Generalizations about graduate admissions practices are not always helpful because each institution has its own set of guidelines and procedures. Nevertheless, some broad statements can be made about the admissions process that may help you plan your strategy.
Graduate schools and departments have requirements that applicants for admission must meet. Typically, these requirements include undergraduate transcripts (which provide information about undergraduate grade point average and course work applied toward a major), admission test scores, and letters of recommendation. Most graduate programs also ask for an essay or personal statement that describes your personal reasons for seeking graduate study. In some fields, such as art and music, portfolios or auditions may be required in addition to other evidence of talent. Some institutions require that the applicant have an undergraduate degree in the same subject as the intended graduate major. Also, some institutions requires you to judge or re-evaluate your academic record for compliance with US standard. This evaluation is often performed by the World Education Service (WES) and is reported to the institute of your choice.
Most institutions evaluate each applicant on the basis of the applicant's total record, and the weight accorded any given factor varies widely from institution to instruction and from program to program.
So in sum, you will need the following items which is general for most of the universities:
The major testing program used in graduate admissions is the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) testing program, sponsored by the GRE Board and administered by Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey.
The Graduate Record Examinations testing program consists of a General Test and eight Subject tests. The General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills. For Mechanical Engineering and many other disciplines, only the general test is sufficient. The test is offered as a computer-adaptive test (CAT) in the United States, Canada, and many other countries. In the CAT, the computer determines which questions to present next by adjusting to your previous responses. Paper-based General Test administrations are offered in some parts of the world.
The computer-adaptive General Test consists of a 30-minute verbal section, a 45-minute quantitative section, and a 75-minute analytical writing section. In addition, an unidentified verbal or quantitative section that doesn't count toward a score may be included and an identified research section that is not scored may also be included.
You can obtain more information about the GRE tests by visiting the GRE web site or consulting the GRE Information and Registration Bulletin. The Bulletin can be obtained from the American Center, near Glushan gorosthan, Dhaka. You can also download it from the GRE web site.
If you expect to apply for admission to a program that requires any of the GRE tests, you should select a test date well in advance of the application deadline. Scores on the computer-adaptive General Tests are reported within ten to fifteen days; however, if you choose to hand write your essay responses on the analytical writing section, score reporting will take approximately six weeks.
Check the specific requirement of the programs to which you are applying.
Selecting a graduate school and a specific program of study is a complex matter. Quality of the faculty; program and course offerings; the nature, size of and location of the institution; admission requirements; cost; and the availability of financial assistance are among the many factors that effect one's choice of institution. Other considerations are job placement and achievements of the program's graduates and the institution's resources, such as libraries, laboratories, and computer facilities. If you are to make the best possible choice, you need to learn as much as you can about the schools and programs you are considering before you apply.
The following steps may help you narrow your choices.
Indicators of a university's values in terms of diversity are found both in its recruitment programs and its resources directed to student success. Important questions: Does the institution vigorously recruit minorities for its graduate programs? Is there funding available to help with the costs associated with visiting the school? Are minorities represented in the institution's brochures or Web site or on their faculty rolls? What campus-based resources or services (including assistance in locating housing or career counseling and placement) are available? Is funding available to members of underrepresented groups?
At the program level, it is particularly important for minority students to investigate the "climate" of a program under consideration. How many minority students are enrolled and how many have graduated? what opportunities are there to work with diverse faculty and mentors whose research interests match yours? How are conflicts resolved or concerns addressed? How interested are faculty in building string and supportive relations with students? "Climate" concerns should be addressed by posing questions to various individuals, including faculty members current students, and alumni.
Information is also available through various organizations, such as the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), and publications, such as Black Issues in Higher Education and Hispanic Outlook magazine. There are also books devoted to this topic, such as The Multicultural Student's Guide to Colleges by Robert Mitchell.
You should begin the application process at least one year before you expect to begin your graduate study. Find out the application deadline for each institution. Go to the institution Web site and find out is your can apply online. If no, request a paper application form. Fill out this form thoroughly and neatly. Assume that the school needs all the information it is requesting an that the admissions officer will be sensitive to the neatness and overall quality of what you submit. Do not supply more information than the school requires.
The institution may ask at least one question that will require a three- or four-paragraph answer. Compose your response on the assumption that the admissions officer is interested in both what you think and how you express yourself. Keep your statement brief and to the point, but, at the same time, include all pertinent information about your past experiences and your educational goals. Individual statements vary greatly in style and content, which helps admissions officers to differentiate among applicants. Many graduate departments give considerable weight to the statement in making their admissions decisions, so be sure to take the time to prepare a thoughtful and concise statement.
If recommendations are a part of the admissions requirements, choose carefully the individuals you ask to write them. It is generally best to ask current or former professors to write the recommendations, provided they are able to attest to your intellectual ability and motivation for doing the work required of a graduate student. It is advisable to provide stamped, pre addressed envelopes to people being asked to submit recommendations on you behalf. Completed applications, including references and transcripts and admission test scores, should be received at the institution by the specified date. Be advised that institutions do not usually make admissions decisions until all materials have been received. Enclose a self-addressed postcard with your application, requesting confirmations of receipt. Allow at least 10 days for the return of the postcard before making further inquiries. If you plan to apply for financial support, it is imperative that you file your application early.
The program you apply to is directly involved in the admissions process. Although the final decision is usually made by the graduate dean (or an associate) or by the faculty admissions committee, recommendations from faculty members in your intended field are important. At some institutions, an interview is incorporated into the decision process.
In addition to the steps already described, there are some special considerations for international students who intend to apply for graduate study in the United States. All graduate schools require an indication of competence in English. The purpose of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is to evaluate the English proficiency of people who are nonnative speakers of English and want to study at colleges and universities where English is the language of instruction. The TOEFL is administered by Educational Testing Services (ETS) under the general direction of a policy board established by the College Board and the Graduate Record Examination Board.
The TOEFL is administered as a computer based test throughout most of the world and is available year round by appointment only. It is not necessary to have previous computer experience to take the test. The test consists of four sections - listening, reading, structure, and writing. Total testing time is approximately 4 hours.
International students should apply especially early because of the number of steps required to complete the admissions process. Furthermore, many United States graduate schools have a limited number of spaces for international students, and many more students apply than the schools can accommodate.
International students may find financial assistance from institutions very limited. The U.S. government requires international applicants to submit a certification of support, which is a statement attesting to the applicant's financial resources. In addition, international students must have health insurance coverage.
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S. M. Mahbub Murshed
27 September, 2004
