blue underlined words to get more on a topic.
This is just an advice that may help you, not an official
statement
- 1. First take TOEFL and GRE.
- TOEFL is the Test of English as a Foreign Language
and the GRE is Graduate Record Exam. The scores of these tests are needed
in order to ask for the application forms from the various universities.
General minimum score requirements are : TOEFL: 500 to 677, GRE: 2000 +.
Use your computer mouse to click for more information on
TOEFL and
GRE
- 2. Pick a number of universities, let's say 10.
- Just click in the
Africa Education Page, check out the
American Universities and choose those that you like because they are
cheap, famous, in a good location, or you friends there or whatever ...
- 3. Then send pre-application forms.
- This is a formal letter with brief curriculum vitae
to the graduate coordinator of the universities that U are interested
in requesting an application form. All this must be done 6 months before
hand, so that U have enough time to think about the right Universities to
apply.
- 4. Choose your potential advisor.
- Go through the faculty profile of the professors
from the departmental bulletin that U would have received and check out the
faculty whose work matches your area of interest.
- 5. Write to these professors
- Send email (if you have access), or call up (if you
have the resources). Send them detail curriculum vitae and ask them what your chances for an admission and financial aid are. This will give you a fair
idea as to where you would finally want to apply.
- 6. Financial support
- It is important that your potential advisor has
money to support your research. At this point you should mainly follow
up with those who state that financial support is available, unless you
have already obtained financial support from international organization
or so. Also, keep in mind that if your financial resources are lesser
than the minimum necessary to study in that university, the embassy will
not give you a visa. It makes sense because you will be very busy with
research and very little time will be left to work and make some money.
- 7. Fill in the application forms
- Just follow the instructions and make checks
payable money orders as stated in the forms.
- 8. Recommendation letters
- Each University asks for 2-3 recommendation letters
from different people. Ensure that you have good recommendation letters and
references from your professors, employers etc. The envelopes must be sealed
and stamped at both ends.
- 9. Transcripts
- Each university asks for 2-3 copies of transcripts
from all the Universities that you attended right form your undergraduation.
This should also be ready.
- 10. Statement of purpose
- This is one of the most important letters that you
will be writing. This letter should state concisely (300-400 words) the
reason for your applying to a particular program in that school and that
department. Also highlight your work experience and academic achievements
in a few lines.
- 11. Certificates
- This is proof of your academic and extracurricular
achievements. Also state any scholarships and grants received as this helps
the admissions committee arrive at a decision regarding your application.
All this should be ready at least 2 weeks before you apply. For
international students seeking admission for the fall semester (starting
September) the deadlines for applying are in January. So have all the
information ready by December of the previous year. Finally apply to 7-8
universities and follow up earnestly.