Guide / steps to study in USA for International students? How to plan? Part – 1
Recently one of our readers asked for the complete sequence of steps for studying in USA as an International student. This post is just a check list and each step will be a link to article on how to do effectively do that step in future. Imagine this page as table of contents for a book. It will take time for me write these articles…you have to stay tuned 
I am assuming international students will have 16 years of Education in their home country before they come to USA for education. Please do NOT be scared at the list. It is not as bad as you think. Just trying to put in every detail so that you do NOT miss on anything and be at disadvantage.
Want to Study in USA? Goals?
Imagine you are in the 2nd year of your 4 year degree (typically engineering) and you look at your seniors in final year getting admissions (I20s) to study in US. A spark ignites in your mind that you want to study and live an American Dream! Some of you might have goals to study in US even before entering college. This is the ideal time to start laying strong foundation… “ Rome was not Built in a Day”
- Is US education right for me?
- Check Options and Decision Chart to Come to US
- What are my Goals for studying in US? Just job or higher goals?
- Should I apply for MBA or MS after bachelors?
- What is my Financial Situation? Can I afford if NO Scholarship ?
- What is the total Cost of studying in US? Should I apply for cheaper schools ?
- What is return on my investment for MS ? When will I be break-even?
- What are my backup options if I do not get Visa to study in US?
- What are options at home country, if I come back without working in US?
If you decide, it is a very risky move to study in US financially or it is not ideal for you and you are not ready. You can stop here and do not worry about below sections. If you have decided to study in US, then read the rest of the article.
First steps for Studying in USA:
- Apply for Passport.
- Create a full plan for Studying in USA in upcoming two years.
Taking the Standardized Tests:
- Book the Dates for GRE and TOEFL based on your plan
- Research US Universities of your interest
- What are your dream schools in US ? Check their Average GRE / TOEFL Scores ?
- Set targets for GRE and TOEFL Scores.
- Importance of Leadership and extracurricular activities for USA Application.
- How to improve your profile by Volunteering, Student Organizations, etc?
- Preparing for GRE
- What is GRE ? General Test vs. Subject Test ?
- What is pattern? Any changes to pattern?
- 10 Things to know about New GRE Pattern 2011
- How to prepare for GRE?
- How to build vocabulary without by hearting wordlists ?
- What books do I need for GRE ?
- How to succeed in GRE ? Time, Strategy ?
- Websites for preparing for GRE
- How long are GRE Scores Valid ? Old Pattern Validity after 2011 Pattern ?
- Preparing for TOEFL
- What is TOEFL ?
- TOEFL Pattern ?
- Books for TOEFL ?
- Should I watch Movies for English listening ?
- Is TOEFL Easy than GRE ?
- How to improve your listening skills?
- Last week preparation for GRE and TOEFL
- Tips for the exam day of GRE and TOEFL tests.
- Universities list for submitting on GRE/ TOEFL day (NOT Final list)
Test Scores and Universities Selection:
- US University Rankings? What do they tell? Are they right ?
- Should you look at top 20 Schools ? Use Rankings or NOT ?
- Are you happy with GRE and TOEFL Score? Should I re-take ?
- What do Admission Consultants or Anyone who charge you to get admissions do?
- Should I go for Admission Consultants? Do I really need them ?
- Research Universities for your Subject Area.
- Primary Universities list for Applying based on your scores.
- Low profile Backup schools ? Create a list of Backup schools
- How to contact International Students in Universities.
- Compare your Scores with Average Scores of your dream schools
- How to email Professors at the Universities about Admissions/ funding
- Scholarship Deadlines Vs Admission Deadlines. Are they Different ?
- Look at Admission Deadlines, Scholarship Deadlines for your Universities?
- Finalize list of Universities after research and emails communication.
Just for sake of clarity and not making this post too long, I am breaking down the article into multiple posts. Check the Part 2 : Guide to Apply to US schools. Admission and F1 Visa process for International students.
Image Credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumaxart/2137729748/
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Related posts:
- Guide to Apply to US schools. Admission and F1 Visa process for International students.
- Sample schedule: Fall 2011- When to apply for MS or MBA in USA? Deadlines? International Students plan
- Should all F1 students file taxes? When ? Information on International students (F1 Visa) tax filing?
- Should I study/apply for MS or MBA in US after B.Tech/ B.Com ? MBA vs MS fees, degree focus, funding issues. Which is better ? Part – 1
- How to find US Schools with Less International Students for MS / MBA?
{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi, i want to ask a common question whether an average (Intellectual) student can pursue MS & get a descent job after completion of MS.
i’m presently in 4-2 .want to go to US for this spring still i have a backlog log in 1 subject of 2-2.by the time i clear my back log and get the result it will be almost july 2nd week and my 4-2 res will cme by augest i heard that for spring applications we need to send our full degree percent so will it be late or will the percentage to send my rechos is enough till 3-2
When applying for a student visa, would I have to apply for one in my home country or the country in which I want to study in or both?
Megzz,
If you are currently out of US, then you need to apply for the F-1 visa at a US consulate in your home country. Or are you already in US?
I’m currently in my home country. I’m still in year 11 and I’m planning to study in the US. I’ve chosen which institute I want to attend. But I don’t when or where to register for the GRE test or apply for a student work visa.
Megzz,
I don’t know where to register for GRE. You can search that online, or on this blog. BTW, student visa and work visa are two different things. There is nothing like student work visa.
oh ok. Thanks for the advice, it really did help
Hi Guys,
I did an MCA 2009, Since 2 years I am working in Software Industry. Now, I am planning do MS in US. So, anyone can guide me to do my MS in US. Actually , this is my dream. How can I get the funding ? Can I work pa-rally in any IT industry in US while doing my MS. Could you please suggest me.
Thanks in Advance…
Best Regards,
Vinod.
Depends on the Visa you opt.
I have a problem whose solution i couldn’t find, so i decided to put on my question.
I had a backlog in B tech ECE(2004 – 2008), but i was working as a graphic designer from 1 year. I have learned of my own with my interest.. Recently i got married and my husband he got H1B visa in USA and wants to settle there..
He wants to take me on student visa.. Can i study with backlogs.
I was interested in designing.. Can I get courses on designing.
Yes, you can get. If you have good test scores.
Is there a problem if they ask for certificates…. or can i get h1 visa
You need to show mandatory documents that explain your ground. I am afraid if you can get h1 visa under these circumstance.
Hi sir,
i am a btech(IT) final year student with 80% marks and I want study ms in us send me abt course what the steps to aply it etc. Plz thnku sir.
I am Ravi finished my B>tech and planning for my MS in US…rather than GRE and TOFEL, is the only exam IELTS enough for entry into US unvs??…if so suggest me the best universities that offer intake on IELTS score.
Ravi, Typically in US, schools take GRE and TOEFL. I am not aware of schools that accept IELTS.
Hello kumar,
I am B.Tech final year student with CGPA- 9.2. In GATE-2010, I got 98% but didn’t give this time as I got more fascinated towards MS course in US. I am having solid research background during UG programme with 3 articles accepted in IET/IEEE communication journals. I am opting for a year drop and planning to take admission in fall-2012 for MS.
So my questions are …
A)) If I write to the university by just stating that I want to do MS, so will I be granted monetary benefits to pay off my tuition fee and stipend by considering my resume…despite of the fact that I haven’t mentioned about my further interest in doing Ph.D or not?
B)) Do I have to specifically mention about doing Ph.D for getting stipend + tution fee waiver?
C)) Will I be released from monetary benefits …. if later during my MS course, I decide not to go for Ph.D?
Kindly guide me through these questions.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Amar, I wish I could reply early. Here are my thoughts
A. No. It does not work like that. You need to find a fit for your research with right professor to get funding.
B. No, if you get Ph.D admission, most of the times they offer full funding with stipend.
C. Well, you are not bound by anything. But, school spends so much stipend on you so that you do Ph.D, it should not go vain…Consider from school perspective…
Hope it helps, feel free to ask any questions.
i am in the BE cse,registered for gre on 29 july.I have year down due to accident.I want to ask u is there is any criteria such that “no yaer down is allowed”.pls tell me.And which book should I use for qunt.
JK, I do not think so…You have a valid genuine reason to support the case.
hi kumar,
thanks for your reply,
(toefl four free university)
but i did not get any application from the university
is there any process to apply to the university for these four university
i’m going to give GRE in feb 13th and i’m in 3rd year. I’m having 85% and 5 paper presentation.
Please answer for my question.
Can i submit my application now itself( in 3rd year) . Can i get any advantage if i send it now?
Waiting for your reply..
Which term are you applying for ?
Fall 2011 or Fall 2012 ?
2012, i’ll be finishing my graduation in may 2012 and want to go for fall 2012.
Mahesh, I dont think you will get any advantage if you do now. They wont even look at it…as long as you send before deadlines, you must be fine.
but some one told me that if i send the application as earlier. The university person has very good time to see whole of my profile. That is he will go through profile carefully.
But if it is in deadline they don’t have chance know, because they have many students applying for the admission..
hai i got a score of 1180 in gre
and expecting a 90 in toefl
and i agregate is 73% in btech and 10th 72%
and intermediat 84%
i am prepareing my sop’s and recomensation letters and what next?
how should i apply for colleges in us??
and waht should i do next ????
Nikhil, you sort out the schools you plan to attend by doing some research, then apply online and post applications to the respective schools. I am just giving a generic outline
I will try to write an article with step by step sequence.
Hello kumar,
can i get admission into a descent university with the
fallowing profile…
Myself Rajkumar,
These are the my credentials….
—GRE-890
—TOEFL-90
—For Jan intake
—My background is Computer science.
—No work experience.
—I did my project in my college based on computer networking.
—I had scored a 55% aggregate in my under graduation and i had 30 backlogs which i had cleared.
—If i am eligible kindly tell me the tuition fees.
—and what are the chances of visa acceptance is it depends on the academics or the answers which i give at the counselor.
——–please suggest me…………
Thanking you.
Rajkumar, depends on how you define a decent school….I think you may be running late for Spring. Before you start to apply, What is your goal for MS ? Just study in US or Job or higher goals ? I think you need better scores for admission to good school. Browse the articles in section Decide MS or MBA to get some idea on goals and other info.
Thank you kumar for your kind reply,still with profile i had some good universities,actually the main thing is getting visa,after getting visa once we entered in USA then or after completion of first semester with the good score then we can change the university and also we will have chance to get an admission from good university,what do you say……
hi
i compleated my B.E in CSE this year with 61.22% aggregate.
(my 10th percentage is 75.04 % and in 10+2 i have 59.33%)
over all CGPA 6.5
please answer few of my questions.
1. Am i eligible for applying MS in USA.
2. Is writing GRE enough to get through.
3. What should be the ideal score in GRE to get through
1. Yes
2. Well, GRE is required for most of the decent schools. You need to create a good application with SOP, Recommendations, etc.
3. The higher the better…Anything around 1400 would be ideal.
thanx kumar
Hi brother,
I am doing my graduation and i am planing to study in us.
But,i have deep confusion on how much it expenses for the completion of masters degree.
It means total fee strucure and leaving.
Read the article listed in this article on top : How much does MS in US cost
I am doing a BCA and I got a year down in 2nd year. I want to know is I am eligible to Study MBA in US?
Well, for most of the schools, you need 16 years of education from your home country. Having said that, there are some schools that may accept 15 years of education. The trick is to convince the school that your 3 year BCA is equivalent to 4 year bachelors degree in US.
i have completed my engineering this year with 60%. I am very much confused as to what i have to do next. i have given gre with a score of 1020 . will shortly write toefl. but im still not sure if i should take up MS in USA or do MBA in india. i have SC reservation,so that should be of great help in CAT. and i am very good at math and english. please help
Look at what your goal is and decide. Read these two articles :
Why Study Masters in USA? Goals for studying abroad? Just job or higher goals?
Should I apply for MS or MBA after B.tech in US
hiii i completed my btch with 71% backlogs(10), gre score 1010 toefl exam is on july24 expecting 85+ i want to apply for spring is there chance of getting funding… iam a graduate in mechanical engineering
Well, it is very hard to say about funding just with score and acads…There are lot of factors that play into picture…
Would taking IELTS obviate the need of taking TOEFL?
Because, If I take IELTS, I can apply to Canadian Universities too.
Aman
Aman, It totally depends on the school. In general, for most of the schools in USA, TOEFL is mandatory. I can see where you are coming from trying to avoid a test…but, my personal opinion, I would not recommend a school that do not even require TOEFL….For most of the decent schools, GRE and TOEFL both are mandatory for graduate programs.
This plan is typically for people aspiring to pursue MS in USA , but not for MBA. A similar article for MBA aspirants will also be much appreciated.
Subhadeep, It depends on how you look at it….There are some tweaks that can be done to suit MBA…but in general this is a guide for Studying Masters in USA as an international student. I will write a plan for MBA as well including work experience and other things in future.