Admission to the US Master's Degree: A Short Course

Master's degree in the USA is a good option for getting an education, and, as it turned out, desirable for many. However, some applicants are intimidated not only by the long distance, but also by the "difficult" process of admission.In this article, we will debunk this myth and show you a few simple steps to your cherished goal.

It is necessary to start preparing for admission in a year.For the period August-September, it is advisable to find the master's program you are interested in. To do this, you can use numerous sources:

• Online Directory of Graduate Programs;

• Official website of Education USA;

• StudyQA - a search engine for educational programs;

• Studyusa.com and Hotcourses.ru - search for programs in the USA.

Do not dwell on one option, it is better to make a list of 10-15 universities in order to increase your chances of admission. In doing so, pay attention to important criteria:

• Quality of education and reputation of the university;

• Tuition and living expenses;

• Possibility of obtaining funding;

• Ability to work part-time while studying.

The university rankings can be checked at QS Topuniversities or The Times World University Rankings.

One of the most important points is the search for funding. Upon admission to the magistracy, you can get several types of material assistance for foreign students.It can fully or partially cover the costs, this information must be clarified at the university.You can also learn about scholarship programs in Russia, grants from private foundations, scholarships from other countries for foreigners, etc. For example, there is an opportunity to receive financial assistance from a grant from the Fulbright Program, a Russian statethe Global Education program. Or maybe your chosen university supports the “need-blind admission” program, which implies the issuance of grants not only for tuition, but for accommodation and many other aspects.

In the same period - August-September, it is important to decide on such deadlines for submitting documents to the university and for a scholarship, as well as passing the TOEFL, GRE or GMAT tests.

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is a test of the knowledge of standard American English at the college level.The test results become known 5 weeks after passing and are valid for 2 years.It is held quite often, about 50 times a year.

• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) is generally required for admission to master's and doctoral programs.Test results are available in 10-15 days and are valid for 5 years.You can rent it in the fall or summer.

• The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a criterion for admission to business schools and MBA programs.The test is available all year round, and a retake is possible after 30 days.

The test should be scheduled no later than 6 weeks before the documents are sent to the university. And the results can be sent after.

Over the next period - September-December, the number of master's programs should be reduced to 5-10 and the necessary application forms should be prepared. The preparation of the documents itself is a very time-consuming process, and besides, the university charges about $ 75 for their consideration, but the amount may vary. For example, in a one-to-one conversation in which you indicate that you are an applicant for a scholarship, the fee may be reduced.

Further, for September-December it is necessary to pass tests, prepare a transcript of grades (a document that contains all the courses taken, grades, etc.), translate the diploma, prepare letters of recommendation: usually at least three are required for a US master's program. Having successfully completed all the preparations, having checked all the documents with those declared in the university admissions office, your application should be filled out online. It's even better if you send everything in advance.Then they will be able to send you a conditional offer, which secures a place for you, if you fulfill the listed conditions.

The procedure is slightly different if you want to apply for a scholarship. This must be done before resolving the visa issue. You need to receive an unconditional offer from the university, which indicates that you meet all the criteria, and the university also received documents in the form of certified paper copies.

In the period from April to June, letters with responses from universities will begin to arrive. Among the positive answers, you must choose the one that suits you and answer it by sending the remaining documents. A letter of refusal must be sent to other universities.

Now is the time to think about the visa. To obtain a US student visa, you must first send a request to SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). It is important that you meet their requirements: you are accepted to a university in the United States, you speak English at the established level and have sufficient funding.If so, then for June-August it is necessary to collect documents for SEVIS and, finally, apply for a student visa to the American embassy. Do not forget to inform the university about your arrival and decide on the payment of tuition.

The last, but no less important decision that you have to make is the housing issue.It is unlikely that you will be provided with accommodation in a hostel, it is not issued to students of master's programs. Therefore, it is necessary to look for a separate private housing near the university. To do this, you should look at various ads on the Internet, ask the university (for example, on the official website in the accommodations section), or through other resources like craigslist.com.