Note that most of these universities have their deadlines run throughout the year while some have specific closing dates for their applications. Here’s a list of what you need to look out for when you check these universities’ websites:
- Take note of the official email addresses of the department or faculty or general graduate admissions for when you might have questions
- Check for the documents needed for your postgraduate study application. In this case, you would have:
- GRE or GMAT – “Oh my! that’s a lot of money”, you might think. Luckily for you, some of these schools actually wave this test but if you find a school that mandates it, and you want that particular school, please take the exam. You can also take it to boost your chances at graduate school.
- Statement Of Purpose (SOP)
- Reference/Recommendation letters
- Your Resume/CV containing your professional work experience over the months or years, depending on how long you have been working after your undergraduate studies.
- Unofficial (also called student copy) or Official undergraduate transcript. Ensure to confirm which is specifically requested, and under what condition. Some universities only require you to submit your unofficial undergraduate transcript throughout, while some require that at first but then require that you submit the official copy before you register for your courses. This enables them to confirm the initial one you submitted during your application. Other universities require that you submit your official undergraduate transcripts before your application is looked at by the school. Be sure to confirm all these before starting your application to avoid any stories that touch, and to prepare yourself for the possible financial implications.
- English proficiency documents, if they are required for your country in particular. Make sure to confirm this!
What’s more to look out for when applying to a US university?
- Confirm the minimum requirements for your specific course as they usually vary from that of other departments and/or faculties.
- Confirm the application fee, and see if you fall under the category of applicants that could receive a waiver.
- Check for the “Graduate Student Information Sessions” that the university might have. What most people do not know is that a larger number of these universities give out what we call “application fee waivers” to interested applicants who attend these sessions. If you’re lucky enough to be applying on a world-wide-celebrated month like the “women’s month” as a woman, or any other, and the university attributes a lot to such, you could get an application fee waiver sent to your mail for that too.
- Look for the “Tuition and Scholarships” related page of the university, ensure to read through, but also focus on the “International Student Session” of the page. Alternatively, you could send the school an email for more information on the available scholarships for international students. It does make more sense though, to do your research first from the information on the website before reaching out to them. This way, you’re aware of the possible scholarship options before, during, or after your application.
- Be in the know if your admission into the university would have a conditional good-grade-promise document attached to it. Some universities require that you meet up to a particular grade after having taken some courses. They do this to be extra sure that they made the right choice admitting you even if you didn’t have the best grade from your undergraduate studies.
