You heard about it, you know that others have done it already. How hard can it be? Not as hard as you might expect....
If you are trying to get an idea about what you are suppose to do in order to study in USA (and not only) this is a good place to start. All informations found in this "How to" Guide are nothing else than other people's shared experience.
We intend to give you a comprehensive check list; we will try to explain what are you suppose to do.
And here we go with the checklist:
1. Question: Do you Really want to do this?
It might sound like a silly question but it is not. Why? This is not like planning a trip. This is building up your life and your carrier. In most of the cases, one has to leave behind years of his life and start all over again. You must be aware that althought USA is a great country:
- It is not the promise land.
- It is not the Garden of Eden.
- Nobody waits here with his arms open for you.
- Even if you will find a lot of Romanians here, you are leaving behind your family, your friends, your enemies :) all together.
- If you have built up your image about USA by watching movies, just forget about it.
I am almost sure that reflecting about these things won't change at all your plans. But it worths a thought.
2. The TESTS
<hr size="1" /> GRE (General and Subject) - This is usually the most important test. The GRE General test is COMPULSORY for 90% of the Universities. You must not skip this test. If you skip it your chances will be minimized. The test is built up from three modules: Verbal, Analytical and Quantitative.
Verbal
Most of the test takers will find the Verbal module the most difficult. Why? Basically because it tests your (english) vocabullary in a different manner. You are supposed to know the meaning of rarely used words and of words that are not used in a regular manner. You will need to dramatically improve your vocabullary in order to get a high score. In most of the cases, the only people who find this section an easy one will be those who graduated in a philology or foreign languages department or faculty.
In order to prepare for this module there are a few choices:
- Find someone who already took the test and get his words list.
- Buy the preparation CD from Kaplan
- Borrow the CD
- You don't really need me to tell you where to get the CD from, don't you? :)
- Buy a GRE preparation book; usually those books are pretty good, but you must check them first.
- TIP Check the guys from Polytechnic Universities, those who are offering services like "CD Back-up"
GRE Analytical Writing
The analytical writing section consists of two analytical writing tasks: a 45-minute "Present Your Perspective on an Issue" task and a 30-minute "Analyze an Argument" task. The "Issue" task states an opinion on an issue of general interest and asks you to address the issue from any perspective(s) you wish, as long as you provide relevant reasons and examples to explain and support your views. The "Argument" task presents a different challenge — it requires you to critique an argument by discussing how well reasoned you find it. You are asked to consider the logical soundness of the argument rather than to agree or disagree with the position it presents. These two tasks are complementary in that the first requires you to construct a personal argument about an issue, and the second requires you to critique someone else's argument by assessing its claims.
Example of Issue Topics
"People’s attitudes are determined more by their immediate situation or surroundings than by any internal characteristic."
Example of Argument Topics
The following appeared in a newsletter offering advice to investors. "Over 80 percent of the respondents to a recent survey indicated a desire to reduce their intake of foods containing fats and cholesterol, and today low-fat products abound in many food stores. Since many of the food products currently marketed by Old Dairy Industries are high in fat and cholesterol, the company’s sales are likely to diminish greatly and their profits will no doubt decrease. We therefore advise Old Dairy stockholders to sell their shares and other investors not to purchase stock in this company."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quantitative
This will be a funny test for most of the Romanian test takers and the easiest for most of the people. It tests basic mathemathics, close to what you were studying when you were bellow age of 14 :)
You have to pay serious attention anyway; you have to train yourself for speed; you will only have 30 minutes. You woudn't want to waste some good points just for not paying enough attention
Also, generally speaking you shoud find out what are requirements regarding the test scores for the University where you apply for. You should always concentrate on studying for the GRE modules that are most important for your admission process. This depends on the university and department. Make sure you know the requirements before you actually make any study plans.
GRE Subject
This test intends to test your (proffesional) background. Usually it is compulsory for Universities with very high expectations (like Harvard, Sorbone,...); and since it is a very complex test, it implies a lot of work.Our recomandation will be to take this test only if it is absolutely necessary. And usually, universities that require this test are private universities and they do not offer financial aid or scholarships that easy anyway.
TOEFL
This is also a compulsory test. It is also built up from 3+1 modules: Listening,Structure,Reading-Writing and an Essay.
You must present one of the following identification documents. The document must be valid and contain a recent, recognizable photograph and your signature.
·
passport ·
driver's license ·
national identification card ·
military identification card If none of your documents from the above list contains both a photo and a signature, you must present a second document from the secondary identification list below. one of the documents must contain a recent recognizable photo and one must contain your signature. (You may choose to sign the document in order to meet the requirements).
You can also check the official requirements regarding identification here.
Note for Romanians:
/**********************begin-note
Buletinul de identitate nou nu are semnatura pe el, deci trebuie venit cu un alt doilea document cu poza si semnatura pe el. Documentele acceptabile sint: pasaport, carnet de conducere, livret militar ( astea trei sint acceptate si ca dovezi suficiente de identitate), carnet de student, dovada de identitate DE LA UNIVERSITATE, pe hirtie CU ANTETUL UNIVERSITATII, cu stampila universitatii aplicata peste poza. NU se accepta scrisori de identificare notarizate.
end note ************************************/
Secondary Identification Documents
·
passport ·
driver's license ·
national identification card ·
military identification card ·
student ID ·
confirmation of identity letter
The letter must contain your date of birth, a recent recognizable photograph, and your signature. It must be typed on the original letterhead of the educational institution you attend(ed), and the signature of the school official and the school seal must overlap your photograph. Also:
Test center personnel will check your identification before assigning you a seat at the test center. You will be asked to sign the test center log and fill in the time. The administrator will check your signature to verify that you are the person in your photo identification. The administrator will repeat this procedure before and after all breaks.
The TOEFL program will report scores only in the name shown on the official identification document that you present at the test center. Make sure to use that name when scheduling your appointment. If the name on your official identification does not match the name on your appointment record, you will not be permitted to test. only misspellings of your name can be corrected at check-in - NAME CHANGES WILL NOT BE MADE. If your name has changed for any reason, including marriage, it will be your responsibility to resolve the difference with your selected institution(s).
If the passport or other acceptable official identification does not contain your signature, you must either sign the document or present an additional identification document from the secondary identification list below. The second document must contain a recent recognizable photo and your signature.
You may need to provide additional proof of identity if the test center administrator questions the identification documents that you present. If positive confirmation cannot be made, the test center administrator can refuse to admit you to the test center.
TOEL official Website Here
ListeningYou will be asked a bunch of questions based on some monologs/conversations you will hear in the headphones.
The tough part will be the lectures; and that's because listening to a lecture with a topic that do not present any interest for you (the topics are some kind random and very diverse) could be very annoying. Also keep in mind that you don't have to agree with anything, you JUST HAVE to LISTEN.
Training for listening:
- The best way for Romanians: When you are watching TV, DON'T read the translation, just try to understand the spoken english
- Buy some tapes for TOEFL preparation (Usually the books come with tapes also)
- Buy or borrow or... whatever :) the preparation CD from Kaplan
- TIP Check the guys from Polytechnic Universities, those who offer services like "CD Back-up"
<hr size="1" /> Structure
This module intends to test the grammar and the language structure knowledge . For preparation you just have to study and practice
- Buy the preparation CD from Kaplan
- Borrow the CD
- You don't really need me to tell you were to get the CD from , don't you? :)
- Buy a TOFL preparation book; usually those books are pretty good, but you must check them first.
- TIP Check the guys from Polytechnic Universities, those who offer services like "CD Back-up"
Reading/Writing
The reading module obviously test your ability to understand written english. You will have to parse a bunch of text blocks on various topics and after that will have to answer different kind of questions based upon text; this part is usually the easiest part of the TOEFL. And the only part where once you answered a question, you can go back and give another answer. For preparation:
(Same as above)
- Buy the preparation CD from Kaplan
- Borrow the CD
- You don't really need me to tell you were to get the CD, don't you? :)
- Buy a TOFL preparation book; usually those books are pretty good, but you must check them first.
- TIP Check the guys from Polytechnic Universities, those who offer services like "CD Back-up"
The writing module: You will be giving a silly topic (usually from the category "Save the Whales" and "Word Peace", like those in the beauty contests :). You will have to write en essay on that topic. You will have two options: Write directly on the computer or write on paper; your choice
TIPS:
- Stay on topic, do not divagate
- Use only words for which you know the exact meaning and how you are supposed to use them. It is better to be accurate than sophisticate
- Usually one page is enough
GMAT
This test is somehow the equivalent GRE test for business schools. In order to succeed, folow the tips given in the GRE section
TSE (Test of Spoken English)
Usually this test is not compulsory or, you will have to take it after you will be here. The test is also known as SPEAK test and it is designed to verify your proficiency in spoken English. It is usually required for those who will get a Teaching Assistantship. Check the University WebSite for more information.
Application forms
In order to apply you will have to request/download the application forms.In order to do this, the only real option is to surf the net. If you don't have a computer or internet access, when you go out to town, change your favorite pub with an internet caffee. Also, if you don't have an e-mail address YOU HAVE TO GET onE. Otherwise, you are "blind". If you don't know how to get a free e-mail address check this out: Yahoo, Hotmail or even better ROL.ro (a romanian portal that even provide you with a free dial-up (excluding Romtelecom Charges) access number.
Usually you can get the forms in to ways: downloading them from the internet and printing them (sometimes you can apply onLine, without mailing anything), or requesting them via internet and waiting to get them via regular Postal Services. The second option is tricky since the Postal delays can sometimes be significant and the fact that your correspondence might be already open(Courtesy of Romanian Postal Services).
Documents needed:
Mark list ("foaie matricola" in Romania)
This document is ABSOLUTELY required! Without him you won't have too many chances in the admission process. Original and translation in english.
TIP You better do your own translation and AFTER that go to an authorized translator. In most of the cases, especially if you graduated a technical University, the translator will choose some funny names for the courses you took. And this is not healthy :)
Diploma (BS,MS degree)
Note:
BS= Bachelor of science or Bachelor Degree - Diploma de absolvire
MS= Master of science Degree - (Diploma de Master)
If you got an BS,MS (or MA) degree you should also provide copies after your "diploma" (the original and the English translation). Same tips as for the mark list applies to the diploma (authentication etc.).
Recommendations (Scrisori de recomandare)
Normally, any university requires 3 recommendations letters from three persons that know your work and your personal abilities. This is a CRUCIAL part of your application package. For some universities is even considered to have the most important influence in the admission process so be careful when choosing your recommenders. Normally, you should ask for recommendations from your teachers but you can also request one from your employer (however, if you are going to apply for an assistantship position, this is not a good choice).
Use the following tips when choosing your recommender:
Ask for recommendations from teachers who know you well: you worked on projects with them, followed many of their courses (2-3 at least) etc. They will be able to give you more personal letters which will have an important impact on the admission committee.
Recommendations from teachers who have administrative or professional titles (dean, department head, etc.) are more impressive. Be warned, however, that those persons are usually very, very busy, so ask for recommendations from them as early as possible; when the wave of requests will come they will get very uncooperative.
Another type of persons you should approach are the ones known world-wide: writers of well-known books, participants at international congresses etc.
At least one (if not all) must be enthusiastic in tone, for you to keep reasonable chances of success. The recommendation must show that the teacher knows you well, appreciates your skills and is confident in your chances of success. It should make references at your past work and achievements. Make a first contact with your teachers by asking them IF they want to give you recommendations (they can be busy!). only AFTER their approval bring them the envelopes containing the recommendation papers from the universities. It is courteous to bring addressed and stamped envelopes in case your teacher wants to mail them directly. You should also complete the forms with all the information you can provide (your name, teacher's name and position, school address etc.) so that your teacher will have nothing else to do than completing the checkboxes and sign the recommendation. It is your teacher's decision if he wants to mail them directly or to give them to you, to be sent along with the application package.
Statement of Purpose (Scrisoare de Intentie)
This is also an important piece of your application. Through the "Statement of Purpose" you present yourself and your career goals to the admission committee. This your only chance to plead for your acceptance to the committee. So give it your best shot!
Resume (Curicullum Vitae)
It could be a good idea to include a resume in your application. It is not a required part of your application, but, as it present more thoroughly your achievements and experience, it can make the difference between being admitted and being rejected.
Exam scores
After receiving your official copy of your scores, you should forward them to the universities. Except for the 4 GRE recipients and for the 3 TOEFL recipients which will receive original scores directly from ETS, for all the other universities you should instruct ETS to forward your scores to each other recipient. This process is expensive as for each supplemental recipient you will pay $13 for GRE and 11$ for TOEFL. The solution is to provide only XEROX copies after your official documents. For most universities this will be enough (some will require you to sent official copies for them to validate your admission).
Filling the application forms
This part is very simple. Simply complete the forms sent to you by the university and add it to your application package. This can take some time, so start completing the forms when you still have the time to do it (ie. BEFORE your scores arrive!).
Application fee
This is the most tricky part of your application. Nearly all the universities require an application fee in order to evaluate your application. Your application may not even be looked over if it the fee has not been paid. This is your decision: you can take a chance and not paying the fee (with the risk that your application can be discarded regardless of your scores!) or paying the fee.
Contacting the University
- If you already submitted the application forms and now you are only waiting, you really are dramatically decreasing your chances. You have to get in touch with the University/Faculty/Department/Teachers.
- Check their website. Find the teachers that are working on something that presents interest for you. Study their projects on the web, find common interests. Write them a line by e-mail. Introduce yourself, tell them about your interests, about why you find his work interesting (and try to be sincere about it). Be professional, don't talk about what you can't do in Romania, talk about what you can do here. Don't write very long e-mail try to be as concise as you can; they are really busy sometimes, don't take any chances; if your e-mail is to long, a reasonable action for a busy person is presing Del or even worst presing SHIFT+DEL on the computer keybord. If you don't receive an answer, you might try-it once again, but don't exagerate and don't spam. Install an antivirus program and be sure that you don't send them viruses :)
- You might want to attach a resume. Do it but choose a skill -based resume, since you are don't aplly for a job
- Personalize your e-mails; don't use the same templates for all the professors you get in contact with.
- Don't contact all the professors from the department letting them know how interested you are about their work and so on. They really talk to each other.
- You might contact the graduate admission coordinator also; he might be able to give you some guidelines
If you succeeded convincing a professor that he needs you (that is what you are supposed to achieve), your chances of being accepted and getting financial support are way higher.
First Shot
If you don't get accepted at your first shot, don't even think that your are not good enough! The process of admision is somehow random and complicated. They are processing zillions of apllications every semester, your file can be lost, your file might not really be reviewed or somebody else could be very lucky. And keep in mind that, you probably are better than a lot of international students that are already here.
Your chances will increase if someone from within the department already knows about you; if somebody there knows how you think and trusts you. The ones that will have a very important role in the admission process are the professors teaching in the respective department; they are the ones that will work with you!
So, don't despare and try again.
Choose From
If you already received admission confirmations, don't rush.
If you received more than one, wich usually happens, do a background check:
- What is the University ranking?
- How much did they pay you for teaching or research?
- How big are the live expences there, and how much you estimate that you will have after you pay all the bills (rent, insurance,electric,phone,cable,and all kind of fees) Don't step over this easily. In US, the rent for a lousy appartment in New York , in campus or not, could easely be more than 1000$, for one bedroom+one bathroom+living room. In other places you might find appartments for rent with only 300-400 $. And those kind of things make a difference
Papers
After you choose your "destiny", and you confirm your admission you should receive the official papers from the University. DO NOT LOSE them. Those papers are required in order to get the VISA from the American Embassy. Also check that they did not misspelled your name.
Getting your VISA
A trip to the embassy could be a walk in the park or a nightmare; it depends. Usually there are no problems for students if they have all the required documents. And be sure that you will not will give silly answers at the interview. Typical questions (if any) are:
- "Do you intend to stay in USA after you graduate?" DON'T answer yes
- "Why do you want to study in USA?" DON'T say anything about money; tell about laboratories, research and whatever apply; Be professional!
Also:
- Don't be overdressed. You better put your jeans on.
Make sure you make an appointement in time for the interview - Be patient :)
- Don't be impertinent
- Don't get angry
- Behave yourself
- Smile
You will need the follwing documents: - I20 form (the university send you this with the letter of acceptance or after a while)
- Valid passport
- Two passpoert type pictures
- Receipt for Transyilvania Bank (and only this bank, I don't really know who has a deal here :) ), proving that you payed the interview tax (as far as I know around 100$, non-refundable (that is even if you don't get the VISA you can kiss those money Good Bye!) the people from the bank know better (you will have to pay this in LEI only))
Visa request (the document is completed on place)
The address for the American Consulate is:
Ambasada Americana
Str. Tudor Arghezi 7-9
Bucuresti
Tel.: (401) 210.40.42, 210.01.49
Fax: (401) 210.03.95
Telex: 11416
Flying Here (or swimming...)
If everything else is set, make the reservations in time. In time means at least two months in advance. Also, you can make the reservation before you get the VISA. It's FREE. You usually have to pay 2 weeks before the flight date. The prices differ very much, depending on the time of the year and the company. Do an extended check and don't let anybody fool you. You might pay for a round trip something like 500$ (lucky ones) and 1200$
