
August• Contact universities for application and financial aid forms
and catalogs.
• Register to take the TOEFL or
IELTS and the GRE General
Test, the GMAT, or other required admissions tests.
September — December• Request official transcripts
from
your
undergraduate
institution(s).

• Submit completed application
forms for both admission andfinancial aid.
• Double check that transcripts
and references have been sent.
• Take required admissions tests.
January — March• University application deadlines must be met; it is best to
apply well in advance of thesedeadlines.
April — June
• Letters of acceptance or rejection arrive. Decide which
university to attend, notify theadmissions office of your decision, and complete and return
required forms.
• Send letters of regret to those
universities you turn down andreturn your student visa Certificates of Eligibility to thoseschools.
• Organize finances (arrange totransfer funds to a U.S. bank;

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Application Process:Chapter 5 The
A Timetable and Checklist

make sure you have funds fortravel and expenses on arrival).
• Finalize arrangements for housing and medical insurance withyour university.
• Notify any sponsoring organizations of your plans.
June — August• Use information from yourForm I-20 or DS-2019 to fillout the SEVIS Form I-901 andpay the required SEVIS fee.
• Upon receipt of your I-20 and
SEVIS I-901 payment receipt,
apply to your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for a visa(see chapter 7 for more information).
• Make travel arrangements.
• Contact the International Student Office at your university

48

to tell them when you will arriveand confirm the details of newstudent orientations.
Getting Ready to Go
Once you know that you are going to study in the United States,
you will probably have questions
about visas, accommodations,health insurance, banking, how to
study, and other “pre-departure”
information. See chapter 8 in thisbooklet for further information,and refer to Booklet Four in thisseries, Getting Ready to Go: Practical Information for Living andStudying in the United States. Most
EducationUSA advising centersconduct pre-departure orientation presentations in the summer,and some offer sessions midyear as
well. Contact the nearest centerfor their schedule and to reserve
space for these popular events.
Some centers may charge a fee forthis service.

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Chapter 6 Funding Graduate Study		

Education in the United States
may seem expensive, but you haveprobably already realized that it
offers excellent value for the money invested. This chapter looks inmore detail at the costs of U.S.
graduate study and ways in which
you might cover your expenses,
including financial aid from universities and other sources.
Planning Ahead
Most institutions have committed all their scholarship and loan
funds long before the academic
year begins, so it is important tostart your search early if you hopeFunding			GraduateStudy

to obtain financial aid. You willneed to show proof to both thegraduate school admissions office
and your local U.S. embassy or
consulate that you have sufficient
funds to meet the total annual expenses as part of the student visa
application process. If you plan tobring a spouse and/or children
with you to the United States, youwill also need to prove in advancethat you have funds to support
your family.
Deadlines for scholarship andgrant programs can be as earlyas 18 months before departure.
As part of the application pro-If You Want to Study in the United States: Graduate Study

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Chapter 6 Funding Graduate Studycess, universities often require
students to complete a financial
statement that specifies how they
intend to cover their expenses.
Planning ahead will give youtime to research independentscholarships and to identify university programs that have funding available. If possible, contact
professors in your department
of interest at U.S. universities,
since professors play an important role in identifying grantand funding recipients in theirdepartments.

additional fee for health insurance, which is usually mandatory
for all students. Because tuition
and fees vary from school toschool and rise by an average of 5
percent each year, be sure to consult current college catalogs, websites, or other reference materials
available at EducationUSA advising centers for the latest figures.
Be sure to confirm current costswith the institution at the time
you apply.

Calculating Your Expenses

Living costs vary widely and depend on individual lifestyles. Living expenses are highest in large
cities, in California, and in the
Northeast. Costs can be much
lower in the South, the Midwest, and other areas. University
catalogs and websites are a goodsource of information on current
living costs. Within the total living
costs they quote, you will usuallyfind an approximate breakdownof costs for items such as room,board, books, medical insurance,and personal expenses. Your EducationUSA advising center may
also have information on the latest monthly living expenses by city
or institution.

The main costs involved in studying in the United States are tuition, fees, and living costs. Thesevary widely, so if you explore
several possibilities you can havesome control over the cost of youreducation. All U.S. universities
publish information on the costsof attending their institution andliving in their area of the country.
Consider the points outlined below in calculating your costs.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition is the cost of instruction,and fees are the costs associatedwith services such as the library,
student activities, or the healthcenter. International students are
required to pay both tuition andfees. Some universities charge an
50

Living Costs

When calculating your basic living expenses, remember to include the following in addition tofood and housing:If You Want to Study in the United States: Graduate Study

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Chapter 6 Funding Graduate Study

Books and Supplies: Colleges
estimate the cost for books andsupplies for the academic year.
Students studying in the UnitedStates must buy their textbooks,
and books can be quite expensive. Most institutions haveon-campus bookstores. Manyof these stores allow you to purchase used books at a lower cost,or to sell back your books at theend of a semester at partial value.
If you are planning to study in afield that requires special supplies, such as engineering, art,
or architecture, your expenses
are likely to be higher than the
average.

Financing Your Education

Transportation: The living costs
quoted by most universities do
not include trips between the
United States and your homecountry. Be sure that your annual budget includes expenses for
return travel between your homecountry and your college. If you
plan to live off campus and commute, you should also include thecost of traveling to campus eachday.

Assessing Personal Funds

Other Personal Expenses: Personal expenses include the cost ofbasic goods, clothing, and services. Health insurance is required.
If you have dependents (a spouse
and/or children) or special medical needs, you will need substantial additional funds.

• family assets: current holdings
in bank accounts, investments
in stocks and bonds, businessenterprises, debts owed to thefamily, and any other assets
from which money could be obtained through sales or loans inan emergency;

It is important to start yourfinancial planning at least 12
months before you intend to
study in the United States. Financing your graduate educationconsists of:• assessing personal funds;• identifying financial assistancefor which you are eligible;• compiling effective applications(see chapter 4); and• reducing educational costs.

Consider all the funds you haveavailable, and how much you candraw from each source. For example:• annual family income: theearnings per year of each member of the immediate family who
will provide money toward youreducation;

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Chapter 6 Funding Graduate Study• your own earnings until departure: savings from earnings,
gifts, investments, or property;• other sources: relatives in the
United States or a sponsor (individual, government agency,
or private organization) in yourcountry who has agreed to pay
all or part of your educational
expenses.
If you cannot pay the costs of yourstudy through the personal funds
you have available, you will need
to apply for financial assistance.
Identifying Sources of Financial Assistance
You can apply for financial assistance from a variety of sources;
however, it is important to apply
only for those funds for which
you are eligible. Competition
for grants is keen; an incomplete,tardy, poorly written, or messy
application could make the difference between receiving aid ornot. Plan ahead, plan well, prepare carefully, and follow instructions. Give yourself plenty of time
to put together a quality request
for financial assistance and submit it well ahead of all deadlines.
For further information aboutsources of financial aid, consult
the resources listed at the end of
this chapter. Your nearest EducationUSA advising center has a va52

riety of resources to help you findfinancial aid.
• Home-Country Sources: Ask
an EducationUSA adviser or
consult local contacts about
funding from government
scholarship programs, regional
assistance programs, local or
third-country organizations orbusinesses, banks, or religious
institutions that may offer aid
to graduate students from yourcountry.
• U.S. Government Assistance:
The U.S. Department of State’s
Fulbright Program, founded toencourage mutual understanding between the people of theUnited States and other countries, offers awards for graduate
study. There are many different types of awards, from travel
grants to grants that pay maintenance and study costs; theiravailability varies from country tocountry. Applicants must apply
to and be approved by appropriate agencies in their home country. If there is a Fulbright Commission in your country, inquire
about the types of grants available;
if not, any EducationUSA
advising center can help you
get further information, or you
can inquire at the public affairs
section of the U.S. embassy or
consulate. In some developing
countries, support for short-

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Chapter 6 Funding Graduate Study

term graduate study or master’slevel degree study may be available through other programs
sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Eligibility forthese programs varies, but ingeneral, local institutions nominate employees for training or
education that promotes a specified development goal.
While the U.S. Agency forInternational
Development(USAID) headquarters does
not provide tuition grants or
scholarships to individuals,
some local missions offer limited
funding for post-graduate training and education. Please contact the USAID office in yourhome country for information.
U.S. Department of Educationand state-based financial aid areavailable only to U.S. citizens.
Ask your local EducationUSA
adviser about other U.S. government-sponsored programsin your home country.
• Private U.S. Sources and International
Organizations:
Private U.S. agencies, foundations, business corporations, andprofessional associations often
award financial aid in the interest of furthering international
exchange. International organizations such as the United

Nations and the World Bank,and regional organizations suchas the Organization of American States (OAS) also provide
scholarship support. Visit theorganizations’ websites for more
information, or contact the local
mission.
Many private awards and grants
are directed toward particulargroups such as women, engineers, journalists, or students
from a particular country; read
carefully to see whether you
fit into any of the categories.
If an application requires thatyou write a research or project
proposal, make it clear, concise,and thoughtful. If possible, havethe proposal checked by a professional in your field who has
worked in the United States.
For more information, see“Writing a Research Proposal”
on page 56.
• U.S. Universities: About onethird of international graduate
students finance their studies through financial aid from
U.S. universities. Availabilityof financial assistance varies by
field of study, level of study,
and type of institution. Research universities are likely tohave the most funds available.
To identify universities that offer financial assistance, consult
university reference books or

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Chapter 6 Funding Graduate Study

computer search software at
the nearest EducationUSA advising center. You can also findinformation on financial assistance in university catalogs andon websites. Some university
reference books provide information on financial aid awarded
to first-year graduate students,
but these statistics include U.S.
students as well as international
students. All students, including international students, arerequired to pay U.S. income
tax on certain forms of graduate financial assistance, so if you
are awarded a grant be sure tocheck with the institution to see
if you are subject to taxation.
Keep in mind that some universities will give aid to students
only after they have successfullycompleted their first semester
or first year of study.
The main types of financial aid
available from universities are:
Fellowships: Departments
and institutions award fellowships on the basis of academic
merit, normally after the firstyear of study. Graduate fellowships may be modest, covering only tuition and fees, orfull grants, providing the costof tuition, fees, and monthly
stipends for maintenance. Fellowships rarely cover the total
cost of living and studying.
54

Assistantships: Assistantships
are the most common form offinancial aid for graduate students. These are cash awards
that require the performanceof services related to the fieldof study, usually about 20 hours
per week. Sometimes an assistantship carries with it a waiver(a remission or reduction) of
tuition and fees. Awards may
range from as little as $500 to
as much as $30,000 (or higher,
if high tuition costs are waived)for an academic year, so it isimportant to check what proportion of your costs the assistantship will cover. There areseveral types of assistantships:

Teaching assistantships may
be available for the first yearof graduate study in university departments with large
numbers of undergraduates inintroductory courses. Teaching assistants (TAs) supervise undergraduate laboratory classes, lead discussion
groups, or teach small classes.
Many universities requireteaching assistants to prove
they can speak English proficiently (either with TOEFL/IELTS results or via an interview) or to complete training
programs that prepare themto teach in the United States.
If you are interested in applying for a teaching assistant-

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Chapter 6 Funding Graduate Study

ship, be sure to mention inyour application any previous
teaching experience.

Research assistantships involve performance of researchservices related to your fieldof study. The advantage of a
research assistantship is thatit can be related to your thesis or long-term academic
interests. Research assistants(RAs) are chosen for theirdemonstrated research andinterpersonal skills, computerand writing ability, and experience working as part ofa team. Find institutions thathave grants in your field, andapply to these universities forresearch assistantships. If you
apply to institutions whose research funding matches yourinterests, professors who are
the principal researchers for
grants in your area will often
single out your application for
funding, especially if you have
proven research experience.
Administrative assistantships usually require 10 to
20 hours per week working
in an administrative office of
the university such as the International Student Office.
You will need to contact each
office individually at mostinstitutions, although a few
may have a central location

for applications. Read thematerial from each institution to learn where to send
applications.
To apply for university funding, find out which offices are
responsible for the various programs and request applicationmaterials. The graduate school
may control the funds, or the
department or program mayadminister them, or a combination of both. Read all information pertaining to funding
carefully, since the application
process can be complex andtime-consuming.
When you receive an offer,compare the total award package, including tuition and fees,
the amount of any stipend, thelength of award, and work responsibilities. If you receive
more than one offer, weighthe benefits of each. Never decide which institution to attend
based solely on the amount of anaward, since financial assistancehas nothing to do with the quality of the program. Selecting an
institution is a complex and important decision; be sure to takeall factors into consideration to
make the best choice.
• Employment: Current immigration regulations permit
international students in F-1

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Chapter 6 Funding Graduate Studyor J-1 student status to work
up to 20 hours per week while
school is in session and full-time
during vacation periods. After your first year of study, you
may apply to the Departmentof Homeland Security for permission to work off campus for
up to 20 hours per week whenschool is in session or up to fulltime during vacation periods if
you can demonstrate economic
hardship. You should note, however, that there is no guaranteethat this request will be granted.
If you are married and are in
the United States on an F-1 student visa (see chapter 7), your
spouse does not have permission to work. If you are in the
United States on a J-1 student
visa, your spouse is allowed torequest a temporary work permit. On-campus employment
is limited and competitive, andthe relatively low salaries do
not cover the cost of tuition andliving expenses. In addition,
graduate students are often so
involved with their academic
work that they do not have thetime required for a part-timejob. Employment in the UnitedStates cannot be used to demonstrate how you will pay the costsof study when applying for a student visa.
• Loans: Several lenders makeloans available to international
56

students. Consult your EducationUSA advising center for
information on loans for students from your country. Before
taking a loan, make certain you
know how you are going to repay it and how a loan will affectyour plans for future study andfor returning home.
Writing a Research Proposal
To receive funds for research or
study in the United States, someorganizations require that you
submit a carefully designed planfor your proposed research. Your
proposal will be competing withthose of other excellent scholars.
It is not enough to state your qualifications by simply citing yourdiploma, your position, or yourexperience.
When a department committee
or review board looks at research
proposals, it compares competing
proposals using several criteria: Is
the proposed institution appropriate? Does the institution haveresearchers who will be interested
in the project and able to supervise the work? If equipment isnecessary, is the right equipment
available, or are funds available forbuying it? Are library or researchcollection facilities adequate?
Does the applicant clearly show
the necessary background in education and experience to be able

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Chapter 6 Funding Graduate Study

to complete the research successfully? Has he or she demonstrated
research aptitude? (Supporting
documents or past papers arehelpful.) Is the proposal carefully
written and neatly presented?
The proposal should begin witha clear statement of goals of
the intended research project.
It should include a summary ofbackground information regarding the need for the research,highlights of related research(with a bibliography), a step-bystep description of the researchplan with expected results or
major theses, and a conclusion.
The proposal should be typed.
Is the proposed research significant, timely, and original?
Although creativity, originality, and substance are usually themost important criteria in choosing among proposals, disciplines
differ.

choosing programs of study(12 to 18 months before you
wish to study in the UnitedStates).
• Tuition costs vary from one institution to another, and cost is
not an indication of the quality of an institution. Living expenses vary depending on yourlifestyle and location.
• Carefully calculate the costs involved in U.S. study and yourpossible sources of funds to cover these costs. If you and yourfamily cannot meet the costs,
you will need to apply for financial assistance.
• Possible sources of financial assistance include: home government
scholarships, U.S. government
assistance, private U.S. sources
and international organizations,
U.S. universities, and loans.

Review• Many international students
finance their studies throughfinancial assistance from universities; however, availabilityof such funding varies considerably by field of study, level ofstudy, and type of institution.
Some institutions have only
limited funding available for international students.

• Start your financial planningat the same time you begin• The main types of university
financial assistance are fellow-

If you are applying for a grant or
program that supports development in your country, it may be
helpful if the research you propose
can be applied to your work after
you return to your home country.

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Chapter 6 Funding Graduate Study

ships, teaching assistantships,
research assistantships, and administrative assistantships. Make
sure you fully understand the
responsibilities involved and thelevel of funding offered before
accepting an award.
Useful Websites
EducationUSA Website — Financial
Assistance
http://www.educationusa.state.gov(Click on “For International Students,”
then “Finance Your Studies.”)
Institute for International Education —Funding for U.S. Study
http://www.fundingusstudy.org/

58

The Fulbright Program
U.S. Department of State
http://fulbright.state.gov/
Organization of American States“Educational Portal of the Americas”
http://www.educoas.org (available
in English, Spanish, Portuguese, andFrench)World Bank Institutehttp://wbi.worldbank.org (Click on“Approaches,” then “Scholarships.”)
The Foundation Center — Foundation
Grants to Individuals
http://foundationcenter.org/findfunders/fundingsources/gtio.html

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Student and Exchange Visitor Information
Chapter 7 System(SEVIS) and Student Visas				 Student					 and						 Exchange Visitor
			 Information
		
System (SEVIS)				 and			
Student Visas“Give the U.S. embassy no excuse to question your academic
standing, and show in as many
ways as possible that you will
return home.”– Computer science student from theUnited Kingdom

Congratulations — you have been
accepted by the university of yourchoice! You are thinking about
the courses you will take, thepeople you will meet, and the ex-citing experiences that lie ahead,but now you face two final tasks:
completing the SEVIS registration process and applying for yourstudent visa.
Student and Exchange
Visitor Information System(SEVIS)SEVIS is an Internet-based systemthat maintains data on foreign students and exchange visitors before
and during their stay in the United

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Student and Exchange Visitor Information
Chapter 7 System(SEVIS) and Student Visas

States. It is part of the Student
and Exchange Visitor Program(SEVP) managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The college you plan to attend will
begin the SEVIS process for you byentering basic information about
you, your program, how you plan
to finance your studies, and when
the program begins and ends. They
will then send you an I-20 form, aDS-2019 form, or an I-20M-N
form, depending on the type ofvisa you need. You must pay a
SEVIS I-901 fee and complete thisform before your visa interview(see below). For more detailed
information about SEVIS, see
Booklet Four of this series, Getting Ready to Go: Practical Information for Living and Studying in the
United States.
Visa Types
The most common student visa
is the F-1, though a small numberof students travel to the UnitedStates on an M-1 visa if they arecompleting a program of handson technical or vocational training, or on a J-1 visa if they are ona sponsored exchange program.
Procedures for Your Country
Procedures and requirements for
applying for a student visa varyfrom country to country. Your
nearest EducationUSA advis60

ing center can provide valuable
information on the application
procedures for your country. (Ifpossible, attend an EducationUSA pre-departure orientation
program; it will almost certainly
include information on applying
for a visa). Your nearest U.S.
embassy or consulate can provide application forms and specific details of the application
process. Embassies and consulates often have telephone information lines and websites withthis information.
Booklet Four in this series,
Getting Ready to Go: Practical
Information for Living and Studying in the United States, covers
the visa application process inmore detail. It is available on the
EducationUSA website at http://
www.educationusa.state.gov.
There are several things you can
do to increase your chances of afavorable visa decision:• Start the process at least twomonths in advance of your departure date.
• Assemble all the required documentation that can help makeyour case.
• Make sure you are well prepared for your interview.

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Student and Exchange Visitor Information
Chapter 7 System(SEVIS) and Student Visas

Applying for a Student Visa:
A Step-by-Step Guide
Before you can ask for a visa appointment you must pay the student I-901 fee. All students andexchange visitors must pay thisfee, which varies based upon theirstatus: most F and M students
and exchange visitors pay 200
U.S. dollars. There are many ways
to pay this fee, including an online
option. To learn more, see https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/.
Once you have paid the fee, you
can contact the U.S. embassy or
consulate in your country for an
appointment. To apply for an
F-1 student visa, you must have avalid I-20 form; for the J-1 visa,
you must have the DS-2019; andfor the M-1 visa, an I-20M-N
form. Your university will send
you the appropriate form after
you have been admitted and after
it has reviewed the documents
you provided to prove you can afford your program of study.
When your form arrives, checkthe following:• Is your name spelled correctly
and exactly as it appears on yourpassport? (Be sure to use thesame spelling on your visa application as well.)• Is the other information cor-

rect: date and country of birth,
degree program, reporting date,completion date, and financial
information?
• Is it signed by a college official?
• Has the reporting date (“student must report no later
than…”) passed? If so, the form
has expired and may no longer
be used. Contact the Designated School Official (DSO)
or Responsible Officer (RO)at your school or program to request another.
• If your I-20, I-20M-N, or
DS-2019 is valid, you are readyto apply for the visa.
Before you make your visa appointment, gather your documents: the I-20 or DS-2019,
the I-901 receipt, your passport(which must be valid for at least
six months), and your financial
documentation.
The visa interview is often nolonger than a few minutes, so you
must be prepared to be brief yet
convincing. Be confident, anddo not hide the truth or lie; U.S.
consular officers can easily identify people who are not being
truthful about their visa applications. It is best to think of thisas an opportunity to tell “yourstory.”

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Student and Exchange Visitor Information
Chapter 7 System(SEVIS) and Student Visas

In order to issue your visa, theconsular officer must be satisfied
on three counts:• First, are you a bona fide student? The officer will look at
your educational backgroundand plans to assess how likely
you are to enroll and remain
in college until graduation.
During your interview, be prepared to discuss the reasons you
chose a particular college, youranticipated major, and yourcareer plans. Bring school transcripts, national examination
results, graduate admissions or
English-language test scores(if these tests were required byyour college), and anything elsethat demonstrates your academic commitment.
• Second, are you capable of financing your education? The
U.S. government needs assurances that you will not dropout of school or take a job illegally. Your I-20, DS-2019, or
I-20-M-N form will list how
you have shown the university
you will cover your expenses forat least the first year.
If you are being sponsored byyour family or by an individual,
how can you show that yoursponsor is able to finance youreducation? Your chances are
improved if your parents are
62

sponsoring your education. If
anyone other than your parents
is sponsoring you, you should
explain your special relationship with this person, justifying
a commitment of thousands ofdollars to your education.
Provide solid evidence of yoursponsor’s finances, especiallysources and amounts of income. This assures the consular
officer that adequate funds will
be available throughout yourprogram. If your sponsor’s income is from several different
sources (such as salary, contracts, consulting fees, a farm,rental property, investments),
have the sponsor write a letter
documenting each source ofincome.
• Third, are your ties to home sostrong that you will not want
to remain permanently in the
United States? Consular officers are required by U.S. visa
law to consider all applicants
for student or exchange program visas as intending immigrants until they can convince
the consular officer that they
are not.
Overall you must be able toshow that your reasons for
returning home are stronger
than those for remaining in
the United States. You must

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Chapter 7 System(SEVIS) and Student Visas

demonstrate sufficient economic, family, and social ties
to your place of residence toensure that your stay in the
United States will be temporary. Economic ties include
your family’s economic position, property you own or
stand to inherit, and your own
economic potential when you
come home with a U.S. education. The consular officer will
be impressed to see evidence ofyour career planning and yourknowledge of the local employment scene. For family and social ties, the consular officer
may ask how many close family members live in your homecountry, compared to those living in the United States. Whatcommunity or school activities
have you participated in that
demonstrate a sincere connection to your town or country?
What leadership, sports, andother roles distinguish you asa person who wants to comehome and contribute yourpart?
• Note that if you intend to travel on a J-1 visa, you usually cannot apply for an H, L, or immigrant status visa until you havereturned to and been physicallypresent in your country of permanent residence for two years
following your J-visa exchange
program.

Visa Refusals
If your application is refused, theconsular officer is required to give
you a written explanation. However, this is often a standardized
reply and is unlikely to go into thedetails of your specific case. You
have the right to apply a second
time, but if you do reapply, makesure to prepare carefully; the consular officer will need to see fresh
evidence sufficient to overcome
the reasons for the first denial.
If you have given careful thought
to your educational goals and if
you have realistic career plans,
you will find the visa application
an opportunity to prove you areready to take the next big stepin your education and your life:
studying at a university in the
United States.
Review• Most students enter the UnitedStates on an F-1 visa, but some
may travel on a J-1 or M-1 visa.
• Familiarize yourself with the application requirements for yourcountry and prepare your application thoroughly and well inadvance.
• Before applying, check that
the I-20 form (DS-2019 for
the J-1 visa or I-20M-N form

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Student and Exchange Visitor Information
Chapter 7 System(SEVIS) and Student Visasfor the M-1 visa) you received
from your university is valid
and correct.
• Pay the I-901 fee and obtain thenecessary receipt.
• Take all the necessary documents to your interview.
• Ensure that you can demonstrate to the consular officer thatyou are a bona fide student, thatyou can finance your education,and that you have strong ties toyour home country.
• If your application is refused
you can apply again, but you

64

must provide fresh evidence
to overcome the reason for the
first refusal.
Useful Websites
General Information on Student Visas
http://travel.state.gov (Click on “Visas
for Foreign Citizens.”)
U.S. Department of State Website forStudent and Exchange Visitors
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/
types_1270.html
U.S. Department of Homeland Security — Student and Exchange Visitor
Program (SEVP)
http://www.ice.gov/sevis

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Chapter 8 U.S. University Life

				
U.S.
			
University									 Life

Once you have secured your place
at a U.S. university, it is time tobegin making plans for your newlife as an international student in
the United States. Although there
are a few things you cannot do until you have obtained your visa,
much planning can be done aheadof time to make your move to theUnited States run more smoothly.
This chapter highlights a few ofthe main areas to think about andwhat to expect when you arrivein the United States. For moredetailed information contact thenearest EducationUSA advisingcenter or consult Booklet Four of
this series, Getting Ready to Go:
Practical Information for Living
and Studying in the United States.
Arrival in the United States
Once you have been admitted to auniversity and have notified themof your acceptance, you should
receive further information about
your new school and proceduresfor your arrival on campus. Thisshould include details of the best
way to reach the campus. Plan toarrive on a weekday, if possible,
when the school’s administra-

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Chapter 8 U.S. University Life

tive offices are open. Notify theinstitution if you are travelingwith dependents, and be sure to
ask about married student housing, day care facilities, activities
for spouses, schooling for yourchildren, and any other questions
that may be important to you andyour family.
Orientation
Many U.S. universities hold arrival orientations for new international students to familiarize
them with the campus and its
facilities and to help them adjust
to life in the United States. The
orientation lasts up to one week
and may be optional, but you arestrongly advised to attend. It will
cover a variety of useful topics:
how to use the library, health center, and other university facilities;
academic regulations, expectations, and support services; howto register for classes; U.S. culture
and social life, culture shock, andadjusting to life in the UnitedStates; local services; visa and legal regulations; and others. Allof this information will help you
integrate more easily into life as a
student in the United States. You
will also meet other international
students on campus and the staff
who handle matters relating to international students at the college— usually known as international
student advisers.
66

International Student
Advisers (ISAs)
U.S. universities that regularly
admit international students havespecial staff assigned and trained
to work with them. They are usually called international student
advisers (ISAs) or foreign student advisers (FSAs). You can
ask these staff members questions
related to your status as an international student or seek their
help if you have problems or concerns. They may also organize social and cultural events for international students throughout theyear along with the International
Student Office.
University Housing
When an applicant is accepted
for admission, the university
housing office should automatically send out information about
what housing is available on campus for graduate students and how
to apply for it. Most universities
have accommodations for graduate students, including some formarried students, though the latter is often limited. Schools mayplace you on a waiting list for oncampus family housing until spacebecomes available. Inquire well inadvance and compare the costs ofliving on or off campus to makethe best decisions for you andyour family.

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If you have not arranged housing
in advance, or if you prefer living
off campus in the local community, you will need to arrive at theuniversity several weeks before
the start of the term. The closer
to the start of the term you begin
looking for housing, the more
limited your options will be.
Money and Banking
The United States has national,
regional, state, and city-based
banks. Some universities havetheir own credit unions or otherbanking services. Before opening
an account find out which banks
are near where you will be living
and studying. It may be difficult toopen an account from overseas, sobring enough money with you tolive on until you can open a U.S.
account and arrange for funds tobe transferred from home.
Health Insurance
As an international student you
should have health insurance
coverage while in the UnitedStates. At most U.S. universities it is compulsory to take out
health insurance, either througha university policy or by purchasing your own policy that meets theuniversity’s requirements. Healthinsurance policies vary; your international student adviser can
explain them and help you decideon the best policy for you. Don’t
forget to make sure you are insured for the journey from yourhome country to your campus in
the United States.
Extracurricular Activities
A variety of organizations andactivities await you on most campuses. These may include studentrun publications, special-interest
groups, or even sports clubs.
Getting involved is a great way
to meet new friends and find colleagues with similar academic andresearch interests.
Review• Once you have accepted the offer of a place at a U.S. university, make sure you are properly
prepared for your move to theUnited States.
• Contact the university to confirm details of the orientation
for international students, making sure you will arrive in time
to attend. Inquire about healthinsurance requirements.
• Make arrangements for accommodation, and plan to arrive inplenty of time if you need to findfamily or off-campus housing.
• Ensure you will have enoughfunds available to last until you

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Chapter 8 U.S. University Lifecan set up a bank account in
the United States and transfer
funds from home.
• Check out the social, sports,
and other facilities available on
campus and identify activities
in which you would like to get
involved.

Useful Websites
Getting Ready to Go: Practical Information for Living and Studying in the UnitedStates (Booklet Four of the If You Want
to Study in the United States series)
On-linehttp://www.educationusa.state.gov(Click on “If You Want to Study.”)
America.gov — American Life
http://www.america.gov/amlife/education.html

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Chapter 9 Specialized Professional Study

			
				
				

Specialized
Professional		
Study

The path for study and entry into
many professions in the UnitedStates differs substantially fromthe process in most other parts of
the world. This chapter gives an
overview of study requirements
for dentistry, medicine, nursing,veterinary medicine, and law.
More details about these professions, as well as other fields withspecial requirements, are available at your nearest EducationUSA
advising center.

DentistryIn the United States, dental education usually begins after four
years of undergraduate study.
Universities do not have undergraduate programs in dentistry;
students planning to study dentistry can major in any subject,
but are required to have taken aminimum number of prerequisite
undergraduate courses in the biological sciences, chemistry, phys-

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Chapter 9 Specialized Professional Study

ics, and mathematics, as well as in
the humanities and the behavioral
and social sciences.
First Professional Degree
The first professional degree indentistry, titled either the doctor of dental surgery (D.D.S.)
or the doctor of dental medicine(D.M.D.) degree, requires four
years of study — two years emphasizing the basic medical sciences, and two years providing aclinical orientation. To practice,graduates must also meet licensure requirements of the state inwhich they plan to see patients,
including satisfactory scoreson the National Board Dental
Examination and a state clinicalexamination.
Admission to a U.S. dental school
is highly competitive, with about
three times as many applicantsas positions available. Althoughanyone is eligible to apply, foreign nationals rarely gain admission to a U.S. school of dentistry
without having completed atleast two years of postsecondary study at a U.S. institution.
In one recent year, out of 4,268
first-year dental students, 342
were foreign nationals. Chancesof obtaining admission to private dental schools are somewhat
higher than those of admission tostate-supported dental schools,
70

because public institutions generally give admissions preference to the state residents whosetaxes support their programs.
The American Dental Education Association (www.adea.org)
publishes an annual official guideto dental schools that includes
useful information and statistics
on admission requirements. Your
EducationUSA advising center
may have this resource and otherreference material to help you get
information on particular schools
and evaluate your qualifications.
Application requirements fordental school include a strong
undergraduate academic record,
proficiency in English, and ascore on the Dental Admission
Test (DAT) judged satisfactoryby the individual dental school.
The DAT examines proficiency
in mathematics, biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, reading,and perceptual motor abilities. It
is regularly offered in the United States. Occasionally, it canbe scheduled in other countries— a U.S. admissions officer or
predental adviser must request
such administration at least threemonths before a scheduled test
date. For further information,
contact the Dental Admission
Testing Program, Department of
Testing Services, American Dental Association, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 1846, Chicago,

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Chapter 9 Specialized Professional Study

IL 60611-2678, USA; Telephone:
312-440-2689, extension 2689; Email: education@ada.org.
Admission with Advanced
Standing
International dental graduates
who wish to become licensed topractice in the United States or
Canada must obtain a D.D.S.
or D.M.D. degree from an accredited dental school in either
country. Currently some 40 suchdental schools offer an opportunity to obtain a degree on an
accelerated basis, usually after
studying for two or three years
in the professional curriculum
instead of the usual four. Admission to these advanced standing
programs is based on academic
merit as demonstrated in thedental course taken in the applicant’s home country. Applicants
for advanced standing are also
usually required to take part oneof the National Board Dental
Examination.
A directory of dental schools thatoffer admission with advanced
standing to international dental graduates is available on theAmerican Dental Association
website (www.ada.org). Some
dental schools require individuals
to apply for advanced standing
admission using an institutional
application process, but many uti-

lize the Centralized Application
for Admission with Advanced
Standing for International Dentists (CAAPID) offered by theAmerican Dental Education Association. CAAPID applicants
submit a single set of credentials,
which are then disseminated tothe dental schools they choose.
Postgraduate Training
After receiving the D.D.S. or
equivalent, dentists may apply for
postgraduate training at hospitals or dental schools. Some programs lead to a master’s degree,
and doctoral study may also be
available. These degree programs
typically prepare graduates forteaching or research careers.
A university or a hospital may
sponsor non-degree residency
programs with a clinical focus.
General practice residencies
are highly competitive, and typically only about 4 percent of thestudents enrolled are foreign
nationals. Specialty residencies
tend to admit a considerably larger proportion of internationallyeducated dentists. These residencies offer training in dental public health, endodontics, oral andmaxillofacial pathology, oral andmaxillofacial surgery, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics,
pediatric dentistry, periodontics,
or prosthodontics.

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No one process exists to qualify internationally trained dentists seeking to study in the United States.
One common requirement is thatapplicants must pass one or bothparts of the National Board Dental Examination. Some specialty
areas, such as oral surgery andperiodontics, require that dentists
complete at least the last two years
of professional study at a U.S.
university and earn a first professional degree at a dental school accredited by the American Dental
Association. (About half of U.S.
dental schools offer admission at
an advanced level for internationally educated dentists wishing tocomplete a U.S. first professional
degree.) State licensure and national board certification may also
be required in some cases.
Short-term Educational
Opportunities
Dental schools and hospitals frequently offer postgraduate continuing education courses lasting froma few days to a few weeks. These
courses provide updates on specifictopics and are open to international dentists. A few schools will arrange special programs for visiting
internationally-educated dentists.
Medicine
Medical education in the UnitedStates is lengthy and begins only
72

after completion of a four-yearbachelor’s degree. Admission to
medical study is very competitive. Less than half of U.S. citizen
applicants are accepted to medical school, and typically less than
2 percent of international applicants are accepted. The majorityof these international applicants
have completed their bachelor’s
degrees in the United States.
Some state-supported schools
will consider only U.S. citizens
and permanent residents foradmission.
First Professional Degree
Medical school usually lasts four
years, and students graduate witha Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
degree. The program of study
combines classroom experience
with observation and clinicalwork. Admission requirements
include an undergraduate degree,
preferably from a U.S.-accredited
institution. Degrees in almost
any discipline are acceptableas long as the student has completed the required minimum
number of prerequisite courses
in the biological sciences, chemistry, mathematics, behavioral andsocial sciences, and humanities.
Additional requirements include:
an excellent undergraduate academic record; fluency in English;
extracurricular activities such as
work experience and volunteer

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experience; and a satisfactory
score on the Medical College
Admission Test (MCAT).
Students interested in pursuing
an M.D. degree should carefully
consider the entrance requirements, length of time involved(four years of undergraduate study
plus another four years of medical school), and recognition of aU.S. medical degree and licensing
qualifications in their home country to determine if medical study
is appropriate for them. The
Association of American Medical Colleges publishes an annual
guide to medical schools, Medical School Admission Requirements(MSAR), which includes useful
information and statistics on admission requirements. Most EducationUSA advising centers havethis resource and other referencematerials with information on
U.S. medical schools.

in a chosen medical specialty,
usually called a residency. A residency is a professional training
program under the supervisionof senior physician educators.
Most residency programs lastfrom three to seven years. The
length of residency training varies and depends on the specialty
chosen: family practice, internal
medicine, and pediatrics, for example, require 3 years of training; general surgery requires 5
years. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredits suchprograms. While entry to residencies is quite competitive, international physicians have more
opportunities to pursue U.S.
study at this level than at the first
professional level. Students may
complete residencies at teaching hospitals, academic medical
centers, health care systems, andother institutions.

Graduate Medical Education

Fellowships

Graduate medical education includes residency and, for some
types of medical careers, additional fellowship training in a
subspecialty area.

Doctors who wish to become
highly specialized in a particularfield may complete one to three
years of additional training in a
subspecialty.

Residency Programs

Obtaining ECFMG
Certification

U.S. graduate training for physicians involves completing a prescribed period of clinical training

To obtain residency positions orother training involving patient

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contact, graduates of medical
schools outside the United States
must pass a certification programadministered by the Educational
Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). Thiscertification program is designed
to assure both the U.S. public anddirectors of residency programs
that applicants from foreign
medical schools have qualifications comparable to U.S. medical
school graduates. All graduatesof medical schools outside theUnited States and Canada mustmeet ECFMG certification
requirements.
For ECFMG certification, applicants must submit the following credentials:• Documents showing graduationfrom a medical school listed at
the time of graduation in the
online International Medical
Education Directory (IMED).
( h t t p : // w w w . f ai m e r . o rg /resources/imed.html )• Final medical school transcript.
(Submit your final medical
school transcript in the original
language. Documents that are
not in English must also be accompanied by an official English translation.)
The ECFMG Medical School
Web Portal (EMSWP) enables
74

international medical schools toverify the status of their students
and graduates who have applied
to ECFMG for the UnitedStates Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
Once approved by ECFMG,
applicants must pass the following exams:• Step 1 Medical Sciences Exam— an eight-hour, computerbased, multiple-choice exam
covering knowledge in the basic
medical sciences (anatomy, behavioral sciences, biochemistry,
microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, physiology and interdisciplinary topics)• Step 2 Clinical Knowledge
Exam (CK) — a nine-hour,
computer-based,multiple-choicetest that covers clinical sciences including diagnosis, theunderstanding of disease mechanisms, and care management
principles• Step 3 Clinical Skills Exam(CS) — an exam to ensure that
graduates of foreign medical
schools demonstrate the ability
to gather and interpret clinicalpatient data and communicate
effectively at a level comparable to students graduatingfrom U.S. institutions. The
day-long exam must be taken

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Chapter 9 Specialized Professional Studyat clinical skills evaluation centers in the United States andconsists of twelve fifteen-minute examinations of standardized patients with ten minutes
to compose a written recordof the encounter. Students are
graded on their medical history and physical examination
data-gathering skills, communication and interpersonalabilities, and English language
proficiency.
For more information visit the
ECFMG website at http://
www.ecfmg.org or the USMLE
website at http://www.usmle.org.
In addition to ECFMG certification, some residency programs
require foreign medical graduates to pass a third medical licensing examination, the USMLE
Step 3, prior to taking part ina residency program. This additional step assesses whether
graduates can apply the biomedical and clinical science needed topractice unsupervised medicine.
ECFMG hosts a web-based
information service called theOn-line Applicant Status andInformation System (OASIS) at
https://oasis2.ecfmg.org so thatapplicants may check their status,
make a payment, update theircontact information, and accesstheir exam results online.

Locating a Residency
ECFMG certification does
not guarantee placement in a
residency program, but the percentage of international medical
graduates with ECFMG certification who have been placed inresidency programs has increased
in recent years. Locating a residency involves applying to individual programs (usually throughthe Electronic Residency Application System), interviewing withthose programs that demonstrate
an initial interest in admittingyou, then ranking the programswith which you would prefer towork through the National Resident Matching Program.
Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS): ERAS
is a web-based system throughwhich students can apply to residency programs. ERAS allows
students and medical school deans
to transmit residency applications, letters of recommendation,
medical student performance
evaluations, and other supporting documents directly to residency program directors via theInternet. An increasing numberof medical specialties are requiring use of ERAS to streamline
the residency application process.
For more information, visit the
ERAS website at http://www.
aamc.org/students/eras/.

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Interviews: During the interview process, residency admissions officers further evaluate
applicants based on previous
clinical training, recommendation letters, personal statements,
patient care experience, medical
knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills,
professionalism, and systemsbased practice. These programs
are highly selective, so be open to
all the potential residencies thatwould be a good fit for your academic background and professional goals.
National Resident Matching Program (NRMP): Afterthe interview process, applicants
and programs rank each otherthrough a program known as the
National Resident Matching
Program (NRMP). Participants
submit a list of residency programs to the NRMP, in orderof preference. At the same time,
graduate medical education programs submit ranked lists of theirpreferred residency candidates
along with available positions. A
computer then matches residents
to programs based on the needsof both applicants and programs.
For those applicants who remain
unmatched after this process,the NRMP posts a list of unfilled positions the day after the
initial matches are announced.
76

Unmatched applicants then have
two days to contact unfilled programs and possibly secure a position; this period is often referred
to as the “Post-Match Scramble.”
For more information visit the
NRMP website at http://www.
nrmp.org.
More information on residency
programs is available online in
the Accreditation Council for
Graduate Medical Education(ACGME) database at http://
www.acgme.org/adspublic and
the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Fellowship
and Residency Electronic Interactive Database (FREIDA)
at
http://www.ama-assn.org/
ama/pub/education-careers/
graduate-medical-education/
freida-online.shtml. The AMA
also issues print and CD-ROM
versions of its Directory of Graduate Medical Education every
year. Many EducationUSA advising centers have a copy of thisresource.
Licensing Requirements
To practice medicine in the United States physicians must have alicense to practice from the stateor jurisdiction in which they plan
to work. Requirements vary bystate, but physicians must pass aseries of exams and have completed a minimum number of years of

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graduate medical education to
obtain a license. Most doctors
also choose to become board certified. To become certified doctors are tested on their masteryof a specialty area and must prove
they can provide quality patientcare in that specialty. Some 24
specialty medical boards certify
U.S. doctors in more than 100
general medical specialties andsubspecialties.
Alternatives Not Requiring
ECFMG Certification
Academic Graduate Programs:
Foreign medical graduates canapply directly to graduate academic programs in medicallyrelated fields that do not involve
patient care. Such programs do
not require ECFMG certification. Application procedures are
similar to those for graduate programs in non-medical fields. A
few examples of medically related
fields of study include immunology, molecular biology, genetics,
neuroscience, and physiology.
Foreign medical graduates may
also apply for research grants in
the health sciences. Hospitals,
universities, and independent research centers are possible sites
for research.
Short-term Opportunities: Medical centers, hospitals, and medical
associations frequently offer con-ferences or short-term courses,
lasting from a few days, to a few
weeks, to several months. Such
opportunities are open to foreign medical graduates without
ECFMG certification as long as
they do not involve direct patient
contact. Some medical centers,
particularly larger research andteaching institutions, may also beable to arrange individual training for international physicians
on request. Such exchanges cannot involve direct patient contact,
but they can provide valuable
opportunities for consultation,observation, and comparison offacilities. Some medical centers
have specific offices to arrange
such visits. You can also arrange
visits by contacting your U.S. colleagues directly.
Foundation for Advancement ofInternational Medical Education and Research (FAIMER)
Institute: The FAIMER Institute is a two-year program forinternational health professions
educators who demonstrate thepotential to improve health professions education at their homeinstitutions. The program teaches
education methods and leadership skills and introduces participants to colleagues from aroundthe world. For more information
visit the FAIMER website at
http://www.faimer.org/education/institute/index.html.

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Nursing
Basic study for the nursing profession in the United States
takes place at the undergraduate level. A “registered nurse”(R.N.) can hold a diploma, anassociate degree, or a bachelor’s
degree in nursing and must fulfill state licensure requirements
to practice. While the criteria
and regulations for licensure varyfrom state to state, all states use
the same licensing examination,
known as the NCLEX-RN,
regardless of the type of entrylevel program attended. Nurses
must pass the NCLEX-RN to
receive a license. Most states also
require nurses educated outside
the United States to complete either the CGFNS International,
Inc. (CGFNS) Certification
Program or Credentials Evaluation Service before taking the
NCLEX-RN. Those intending
to practice in New York State
must complete the CGFNSCredential Verification Service(http://www.cgfns.org/sections/programs/cvs/).
Graduate Nursing Education
A variety of options for advanced, specialized nursing education exist in the United States;
these include university master’sand doctoral programs as well
as non-degree certificates and78

continuing education programs
offered by universities, hospitals,
associations, and other sources.
Specializations include nursing
administration, nursing education, nurse midwifery, psychiatric/mental health nursing, gerontological nursing, public healthnursing, and many others. Some
graduate nursing programs require state licensure dependingon the level of patient contact
and the laws of the state where
the program is offered, and may
require the CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service (CES)
as a pre-admission assessment.
Another option in many states isa special limited license for educational purposes. Check licensing requirements carefully withindividual programs to see if you
qualify for this option.
Emerging trends in graduate nursing education include
Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
certification and Doctorate in
Nursing Practice (DNP) programs. CNL certification prepares nurses to oversee the carecoordination of a distinct groupof patients and provide direct
patient care in complex situations. The DNP is designed fornurses seeking a terminal degree
in nursing practice and offers analternative to research-focuseddoctoral programs.

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Chapter 9 Specialized Professional StudyCGFNS Programs
VisaScreen Program: Healthcare professionals, including
nurses, seeking temporary or
permanent occupational visas
or Trade NAFTA (TN) status,
must first obtain a VisaScreen
Certificate as part of the visa process. The CGFNS VisaScreen
Program is also required for temporary nonimmigrant (H-1B) or
permanent occupational visa applicants. The VisaScreen Program, administered by the International
Commission
onHealthcare Professions (ICHP),
a division of CGFNS International, is comprised of four
elements:• Educational Analysis: to ensurethat your secondary and professional education is comparable
to the education of a U.S. graduate seeking licensure;• Licensure Validation: to ensure that all of your professional licenses are valid andunencumbered;• English Language Proficiency
Examinations: to confirm yourcompetency in oral and written
English on tests approved by
the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human
Services; and the• Test of Nursing Knowledge:
Registered nurses must takeeither the CGFNS Qualifying Exam or the NCLEXRN examination.
The VisaScreen Certificate isvalid for 5 years from date of issue and must be renewed if you
have not adjusted status. For
information on the VisaScreen,
visit the CGFNS website at
http://www.cgfns.org/sections/programs/vs/.
Certification Program: The
CGFNS Certification Program
requires a credentials review, atest of nursing knowledge (CGFNS Qualifying Exam™), andan English language proficiency
test. To take the CGFNS Qualifying Exam, you must demonstrate to CGFNS that you:• are currently registered as a firstlevel general nurse in the country
where you were educated;• have completed an upper secondary school education, separate from nursing education;• have graduated from a government-approved general nursing
program lasting at least two
years;• have received theory and clinical practice instruction in adult

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health nursing, nursing of children, maternal/infant nursing,and psychiatric/mental healthnursing; and• have initial and current licensurein your country of education.
This licensure must be valid andunencumbered.
The CGFNS Qualifying Exam
tests nursing knowledge and isgiven approximately three times
a year at sites around the world.
Candidates for certification mustalso demonstrate English language proficiency (unless exempted from English language testing)as measured by the Test of English
as a Foreign Language (TOEFL),
International English Language
Testing System (IELTS), or the
Test of English for International
Communication (TOEIC). For
more information on the CGFNS Certification Program, contact your nearest EducationUSA
advising center or visit the CGFNS website at http://www.cgfns.
org/sections/programs/cp/.
Credentials Evaluation Service
The CGFNS International
Credentials Evaluation Service(CES) analyzes the credentials
of multiple types and levels of
health care professionals, including nurses, who were educatedoutside of the United States and80

wish to pursue licensure or academic admission in the UnitedStates. The CES report on education and licensure is advisory
in nature and does not makespecific placement recommendations. For information on the
Credentials Evaluation Service,visit the CGFNS website at
http://www.cgfns.org/sections/programs/ces/.
Veterinary Medicine
U.S. veterinary schools offer afour-year program, and graduates
receive a Doctor of Veterinary
Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.).
Veterinary school is generally
entered after completion of abachelor’s degree program, but
requirements vary between individual schools. Only 28 schoolsof veterinary medicine exist in
the United States. Many of theseare state-assisted, with tax moneyfrom state residents supporting
the school. Therefore, applicantsfrom that state, or states with
contractual arrangements, aregenerally given priority. Approximately one third of all applicants
to U.S. veterinary schools are accepted to one of the schools thatthey apply to.
Most (25 out of 28) U.S. veterinary colleges participate in the
Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS),

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which allows applicants to submit a common application for
multiple schools. The primaryconsideration for admission is
the quality of the applicant’s undergraduate record. The majorityof veterinary schools require students to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), but a
few also accept the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
For more information on VMCAS, visit http://www.aavmc.
org or contact VMCAS at 1101
Vermont Avenue NW, Suite
301, Washington, DC 20005 (tel:877-862-2740; e-mail: vmcas@
aavmc.org).
Postgraduate Training
Some foreign-trained veterinarians with the equivalent of the
D.V.M. complete master’s ordoctoral degrees at U.S. veterinary schools. Others choose toundergo residency training leading toward board certification ina specialty such as veterinary internal medicine or veterinary pathology. Such residency training,
often affiliated with veterinary
schools, takes three years and requires a combination of academic
and practical training and experience. Short-term training andexchanges with U.S. veterinary
schools and related organizations
may also be arranged.

License to Practice Veterinary
Medicine
While the requirements to obtain a license to practice veterinary medicine vary from state tostate, all states require that applying veterinarians pass the North
American Veterinary Licensing
Exam (NAVLE). Veterinarians
graduating from veterinary colleges accredited by the American
Veterinary Medical Association(AVMA) are immediately eligible to sit for the NAVLE. All
28 U.S. colleges of veterinary
medicine, in addition to 13 international colleges, are AVMA-accredited. Internationally trained
veterinarians who received theirdegrees from non-AVMA-accredited institutions must also
complete the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary
Graduates (ECFVG) certification program or the Program for
the Assessment of Veterinary Education (PAVE) prior to sitting
for the NAVLE. All state licensing boards accept the ECFVG,
and 24 state licensing boards
accept the PAVE. For more information, visit the American
Veterinary Medical Association
website at http://www.avma.org
or contact the association at 1931
North Meacham Road, Suite
100, Schaumburg, IL 60173 (tel:847-925-8070).

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Chapter 9 Specialized Professional Study

Law
The legal system in the UnitedStates, on the federal level and inalmost all states, is based on the
British system of common law.
One state, Louisiana, has a system modeled on the French legal
code.
First Professional Degree
The U.S. first professional degree, the juris doctor (J.D.),
provides an education strongly
focused on preparation for U.S.
practice, with limited opportunity for comparative or specialty
study. For this reason, and because preparation in U.S. law will
not easily transfer toward practice in other countries, the J.D.
is often inappropriate for foreign
nationals who do not wish to obtain a license to practice law in
the United States. Although law
schools offer individual coursesthat emphasize particular subject
areas such as environmental law
or taxation, there are no J.D.
programs concentrating on any
single specialty.
J.D. degree programs involve
three years of study, and are entered following four years of undergraduate study in any major.
Competition for admission isintense for both U.S. and international students. Requirements
82

generally include fluency in English, an excellent undergraduate
academic record, and a satisfactory score on the Law School
Admission Test (LSAT). (See
http://www.lsac.org for LSAT
registration information.) To
practice in the United States,
graduates must also pass the bar
examination and meet other requirements of the state where
they wish to work.
Graduate Legal Education
One graduate option is the master of laws (L.L.M.), a degree offered in a variety of specialties or
as a self-designed program, withappropriateness for the international practitioner varying fromprogram to program. The masterof comparative law (M.C.L.),
also known as the master of comparative jurisprudence (M.C.J.),is also an appropriate degree program for international lawyers.
Recognizing that legal systems
in many countries differ from
common law as practiced in the
United States, these programs acquaint lawyers from other countries with U.S. legal institutions
and relevant specialties of U.S.
law. Programs in internationallaw or international business law
may also be of interest.
Almost all master’s programs inlaw last one year and admit stu-

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Chapter 9 Specialized Professional Studydents only for the fall semester.
Programs can be planned according to the interests of the student.
Entrance requirements include afirst degree in law, a strong academic background, letters of reference, a statement of purpose and/or writing samples, and a high level of English proficiency as demonstrated by the Test of English asa Foreign Language (TOEFL) or
International English Language
Testing System (IELTS) for students whose law degree was not in
the English language. Most graduate law programs do not require
standardized admissions tests.
Doctoral programs in law also exist. They admit only a small number of promising applicants, usually from among those who havecompleted a master’s program at
a U.S. law school and who plan toenter a career as a law school faculty member. Financial assistance
may be more readily available tolaw students intending to continue towards a doctoral degree than
to those seeking only a one-year
master’s program.
Short-term Legal Education
Many U.S. law schools offer
programs, particularly in thesummer, either designed for orappropriate for international
lawyers. These usually last between one week and two months.

Professional associations and private training organizations offer
similar programs.
Your nearest EducationUSA advising center may be able to provide information on other options,such as tours to visit U.S. legal
institutions.
Review• Entry to U.S. first professional
degree programs in dentistry ishighly competitive. Graduate
options include academic degrees, residencies (particularly
in specialty areas), or shortterm training and exchanges.
• Entry to the U.S. first professional degree in medicine isextremely difficult, and a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. university is usually aminimum requirement.
• For any graduate medical study
involving patient contact, physicians educated outside the United States must be certified by
ECFMG. Other options not
requiring certification include a
medically relevant academic degree or training and exchanges
not involving patient contact.
• A variety of educational options
exist in the United States forinternationally educated nurses.

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In some cases, and always in thecase of nurses seeking to qualify
for U.S. practice, certification
by CGFNS is required.
• Entry to the U.S. first professional degree in veterinary
medicine is even more competitive and difficult than it is for
medicine. Graduate options
include academic degrees, residencies, or short-term training
and exchanges. U.S. licensure
for veterinarians educated outside the United States requires
certification by ECFVG.

Educational Commission for Foreign
Medical Graduates
http://www.ecfmg.org
Electronic Residency Application
System (ERAS)
http://www.aamc.org/students/eras
Federation of State Medical Boards
http://www.fsmb.org
Fellowship and Residency Electronic
Interactive Database (FREIDA)
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/
education-careers/graduate-medicaleducation/freida-online.shtml• LL.M. and other graduate law
degrees are usually the most appropriate choice for individuals
who want to earn a U.S. law
degree but who plan to practicelaw outside the United States.
A wide range of short-termand graduate-level law degree
options is available.

Medical College Admission Test
http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/

Useful Websites

Nursing
Commission on Graduates of Foreign
Nursing Schools
http://www.cgfns.org

Dentistry
American Dental Association
http://www.ada.org
American Dental Education Association
http://www.adea.org
Medicine
Association of American Medical
Colleges
http://www.aamc.org

84

National Board of Medical Examiners
http://www.nbme.org/
United States Medical Licensing
Examination
http://www.usmle.org

National League for Nursing
http://www.nln.org
Veterinary Medicine
Association of American Veterinary
Medical Colleges
http://www.aavmc.org

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Chapter 9 Specialized Professional Study

American Veterinary Medical
Association
http://www.avma.org

The Association of American Law
Schools
http://www.aals.org

National Board of Veterinary Medical
Examiners
http://www.nbvme.org/

Law School Admission Council
http://www.lsac.org

Law
American Bar Association
http://www.abanet.org

National Conference of Bar Examiners
http://www.ncbex.org

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Chapter 10 Opportunities for Scholars

Opportunities
		 for Scholars
In addition to individuals who are
beginning graduate or professional study, many mid-career scholars
travel to the United States to participate in postdoctoral research,
to lecture, to consult, or to gain
additional training. This chapter
describes the academic environment for such visitors and provides
information on other professional
exchange options.
86

Academic Environment in
the United States
Academic and research institutions in the United States differ inmany respects from those in othercountries. If you will be working
with faculty or researchers at universities in the United States, youneed to be aware of the constraints
and pressures on academics as well

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Chapter 10 Opportunities for Scholars

as the underlying structure of thefaculty system. Please note thatwhile in many countries the word
“faculty” refers to a department
or division within a college oruniversity, in the United States
the term refers to the people whoteach courses.
FacultyIn almost every academic institution, faculty members are organized into departments basedon academic fields. Each department operates independently andis headed by a department chair.
Faculty members of a department usually choose their own
chair from among senior members of the department. In manycases, the position of department
chair rotates from one senior faculty member to another, changing
every three to four years. In othercases, the department chair remains the same, subject to the approval of other faculty members.
The department operates as amore or less democratic body, withall faculty members participating
in important decisions. The department acts within broad limits
set by the university to determine
requirements for degrees, admit
graduate students, decide whether
candidates qualify for degrees,choose teaching assistants, determine the curriculum, and hire new

faculty for that department. In
some departments, primary power lies with the department as awhole. In others, the chair is more
powerful than the other members.
Faculty titles denote academic
rank. In ascending order, they are“lecturer” (or “instructor”), “assistant professor,” “associate professor,” and “professor.” Except
in the case of very distinguishedsenior professors, most faculty
members who know one anotheraddress each other by first names
and do not use these titles in conversation. In addition to teaching classes, faculty may have one
or more committee assignments(the curriculum committee, thehonors committee, and so forth),which may take several hours per
week. They also spend time grading papers and exams, attending
meetings and conferences, meeting individually with students, andconducting research. Junior-levelfaculty must make special efforts
to publish original writing in orderto build their reputation for scholarly research and build a case fortenure.
Tenure is a guarantee that a faculty member will remain employedby the university until retirement
except in the case of very unusual
circumstances such as the elimination of an entire department or
extreme misconduct on the part

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Chapter 10 Opportunities for Scholarsof the tenure holder. The purposeof the tenure system is to preserve
academic freedom, to prevent an
institution from firing a professor
for making unpopular or radical statements, or for advocating
unorthodox ideas. Lecturers, instructors, and visiting faculty are
not considered for tenure. An assistant professor generally has between five and seven years to gain
tenure. At the end of this time acommittee of peers (other university faculty) votes on whether or
not to recommend tenure. One of
the most important considerations
is the faculty member’s researchand publication record.

of around $51,000, based on thenumber of classes taught. Facultysalaries in fields such as engineering and medicine were considerably higher than the average.

What difference does this system
make to visiting scholars and researchers? You will generally be
expected to make time commitments and to handle teaching loads
similar to those of the permanent
faculty. Also, if your colleagues
are working toward tenure, they
may have little time to spare forcollaboration with visitors.

In the university setting, facultyinteractions with students tend to
be informal. Often graduate students and faculty become closefriends and work together on an
almost equal basis.

Faculty salaries are often lower
than salaries at comparable levels of business or industry. In the
2008-2009 academic year, theyranged from an average of approximately $71,000 for an assistantprofessor to about $124,000 fora full professor. Instructors andother temporary and adjunct faculty generally earned an average
88

Many faculty members serve as
consultants to business, industry,and government, both as a sourceof outside income and as a stimulus
for professional development. Senior faculty members sometimes
hold joint appointments whereby
they have part-time teaching responsibilities and part-time administrative responsibilities.
Students

Since U.S. educational philosophy
stresses analysis and critical thinking as well as mastery of information, class formats are designed tostimulate the exchange of ideas.
Students, whether graduate orundergraduate, do not hesitate
to challenge professors in class;in fact, most professors encourage such challenges as a sign ofintellectual independence. Theydo, however, expect respect fromtheir students; students and faculty maintain a certain personal

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distance, with students deferring
to faculty members.

Finding and Arranging
Academic Opportunities

Faculty members usually construct their own examinations.
In most cases, faculty grade examinations and papers for theircourses themselves, unless thecourse has a very high enrollment. In that case, they may rely
on teaching assistants to do atleast some of the grading.

Many avenues exist for scholars,
researchers, and faculty to cometo the United States as temporary academic visitors. Those
described below are some of themost common.

Research Institutions
Universities differ greatly fromone another in the level of their
dedication to research. Researchand scholarly activity also takeplace in many kinds of institutions besides universities. Visiting
scholars, researchers, and faculty
often come to the United States towork in private or public research
centers or in hospitals. Visiting
scholars may find they have fewer
distractions from their projects ininstitutions dedicated entirely toresearch as compared with academic institutions.
Quite often, an international researcher establishes an arrangement with a research center that
focuses on his or her area of research and then obtains a grantfrom public or private sources (see“Obtaining Funding” on page 91)
to work as the principal investigator for the grant.

Fulbright Visiting Scholars
Program: Under the auspices of
the Fulbright Program, international scholars come to the United States to research or to lecture
at U.S. academic institutions forperiods ranging from a semester
to an academic year. U.S. scholars also travel outside the UnitedStates on this program. The
U.S. Department of State funds
and administers the Fulbright
Program; however, many othercountries also share in the funding. Approximately 120 countries
around the world participate in
the Fulbright Program, and theprogram operates differently ineach country. Check with the
U.S. embassy or consulate in yourcountry to determine Fulbrightopportunities. The Fulbright Program is an open competition forwhich scholars apply through thelocal Fulbright Commission, thepublic affairs section of the U.S.
embassy, or another designatedoffice. After preliminary local
selection, recommended applications are forwarded to the U.S.

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Department of State and the
J. William Fulbright Foreign
Scholarship Board in the UnitedStates for final approval.
The Council for the International Exchange of Scholars (CIES)in Washington, D.C., assists
with the implementation of the
program by arranging university
affiliations for senior Fulbrightscholars at U.S. academic institutions. Once scholars are in
the United States, CIES assists
in program administration andsupport.
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program: The Hubert H.
Humphrey Fellowship Program,also administered by the U.S.
Department of State, provides
opportunities for a year of study
in the United States for accomplished midlevel professionals
from countries around the worldin states of development or transition. The Humphrey Program
awards fellowships competitively
in the fields of: Agricultural and
Rural Development; Communications/Journalism; Substance
Abuse Education, Treatment
and Prevention; Economic Development/Finance and Banking; Educational Administration, Planning and Policy; HIV/AIDS Policy and Prevention;
Human Resource Management;
Law and Human Rights; Natural
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Resources, Environmental Policy, and Climate Change; Public
Health Policy and Management;
Public Policy Analysis and Public Administration; Teaching ofEnglish as a Foreign Language;
Technology Policy and Management; Trafficking in Persons, Policy and Prevention; and Urban
and Regional Planning.
Fulbright Commissions, U.S.
embassies, and binational centers
accept applications and nominate candidates. The Instituteof International Education (IIE)
reviews nominations with the assistance of independent selection
committees and makes recommendations to the J. William
Fulbright Foreign Scholarship
Board, which approves final selections and awards fellowships.
In contrast to many fellowship
opportunities, the Humphrey
Program does not lead to a degree. Rather, in cooperation with
Humphrey Program coordinators
on college and university campuses, fellows devise individually
tailored plans for their one-year
program, combining academic
work with professional development and internship activities.
University Invitational Positions:
University departments often haveinvitational positions, usually to
be held for one year, for visiting

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Chapter 10 Opportunities for Scholars

scholars, researchers, or lecturers.
If you have an outstanding reputation as a researcher or have yourown professional contacts with
U.S. faculty, you may be able to arrange a special invitational position.
Under these arrangements, theU.S. university normally provides
a salary and sometimes provides
research facilities. In some countries, there are agencies that claim to
be able to find invitational positions
for scholars, but these are rarely
effective.
Other Arrangements: Scholars
and researchers anticipating asabbatical or wishing to conduct
research in the United Statesoften learn of opportunities bycorresponding with colleagues
in the same field or by attending
professional meetings. Professors
may also learn of colleagues withsimilar research interests fromformer students who are in the
United States, from U.S. university faculty or administrators whoare visiting the country, throughe-mail discussion lists in theiracademic area, or from papers
in scholarly journals. Sometimes
scholars and researchers negotiate directly with a department
or research center. Arranging a
research sabbatical in the UnitedStates is easier in business, scientific, and technological fields thanin the humanities, social sciences,and the arts.

Obtaining Funding
Arrangements for funding visiting researchers and scholars vary
greatly. Often the scholar’s homeinstitution pays a regular salary
while the scholar is on sabbatical.
Occasionally, scholars come to
the United States using their own
funds.
Some foundations and organizations provide grants to support
scholarly research in the arts,
sciences, humanities, and healthrelated fields. Although competition is intense, foreign nationals
as well as U.S. citizens are often
eligible to apply. Grant proposals are generally reviewed by acommittee of people active inthe field, who are selected by thedonor organization. Usually the
grant is for a specific amount andsupports research at a particularfacility or center.
Many grant applications specify
that you present not only a research plan, but also an agreement with a research institution
before they will fund a grant. It
is your responsibility to find an
institution that will agree to provide research facilities, employ
you, and monitor grant expenditures if you are awarded a grant.
If you do receive a grant, determine whether the grant is

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awarded to you as an individual,or to the institution, which thenagrees to employ you with thefunds from the grant. If you
leave before the grant is completed and the grant is to the institution, it will remain with theinstitution.
Perhaps an ideal scenario is tofind an academic department in
the United States with a research
grant allowing employment ofadditional researchers. Usuallysuch arrangements arise throughpersonal correspondence between the people involved. Thereis no central source for this typeof information.
Other Considerations
Negotiating Terms for Your
Academic Stay
In negotiating a position as a visiting scholar or researcher, you
can avoid misunderstandings byobtaining a clear agreement, inwriting, about the issues that willaffect your stay. For example,
if you are corresponding withanother researcher (and not auniversity administrator), makesure that the key administrator
in charge of your stay is aware ofyour needs and prepared to help
meet them. In universities, thiskey administrator is usually thedepartment chair.
92

In your preliminary correspondence, find out how much time
your main faculty contact, as
well as others in the department,
will be able to devote to collaboration or consultation with you.
Find out how directly involved
your faculty contact will be in
the specific research project inwhich you are interested. Discuss what form the collaboration will take. Request a copy ofthe curriculum vitae of the people with whom you will be working so you can learn about theirwork’s scope and background,as well as their individual educational backgrounds, travel experience, and language abilities.
Make sure you share proficiency in at least one language withthem. Finally, arrive at a mutual
understanding about the lengthof time that you will be visiting
or working.
U.S. university departments may
extend courtesies such as an
office, access to facilities suchas the university library andgymnasium, and perhaps theservices of university support
staff to visiting scholars. These
privileges are by no means guaranteed, so make sure that yourexpectations match those of thedepartment.
Universities and research centersin the United States are not as

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Chapter 10 Opportunities for Scholars

highly subsidized as they are inmany other countries. Funds forresearch must be carefully budgeted within the department or
research program. If you need access to a personal computer andparticular software, specific laboratory equipment, or specialized
university facilities, negotiate inadvance with the department or
the key administrators about how
these resources will be provided
and funded.
For reasons of national security,
in a number of research areas
there are government restrictions
on access to information. If theresearch center with which you
are negotiating has been awarded
sensitive U.S. government contracts, the institution may requirethat its researchers hold security
clearances.
Sometimes visiting scholars wish
to attend classes. Some universities extend this option as a courtesy without charge, and somerequire visiting scholars to pay
for their studies. Demands on
faculty time and the tight budgetsof many institutions can makethis a sensitive issue. If you think
you might be interested in taking
courses, whether for credit or not,ask the university before you arrive so that everyone has a clear
understanding, in writing, of thepolicy.

Corresponding With the
Office of International Services
On some university campuses,
particularly those of large research
universities, an Office of International Services (which may use
a slightly different name) offers avaluable liaison between visiting
scholars, researchers, or faculty
and the campus community. On
other campuses, such an office
may exist primarily as a resource
for students, but even so, it may
be a useful source of information.
This office can provide information about many aspects of living
and working in the United States
and at the particular institutionthat you have chosen. (In a research center or training hospital,a training liaison officer often performs some of the functions of an
Office of International Services.)
Professional Meetings,
Conferences, and Seminars
While making your plans for
U.S. study, correspond with professional associations in your areas of interest to determine thedates and locations of meetings,
seminars, conferences, and othershort-term professional development programs in your field. Such
events can be costly, but the benefits of keeping current in yourfield and of having opportunities
to make contacts with your peers

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Chapter 10 Opportunities for Scholars

usually justify the expense. If you
have a grant or fellowship, ask if
there is a provision for attending
conferences or for other professional development activities.
Review• The U.S. academic environment and structure differ fromthose of other countries. Juniorfaculty members are likely to
be extremely busy with the demands of pursuing tenure. Interaction with students tends to berelatively informal.
• Many paths exist for arranging an academic visit, including
participation in various government exchange programs, auniversity invitational position,or an individual arrangementwith U.S. colleagues.
• Funding may be obtained fromyour home institution, an exchange program, a U.S. government program, organiza-

94

tional grants, or other means.
Be sure to review the terms ofgrants carefully.
• Obtain clear agreements inwriting from the U.S. institution you are visiting regarding
the terms of your stay.
• Seek out contacts such as the
Office of International Services
that can provide information
to help you prepare for your stay.
• Explore additional professional
development activities that
may enhance your stay.
Useful Websites
Council for International Exchange of
Scholars
http://www.cies.org
Fulbright Program
http://www.fulbright.state.gov
Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program
http://www.humphreyfellowship.org/

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Glossary of Terms

Glossaryof
Terms
Academic Adviser: Member of the faculty who helps andadvises students on academic matters. He or she may also
assist students during the registration process.
Academic Year: The period of formal academic instruction, usually between September to May. Depending on theinstitution, it may be divided into terms of varying lengths:
semesters, trimesters, or quarters.
Accreditation: System of recognition and quality assurance for institutions and programs of higher education in
the United States.
Add/Drop: A process at the beginning of a term whereby students can delete and add classes with an instructor’s
permission.
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Glossary of Terms

Assistantship: A study grant of financial assistance to a
graduate student that is offered in return for certain services in teaching or laboratory supervision, as a teachingassistant, or for services in research as a research assistant.
Audit: To take a class without receiving a grade or credit
toward a degree.
Authentication: Process of determining whether something is, in fact, what it is declared to be. Incoming students
are often required to provide a document of authentication
for academic transcripts or previous degrees when applying
to a program of study in the United States.
Bachelor’s Degree: Degree conferred by an institution ofhigher learning after the student has accumulated a certain
number of undergraduate credits. Usually a bachelor’s degree takes four years to earn, and it is a prerequisite forstudies in a graduate program.
Campus: The land on which the buildings of a college oruniversity are located.
CGFNS: Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing
Schools.
Class rank: A number or ratio indicating a student’s academic standing in his or her graduating class. A student who
ranks first in a class of 100 students would report his or herclass rank as 1/100, while a student ranking last would report 100/100. Class rank may also be expressed in percentiles (for example, the top 25 percent, the lower 50 percent).
College Catalog: An official publication of a college oruniversity giving information about academic programs,
facilities (such as laboratories, dormitories, etc.), entrance
requirements, and student life.
Core Requirements: Compulsory courses required forcompletion of the degree.
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Glossary of Terms

Course: Regularly scheduled class sessions of one to five(or more) hours per week during a term.
Credits: Units that institutions use to record the completion of courses of instruction (with passing or higher
grades) that are required for an academic degree. University catalogs define the number and the kinds of credits
required for its degrees and state the value in terms of degree credit — “credit hours” or “credit units” — of eachcourse offered.
DAT: Dental Admission Test required of applicants todental schools.
Degree: Diploma or title conferred by a college, university,or professional school upon completion of a prescribed program of studies.
Department: Administrative subdivision of a school, college, or university through which instruction in a certain
field of study is given (such as English department, history
department).
Dissertation: Thesis written on an original topic of research, usually presented as one of the final requirements
for the doctorate (Ph.D.).
Doctorate (Ph.D.): The highest academic degree conferred by a university on students who have completed atleast three years of graduate study beyond the bachelor’s
and/or master’s degree and who have demonstrated
their academic ability in oral and written examinations
and through original research presented in the form of
a dissertation.
Dormitories: Housing facilities on the campus of a college
or university reserved for students. A typical dormitory
would include student rooms, bathrooms, common rooms,
and possibly a cafeteria.

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ECFMG: Educational Commission for Foreign Medical
Graduates.
ECFVG: Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates.
Electives: Courses that students may “elect,” or choose,
to take for credit toward their intended degree, as distinguished from courses that they are required to take.
ERAS: Electronic Residency Application System for obtaining a residency position in the field of medicine in the
United States.
Faculty: The members of the teaching staff, and occasionally the administrative staff, of an educational institution.
The faculty is responsible for designing the plans of study
offered by the institution.
Fellowship: A study grant of financial assistance, usuallyawarded to a graduate student. Generally, no service is required of the student in return.
Final Exam: A cumulative exam, taken at the end of aterm, encompassing all material covered in a particular
course. Often referred to as a “final.”
Financial Aid/Financial Assistance: A general term that
includes all types of money, loans, and part-time jobs offered to a student.
Full-time Student: One who is enrolled in an institution
taking a full load of courses; the number of courses andhours is specified by the institution.
GMAT: Graduate Management Admission Test, usually required for applicants to business or management
programs.

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Grade Point Average: A system of recording academic
achievement based on the numerical grade received in eachcourse and the number of credit hours studied.
GRE: Graduate Record Examination; primarily multiple-choice test of verbal and quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing used for admission into
graduate programs.
High School: The U.S. term for secondary school.
Higher Education: Postsecondary education at colleges,
universities, professional schools, technical institutes, etc.
Education beyond high school.
International English Language Testing System(IELTS): An English language proficiency examination of
applicants whose native language is not English.
International Student Adviser (ISA): The person associated with a school, college, or university who is in chargeof providing information and guidance to international
students on U.S. government regulations, student visas,academic regulations, social customs, language, financial
or housing problems, travel plans, insurance, and legal
matters.
Language Requirement: A requirement of some graduate
programs that students must show basic reading and writing proficiency in one other language besides their own toreceive their degree.
Lecture: Common method of instruction in college anduniversity courses; a professor lectures in classes of 20 toseveral hundred students. Lectures may be supplemented with regular small group discussions led by teachingassistants.
Liberal Arts: A term referring to academic studies of subjects in the humanities, the social sciences, and the physicalIf You Want to Study in the United States: Graduate Study

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Glossary of Terms

sciences, with the goal of developing students’ verbal, written, and reasoning skills.
LSAT: Law School Admission Test required of applicants
to professional law programs and some postgraduate law
programs in American law schools.
Major: The subject or area of studies in which a student
concentrates. Undergraduates usually choose a major after the first two years of general courses in the arts andsciences.
Major Professor/Thesis Adviser: For research degrees,
the professor who works closely with a student in planningand choosing a research plan, in conducting the research,and in presenting the results. The major professor serves
as the head of a committee of faculty members who review
progress and results.
Master’s Degree: Degree conferred by an institution ofhigher learning after students complete academic requirements that usually include a minimum of one year’s study
beyond the bachelor’s degree.
MCAT: Medical College Admission Test required of applicants to U.S. medical schools.
Midterm Exam: An exam administered after half the academic term has passed that covers all course material studied up to that point. Often referred to as a “midterm.”
Miller Analogies Test: Test of analytical thinking sometimes required for admission to graduate programs in fields
such as education and psychology.
NAVLE: North American Veterinary Licensing Exam
NCLEX-RN: A licensing examination for registerednurses. It is required by each state and must be passed before a nurse can practice in that state.
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Glossary of Terms

Non-Resident: A student who do not meet the residence
requirements of the state. Tuition fees and admission policies may differ for residents and non-residents. International students are usually classified as non-residents, andthere is little possibility of changing to resident status at alater date for tuition purposes. Also referred to as an “outof state” student.
Notarization: The certification of a document, a statement, or a signature as authentic and true by a public official — known in the United States as a notary public.
Applicants in other countries should have their documents
certified or notarized in accordance with instructions.
NRMP: National Resident Matching Program.
Out-of-state Student: See “Non-Resident” above.
Placement Test: An examination used to test a student’s
academic ability in a certain field so that he or she may beplaced in the appropriate courses in that field. In some casesa student may be given academic credit based on the resultsof a placement test.
Plan of Study: A detailed description of the course of
study for which a candidate applies. The plan should incorporate the objectives given in the student’s “statementof purpose.”
Postdoctorate: Studies designed for those who have completed their doctorate.
Postgraduate: Usually refers to studies for individuals who
have completed a graduate degree. May also be used to refer to graduate education.
Prerequisite: Program or course that a student is required
to complete before being permitted to enroll in a more advanced program or course.

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Professional Degree: Usually obtained after completing abachelor’s degree; degree designed to lead into a specific profession such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or law.
Qualifying Examination: In many graduate departments,
an examination given to students who have completed required coursework for a doctoral degree, but who have notyet begun the dissertation or thesis. A qualifying examination may be oral or written, or both, and must be passed forthe student to continue.
Registration: Process through which students selectcourses to be taken during a quarter, semester, or trimester.
Residency: Clinical training in a chosen specialty.
Sabbatical: Leave with pay granted to give a faculty member an extended period of time for concentrated study.
Scholarship: A study grant of financial assistance, usually
given at the undergraduate level, which may be supplied in
the form of a cancellation or remission of tuition and/or fees.
Semester: Period of study of approximately 15 to 16 weeks’duration, usually half of an academic year.
Seminar: A form of small group instruction, combining
independent research and class discussions under the guidance of a professor.
Social Security Number: A number issued by the U.S.
government to jobholders for payroll deductions for oldage, retirement, survivors’ benefits, and disability insurance. Anyone who works regularly must obtain one. Many
institutions use the Social Security Number as a student
identification number.
Special Student: A student at a college or university who is
not enrolled as a candidate for a degree. Also may be referred
to as a non-degree, non-matriculating, or visiting student.
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Student and Exchange Visitor Information System(SEVIS): An Internet-based system that maintains data on
foreign students and exchange visitors before and during
their stay in the United States. It is part of the Student andExchange Visitor Program (SEVP) managed by the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security.
Subject: Course in an academic discipline offered as part ofa curriculum of an institution of higher learning.
Syllabus: An outline of topics to be covered in an academic
course.
Tenure: A guarantee that a faculty member will remain
employed by a college or university until retirement except
in the case of very unusual circumstances. Tenure is granted
to senior faculty members who have demonstrated a worthy
research and publication record. Its purpose is to preserve
academic freedom.
Thesis: A written work containing the results of research
on a specific topic prepared by a candidate for a bachelor’s
or master’s degree.
TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language; an English language proficiency examination of applicants whose
native language is not English.
Transcript: A certified copy of a student’s educational record containing titles of courses, the number of credits, andthe final grades in each course. An official transcript also
states the date a degree has been conferred.
Trimester: Period of study comprising one third of the academic year.
Tuition: The money an institution charges for instruction
and training (does not include the cost of books).

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Undergraduate Studies: Two- or four-year programs in acollege or university after high school graduation, leading to
the associate or bachelor’s degree.
USMLE: U.S. Medical Licensing Examination.
VMCAS: Veterinary Medical College Application Service; a comprehensive service collecting data for veterinary
medical schools.
Withdrawal: The administrative procedure of dropping acourse or leaving an institution.
Zip Code: A series of numbers in mailing addresses thatdesignates postal delivery districts in the United States.

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Additional Resources

		 Additional
			 Resources
Contact your nearest EducationUSA advising center to findout more about these and other resources.

Choosing and Applying to Graduate Programs
88 Great MBA Application Tips and Strategies to Get You intoa Top Business School, Brandon Royal. 2003. Prentice Hall,
Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ.
Best 296 Business Schools, 2009 Edition. 2008. Princeton Review Publishers, LLC, New York, NY.
The College Board International Student Handbook. Publishedannually. The College Board, New York, NY.
Get into Grad School: A Strategic Approach for Master’s andDoctoral Candidates. 2008. Kaplan, Inc., New York, NY.
Going to College: Expanding Opportunities for People with Disabilities, Elizabeth Evans Getzel and Paul Wehman. 2005.
Brookes Publishing, Baltimore, MD.
How to Get into the Top MBA Programs, 4th Edition, Richard
Montauk. 2007. Prentice Hall Press, The Penguin Group,
New York, NY.
If You Want to Study in the United States: Graduate Study

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Additional ResourcesPeterson’s Colleges with Programs for Students with Learning Disabilities or Attention Deficit Disorders, Charles T. Mangrum
and Stephen S. Strichart. 1997. Peterson’s, Princeton, NJ.
Peterson’s Guide to Graduate and Professional Study. Publishedannually. Peterson’s, Princeton, NJ. (6-volume set with information on a wide variety of programs)
Peterson’s MBA Programs 2009. 2008, Peterson’s, Princeton,
NJ.
Your MBA Game Plan: Proven Strategies for Getting into the
Top Business Schools, Omari Bouknight and Scott Shrum.
2007. The Career Press, Franklin Lakes, NJ.

Financial Assistance
The College Board Scholarship Handbook. Published annually.
The College Board, New York, NY.
Funding for United States Study 2010: A Guide for International
Students and Professionals, Institute of International Education, New York, NY.
Getting Money for Graduate School. 2003. Peterson’s,
Princeton, NJ.
Paying for Graduate School without Going Broke. 2004.
Princeton Review Publishing, LLC, New York, NY.
Peterson’s Scholarships for Study in the USA and Canada. 1999.
Peterson’s, Princeton, NJ.

Personal Statements
Business School Essays that Made a Difference, 3rd Edition.
2008. Princeton Review Publishing, LLC, New York, NY.
Graduate Admissions Essays — What Works, What Doesn’t andWhy, Donald Asher. 2004. Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, CA.
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Additional Resources

Graduate Admissions Essays: Write Your Way into the Graduate School of Your Choice, Donald Asher. 2008. Ten Speed
Press, Berkeley, CA.
Great Application Essays for Business School, Paul Bodine.
2006. The McGraw-Hill Companies, New York, NY.
How to Write a Winning Personal Statement for Graduate
and Professional School — 3rd Edition, Richard J. Stelzer.
1997. Peterson’s, Princeton, NJ.

Professional Programs
Dentistry
Official Guide to Dental Schools. Published annually. American Dental Association.
The Pre-Dental Guide: A Guide for Successfully Getting into
Dental School, Joseph S. Kim. 2001. iUniverse, Lincoln,NE.

Medicine
The Complete Guide to the MD/PhD Degree, Ben Rosner,
Jayakar Nayak, and Brandon Minnery. 2004. J&S Publishing, Inc., Alexandria, VA.
Graduate Medical Education Directory. Published annually.
American Medical Association, Dover, DE.
Iserson’s Getting into a Residency: A Guide for Medical Students, 7th Edition, Kenneth V. Iserson. 2006. Galen Press,
Ltd., Tucson, AZ.
Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR). Publishedannually. Association of American Medical Colleges,
Washington, DC.

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Additional Resources

Nursing
Peterson’s Nursing Programs. Published annually. Peterson’s,
Princeton, NJ.
The Ultimate Guide for Getting into Nursing School,
Genevieve Chandler. 2007. McGraw-Hill Professional,
New York, NY.

Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements in the
United States and Canada, Lawrence Heider. 2008. Purdue
University Press, West Lafayette, IN.

Law
How to Get into the Top Law Schools, 4th Edition, Richard
Montauk. 2008. Prentice Hall Press, The Penguin Group,
New York, NY.
The International Students’ Survival Guide to Law School in
the United States: Everything You Need to Succeed, Rachel
Gader-Shafran. 2003. iUniverse, Lincoln, NE.
ABA-LSAC Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools,
2009 Edition, Wendy Margolis, ed. 2008. Law School Admission Council, Chicago, IL.

English Language Programs
English Language Programs 2002. 2001. Peterson’s, Princeton,
NJ.
Intensive English USA 2008, Shayne Stephens, ed., 2008.
Institute of International Education, New York, NY.

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Additional Resources

Pre-departure Information
Getting Ready to Go: Practical Information for Living andStudying in the United States (Booklet Four of this series)
International Student’s Guide to the USA, Ian Jacobs and Ellen Shatswell. 1998. Princeton Review Publishing, LLC,
New York, NY.
NAFSA’s International Student Handbook: The Essential Guide
to University Study in the USA. 2001. NAFSA: Associationof International Educators, Washington, DC.
The Ultimate College Survival Guide, Janet Farrar Worthington and Ronald Farrar. 2009. Peterson’s, Princeton, NJ.

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Index		

Index

Academic calendar
16
Accreditation
3, 10, 18, 25-26, 28, 29, 73, 76, 95
Administrative assistantships
55, 58Admission requirements 28, 30-34, 70, 72, 73, 80, 82, 83, 107, 108
Admissions tests
27, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 39, 43, 45, 47,
		62, 70, 73, 81, 83, 86, 97, 99, 100
23, 24, 31, 36, 38, 39, 42, 43, 44,
		47, 49, 62, 70, 78
Application checklist
46-48
Application fee
37, 45
Application form
37, 43, 60
Application materials
37-43
Application process
35-37
Assistantships
28, 32, 34, 42, 54-55, 58, 96
Associate degree
3, 78, 104
Bachelor’s degree 14, 16, 19, 72, 78, 80, 96, 97, 100, 102, 103, 104
Catalog, college/university 17, 19, 22, 23, 36, 47, 50, 54, 96, 97
Choosing universities
20-29
Costs
50-51
Books and supplies
51
Living costs
50-51
Personal expenses
51
Transportation
51
Tuition and fees
50

Admissions office/officer

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IndexCourse load
16-17
Dentistry
69-72, 83, 84, 102, 107
Disabilities, students with27, 29, 105
Distance education3, 18, 19, 26
Doctoral degree
3, 13, 15-16, 19, 71, 78, 79, 81, 83, 102
DS-2019 form
48, 60, 61, 63
Educational consultants
24-25
EducationUSA advising centers 3, 11, 12, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,				

29, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38 48, 50, 52, 54,
60, 65, 69, 70, 73, 76, 80, 83, 105
Employment
21, 55, 56, 92
English proficiency
32-33, 34, 37, 70, 75, 79, 80, 83, 99, 103
F-1 visa
55, 56, 60, 61, 63
Fairs, college/university
13, 24, 29
Fees		
10, 18, 25, 28, 37, 45, 48, 50, 54, 55, 60, 61, 62, 64, 102
Fellowships
28, 43, 54, 73-74, 76, 84, 90, 94, 98
Financial assistance28, 36, 47, 52-56, 57, 58, 83, 96, 98, 102, 106
Assistantships
54-55
Employment
55-56
Fellowships
54
Home-country sources
52
International organizations
53
Loans
56
Private U.S. sources
53
U.S. government
52-53
U.S. universities
53-54
Financial statement
42
Fulbright Commissions
52, 89, 90
Fulbright program
52, 58, 89-90, 94
Funding graduate study
49-58
Grading systems
16-17, 38
Graduate degree
10, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 30, 33, 34, 39, 101

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)		
31, 34, 37, 39, 47, 99
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)		31, 34, 37, 39, 47, 81, 99
GRE Subject Tests
31, 37, 47
Health insurance
67
Housing48, 50, 51
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
90, 94
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IndexI-20 form
48, 60, 61, 62, 63International English LanguageTesting System (IELTS)		
32, 33-34, 37, 39, 47, 54, 80, 83, 99
International student adviser
66, 67, 69
International student office27, 48, 55, 66, 93, 94
Internship26, 90Interviews
44, 54, 60, 61, 62, 64, 76
J-1 visa
56, 60, 61, 63
Law		
82-83
Loans
51, 56, 57, 98
Major
57, 62, 69, 82, 100
Master’s degree 3, 13, 14-15, 19, 26, 53, 71, 78, 81, 83, 97, 100, 103
Medicine
31, 69, 72-77, 83, 84, 88, 98, 102, 107Miller Analogies Tests (MAT)
31, 34, 100
Money and banking
48, 67
Non-degree study
18-19, 71, 78, 103
Nursing
69, 78-80, 85, 96, 108
Orientation27, 48, 60, 66, 67
Personal statement (essay)
39-40, 45, 47, 76, 106, 107
Private institutions
17-18, 19Professional master’s degree
14-15Professional study
69-85, 107
Public institutions
17-18, 19
Rankings
27, 28, 29
Recommendations
40-42, 43, 75, 76, 80
Recruiting agent
24-25
Research assistantships
55
Scholars, funding
91
Scholars, invitational positions
90-91
Scholars, opportunities for
86-94
Social media tools
23-24
Special student
19, 103
State universities
17
Out-of-state tuition
17, 101
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System(SEVIS)48, 59-60, 103
SEVIS Form I-901
48, 60, 61, 64
Statement of purpose
39-40, 45, 47, 76, 106
Student services
27, 28
Taxes
54
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Index

Teaching assistantships
32, 44, 54-55, 58, 87, 89, 96, 99
Technical education
14, 30, 60
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
		32-34, 37, 39, 47, 54, 80, 83, 103
Test of Spoken English (TSE)32, 33, 34
Transcripts
38, 47, 62, 74, 96, 103
Tuition10, 17, 18, 28, 50, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 102, 104
Types of institutions
17-18
Veterinary medicine
69, 80-81, 84, 85, 102, 104, 108
Visa application procedures
61-63
Visa refusals
63
Visa types
60
Visiting campuses
24
Vocational education
33, 60Web-based search tools
23
Working in the United States
55-56

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GPS Designed, produced, and printed by Global Publishing Solutions (A/GIS/GPS) © (10-2028-E-1.0)

Editor: Coleen Gatehouse
Cover Design: Rolando Ribera
NOTE: Inclusion of a website or publication in this booklet does not indicate recommendation or approval by the
U.S. Department of State; it is for information purposes only. Listings of websites and publications are aselection only and should not be considered a complete list of those available.

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