The ‘You’ of U.S.A. - All aboard!

In an hour long session on the 25^th of July, 2012 a hall of students received valuable information from Pankaj A. Desai (a former student of M.E.S.) on a subject that perplexes all those who hope to further their studies abroad-how exactly do you go about it? Since he spoke from personal experience, his talk leaned slightly towards universities in the U.S. giving students who want to go there a minor advantage over those who would prefer other countries instead. Each individual however was benefitted since a general pattern is followed when it comes to university application procedures. With a warm manner and a PowerPoint presentation that was peppered with good-natured humour, he doled out the following guidelines.

What foreign universities want to see from you:

    

     A good academic record but more importantly, a sincere student

Good grades are a pre-requisite for admission into any decent university. However more than just the ability to learn, the university wants to see in you a desire to learn.

    

    TOEFL score

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (or TOEFL) is designed to evaluate your hold over the English language. This test is basically meant to check your ability to cope with various accents abroad.

    

     GRE score

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is designed to test your Verbal skills (in English), Quantitative skills (Math) and Analytical writing (in the form of Essays).

   

     Statement of Purpose (SOP)

The statement of purpose is an essay that records your educational journey so far and your goals for the future. This is where you are given the opportunity to present yourself as a unique individual with a definite aspiration and why you are convinced that this particular university will guide you on your journey.

            A well-balanced Résumé

Foreign universities do not only look for a good academic record from you. They want to see a well-rounded individual with interests and capabilities beyond textbooks. Letters of recommendation from your mentors play a vital part in delivering this message across.

      Your financial standing

The universities need to be convinced that you can support yourself in an abroad setting from a financial standpoint.

10 steps that will help you in your Endeavour

1. Identify your interest

Introspect and discover what it is that you truly want to dedicate yourself to.

2. Narrow down to a specialization

Pinpoint your interest to an exact specialization. Once you learn the technical term of the field you want to enter, you will find doors opening to universities that offer your specialization.

3. Research on universities that offer your specialization.

4. Examine the syllabus

Do the topics covered in the syllabus rouse your thirst for learning?

5. Shortlist colleges that fit your bill

Are their tuition fees and the living costs within your reach? What endowments does your university offer? Are you comfortable with your living conditions? Do you find the faculty qualified enough to match your expectation? Positive answers to questions like these bring you one step closer to your final destination.

6. Is your degree a degree?

A Bachelor of Arts degree in the U.S requires 1600 contact hours (time spent ‘in contact’ with a lecturer…i.e. total class hours) stretched over 4 years whereas in India, we achieve the same within a period of 3 years. Does your university recognize and accept your 3 year degree and qualify you for a Master’s degree?

[Agencies that research such universities for you exist but they provide their services for a hefty fee]

7. Prepare a final list of your selected colleges

Remember-each application form requires a fee. Although tempting, it may not be possible to apply to numerous universities at one go. Plan according to your finances. 

8. Prepare for your entrance tests

Depending on the region you are planning to pursue your studies, you will have to take entrance tests (like GRE and TOEFL for the U.S., IELTS for the U.K or even entrance tests conducted by the university itself)

9. What goes into your file?

Your file is the list of documents you will need to send across in order to secure your admission. Your file must contain the following:

1.     Résumé

2.     SOP (Statement of Purpose)

3.     Official transcript (original marks card)

4.     Letters of Recommendation

5.     Financial Documents

10. And finally…

Once you’re done with your tests, it is time to finally fill out your application forms and send them. This must be done by courier and not post. Verify with your universities if your file is complete and has been forwarded to the selection committee. Stay alert throughout your admission process as ignorance is not a viable reason for inconsistencies and it could cost you.

He also mapped out The Ideal Timeline for students in the current 2^nd year which goes something like this-

The seminar ended with an interactive question-answer session following which The Department of English bestowed upon Pankaj a token of thanks for taking the time to impart his knowledge to a room full of hopefuls.

Shivani N.

II BA (PJoE)