TIPS ON APPLYING

• Request the application materials atleast a year before you plan to start your studies at a college/university.
  
  
• Completion and presentation of your application will play an important role in determining the outcome of your efforts to secure admission.
  
  
• To find a right college of your match, it is very important that you provide true and correct information with honesty and sincerity in your application form.
  
  
• Read the college applications and brochures thoroughly. It will tell you how the college/university sees itself, its mission, admissions requirements and educational goals. Once you know what exactly the colleges emphasizes on, you will have an idea as to what part of your own background and qualifications to focus on while applying.
  
  
• Never input any wrong information on the application. This will have a negative impact when the admission committee meets together to make a decision on the application.
  
  
• Most colleges look for a varied student population that comes from different countries, backgrounds and represents many different academic interests and personal qualities. As an international student, don't forget to mention what unique experience will you bring to the college or university you are applying to.
  
  

• Your Pre-application forms.
  
  
• Final Application Forms.
  
  
• Preparing you application fee drafts/checks.
  
  
• Tips on filling out the Personal section of your application form.
  
  
• Preparing you recommendation letters
  
  
• Preparing your transcripts
  
  
• Standardized tests requirements
  
  
• Financial Aid/Scholarship Application Information
  
  

PRELIMINARY APPLICATIONS

• Fill out the preliminary application properly. This will help the admission officers to determine whether or not you will be a prospective student before you go through the more complicated process of completing the final application form.
  
  
• Do not put any false name or information on the preliminary application just for the sake of getting an application form or a brochure.
  
  
• A preliminary application is basically a form that will require your basic personal information and may be, a short paragraph on your career goals. You should return this pre-application as soon as possible. Upon receipt of the pre-application, if the university finds your goals, background and abilities compatible to their standards, then will you receive a final application form.
  
  

ACTUAL APPLICATION FORMS

• Complete and despatch your applications and the required documents before the application deadline.
  
  
• Early applications sent are always beneficial, as they get reviewed and evaluated first. The chances of getting an admission are always better if an application is submitted to the university before the deadline.
  
  
• Get your applications typed and present it well before the admissions office.
  
  

APPLICATION FEE

• Send the correct application fee that applies to you. Many universities will have a different fee for local students and a different fee for international students.
  
  
• Application fee has to be sent in the respective currency of the country either using a credit card or a bank draft. Do not send cash.
  
  

PERSONAL INFORMATION

• Mention all your skills and experiences clearly.
  
  
• Provide the university with all your writing samples, artwork, performances or any other activities, which an application does not cover.
  
  
• Try to be personal and share all your experiences, talents and information, you have in store. Make the most of it.
  
  

RECOMMENDATION LETTERS

• Select someone who knows you well and has taught you a subject related to the planned course of study.
  
  
• Your recommendation should come from a person who have high regards for you academically and/or personally.
  
  
• Your recommendation letters are very confidential and have to be sealed and signed by the respective professor.
  
  
• Use the university recommendation forms (if any), rather then getting them on college letterheads. This increases your chances of getting an assistantship.
  
  
• Send the recommendation letters directly to the university, if asked for.
  
  

SCHOOL REPORTS AND TRANSCRIPTS

• Get your transcript form filled by your school/college official, which is generally your principal or the registrar.
  
  
• Get your transcripts sealed in envelopes and mailed directly to the university you are applying to, if asked for or include them in the application packet.
  
  
• If your country follows a different grading system, make sure to include a complete guide of the grading systems used in the respective country.
  
  
• If you are from a Non-English speaking country or your language of instruction in school/college is not English, be sure to get your transcripts translated in English and officially certified by the respective school/college, along with the original documents in the original language.
  
  

STANDARDIZED TESTS

• TOEFL or IELTS
  
  
  • Your ability to speak, write and understand English is an absolute requirement to be considered for direct admission to most of the degree programs in all the countries.
    
    
  • A person can be exempted from appearing for the TOEFL if he/she is from an English speaking country, where the primary language is English.
    
    
  • TOEFL is a widely accepted test of proficiency and can be used for most of the universities all over the world. TOEFL bulletins can be obtained from ETS directly or can be requested from your local authorized center in the country.
    
    
  • IELTS is also an English proficiency tests, generally accepted by colleges and universities in the United Kingdom. Applications for IELTS can be obtained from your local British Education Center in your country.
    
    
• SAT-I,SAT-II, GMAT & GRE
  
  These exams are only required, if you are planning to apply to universities/colleges in the United States or Canada.
  
  
  • SAT-I is compulsory for most of the colleges in the US and is one of the admission requirements. SAT-I is required for all freshman applicants (local & International) & in some universities even for junior, senior and sophomore students.
    
    
  • SAT-II is required only if you are planning to apply to a top ranked college/university. SAT-II is only required if a student plans to apply as a freshman student.A minimum of 3 subjects will be required by any student planning to appear for SAT-II.
    
    
  • GMAT, required for all management & business related programs.
    
    
  • GRE for all Engineering, Science and Non Clinical Programs.
    
    
  
  
  Your scholarships and financial aid is very much depended on the scores you secure on these standardized tests.

FINANCIAL AID

• IF APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS IN THE USA: FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)
  If you are a US Citizen or a permanent resident of the United States, fill out the FAFSA form for applying for grants, loans and federal aid. The FAFSA has to be filled with full concentration and care. There should not be any mistakes or mess ups with the financial figures. Fill out the figures as per your actual balance sheets and tax papers. Use this link to seek help with your FAFSA and make your calculations.
  
  
• FOREIGN STUDENT FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION
  If you are an International Student, use the FOREIGN STUDENT FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION form to apply for need based financial aid. This form has to be sent with all your documents to the respective colleges (where applicable) along with the application form. You need is determined by the college/university you have applied to, after looking your tax papers and balance sheets.
  
  
• ELIGIBILITY TO DETERMINE YOUR FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
  Universities will need you to send a sponsor statement and a bank letter inorder to judge your financial position.
  • A sponsor statement, is a statement from the sponsor stating his desire and willingness to support the applicant with all the necessary funds required for his study and stay at the university applied to.
    
    
  • A bank letter will need to verify the sponsor's position that he have enough funds in his savings/current account to sponsor the applicants study and stay. In some case a balance certificate from the bank on the bank letterhead would suffice.