Tell us about the admission process in terms of the qualification tests?
Admission to U.S. universities is holistic, and admission officers
review all the information you provide them before making a decision.
Unlike in Indian universities, marks on a single exam do not decide
admission. The pre-requisites are:
Standardised test scores from either the SAT or the ACT. The prep books
available for these tests at the US-India Education Foundation (USIEF)
seems good.
Most colleges in the U.S. expect scores from at least two SAT subject
tests. These are exams that test in-depth knowledge of specific
subjects. You can pick from a list of subjects like physics, chemistry,
math, English literature, world history and foreign languages.
In addition to this, some colleges require TOEFL to ensure that you
posses sufficient English skill. However, a good SAT score will waive
this requirement, so check the college's website. You are recommended to
take AP or Advanced Placement Exams. You can also send additional material such as an arts supplement, research done, a resume or an extra recommendation letter.
When can one start preparing for admissions, how much time is required?
For most colleges in the U.S., the deadlines are in December. I started
putting together my material and preparing for standardised tests right
after Class XI, and before Class XII started. I would recommend starting
earlier.
Students need not worry about SAT score. Anything above 2200/2400 is
considered a competitive score, even for the Ivy League universities
there. About a month of serious preparation is sufficient. Taking as
many mock tests as possible is best for students.
How did you prepare?
I first acquainted myself with the format of the test and the different
sections, and then tried to do one practice test a day from the prep
books till the test date. I finally wrote my SATs in June. I understood
the basic process of applying in the meantime.
I then spent the next couple of months researching the colleges that I
would apply to, as well as looking at the CommonApp and its essay
requirements. In October and November, I took my SAT Subject Tests.
The most important thing I had to do during this period was writing the
essays that were to be
submitted along with college applications, and
filling in the CommonApp.
I started applying by the regular deadline, which was first week of
January for most colleges. I would suggest that students start doing
their essays ahead of time, because they play a large role in the
admissions process and need a lot of preparation. It is better to apply
for standardised tests such as the SATs early, because test centres fill
up quickly and it's very inconvenient to travel to a different city in
the middle of the application process and 12th grade.
Your tips for students in choosing the right university?
Brand name and prestige are certainly not everything. If you are willing
to do a little bit of research, there are many community colleges,
liberal arts colleges and public universities that provide great value
for money and excellent undergraduate education. Make sure your college
has the programme that you want to pursue, as well as extra-curricular
activities that you are passionate about.
Is an essay submission necessary along with application?
Students are expected to write an essay and it is based on this that the
admission officers assess the candidate — personality, talents and
passions. Work on these essays meticulously and avoid last minute
preparations. For essays that want to know why you wish to study at a
particular university, details help — read through the college websites
and figure out specific, distinct reasons that substantiate that you are
applying because you know about the college and think it fits you well.
Scholarships and funding. How do you go about it?
Many colleges in the U.S. provide need-based financial aid for all
students who are admitted, including international applicants. However,
most colleges do take requests for financial aid into consideration
while making admissions decisions, except for a few need-blind
institutions such as MIT, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth and
Amherst. In addition, merit-based scholarships are provided by a lot of
colleges as well as other organisations.
Source: http://to.ly/m7qD
