Applying to US Universities

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Applicants from many countries including England, India, Pakistan, Srilanka, Bangladesh, South Africa are used to the British style of English. There are many words and usage in American English which are very different as compared to the British English. We list some of the most common words which are very frequently used in the University application process. Feel free to suggest more by adding your comments.

BRITISH - AMERICAN
graduate - undergraduate
post-graduate - graduate
course - program
subject - course
guide - advisor
first year - freshman
second year - sophomore
third year - junior
fourth year - senior
hostel - dorm
passing out - graduation
head (of department) - chair

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MBA programs have 2 or 3 rounds of deadlines and they consider all applications submitted for a particular round at the same time.

For MS and PhD programs, it is advisable to apply early. Some Universities consider all applications after the deadline, while some other have a rolling application process and thus the application completed earlier has a better chance of favorable outcome.

The application is considered complete only after all components including official GRE and TOEFL scores are received by the department. Applying too early does not help. Applying 30 to 60 days before the deadline is a good range for applying early.

It is better to submit a good application with well written essays just before the deadline, rather than making an early application with poorly written essays.

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US Universities calculate GPA out of 4.0, a few Universities calculate out of 5.0. A GPA of 4.0 out of 4.0 means that the student got all A grades. All Bs correspond to a GPA of 3.0. If a student received half A grades and half B grades, the GPA would be 3.5.

Most international applicants have their academic record calculated in % (percentage) or at a GPA scale of 10. Applicants often wonder how to convert their records to a 4 GPA.

The good news is that you do not have to convert your academic record, just supply your academic record, as it is. US Universities have their own way of converting the academic record to equivalent GPA. They are familiar with academic records worldwide and take relative grading into account.

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GRE General Test is one of many factors in admission and is definitely not the most important factor. If your undergraduate University is not very reputable and your own academic record is not stellar, then the importance of scoring well in GRE increases.

Most Universities do not have a GRE cutoff. But at the same time no University likes to admit students with very low GRE scores. We at app2us.com believe if you have a good profile otherwise, 1300 is a score with which you can be admitted to most of the good US Universities. If your target is a good Engineering program, GRE Quant should be 750.

For getting into Universities ranked below 50, 1100 is a decent GRE score, if your academic record is good. Again, it is more important to have a higher quant score.

Some Universities post last years minimum or average GRE score in their FAQ pages. Be sure to read that before deciding on where you want to apply.

We do not recommend retaking GRE, but if you scored less than 650 in quant or 350 in verbal, you may think about studying more and retaking the GRE later.

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It is common and logical that students shortlist the Universities on the basis of ranking reputation and research areas. Obviously academics the main purpose of going to USA for higher education.

Students should come up with a good fit of 3 or 4 Universities where they have realistic chances of admission and aid. Then they should add 1 or 2 dream schools and 1 or 2 safety schools.Next to academics, three most important criteria in University selection are Expense, Climate, and Job scenario (in that state of USA).

For international applicants the cost of attendance is very important. Even if you are totally funded, you have to pay for your rent, food, etc which drastically varies if you are in New York or College Station.

Most of the northern states of USA experience cold winters with subzero temperatures. The picture of snow may look pretty but life becomes very difficult for those not used to that extreme weather. It adds to living cost too if you have to buy heavy winter clothing.

Looking for jobs is easier if your University is located in a state with strong economic activity related to your education. Some of the states of USA have good job opportunities and some are home to dying industries bearing the burnt of outsourcing. For example, the job scenario and acceptability of a foreign worker is high in California.