Studying Abroad
For many Indians, going abroad is the ultimate ambition. A visa to the USA is much coveted and the country attracts students from all fields. With countries like Australia and Canada too beckoning students through large advertisements published in Indian newspapers and holding career seminars held in various cities, people have found viable alternatives in their quest for a foreign degree. This feature describes how to get admission, especially in universities in USA, and the tests one needs to take, including TOEFL.
The first step if you want to go abroad is to get full information about courses and universities. This is an easy task, as a number of agents of foreign universities in India provide all the information you need. Be selective in choosing universities, since one has to pay a fee with every application. Also, ensure that the university you are going to is accredited by the Council of Post-Secondary Accreditation (COPA). This will be helpful if you wish to change your school in mid-term. A ranking of the universities is also available based on the number of students applying to those admitted. A higher figure would show which universities are sought after.
To study in America, first you must determine the subject you want to study. A university may have a very good engineering programme, but a poor business programme. So, if you are interested to study business, you may not want to go to that university. Also, a university may have had a good reputation 20 years ago, but today it may not be as good. Two books are important reference material: The College Handbook Foreign Student Supplement and The College Handbook. Both are published by: College Board Publications, Box 886, New York 10101-0886, USA.
How to Apply
The process of applying to foreign universities must start at least one year in advance. Application forms are to be filled, tests taken and admission ensured. Then, visas must be ensured without which the entire process would come to naught. Select the country you wish to apply because there may be different procedures to follow for different countries.
For the USA, the first step would be to get a list of universities and writing to them for information and application forms. Some useful directories for this purpose are : Directory of Graduate Programs and Petersons Guide to Graduate Programs. These directories are available in the offices of the United States Educational Foundation of India (USEFI).
You must write to the institutes along with a Pre-Application From, which should contain the following information:
Course Applying for:
Name:
Address:
Date of Birth:
Citizenship:
Academic Record:
Work Experience:
Tests Taken: (TOEFL/GMAT)
Financial Requirements.
After receiving your Pre-Application form, the universities will send you their detailed application forms. It is advisable to select 6-7 universities, fill in their forms very carefully and send them. Simultaneously, take the TOEFL and other tests. Your scores will be sent to the universities directly as well as to you so that you can assess your chances.
If the requirements match, you will receive admission offers which you can then evaluate. Apply next for a visa and this is a crucial stage because the rejection rates are very high. The whole process will take 12 to 18 months so it is advisable to start early.
Cost:
It must be remembered that applying to a foreign university is an expensive proposition. Taking tests would cost you around Rs 6,000. The GRE/GMAT scores are sent free to four universities and two other universities at an expense of $ 13. Write a good Statement of Purpose describing your career goals, academic record and why you wish to study abroad. The average application fee per university is between $ 20 to $ 80. The total fee in an American university is about US $15,000 to $17,000 per year.
Some students look for scholarships to be able to meet their study cost, at least partially. Working on a part-time basis is another option. While getting a scholarship is becoming increasingly difficult, some teaching assistantships are often available. A student can study and teach at the same time and also meet his expenses. However, while applying for a visa, one must be able to show sizeable assets in ones name so that one can meet the cost on ones own, should any help not materialise. In most cases, the student must be prepared to spend over Rs 5 lakh for an overseas degree.
A student may also have to return after finishing the studies. In US and Australia, a scholar visa is valid only as long as the course. After that, the student usually has to return to his country. So an offer of admission may not necessarily mean that a person can settle permanently in a foreign land. Most universities will require that you submit bank statements and other documents to prove that you or your parents have enough money to pay for your education and living expenses. Some universities require that you make a bank deposit directly to their account or pay the tuition fee in advance.
Financial Aid and Visas
There are some universities that offer financial aid to students from countries other than USA. Very few offer complete financial aid. Some universities have employment opportunities on campus for international students. Students who get F-1 student visa may not work off-campus during the first year of college. After the first year, they may apply for permission to work off-campus, at a part-time job to help pay for their expenses. Permission is granted by the international student office at the university and the US Immigration Department.
Once you are accepted, the university or language centre will issue you an I-20 form. This allows you to apply for a student visa at the American embassy or consulate in India. It does not guarantee that you will receive a visa. The consulate determines if the reason you are applying for the visa is genuine and that you will return to your country once you have finished your education in the US. Many students are disappointed when the embassy refuses the visa and they cannot realise their dream of going to America. If this happens to you, contact the school that issued your I-20 form and try to re-apply for a student visa, either immediately or at a later date when you have addressed the concerns of the US consulate officer.
TOEFL and other tests
Students wanting to go abroad will be required to take the TOEFL, GRE, GMAT and the SAT-I tests, depending on their objectives. The TOEFL is a Test of English as a Foreign language and has to be taken by all Indian students who want to go abroad. The test is conducted four times in a year, but one should not delay taking it beyond October. The purpose is to test the English proficiency of people who are non-native speakers of the language. Many American universities require foreign students to take the TOEFL to ensure their English is sufficient. The test has three parts: Listening Comprehension, Structure and Written _Expression, Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension. Most schools require a 500 or higher test score. Graduate programmes require 550-600 or higher.
If you have average test scores and can pay the fees, it is not difficult to be admitted. The better universities, like MIT, Princeton and Harvard are, however, very competitive. Some universities may also admit students without a TOEFL test.
The Test of Spoken English (TSE), is administered with the TOEFL in October and March. It checks the proficiency of a student in spoken English. A score of 45-55 out of 60 is considered good. The test is required for those who plan to teach or do a Ph.D.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for admission to post-graduate programmes in technical areas. It is also conducted four times a year. There are six sections in the test, consisting of Maths, Verbal, Analytical and Logical Resoning. A minimum score of 1500 out of 2400 is required for most American universities. Details of the GRE can be obtained from the USEFI offices in India.
If you are aiming for a management degree in the US, the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is essential. It consists of Maths, Comprehension, Sentence Correction, Data Sufficiency and Reasoning. Since 1994, GMAT has two 30-minute essays as well. It also has an experimental section which is used for research purposes and may not be counted at all, but this is not known and it is not advisable to leave any section. Each section has to be done in the allotted time and you cannot go back and forth in the paper. The GMAT is also conducted four times a year. A score of 600 to 650 out of 800 is considered good by most universities.
The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the Achievement Test (ACT), is required for undergraduate studies by US universities. It tests Comprehension, Maths and Verbal Ability. Masters and doctorate programmes require the GRE while a study in law may require the Law Scholastic Aptitude Test (LSAT).
Educational qualifications obtained in India may cause a problem, as the CBSE or the AISCE exams are not accepted universally. In UK and Canada, the GCE A level examinations are accepted, while in Australia one may have to do a one-year preparatory course. A universally accepted qualification is the International Baccalaureate Examination. This is a two-year programme which is recognised internationally.
Most tests are conducted by Educational Testing Services (ETS) and scores are sent directly to the universities that you have opted for.
Some useful addresses are:
IPEM, 119/25A, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Allahabad211 001.
USEFI, 12 Hailey Road, New Delhi110 001.
The British Council, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi110 001.
International Baccalaureate Office, University of London, Institute of Education, 18, Wabtern Square, London WC1H ONS, UK.
Prospects
What are the prospects of a person with a foreign degree? Who should apply to foreign universities? What are the prospects for those who get a foreign degree and return to India?
First, it must be remembered that the top institutes in India are considered as good or even better than many universities abroad. If one can get in any such institute, one can get quality education right at home, and at substantially less cost.
Some universities and institutes of other countries are well known. Persons with degrees from these institutes would be much sought after here as well. On the other hand, there may be some colleges or universities which may not be well known here. A person with a degree from such colleges would certainly be at a disadvantage with employers in India. Moreover, some multinational companies prefer people from Indian institutes because they are attuned to the local environment, traditions and customs
Tests you need to take
Students wanting to go abroad will be required to take the TOEFL, GRE, GMAT and the SAT-I tests depending on their objectives.
The TOEFL is a Test of English as a Foreign Language and has to be taken by all Indian students who want to go abroad. It checks proficiency in written English and comprehension. A score of 550 to 600 from a total of 677 must be aimed at. The test is conducted four times in a year but one should not delay taking it beyond October. The Test of Spoken English, or TSE, is administered with the TOEFL, in October and March. It checks the proficiency of a student in spoken English. A score of 45-55 out of 60 is considered good. The test is required for those who plan to teach or do a Ph.D. Another test of English Proficiency is the Business English Certificate, BEC, which is conducted by the University of Cambridge. Details of this can be obtained from the British Council offices in India.
The Graduate Record Examination, the GRE, is required for admission to post-graduate programmes in technical areas. It is also conducted four times a year. There are six sections in the test, consisting of Maths, Verbal, Analytical and Logical Reasoning. A minimum score of 1500 out of 2400 is required for most American universities. Details of the GRE can be obtained from the USEFI offices in India.
If you are aiming for a management degree in the US, the Graduate Management Admission Test, GMAT, would be essential. It consists of Maths, Comprehension, Sentence Correction, Data Sufficiency and Reasoning. Since 1994, GMAT has two 30-minute essays as well. It also has an experimental section which is used for research purposes and may not be counted at all, but this is not known and it is not advisable to leave any section. Each section has to be done in the allotted time and you cannot go back and forth in the paper. The GMAT is also conducted four times a year. A score of 600 to 650 out of 800 is considered good by most universities.
The Scholastic Aptitude Test, the SAT, is required for undergraduate studies by US universities. It tests Comprehension, Maths and Verbal Ability.
Educational qualifications obtained in India may cause a problem, as the CBSE or the AISCE exams are not accepted universally, in UK and Canada, the GCE A level examinations are accepted, while in Australia one may have to do a one-year preparatory course. A universally accepted qualification is the International Baccalaureate Examination, the IB. This is a two-year programme which is recognised internationally.
Most tests are conducted by Educational Testing Services (ETS) and scores are sent directly to the universities that you have opted for. Some useful addresses are:
IPEM, 119/25A, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Allahabad211 001
USEFI, 12 Hailey Road, New Delhi110 001.
The British Council, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi110 001.
International Baccalaureate Office, University of London, Institute of Education, 18, Wabtern Square, London WC1H ONS, UK.
GRE
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). The general Test measures verbal, quantitative, and analytical reasoning skills; the Writing Assessment and the GRE Subject Tests measure achievement in 14 different fields of study.
ETS administers GRE tests on behalf of the Graduate Record Examinations Board, an independent board affiliated with the Association of Graduate Schools and the Council of Graduate Schools, which establishes all policies for the GRE Program.
FORMAT
There are two parts of a GRE test-General Test, Subject test.
The General test is offered on the computer and measures candidates Analytical, Verbal and Quantitative skills. Thest test is conducted on computer in most parts of the world.
The Subject test are offered only as paper based test and are given in 14-subject areas which measures candidates specific subject areas and his/her excessive background in those disciplines.
A new Writing assessment test has been introduced from October 1999. The assessment consists of two analytical writing tasks: a 45 mins. Present your Perspective on an issue task and a 30mins. Analyze an Argument task.
Scoring the GRE
The three major parts of the General test are scored independently. You will receive individual scores for verbal, math and logic sections. Each score ranges from 200 to 800.
SYLLABUS
ANALYTICAL ABILITY
The Analytical Ability sections are designed to measure your ability to think logically in a common sense. You may find the following kinds of questions:
Analytical reasoning questions in groups of three or more, with each group based on a different set of conditions describing a fictional situation
Logical reasoning questions based on short arguments or statements, or on simple graphs or tables, with the questions sometimes in pairs and sometimes separate Questions on Venn diagram and Sets can also be asked.
VERBAL ABILITY
The verbal ability measure is designed to test your ability to reason with words in solving problems. Reasoning effectively in a verbal medium depends primarily upon the ability to discern and analyze relationships among words or groups of words and within sentences. The vverbal measure consists of analogies, antonyms, sentence completions,
QUANTITATIVE ABILITY
The quantitative sections is designed to measure basic mathematical skills, understanding of elementary mathematical concepts, and the abilities to reason quantitatively and to solve problems in a quantitative setting. The quantitative sections include four broad content areas: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.
ARITHMETIC
Arithmetic include those involving the following topics: arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and powers) on real numbers, operations on radical expressions, estimation, per cent, absolute value, properties of numbers (such as divisibility and properties of primes and odd and even integers).
ALGEBRA
Algebra include those involving the following topics: factoring and simplifying algebraic expressions, concepts of relations and function, equations, and inequalities. The skills required include the ability to solve first and second degree equations and inequalities, and simultaneous equations; the ability to read a word problem and set up the necessary equations or inequalities to solve it; and the ability to apply basic algebraic skills to solve problems.
GEOMETRY
Geometry include those involving the following topics: properties associated with parallel lines, circles, triangles (including isosceles, equilateral, and 30&Mac176; - 60&Mac176; - 90&Mac176;), rectangles, other polygons, area, perimeter, volume, the Pythagorean Theorem, angle measure in degrees.
DATA ANALYSIS
Data analysiss divided into two parts Data Interpretations and Data Sufficiency
Data Interpretation checks the candidates capabbility to interpret data given in graphs and tables.
Data Sufficiency Check candidates capability to analyze the data given and based on that gives his opinion whether that data is sufficient to answer the question given apart from that questions on mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation, and percentiles can also be asked.
ELIGIBILITY
Candidate should be at least a graduate
HOW TO APPLY
Bulletins or Information including the registration forms may be Obtained From the USEFI Officers or from IPEM
Institute of Psychological and Educational Measurement.
25A Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Allahabad 211 001.
United State Education Foundation in India
USEFI American Centre 38-A, Jawahar Lal Nehru road Calcutta 71
USEFI FulBright House, 12-Hailey Road, New Delhi 110 001
USEFI, American Consulate Building, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 006
USEFI, Sundeep, 4 new Marine Lines, Mumbai 400 020
GMAT
The GMAT test checks candidates ability in math, English and logic reasoning
The test includes two types of questionsArgumentative and Data Sufficiency. However, the argument and data sufficiency questions are not inherently hard, and with sufficient study one can raise performance on these questions significantly.
FORMAT OF THE GMAT
THE GMAT is a three-and-one-half hour computer adaptive test (CAT). There are four sections in the test. The CAT requires you to enter an answer to each question and you may not return to previous question.
Section Time
Writing Section Analysis of Issue Essay 30 minutes
Writing Section Analysis of Argument Essay 30 minutes
Quantitative Section 37 Questions 75 minutes
Verbal Section 41 Questions 75 minutes
VERBAL ABILITY
The verbal ability measure is designed to test your ability to reason with words in solving problems. Reasoning effectively in a verbal medium depends primarily upon the ability to discern and analyze relationships among words or groups of words and within sentences. The verbal measure consists of analogies, antonyms, sentence completions,
QUANTITATIVE ABILITY
The quantitative section is designed to measure basic mathematical skills, understanding of elementary mathematical concepts, and the abilities to reason quantitatively and to solve problems in a quantative setting. The quantitative section includes four broad content areas: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.
ARITHMETIC
Arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and powers) on real numbers, operations on radical expressions, estimation, per cent absolute value, properties of numbers (such as divisibility and properties of primes and odd and even integers).
ALGEBRA
Factoring and simplifying algebraic expressions, concepts of relations and functions, equations, and inequalities. The skills required include the ability to solve first and second degree equations and inequalities, and simultaneous equations; the ability to read a word problem and set up the necessary equations or inequalities to solve it; and the ability to apply basic algebraic skills to solve problems.
GEOMETRY
Properties associated with parallel lines, triangles (including isosceles, equilateral, and 30&Mac176; - 60&Mac176; - 90&Mac176;), rectangles, other polygons, area, perimeter, volume, the Pythagorean Theorem, angle measure in degrees.
DATA ANALYSIS
Data analysis is divided into two parts Data Interpretations and Data Sufficiency
Data Sufficiency checks candidates capability to analyze the data given and based on that his opinion whether that data is sufficient to answer the question given. Apart from this, questions on mean, median, mode, range, standard deviation, and percentiles can also be asked.
ANALYTICAL ABILITY
The Analytical Ability sections are designed to measure candidates ability to think. The questions will be on Analytical reasoning questions in groups of three or more, with each group based on a different set of conditions describing a fictional situation. Logical reasoning questions based on short arguments or statements, or on simple graphs or tables, with the questions sometimes in pairs and sometimes separate Questions on Venn diagram and Sets can also be asked.
ELIGIBILITY
Candidate should at least be a graduate from a recognized university. Students who have completed three years of graduation are eligible after first year of post graduation.
HOW TO APPLY
Addresses:
Bulletins or Information including the registration forms may be obtained From the USEFI offices or from IPEM.
Institute of Psychological and Educational Measurment
25A Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Allahabad 211 001.
United State Education Foundation in India.
USEFI American Centre 38-A, Jawahar Lal Nehru road Calcutta 71.
USEFI Fulbright House, 12-Hailey Road, New Delhi 110 001
USEFI, American Consulate Building, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 006
USEFI, Sundeep, 4 new Marine Lines, Mumbai 400 020
SAT
College Universities and Scholarship programmes use SAT programme test score along with your academic record, extra curricular activities and recommendations for considering application of admission. SAT scores help the colleges to compare the academic achievement of the students across different schools.
FORMAT
SAT Test comprises of
SAT I: Reasoning Test, which is a three-hour test, primarily multiple-choice, that measures verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities.
SAT II: Subject Tests are one-hour, mostly multiple-choice, tests in specific subjects. These tests measure knowledge of a particular subject and the ability to apply that knowledge. Many colleges require or recommend one or more of these tests for admission or placement purposes.
SYLLABUS
The Reasoning test measures verbal and mathematical abilities
The subject test are held in the following areas. Writing Literature, American History, World History, Maths, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.
ELIGIBILITY
Candidate must have cleared the 10 + 2 standard from standard Board and institution.
HOW TO APPLY
Bulletins or Information including the registration forms may be Obtained From the USEFI Officers or from IPEM
Institute of Psychological and Educational Measurement.
25A Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Allahabad 211 001.
United State Education Foundation in India.
USEFI American Centre 38-A, Jawahar Lal Nehru Road Calcutta-71.
USEFI FulBright House, 12-Hailey Road, New Delhi- 110 001
USEFI, American Consulate Building, Anna Salai, Chennai- 600 006
USEFI, Sundeep, 4 new Marine Lines, Mumbai 400 020
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Academic Calender, Course Load and Grading Systems, Types of Institutions in USA
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Academic Calendar
The academic year in the United States generally lasts nine months, from late August or early September until the middle or end of May, and it may be divided into two, three, or four academic terms depending on the institution. If the year is divided into two terms, these are called the fall and spring terms, or “semesters.” Short breaks occur during both fall and spring terms, between terms, and on public holidays. An optional summer term is often available and provides the opportunity to continue courses if you wish to accelerate your program. It is best to start a program in the fall term (beginning in August/September). Many courses must be taken in sequence, and time may be lost in completing the degree if you start in another term. It is also easier to become accustomed to studying in the United States and to meet other students in the department if you start at the beginning of the academic year. Lastly, scholarship opportunities may be more readily available to students starting in the fall rather than midyear.
Course Load and Grading Systems
“Course load” refers to the number of courses students take each term. The normal course load for a graduate student is three or four courses, which equals approximately nine to 12 credits per term. The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service requires that international students take a course load that is considered full-time by the institution. Passing grades are typically awarded on a scale of “A” through “D,” and “F” indicates a failing grade for a course. An average grade of “B” is usually the minimum required for completion of a graduate degree program. Other grading systems may include a grade-point scale from 0 to 3, 4, or 5; pass/fail; high pass/low pass; or other variations.
Credit, course load, grading systems, and requirements vary between institutions. Make sure you are aware of the policies of an individual program and institution before you apply.
Types of Institutions
Colleges, Universities, and Institutes: The Distinction
Degree-granting institutions in the United States can be called by any of these terms, and colleges and institutes are in no way inferior to universities. As a general rule, colleges tend to be smaller than universities and usually do not offer doctoral degrees, while a university offers a wide range of graduate programs, including doctoral degrees. Universities emphasize research as well as teaching (traditionally a strength of colleges), and universities that offer doctoral programs are usually referred to as research universities. The words “school,” "college,” and “university” will be used interchangeably
An institute usually specializes in degree programs in a group of closely related subject areas, so you will also come across degree programs offered at institutes of technology, institutes of fashion, institutes of art and design, and so on. Research centers offer graduate degrees or research and training opportunities, and they may or may not be affiliated with universities. Within each institution you may find schools such as the school of arts and sciences or school of business. Each school is responsible for the degree programs offered by the college or university in that area of study.
Private and Public Institutions
Both public and private universities offer degree programs. The terms “public” and “private” refer to the way in which universities are financially supported. Public universities may also be called state universities, and some include the words “state university” in their title or include a regional element such as “eastern” or “northern.” State universities tend to be very large with enrollments of 20,000 or more students. Since public universities obtain a part of their support from the state in which they are located, the tuition they charge is often lower than that Charged by private institutions. In addition, public institutions generally charge lower tuition to state residents (those who live and pay taxes in the state) than to students coming from outside the state. International students are considered out-of-state residents and therefore do not benefit from reduced tuition at state institutions. Private institutions are supported by student tuition, investment income, research contracts, and private donations.
Tuition fees tend to be higher at private universities than at state universities, and they charge the same tuition to all students, both state and non-state residents. Colleges with a religious affiliation and single-sex colleges are private. In general, private universities have enrollments of fewer than 20,000 students, and private colleges may have 2,000 or fewer students on their campuses.
Except for financial considerations, the public or private nature of a university should not be a factor in selecting a graduate program. High quality programs exist in both types of institutions. Of more importance is the institution’s commitment to the graduate program. This commitment is found in its willingness to maintain a firstclass faculty and to provide excellent facilities for advanced study, including libraries, laboratories, computers, and other equipment. Another important factor to consider in many disciplines is the presence of strong departments in other fields relevant to your interests so that you can have access to scholars and courses in disciplines related to your own.
Distance Education
Distance education is an increasingly popular way to study for everything from a short professional course to a doctoral degree in the United States, and numerous institutions offer graduate degree programs using distance education teaching methods. Under the distance education model, students do not attend classes in a classroom on a campus; instead, classes are delivered “from a distance” through the use of technologies such as the Internet, satellite television, video conferencing, and other means of electronic delivery. For international students this means that they can study for a U.S. degree without leaving their home country, though they may have to go to the United States for short periods of face-to-face contact and study on the campus. Studying for a degree using distance education requires students to have special qualities such as self-discipline and the ability to work on their own. If you are considering distance education, you should thoroughly research the quality of the program, the accreditation of the institution in the United States, and its recognition in your home country to make sure this option is the appropriate one for your future goals.
Non-degree Study at a U.S. University
Do you want to study in the United States at a college or university, but not for a full degree? Perhaps you want to experience life on a U.S. campus, while improving your knowledge of certain subjects. This is certainly a useful addition to your educational experience, and U.S. colleges welcome students such as you. You should write to universities, explain your situation, and request information on applying for “special student” or “non-degree student” status.
I dont know much about this non-degree study... All I got is above information with me.
Academic Calendar
The academic year in the United States generally lasts nine months, from late August or early September until the middle or end of May, and it may be divided into two, three, or four academic terms depending on the institution. If the year is divided into two terms, these are called the fall and spring terms, or “semesters.” Short breaks occur during both fall and spring terms, between terms, and on public holidays. An optional summer term is often available and provides the opportunity to continue courses if you wish to accelerate your program. It is best to start a program in the fall term (beginning in August/September). Many courses must be taken in sequence, and time may be lost in completing the degree if you start in another term. It is also easier to become accustomed to studying in the United States and to meet other students in the department if you start at the beginning of the academic year. Lastly, scholarship opportunities may be more readily available to students starting in the fall rather than midyear.
Course Load and Grading Systems
“Course load” refers to the number of courses students take each term. The normal course load for a graduate student is three or four courses, which equals approximately nine to 12 credits per term. The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service requires that international students take a course load that is considered full-time by the institution. Passing grades are typically awarded on a scale of “A” through “D,” and “F” indicates a failing grade for a course. An average grade of “B” is usually the minimum required for completion of a graduate degree program. Other grading systems may include a grade-point scale from 0 to 3, 4, or 5; pass/fail; high pass/low pass; or other variations.
Credit, course load, grading systems, and requirements vary between institutions. Make sure you are aware of the policies of an individual program and institution before you apply.
Types of Institutions
Colleges, Universities, and Institutes: The Distinction
Degree-granting institutions in the United States can be called by any of these terms, and colleges and institutes are in no way inferior to universities. As a general rule, colleges tend to be smaller than universities and usually do not offer doctoral degrees, while a university offers a wide range of graduate programs, including doctoral degrees. Universities emphasize research as well as teaching (traditionally a strength of colleges), and universities that offer doctoral programs are usually referred to as research universities. The words “school,” "college,” and “university” will be used interchangeably
An institute usually specializes in degree programs in a group of closely related subject areas, so you will also come across degree programs offered at institutes of technology, institutes of fashion, institutes of art and design, and so on. Research centers offer graduate degrees or research and training opportunities, and they may or may not be affiliated with universities. Within each institution you may find schools such as the school of arts and sciences or school of business. Each school is responsible for the degree programs offered by the college or university in that area of study.
Private and Public Institutions
Both public and private universities offer degree programs. The terms “public” and “private” refer to the way in which universities are financially supported. Public universities may also be called state universities, and some include the words “state university” in their title or include a regional element such as “eastern” or “northern.” State universities tend to be very large with enrollments of 20,000 or more students. Since public universities obtain a part of their support from the state in which they are located, the tuition they charge is often lower than that Charged by private institutions. In addition, public institutions generally charge lower tuition to state residents (those who live and pay taxes in the state) than to students coming from outside the state. International students are considered out-of-state residents and therefore do not benefit from reduced tuition at state institutions. Private institutions are supported by student tuition, investment income, research contracts, and private donations.
Tuition fees tend to be higher at private universities than at state universities, and they charge the same tuition to all students, both state and non-state residents. Colleges with a religious affiliation and single-sex colleges are private. In general, private universities have enrollments of fewer than 20,000 students, and private colleges may have 2,000 or fewer students on their campuses.
Except for financial considerations, the public or private nature of a university should not be a factor in selecting a graduate program. High quality programs exist in both types of institutions. Of more importance is the institution’s commitment to the graduate program. This commitment is found in its willingness to maintain a firstclass faculty and to provide excellent facilities for advanced study, including libraries, laboratories, computers, and other equipment. Another important factor to consider in many disciplines is the presence of strong departments in other fields relevant to your interests so that you can have access to scholars and courses in disciplines related to your own.
Distance Education
Distance education is an increasingly popular way to study for everything from a short professional course to a doctoral degree in the United States, and numerous institutions offer graduate degree programs using distance education teaching methods. Under the distance education model, students do not attend classes in a classroom on a campus; instead, classes are delivered “from a distance” through the use of technologies such as the Internet, satellite television, video conferencing, and other means of electronic delivery. For international students this means that they can study for a U.S. degree without leaving their home country, though they may have to go to the United States for short periods of face-to-face contact and study on the campus. Studying for a degree using distance education requires students to have special qualities such as self-discipline and the ability to work on their own. If you are considering distance education, you should thoroughly research the quality of the program, the accreditation of the institution in the United States, and its recognition in your home country to make sure this option is the appropriate one for your future goals.
Non-degree Study at a U.S. University
Do you want to study in the United States at a college or university, but not for a full degree? Perhaps you want to experience life on a U.S. campus, while improving your knowledge of certain subjects. This is certainly a useful addition to your educational experience, and U.S. colleges welcome students such as you. You should write to universities, explain your situation, and request information on applying for “special student” or “non-degree student” status.
I dont know much about this non-degree study... All I got is above information with me.
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Avoid these six common IT interview mistakes
Hi Friends
I have got this nice article. I would like to share with all of you so that it can be helpful to all, This is written by a gentleman from US. Its worth reading it.
Avoid these six common IT interview mistakes
Tip #1: Don't discuss pay too early
As the manager of a software store for 10 years, I can honestly say that questions about pay in the first interview from anyone other than a temporary applicant always bothered me a little. Temp jobs aside, if you are not really out there just for the money, asking this question right out of the gate is going to make any other questions you ask sound conniving and insincere. Unless the subject comes up, don't wade into the issue of the pay in the first interview. You can talk about it after you impress the employer enough for a second interview.
Tip #2: Talk tech to techies only
Feel free to discuss what you know, but remember: If you are talking to a nontechnical manager or human resources representative, you are not going to impress them with talk about life in the trenches. My previous supervisor was totally unimpressed with anything to do with technology. A sure way to put the man to sleep was to begin any story that had to do with computers.
When I interviewed for a previous position, the department manager actually had a technically savvy person participate in the interview to ask and respond to questions she would not understand. When I saw this tactic being used, I knew it was not a time to try to impress with a lot of techno babble.
Answer questions about your work history briefly and keep the tech comments to a minimum until you know the history of the company and the people involved in the hiring process. If you have questions about the technology in use at the site, keep your questions specific and relevant to the position for which you are applying.
Tip #3: Keep your philosophy to yourself
If you hate Bill Gates, Windows XP, and the whole Office Suite, keep it to yourself. Ranting about your tech philosophy can ruin your chances at the position.
I once interviewed a young man for a retail sales position in a software store. When I asked about his opinion of the then-new Windows 98, the applicant ranted about "the revolution of UNIX" and loosening the grip of Microsoft on the PC market. I am not exaggerating; the man sounded like he was ready to sign on to a paramilitary group. I almost didn't have the heart to tell him my company was a Value Added Reseller for Microsoft.
Chances are, you will work with many people who need your help with one of the Microsoft products, so you don't want to blast the tools you will likely be using and supporting. If you are asked about how you feel about a product, be honest, but don't preach. The interviewer probably just wants to see how you respond to such questions.
Tip #4: Don't climb the advancement ladder in the interview
If you are joining the ranks of a new company, the last thing the interviewer wants to hear is, "How fast can I get out of this job?" Do not ask about opportunities for advancement until the second or third interview. If you are joining a company just to advance into another position, silence is golden. Keep it to yourself unless the interviewer asks or unless it is somehow already known that you'll be advancing quickly. Remember that what you say now can come back to haunt you later. You don't want to brag to someone who might be under your wing after a promotion.
Further, you never know what may happen if you actually get the job. Learn to accept and adapt and, above all, be happy you have a job. Due to downsizing, a former coworker of mine did not move into the network administration position she wanted and was expecting to get. The bitterness fostered by her broken expectations eventually caused her to resign. In the tight job market of the time—similar to the one now—and with her lack of certified qualifications, she ended up seeking work at a local restaurant.
Tip # 5: Avoid the dreaded electronic interruption
Cellular phone and pager etiquette might seem a trivial thing to those that are hooked up, but you can kiss any job opportunity goodbye if you interrupt an interview to take a telephone call, especially if the human resources representative has a low tolerance for personal digital devices. Only if you are exchanging information by invitation should you reveal the fact that you carry a PDA. If you wear it on a belt loop or somewhere that is exposed, lose it, along with any other electrical device hooks and loops, and store them in pocket, purse, or briefcase. If you can't spare the time away from the rest of the world to do an interview, why are you applying for the job?
I have conducted training classes with people who, when asked to turn off their phones and pagers during class, place their devices in silent mode. When giving a lecture to a class or holding a discussion, watching a person being silently buzzed is terribly distracting and also aggravating.
If you think getting rid of electronic communications devices isn't important, just ask any human resources rep who has had a person answer a cellular phone during a job interview. Then ask if the person got the job.
Tip six: Remember to say thank you
Beyond thanking your interviewers for their time as you leave, it's vital that you follow up in written form. If the competition for a position is tight, a follow-up thank you note can mean a lot. If the manager is slow to hire, the arrival of a thank-you note can serve as a reminder about the candidate who's awaiting the manager's next move.
Just after you've completed the interview, take note of anything specific you discussed and make a point of referencing it in your thank you letter. Even a nice greeting card is better than nothing.
It may seem like a small detail, but the experts will tell you that this tried-and-true tactic really makes an impact. A coworker of mine, who successfully worked as a job coach, used to keep a stack of generic notes in her desk. When a participant in her program applied for a job somewhere, she would give the person one of these notes to have them drop in the mail on the way home.
===========================================================
God bless you all.
I have got this nice article. I would like to share with all of you so that it can be helpful to all, This is written by a gentleman from US. Its worth reading it.
Avoid these six common IT interview mistakes
Tip #1: Don't discuss pay too early
As the manager of a software store for 10 years, I can honestly say that questions about pay in the first interview from anyone other than a temporary applicant always bothered me a little. Temp jobs aside, if you are not really out there just for the money, asking this question right out of the gate is going to make any other questions you ask sound conniving and insincere. Unless the subject comes up, don't wade into the issue of the pay in the first interview. You can talk about it after you impress the employer enough for a second interview.
Tip #2: Talk tech to techies only
Feel free to discuss what you know, but remember: If you are talking to a nontechnical manager or human resources representative, you are not going to impress them with talk about life in the trenches. My previous supervisor was totally unimpressed with anything to do with technology. A sure way to put the man to sleep was to begin any story that had to do with computers.
When I interviewed for a previous position, the department manager actually had a technically savvy person participate in the interview to ask and respond to questions she would not understand. When I saw this tactic being used, I knew it was not a time to try to impress with a lot of techno babble.
Answer questions about your work history briefly and keep the tech comments to a minimum until you know the history of the company and the people involved in the hiring process. If you have questions about the technology in use at the site, keep your questions specific and relevant to the position for which you are applying.
Tip #3: Keep your philosophy to yourself
If you hate Bill Gates, Windows XP, and the whole Office Suite, keep it to yourself. Ranting about your tech philosophy can ruin your chances at the position.
I once interviewed a young man for a retail sales position in a software store. When I asked about his opinion of the then-new Windows 98, the applicant ranted about "the revolution of UNIX" and loosening the grip of Microsoft on the PC market. I am not exaggerating; the man sounded like he was ready to sign on to a paramilitary group. I almost didn't have the heart to tell him my company was a Value Added Reseller for Microsoft.
Chances are, you will work with many people who need your help with one of the Microsoft products, so you don't want to blast the tools you will likely be using and supporting. If you are asked about how you feel about a product, be honest, but don't preach. The interviewer probably just wants to see how you respond to such questions.
Tip #4: Don't climb the advancement ladder in the interview
If you are joining the ranks of a new company, the last thing the interviewer wants to hear is, "How fast can I get out of this job?" Do not ask about opportunities for advancement until the second or third interview. If you are joining a company just to advance into another position, silence is golden. Keep it to yourself unless the interviewer asks or unless it is somehow already known that you'll be advancing quickly. Remember that what you say now can come back to haunt you later. You don't want to brag to someone who might be under your wing after a promotion.
Further, you never know what may happen if you actually get the job. Learn to accept and adapt and, above all, be happy you have a job. Due to downsizing, a former coworker of mine did not move into the network administration position she wanted and was expecting to get. The bitterness fostered by her broken expectations eventually caused her to resign. In the tight job market of the time—similar to the one now—and with her lack of certified qualifications, she ended up seeking work at a local restaurant.
Tip # 5: Avoid the dreaded electronic interruption
Cellular phone and pager etiquette might seem a trivial thing to those that are hooked up, but you can kiss any job opportunity goodbye if you interrupt an interview to take a telephone call, especially if the human resources representative has a low tolerance for personal digital devices. Only if you are exchanging information by invitation should you reveal the fact that you carry a PDA. If you wear it on a belt loop or somewhere that is exposed, lose it, along with any other electrical device hooks and loops, and store them in pocket, purse, or briefcase. If you can't spare the time away from the rest of the world to do an interview, why are you applying for the job?
I have conducted training classes with people who, when asked to turn off their phones and pagers during class, place their devices in silent mode. When giving a lecture to a class or holding a discussion, watching a person being silently buzzed is terribly distracting and also aggravating.
If you think getting rid of electronic communications devices isn't important, just ask any human resources rep who has had a person answer a cellular phone during a job interview. Then ask if the person got the job.
Tip six: Remember to say thank you
Beyond thanking your interviewers for their time as you leave, it's vital that you follow up in written form. If the competition for a position is tight, a follow-up thank you note can mean a lot. If the manager is slow to hire, the arrival of a thank-you note can serve as a reminder about the candidate who's awaiting the manager's next move.
Just after you've completed the interview, take note of anything specific you discussed and make a point of referencing it in your thank you letter. Even a nice greeting card is better than nothing.
It may seem like a small detail, but the experts will tell you that this tried-and-true tactic really makes an impact. A coworker of mine, who successfully worked as a job coach, used to keep a stack of generic notes in her desk. When a participant in her program applied for a job somewhere, she would give the person one of these notes to have them drop in the mail on the way home.
===========================================================
God bless you all.
RAMAYANA AS TOLD BY BILLGATES (RAMA RAMA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! )
LAN LAN ago, in the SYSTEM of I/O-dhya, there ruled a PROCESSOR named
DOS-rat. Once he EXCUTED a great sacrifice PROGRAM after which his
queens gave an OUTPUT of four SUNS - RAM, LSI-man,BUG-rat, and
SED-rughana.
RAM the eldest was a MICROCHIP with excellent MEMORY. His
brothers,however, were only PERIPHERAL ICS.
Once when RAM was only 16MB, he married princess C-ta. 12 years passed
and DOS-rat decided to INSTALL RAM as his successor.
However, queen CIE/CAE, who was once offered a boon by DOS-rat for a
life saving HELP COMMAND, took this opportunity atthe instigation of
her BIOSed maid, and insisted that her son BUG-rat be installed and
that RAM be BOOTED to the forest for 14 years.
At this cruel and unexpected demand, a SURGE passed thru DOS-rat and
due to FATAL ERROR he collapsed, power-less. RAM agreed to LOG INTO
forest and C-ta insisted to LOGIN with him. LSI-man was also resolved
on LOGGING IN with his brother.
The forest was the dwelling of SPARC-nakha, the TRANSISTOR of
RAW-wan,PROCESSOR of LAN-ka. Attracted by RAM's stature, sheproposed
that he marry her. RAM politely denied. Perceiving C-ta to be the
SOURCE CODE for her distress, she hastened to kill her. Weeping
SPARC-nakha fled to LAN-ka, where RAW-wan,moved by
TRANSISTOR's plight, approached his uncle MAR-icha.
MAR-icha REPROGRAMMED himself into the form of a golden stag and drew
RAM deep into the forest. Finally, tired of chase, RAM shot the deer,
who, with his last breath, cried out desperately for LSI-man in RAM's
voice. Fooled by this VIRTUAL RAM's SOUND, C-ta urged LSI-man to his
brother's aid. Catching the opportunity, RAW-wan DELINKED C-ta from
her LIBRARY and changed her ROOT DIRECTORY (or HOME PAGE) to LAN-ka.
INTERVAL
RAM and LSI-man started LINEAR SEARCHING for the missing C-ta all over
the forest.They made friendship with the SYSTEM
ADMINI STRATOR of forest SU-greev and his powerful co-processor
Ha-NEUMAN. SU-greev agreed to help RAM.
SU-greev ordered his PROGRAMMERS to use powerful BINARY & BOOLEAN
SEARCH techniques to FIND the missing C-ta. His
PROGRAMMERS SEARCHED all around the INTER-NETworked forests. Many
tried to EXCITE the birds and animals not to forget the WEBWLERS
(Insects) and tried to INFO SEEK something about C-ta. Some of them
even shouted YAHOO but they all ended up with NOT FOUND MESSAGES.
Several other SERACH techniques proved useless.
Ha-NEUMAN devised a RISCy TECHNOLOGY and used it to cross the seas at
an astonishing CLOCK SPEED. Soon Ha-NEUMAN DOWNLOADED himself into
LAN-ka. After doing some local SEARCH, he found C-ta weeping under a
TREE STRUCTURE. Ha-NEUMAN used a LOGIN ID (ring) to identify himself
to C-ta. After DECRYPTING the KEY, C-ta believed in him and asked him
to send a STATUS_OK MESSAGE to RAM. Meanwhile all the raakshasa BUGS
around C-ta captured Ha-NEUMAN and tried to DELETE him using
pyro-techniques. But Ha-NEUMAN managed to spread chaos by using the
VIRUS 'FIRE'. Ha-NEUMAN happily pressed ESCAPE from LAN-ka and
conveyed all the STATUS MESSAGES to RAM and SU-greev.
RAW-wan decided to take the all powerful RAM head-on
and prepared for the battle One of the RAW-wan's SUN almost DELETED
RAM and LSI-man with a powerful brahma-astra. But Ha-NEUMAN resorted
to some ACTIVE-X gradients and REBOOTED RAM and LSI-man. RAM used the
SOURCE CODE secrets of RAW-wan and once for all wiped out RAW-wan's
presence on earth.
After the battle, RAM got INSTALLED in I/O-dhya and spreaded his MICRO
SOFT WORKS and other USER FRIENDLY PROGRAMS to all
USERS and every one lived happily everafter.
DOS-rat. Once he EXCUTED a great sacrifice PROGRAM after which his
queens gave an OUTPUT of four SUNS - RAM, LSI-man,BUG-rat, and
SED-rughana.
RAM the eldest was a MICROCHIP with excellent MEMORY. His
brothers,however, were only PERIPHERAL ICS.
Once when RAM was only 16MB, he married princess C-ta. 12 years passed
and DOS-rat decided to INSTALL RAM as his successor.
However, queen CIE/CAE, who was once offered a boon by DOS-rat for a
life saving HELP COMMAND, took this opportunity atthe instigation of
her BIOSed maid, and insisted that her son BUG-rat be installed and
that RAM be BOOTED to the forest for 14 years.
At this cruel and unexpected demand, a SURGE passed thru DOS-rat and
due to FATAL ERROR he collapsed, power-less. RAM agreed to LOG INTO
forest and C-ta insisted to LOGIN with him. LSI-man was also resolved
on LOGGING IN with his brother.
The forest was the dwelling of SPARC-nakha, the TRANSISTOR of
RAW-wan,PROCESSOR of LAN-ka. Attracted by RAM's stature, sheproposed
that he marry her. RAM politely denied. Perceiving C-ta to be the
SOURCE CODE for her distress, she hastened to kill her. Weeping
SPARC-nakha fled to LAN-ka, where RAW-wan,moved by
TRANSISTOR's plight, approached his uncle MAR-icha.
MAR-icha REPROGRAMMED himself into the form of a golden stag and drew
RAM deep into the forest. Finally, tired of chase, RAM shot the deer,
who, with his last breath, cried out desperately for LSI-man in RAM's
voice. Fooled by this VIRTUAL RAM's SOUND, C-ta urged LSI-man to his
brother's aid. Catching the opportunity, RAW-wan DELINKED C-ta from
her LIBRARY and changed her ROOT DIRECTORY (or HOME PAGE) to LAN-ka.
INTERVAL
RAM and LSI-man started LINEAR SEARCHING for the missing C-ta all over
the forest.They made friendship with the SYSTEM
ADMINI STRATOR of forest SU-greev and his powerful co-processor
Ha-NEUMAN. SU-greev agreed to help RAM.
SU-greev ordered his PROGRAMMERS to use powerful BINARY & BOOLEAN
SEARCH techniques to FIND the missing C-ta. His
PROGRAMMERS SEARCHED all around the INTER-NETworked forests. Many
tried to EXCITE the birds and animals not to forget the WEBWLERS
(Insects) and tried to INFO SEEK something about C-ta. Some of them
even shouted YAHOO but they all ended up with NOT FOUND MESSAGES.
Several other SERACH techniques proved useless.
Ha-NEUMAN devised a RISCy TECHNOLOGY and used it to cross the seas at
an astonishing CLOCK SPEED. Soon Ha-NEUMAN DOWNLOADED himself into
LAN-ka. After doing some local SEARCH, he found C-ta weeping under a
TREE STRUCTURE. Ha-NEUMAN used a LOGIN ID (ring) to identify himself
to C-ta. After DECRYPTING the KEY, C-ta believed in him and asked him
to send a STATUS_OK MESSAGE to RAM. Meanwhile all the raakshasa BUGS
around C-ta captured Ha-NEUMAN and tried to DELETE him using
pyro-techniques. But Ha-NEUMAN managed to spread chaos by using the
VIRUS 'FIRE'. Ha-NEUMAN happily pressed ESCAPE from LAN-ka and
conveyed all the STATUS MESSAGES to RAM and SU-greev.
RAW-wan decided to take the all powerful RAM head-on
and prepared for the battle One of the RAW-wan's SUN almost DELETED
RAM and LSI-man with a powerful brahma-astra. But Ha-NEUMAN resorted
to some ACTIVE-X gradients and REBOOTED RAM and LSI-man. RAM used the
SOURCE CODE secrets of RAW-wan and once for all wiped out RAW-wan's
presence on earth.
After the battle, RAM got INSTALLED in I/O-dhya and spreaded his MICRO
SOFT WORKS and other USER FRIENDLY PROGRAMS to all
USERS and every one lived happily everafter.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
HOW TO CRACK GRE?
First off, you must read SoYouWanna learn the basics of the GRE? before you continue reading this SYW. It'll tell you what the test looks like, how to register, and whether you should even take the test in the first place. But this SYW assumes that you are already positive that you're gonna take the GRE, that you know the basic structure, and that you just want some sparkling advice about how to get the highest score possible. Well, that's what we're here for, so listen up.
In case you have forgotten what to expect on the GRE, here's a recap. There are three sections:
* Verbal section (30 questions, 30 minutes)
* Quantitative section (28 questions, 45 minutes)
* Analytical section (35 questions, 60 minutes)
The verbal section tests your vocabulary and reading skills, the quantitative section tests your ability to do math, and the analytical section tests your ability to solve logic problems.
There is one surefire way to improve your GRE score: know exactly what's on the test. No, we don't want you to hack into the Educational Testing Service's databank (yet), but we do want you to become so familiar with the types of questions asked, so you won't have to waste any of your precious time reading directions or figuring out how to tackle the questions.
How do you do this? BY TAKING MANY PRACTICE TESTS. Get yourself some practice tests off the GRE web site or buy some software and start getting cozy with the test. Don't worry about the tricks yet . . . just get comfortable with the test as a whole. Take at least 2 full tests before worrying about Step 2.
CAT tricks
Verbal tricks
Mathematics tricks
Analytical tricks
What fun is it to take a test if you can't give yourself a bit of an edge? The sad fact is that very few people even bother trying to crack the GRE, but it's very crack-able (assuming you are not already a crackhead). So below, we provide some great tips for doing well on each section, as well as some general tips for taking the computer-adapted test (CAT).
CAT tricks
As you are well aware, you'll be taking the GRE on a computer. This computer version is called the CAT, and here are some tips for killing the kitty:
* The 10 first questions of each section are the most important ones. Why? Because as you know, the GRE adapts itself to your answers, so if you get the first question wrong, your next question will be easier. The test proceeds as such, pinpointing your score. But if you get the first ten questions wrong, you'll have to answer a whole bunch of questions correctly to dig yourself out of the hole. Did we just lose you? Then think of it this way: the tougher questions are worth more points, so you get a better score by answering the hard questions correctly. But the only way to get to the hard questions is to get the first few questions right. Yes, it's a bit confusing, but all that matters is that you should devote about half of your time to the first 10 questions.
* There is no penalty for guessing. That's right. None. Not even an Indian burn or a pile driver. So NEVER leave a question blank. Flip a coin, spin a bottle, ask a Ouija board, pray for divine intervention, but you must guess. Besides, you can't skip questions either, so you might as well take a guess. Below, we'll give you some tips for effective guessing on each section.
Verbal tricks
The verbal section is one of the toughest sections to handle, because it's so based on whether you know the definitions of words or not. But there are little tricks that can help you out.
* First and foremost, PRACTICE these questions over and over. You can get your hands on practice GREs at bookstores, so buy the book and PRACTICE. Sometimes the same words (or variants of them) pop up on multiple tests.
* Study vocabulary words that commonly appear on the GRE. Many preparation booklets have lists of these words, but you can also buy GRE study cards here and here.
* For the ANALOGIES:
The most important thing to do with analogy questions is to turn the relationship between the two words into a sentence. Write that sentence down on your scratch paper so you don't forget it.
Some of the most common relationships to look for are: part to whole, cause to effect, person to occupation, word to definition, and synonyms.
* For the ANTONYMS:
Antonyms can be tough because you have no context to work from; either you know the word or you don't. If you get a word you don't know, first try to pick the word apart. If part of the word looks familiar (for instance, it starts with "bio"), then use that information to try to guess at an answer ("bio" means "life," so the right answer will have something to do with "lack of life").
Second, try to get a sense of the mood of the word. Even if you don't know what the word means, you can often tell if it's "good" or "bad." So if you have a gut feeling that the word, whatever it means, is a "good" thing, then it's opposite should sound "bad."
* For the SENTENCE COMPLETIONS:
Before you look at the possible answers, try to fill in the sentence with your own word. It'll make it easier to go through the answers.
Use the context of the sentence. If the sentence implies that you're looking for a "good" word, then your answer should be a "good" word. The context can tell you tons about the sentence. For instance, you should look for buzzwords like "nevertheless," "although," and "moreover," which can give you clues.
If the sentence has two blanks, then make sure that BOTH words fit nicely.
* For the READING COMPREHENSION:
Read the passage as carefully as you can, no matter how boring it is. They make it boring on purpose, to get you off your rhythm.
Read ALL of the choices before you pick an answer.
The best way to prepare for the reading comprehension section is pure PRACTICE.
Mathematics tricks
In order to ace the math section, you merely have to brush up on very specific math skills: algebra, fractions, percentages, geometry, and data analysis (reading graphs). We're not going to re-teach you algebra, so you gotta bone up on that stuff on your own. A study book would REALLY come in hand for re-familiarizing yourself with these concepts.
* Use the process of elimination. Often times, you don't need to do any work when you can merely eliminate the wrong answers. For instance, what if you're presented with the question "What is 326 multiplied by 458?"
A) 149,303
B) 149,305
C) 149,308
D) 149,311
E) 149,313
You don't even need to bother doing the math. An even number multiplied by an even number ALWAYS has an even result. 326 and 458 are both even, and the only even choice is C) 149,308. So answer C and move on. Don't even bother doing the work.
* Use your scratch paper. The drawings on the computer screen will be all out of proportion, and doing math these kinds of math problems in your head is impossible (unless you're Rain Man or Good Will Hunting). So make use of the scratch paper you're given, and feel free to recopy diagrams or charts.
Analytical tricks
The biggest problem people have with the analytical questions is not that they're hard, but that they take too much TIME. There's an easy way to fix that:
* PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. The only way to improve your speed on the analytical problems is to get used to the kinds of questions they ask.
* When you read the rules to a logic problem, immediately write ALL of the rules down on your scratch paper BEFORE you try to answer any questions. Find the connections between the rules and map it all out, drawing pictures if necessary. It speeds things up enormously.
* Abbreviate things. If they give you the names of colors, people, rivers, whatever, just use the first letter.
* Never assume anything unless you're explicitly told it's so. The analytical section is basically testing if you jump to unfounded assumptions or not. Prove that you're a "not" and follow exactly what the rules tell you to do.
In case you didn't notice, we are huge advocates of practice. Studies conducted by the Educational Testing Services show that the biggest predictor of improvement in GRE scores is practice. So go to it. Here are a few study aids that'll help:
* Start out by practicing without timing yourself. Take all the time you need. After a couple tests, then start practicing with a stopwatch and see which section offers you the most trouble. If you're getting equal scores on the analytical and verbal sections but you keep going overtime on the analytical section, then you know where you need to put in some extra work.
* Invest in a GRE study book. In addition to containing strategies, sample questions with explanations of the answers, and practice exams, another benefit is that many of these books come with a CD so you can practice taking the computer-based GRE. Hooray for Y2K! There are lots of books out there, so finding one won't be a problem, and most books cost about $20-$30, so you'll save lots of money compared to a course. Although it might be beneficial to go to actual bookstore (yes, they still exist) and browse through your choices, you can also pop on over to Amazon.com's Test Prep Central.
The three most popular books are Kaplan's GRE: 1999-2000 Edition, Peterson's GRE Success 2000, and Barron's How To Prepare For The GRE Test. These books feature sample questions and strategies, as well as study plans and a concise and readable presentation of the most important information. However, each book is different and carries different features (for example, the Barron's book has an extensive vocabulary section with high-frequency words and the definition of each one), so be sure to comparison shop for your needs.
Crap. More school. Well, them's the breaks if you wanna up your score. The thing to keep in mind about test preparation courses is that they cannot guarantee you a high score. You still have to do huge amounts of work. But what a preparation course can do is guide you as to how your time can be best spent. The two most popular preparation schools are:
* The Kaplan Test Prep Center. You can get private tutoring or find a class in your area just by typing in your zip code and selecting the test you'll be taking. Prices tend to be steep though, so you should be willing to shell out some major bucks. For example, the tutoring services will run you $3,000 for 30 hours (quick math practice: $100/hr), and the class will cost you $900. Other less expensive options include online courses.
* The Princeton Review Center offers essentially the same service as Kaplan, although they focus more on the small classes (maximum of 8 students) rather than tutoring. The price of the class is about the same (though both centers are constantly offering deals to drive each other into the ground).
In addition to the Kaplan and Princeton Review web sites described above, here are some other web links for GRE strategies:
* 800score.com: GRE - Take a free GRE sample test, download GRE prep software, online books and use online tutoring. GREs are in the new mandatory Computer-Adaptive Test format.
* www.testtutor.com/gre/ - A free online GRE preparation course. Includes tutorials, practice questions, tips, FAQ's and links.
Will you study diligently for months or will you crack open the study guide three days before the test? Will you waltz into the test center and sail through the exam or will you end up with your fist crashing through the computer screen? (Not recommended.) This SYW will put you on the right track to achieving a higher score, but the work ultimately rests on your shoulders.
When you go to take the test, you can't freeze up. Just take a deep breath and realize that you are way more prepared than the 98% of all GRE-takers that never even bothering practicing. You've already got the home court advantage! You're prepared, and you know it.
So without further ado, go forth, diligent student, and study . . . after you finish that ……………….
ALL THE BEST
In case you have forgotten what to expect on the GRE, here's a recap. There are three sections:
* Verbal section (30 questions, 30 minutes)
* Quantitative section (28 questions, 45 minutes)
* Analytical section (35 questions, 60 minutes)
The verbal section tests your vocabulary and reading skills, the quantitative section tests your ability to do math, and the analytical section tests your ability to solve logic problems.
There is one surefire way to improve your GRE score: know exactly what's on the test. No, we don't want you to hack into the Educational Testing Service's databank (yet), but we do want you to become so familiar with the types of questions asked, so you won't have to waste any of your precious time reading directions or figuring out how to tackle the questions.
How do you do this? BY TAKING MANY PRACTICE TESTS. Get yourself some practice tests off the GRE web site or buy some software and start getting cozy with the test. Don't worry about the tricks yet . . . just get comfortable with the test as a whole. Take at least 2 full tests before worrying about Step 2.
CAT tricks
Verbal tricks
Mathematics tricks
Analytical tricks
What fun is it to take a test if you can't give yourself a bit of an edge? The sad fact is that very few people even bother trying to crack the GRE, but it's very crack-able (assuming you are not already a crackhead). So below, we provide some great tips for doing well on each section, as well as some general tips for taking the computer-adapted test (CAT).
CAT tricks
As you are well aware, you'll be taking the GRE on a computer. This computer version is called the CAT, and here are some tips for killing the kitty:
* The 10 first questions of each section are the most important ones. Why? Because as you know, the GRE adapts itself to your answers, so if you get the first question wrong, your next question will be easier. The test proceeds as such, pinpointing your score. But if you get the first ten questions wrong, you'll have to answer a whole bunch of questions correctly to dig yourself out of the hole. Did we just lose you? Then think of it this way: the tougher questions are worth more points, so you get a better score by answering the hard questions correctly. But the only way to get to the hard questions is to get the first few questions right. Yes, it's a bit confusing, but all that matters is that you should devote about half of your time to the first 10 questions.
* There is no penalty for guessing. That's right. None. Not even an Indian burn or a pile driver. So NEVER leave a question blank. Flip a coin, spin a bottle, ask a Ouija board, pray for divine intervention, but you must guess. Besides, you can't skip questions either, so you might as well take a guess. Below, we'll give you some tips for effective guessing on each section.
Verbal tricks
The verbal section is one of the toughest sections to handle, because it's so based on whether you know the definitions of words or not. But there are little tricks that can help you out.
* First and foremost, PRACTICE these questions over and over. You can get your hands on practice GREs at bookstores, so buy the book and PRACTICE. Sometimes the same words (or variants of them) pop up on multiple tests.
* Study vocabulary words that commonly appear on the GRE. Many preparation booklets have lists of these words, but you can also buy GRE study cards here and here.
* For the ANALOGIES:
The most important thing to do with analogy questions is to turn the relationship between the two words into a sentence. Write that sentence down on your scratch paper so you don't forget it.
Some of the most common relationships to look for are: part to whole, cause to effect, person to occupation, word to definition, and synonyms.
* For the ANTONYMS:
Antonyms can be tough because you have no context to work from; either you know the word or you don't. If you get a word you don't know, first try to pick the word apart. If part of the word looks familiar (for instance, it starts with "bio"), then use that information to try to guess at an answer ("bio" means "life," so the right answer will have something to do with "lack of life").
Second, try to get a sense of the mood of the word. Even if you don't know what the word means, you can often tell if it's "good" or "bad." So if you have a gut feeling that the word, whatever it means, is a "good" thing, then it's opposite should sound "bad."
* For the SENTENCE COMPLETIONS:
Before you look at the possible answers, try to fill in the sentence with your own word. It'll make it easier to go through the answers.
Use the context of the sentence. If the sentence implies that you're looking for a "good" word, then your answer should be a "good" word. The context can tell you tons about the sentence. For instance, you should look for buzzwords like "nevertheless," "although," and "moreover," which can give you clues.
If the sentence has two blanks, then make sure that BOTH words fit nicely.
* For the READING COMPREHENSION:
Read the passage as carefully as you can, no matter how boring it is. They make it boring on purpose, to get you off your rhythm.
Read ALL of the choices before you pick an answer.
The best way to prepare for the reading comprehension section is pure PRACTICE.
Mathematics tricks
In order to ace the math section, you merely have to brush up on very specific math skills: algebra, fractions, percentages, geometry, and data analysis (reading graphs). We're not going to re-teach you algebra, so you gotta bone up on that stuff on your own. A study book would REALLY come in hand for re-familiarizing yourself with these concepts.
* Use the process of elimination. Often times, you don't need to do any work when you can merely eliminate the wrong answers. For instance, what if you're presented with the question "What is 326 multiplied by 458?"
A) 149,303
B) 149,305
C) 149,308
D) 149,311
E) 149,313
You don't even need to bother doing the math. An even number multiplied by an even number ALWAYS has an even result. 326 and 458 are both even, and the only even choice is C) 149,308. So answer C and move on. Don't even bother doing the work.
* Use your scratch paper. The drawings on the computer screen will be all out of proportion, and doing math these kinds of math problems in your head is impossible (unless you're Rain Man or Good Will Hunting). So make use of the scratch paper you're given, and feel free to recopy diagrams or charts.
Analytical tricks
The biggest problem people have with the analytical questions is not that they're hard, but that they take too much TIME. There's an easy way to fix that:
* PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. The only way to improve your speed on the analytical problems is to get used to the kinds of questions they ask.
* When you read the rules to a logic problem, immediately write ALL of the rules down on your scratch paper BEFORE you try to answer any questions. Find the connections between the rules and map it all out, drawing pictures if necessary. It speeds things up enormously.
* Abbreviate things. If they give you the names of colors, people, rivers, whatever, just use the first letter.
* Never assume anything unless you're explicitly told it's so. The analytical section is basically testing if you jump to unfounded assumptions or not. Prove that you're a "not" and follow exactly what the rules tell you to do.
In case you didn't notice, we are huge advocates of practice. Studies conducted by the Educational Testing Services show that the biggest predictor of improvement in GRE scores is practice. So go to it. Here are a few study aids that'll help:
* Start out by practicing without timing yourself. Take all the time you need. After a couple tests, then start practicing with a stopwatch and see which section offers you the most trouble. If you're getting equal scores on the analytical and verbal sections but you keep going overtime on the analytical section, then you know where you need to put in some extra work.
* Invest in a GRE study book. In addition to containing strategies, sample questions with explanations of the answers, and practice exams, another benefit is that many of these books come with a CD so you can practice taking the computer-based GRE. Hooray for Y2K! There are lots of books out there, so finding one won't be a problem, and most books cost about $20-$30, so you'll save lots of money compared to a course. Although it might be beneficial to go to actual bookstore (yes, they still exist) and browse through your choices, you can also pop on over to Amazon.com's Test Prep Central.
The three most popular books are Kaplan's GRE: 1999-2000 Edition, Peterson's GRE Success 2000, and Barron's How To Prepare For The GRE Test. These books feature sample questions and strategies, as well as study plans and a concise and readable presentation of the most important information. However, each book is different and carries different features (for example, the Barron's book has an extensive vocabulary section with high-frequency words and the definition of each one), so be sure to comparison shop for your needs.
Crap. More school. Well, them's the breaks if you wanna up your score. The thing to keep in mind about test preparation courses is that they cannot guarantee you a high score. You still have to do huge amounts of work. But what a preparation course can do is guide you as to how your time can be best spent. The two most popular preparation schools are:
* The Kaplan Test Prep Center. You can get private tutoring or find a class in your area just by typing in your zip code and selecting the test you'll be taking. Prices tend to be steep though, so you should be willing to shell out some major bucks. For example, the tutoring services will run you $3,000 for 30 hours (quick math practice: $100/hr), and the class will cost you $900. Other less expensive options include online courses.
* The Princeton Review Center offers essentially the same service as Kaplan, although they focus more on the small classes (maximum of 8 students) rather than tutoring. The price of the class is about the same (though both centers are constantly offering deals to drive each other into the ground).
In addition to the Kaplan and Princeton Review web sites described above, here are some other web links for GRE strategies:
* 800score.com: GRE - Take a free GRE sample test, download GRE prep software, online books and use online tutoring. GREs are in the new mandatory Computer-Adaptive Test format.
* www.testtutor.com/gre/ - A free online GRE preparation course. Includes tutorials, practice questions, tips, FAQ's and links.
Will you study diligently for months or will you crack open the study guide three days before the test? Will you waltz into the test center and sail through the exam or will you end up with your fist crashing through the computer screen? (Not recommended.) This SYW will put you on the right track to achieving a higher score, but the work ultimately rests on your shoulders.
When you go to take the test, you can't freeze up. Just take a deep breath and realize that you are way more prepared than the 98% of all GRE-takers that never even bothering practicing. You've already got the home court advantage! You're prepared, and you know it.
So without further ado, go forth, diligent student, and study . . . after you finish that ……………….
ALL THE BEST
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
THE NEW TOEFL-TOEFL® iBT Test FAQ
Each month ESL Pro Systems presents informative articles and tips to help our readers improve their English. This month we are presenting answers to a number of frequently asked questions about the new TOEFL® iBT Test.
Why is the TOEFL® test changing?
The new test will be an improved measure of what colleges and universities in Canada and the USA need to know: a prospective student's ability to use English in an academic setting. The new Speaking section evaluates a person's ability to use spoken English, and the new integrated Writing and Speaking tasks measure the ability to combine information from more than one source and communicate about it.
How different is the new TOEFL® Test ?
The TOEFL® iBT Test has a new Speaking section, and there is no longer a Structure section. Grammar is tested indirectly through questions and tasks in each section. Lectures and conversations in the Listening section are longer, and note taking is now allowed. The Reading section has new question types that ask examinees to categorize information and fill in a chart or complete a summary. Typing is now required for the Writing section. There is an integrated task in addition to the present independent task, and the scoring used for rating responses is different from the current test. The new TOEFL® test will be delivered via the Internet. Internet-based testing (iBT) allows the capture of speech and score responses in a standardized and fair manner. It will also make it possible to greatly expand test center access.
When will the new TOEFL® test start?
It will be administered for the first time on September 24, 2005.
Will the new test be available everywhere in September?
No. ETS® will introduce the new TOEFL® test to countries worldwide in phases rather than all at once.
What is meant by "phases"?
The new test will be available first in the United States on September 24, 2005. It will be offered in the following countries on October 22, 2005: Canada, Germany, Italy, and France. The test will be available in the rest of the world in 2006.
When do the CBT and PBT stop?
The computer-based and paper-based versions of the TOEFL® test will be available until the new Internet-based test begins in each country. In the USA, CBT registration closes on August 31, 2005, and the final date for computer-based testing is September 15th. In Canada, France, Germany, and Italy, the final paper-based test administration will be on October 15, 2005, and the final computer-based test administration will be on October 8. The CBT and PBT will continue in the rest of the world until the iBT is introduced next year.
Will the score system change?
Yes, the score scale will change to the following:
Listening
0 - 30
Reading
0 - 30
Speaking
0 - 30
Writing
0 - 30
Total score: 0 to 120.
The total score is the sum of the four individual skill scores.
Is the new iBT more difficult than the current CBT?
The TOEFL® iBT Test Reading and Listening sections are not so different from those on the current TOEFL® Test . The integrated tasks in the TOEFL® iBT Test Speaking and Writing sections might be more challlenging for some examinees because they are new. These integrated tasks will help learners build the confidence they need in order to communicate in the academic environments they plan to enter.
How can I prepare for the iBT? ESL Pro Systems offers a number of preparatory study guides and tests that can help you get the best score possible on the new TOEFL® iBT Test.
Why is the TOEFL® test changing?
The new test will be an improved measure of what colleges and universities in Canada and the USA need to know: a prospective student's ability to use English in an academic setting. The new Speaking section evaluates a person's ability to use spoken English, and the new integrated Writing and Speaking tasks measure the ability to combine information from more than one source and communicate about it.
How different is the new TOEFL® Test ?
The TOEFL® iBT Test has a new Speaking section, and there is no longer a Structure section. Grammar is tested indirectly through questions and tasks in each section. Lectures and conversations in the Listening section are longer, and note taking is now allowed. The Reading section has new question types that ask examinees to categorize information and fill in a chart or complete a summary. Typing is now required for the Writing section. There is an integrated task in addition to the present independent task, and the scoring used for rating responses is different from the current test. The new TOEFL® test will be delivered via the Internet. Internet-based testing (iBT) allows the capture of speech and score responses in a standardized and fair manner. It will also make it possible to greatly expand test center access.
When will the new TOEFL® test start?
It will be administered for the first time on September 24, 2005.
Will the new test be available everywhere in September?
No. ETS® will introduce the new TOEFL® test to countries worldwide in phases rather than all at once.
What is meant by "phases"?
The new test will be available first in the United States on September 24, 2005. It will be offered in the following countries on October 22, 2005: Canada, Germany, Italy, and France. The test will be available in the rest of the world in 2006.
When do the CBT and PBT stop?
The computer-based and paper-based versions of the TOEFL® test will be available until the new Internet-based test begins in each country. In the USA, CBT registration closes on August 31, 2005, and the final date for computer-based testing is September 15th. In Canada, France, Germany, and Italy, the final paper-based test administration will be on October 15, 2005, and the final computer-based test administration will be on October 8. The CBT and PBT will continue in the rest of the world until the iBT is introduced next year.
Will the score system change?
Yes, the score scale will change to the following:
Listening
0 - 30
Reading
0 - 30
Speaking
0 - 30
Writing
0 - 30
Total score: 0 to 120.
The total score is the sum of the four individual skill scores.
Is the new iBT more difficult than the current CBT?
The TOEFL® iBT Test Reading and Listening sections are not so different from those on the current TOEFL® Test . The integrated tasks in the TOEFL® iBT Test Speaking and Writing sections might be more challlenging for some examinees because they are new. These integrated tasks will help learners build the confidence they need in order to communicate in the academic environments they plan to enter.
How can I prepare for the iBT? ESL Pro Systems offers a number of preparatory study guides and tests that can help you get the best score possible on the new TOEFL® iBT Test.
Friday, August 12, 2005
GRE Tips and Tricks -They really Rock
[These GRE preparation details r Taken from one of the mails i received]
1. How long does it take to prepare?
A: There is no definite time frame. But about 2-3 dedicated hours a day, for about two-and-a-half months is enough. Then, again, it is dependent on your level. To find that out, I'd suggest that you should take one paper-based test that is there in the front of the book (Barron's, Kaplan, anything... or even the Big Book). If you score about 750 on the quants, and about 500 on the verbal (no cheatings, etc) then the time frame I've said should be enough. If you scored more, great... you should try to get to around 1550!! But if less... well, spruce up depending on how much less.
2. From where do I do the quanti section?
A: Keep in touch with the section along with your verbal prep. Ignoring this section can mean the difference between a 780 and a 800. Try to get all your answers right when you practice the tests from the Big Book... no big need to do the practice material from the books. But again, if you stand currently at about 600 on the quanti, please do all the exercises. For the probability and statistics questions, I'd suggest that you catch hold of some CBSE XIIth grade books and do them from there. It is more than enough. Remember, the tests on the different books like Kaplan, Princeton, Barrons are a tad bit easy. You will get a taste of the real thing on the Powerprep ones.. they are good.
3. Verbal Section: Vocab and the Barron's Wordlist
A: Yes, you have to read this one... there is no shortcut. I will suggest that you should start with the lists and go through the Norman Lewis book (a red one titled "Increase your Word Power" or something) in parallel. Make sure you do all the exercises as the author suggests in the book --- word for word. Once you are through, you'll be having a feel that you really know some words. Flash cards do help, trust me... I read most of the Barron's lists through the flash cards one of my sisters had prepared for herself, going to and fro on my office bus. It looks a bit weird, but they are good. After that, when I sat down with the Barron's book... I could see that I knew many words.
4. Reading comprehension
A: The best way to tackle this is to practice. One RC a day continiously for 2 months should be enough to help you spot the right answer. Most importantly, please go through the methods and things suggested in the Kaplan's book as well as the Barron's book. This goes not just for RCs, but analogies, sentence completions and antonyms as well. The methods in these books are really good, and they will tell you much more lucidly how to tackle them than what you can gather from my mail.
A word about the books here should be befitting. Please read the Kaplan's and Barron's book cover to cover. There is a virtual treasure-trove of information that is of immense help and can help you find answers to most of the questions you may be having. The Princeton's book is OK, but I think it is relatively easy and not as good as the Kaplan's and Barrons.
5. The Big Book
A: Yes, even if you haven't bought this one, do so. I bought it from Hyderabad when I visited my friends. There is a place there called Kothi and there is a line of book stalls just opposite the bus stand. You can get the book there for about 250 bucks, although the shopkeeper will start from somewhere around 270-280. Trust me, these 250 bucks will be your best investment. The verbal questions are really GRE standard, and I think one or two questions were among those that I had already seen on the Big Book. One verbal test daily and one quants test once every two days should be enough practice from this book.
6. AWA --- Essay writing
A: This one again is heavily dependent on practice. What I'd suggest is that you write your essays, and then mail it to the group. When somebody does mail an essay, PLEASE EVALUATE IT. Believe me, it takes just about 4-5 min to evaluate 2 complete essays and then you can have a good buddy. Besides, this is a mutually beneficial affair and I personally benefited immensely from this.
7. General tips and tricks
A. PLEASE TAKE YOUR PASSPORT TO THE TEST CENTRE. I was about to laugh out loud when a (sweet) lady came in and told the test admins even more sweetly that she did not have her passport with her. Well, her condition after she was told (in the sweetest possible way) that she needs a passport to be let in fobade the laughter.
B. Get your first 6-7 questions correct. When I was taking the powerprep tests, I got the first (and fifth) verbal questions wrong on my first test, and the second (and fourth) wrong on the second. Consequently, my scores plummeted to 590 and 620 respectively on these sections, although the quanti scores were ok (800 and 790). This happened one week before the actual test, and I cannot properly express what I had felt on the last few days because of this.
C. Don't forget to read magazines and newspaper editorials everyday. And do hunt up words which you do not know. As for example, I remembered the words UMBRAGE and PECADILLO from a newspaper article although I had read them in Barron's because I hunted them up then and there. Now, you have seen these words in my mail. Go and find your dictionary, right now!
D. There are numerous sites such as http://www.i20fever.com that offer a lot of information for GRE people. Try google, university webpages, and anything that you can lay your hands on and to narrow down on these sites... build a good list of bookmarks and keep practising. I believe that the P
1. How long does it take to prepare?
A: There is no definite time frame. But about 2-3 dedicated hours a day, for about two-and-a-half months is enough. Then, again, it is dependent on your level. To find that out, I'd suggest that you should take one paper-based test that is there in the front of the book (Barron's, Kaplan, anything... or even the Big Book). If you score about 750 on the quants, and about 500 on the verbal (no cheatings, etc) then the time frame I've said should be enough. If you scored more, great... you should try to get to around 1550!! But if less... well, spruce up depending on how much less.
2. From where do I do the quanti section?
A: Keep in touch with the section along with your verbal prep. Ignoring this section can mean the difference between a 780 and a 800. Try to get all your answers right when you practice the tests from the Big Book... no big need to do the practice material from the books. But again, if you stand currently at about 600 on the quanti, please do all the exercises. For the probability and statistics questions, I'd suggest that you catch hold of some CBSE XIIth grade books and do them from there. It is more than enough. Remember, the tests on the different books like Kaplan, Princeton, Barrons are a tad bit easy. You will get a taste of the real thing on the Powerprep ones.. they are good.
3. Verbal Section: Vocab and the Barron's Wordlist
A: Yes, you have to read this one... there is no shortcut. I will suggest that you should start with the lists and go through the Norman Lewis book (a red one titled "Increase your Word Power" or something) in parallel. Make sure you do all the exercises as the author suggests in the book --- word for word. Once you are through, you'll be having a feel that you really know some words. Flash cards do help, trust me... I read most of the Barron's lists through the flash cards one of my sisters had prepared for herself, going to and fro on my office bus. It looks a bit weird, but they are good. After that, when I sat down with the Barron's book... I could see that I knew many words.
4. Reading comprehension
A: The best way to tackle this is to practice. One RC a day continiously for 2 months should be enough to help you spot the right answer. Most importantly, please go through the methods and things suggested in the Kaplan's book as well as the Barron's book. This goes not just for RCs, but analogies, sentence completions and antonyms as well. The methods in these books are really good, and they will tell you much more lucidly how to tackle them than what you can gather from my mail.
A word about the books here should be befitting. Please read the Kaplan's and Barron's book cover to cover. There is a virtual treasure-trove of information that is of immense help and can help you find answers to most of the questions you may be having. The Princeton's book is OK, but I think it is relatively easy and not as good as the Kaplan's and Barrons.
5. The Big Book
A: Yes, even if you haven't bought this one, do so. I bought it from Hyderabad when I visited my friends. There is a place there called Kothi and there is a line of book stalls just opposite the bus stand. You can get the book there for about 250 bucks, although the shopkeeper will start from somewhere around 270-280. Trust me, these 250 bucks will be your best investment. The verbal questions are really GRE standard, and I think one or two questions were among those that I had already seen on the Big Book. One verbal test daily and one quants test once every two days should be enough practice from this book.
6. AWA --- Essay writing
A: This one again is heavily dependent on practice. What I'd suggest is that you write your essays, and then mail it to the group. When somebody does mail an essay, PLEASE EVALUATE IT. Believe me, it takes just about 4-5 min to evaluate 2 complete essays and then you can have a good buddy. Besides, this is a mutually beneficial affair and I personally benefited immensely from this.
7. General tips and tricks
A. PLEASE TAKE YOUR PASSPORT TO THE TEST CENTRE. I was about to laugh out loud when a (sweet) lady came in and told the test admins even more sweetly that she did not have her passport with her. Well, her condition after she was told (in the sweetest possible way) that she needs a passport to be let in fobade the laughter.
B. Get your first 6-7 questions correct. When I was taking the powerprep tests, I got the first (and fifth) verbal questions wrong on my first test, and the second (and fourth) wrong on the second. Consequently, my scores plummeted to 590 and 620 respectively on these sections, although the quanti scores were ok (800 and 790). This happened one week before the actual test, and I cannot properly express what I had felt on the last few days because of this.
C. Don't forget to read magazines and newspaper editorials everyday. And do hunt up words which you do not know. As for example, I remembered the words UMBRAGE and PECADILLO from a newspaper article although I had read them in Barron's because I hunted them up then and there. Now, you have seen these words in my mail. Go and find your dictionary, right now!
D. There are numerous sites such as http://www.i20fever.com that offer a lot of information for GRE people. Try google, university webpages, and anything that you can lay your hands on and to narrow down on these sites... build a good list of bookmarks and keep practising. I believe that the P
Advice to young programmers
(This is the summary of speech Given by Alex Stepenov (Principal Scientist, Adobe Systems) at Adobe India on 30 Nov 2004. )
1. Study , Study and Study
- Never ever think that you have acquired all or most of the knowledge which exists in the world. Almost everybody in US at age of 14 and everybody in India at age of 24 starts thinking that he has acquired all the wisdom and knowledge that he needs. This should be strictly avoided.
- You should be habituated to studies...exactly in the same way as you are habituated to brushing teeth and taking bath every morning. The habit of study must become a 'part of your blood'. And the study should be from both the areas: CS, since it is your profession, and something from non-CS...Something which doesnot relate to your work. This would expand your knowledge in other field too. A regular study, everyday, is extremely essential. It doesnot matter whether you study of 20 minutes of 2 hours, but consistency is a must.
- You should always study basics and fundamentals. There is no point in going for advanced topics. When I was at the age of 24, I wanted to do PhD in program verification, though I was not able to understand anything from that. The basic reason was that my fundamental concepts were not clear. Studying 'Algebraic Geometry' is useless if you donot understand basics in Algebra and Geometry. Also, you should always go back and re-read and re-iterate over the fundamental concepts.
What is the exact definition of 'fundamental'? The stuff which is around for a while and which forms basic part of the concepts can be regarded as more fundamental. Of course, everybody understands what a fundamental means.
- Here are few books which I would strongly recommend that every CS professional should read and understand.
1. i. "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs" by Albenson and Sussman
I personally donot like the material present in this book and I do have some objections about it but this is the best book I have ever seen which explains all the concepts in programming in a clear and excellent way.
This book is available online at http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/
1. ii. Introduction to Computer Architecture: by Hennessy and Patterson.
How many of you have shipped the programs by writing them in assembly? A very good understanding of basics of how a computer operates is what every CS professional must have.
H&P Wrote two books on CA. I am talking about their first book, the introductory text for understanding basic aspects of how a computer works.
Even if you feel that you know whatever is written in that book, donot stop reading. It's good to revise basics again and again.
iii. "Fundamentals of Programming" by Donald Knuth.
The core of CS is algorithms and Data structures. Every CS professional must have the 3 volumes of Knuth's Book on programming. It really doesnot matter if you take 30 years of your life to understand what Knuth has written, what is more important is that you read atleast some part of that book everyday without fail.
iv. Introduction to Algorithms by Cormen, Leiserson and Rivest
This book should be read daily to keep your concepts fresh. This is the best book for fundamental concepts in algorithms.
2. Learn Professional Ethics
- As a CS Professional, you are morally obliged to do a good job. What this means is that you are supposed to do your job not for your manager but for yourself. This is already told in Bhagwatgeeta : Doing duties of your life.
- The direct implication of this is: never ever write a bad code. You don't need to be fastest and run after shipping dates; rather you need to write quality code. Never write junk code. Rewrite it till it is good. Thoroughly test every piece of code that you write. Donot write codes which are "sort of allright". You might not achieve perfection, but atleast your code should be of good quality.
- Let me quote my own example in this context. You might have heard about STL, The Standard Template Library that ships in with C++ compilers. I wrote it 10 years ago, in 1994. While implementing one of the routines in the STL, namely the "search routine", I was a bit lazy and instead of writing a good linear order implementation of KMP which was
difficult to code, I wrote a best quadratic implementation. I knew that I could make the search faster by writing a linear-order implementation, but I was lazy and I did not do that. And, after 10 years of my writing STL, exactly the same implementation is still used inside STL and STL ships with an inefficient quadratic implementation of search routine even today!! You might ask me: why can't you rewrite that? Well...I cannot, because that code is no more my property!! Further, nobody today will be interested in a standalone efficient STL ...people would prefer one which automatically ships out with the compiler itself.
- Moral is, you should have aesthetic beauty built inside you. You should "feel" uneasy on writing bad code and should be eager to rewrite the code till it becomes upto the quality. And to the judge the quality, you need to develop sense regarding which algorithms to use under what circumstances.
3. Figure out your Goals
- Always aspire doing bigger things in life
- "Viewing promotion path as your career" is a completely wrong goal. If you are really interested in studying and learning new things, never ever aspire for being a manager. Managers cannot learn and study...they have no time. "Company ladder aspiration" is not what should be important for you.
- You might feel that you want to do certain things which you cannot do till you become a manager. When you become a manager, you will soon realize that now you just cannot do anything!
- You will have a great experience as programmers. But if you care for people and love people, you will never enjoy being a manager...most good managers are reluctant managers. If you see people as people, you cannot survive at management level.
- Always aspire for professional greatness. Our profession is very beautiful because we create abstract models and implement them in reality. There is a big fun in doing that. We have a profession which allows us to do creative things and even gives nice salary for that.
- The three biggest mistakes that people usually make are aiming for money, aiming for promotion and aiming for fame. The moment you get some of these, you aspire for some more...and then there is no end. I donot mean that you shouldnot earn money, but you should understand how much
money would satisfy your needs. Bill Clinton might be the richest person in the world; he is certainly not the happiest. Our lives are far better than his.
- Find your goal, and do best in the job that you have. Understand that what is in your pocket doesnot matter...what is in your brain finally matters. Money and fame donot matter. Knowledge matters.
4. Follow your culture
I have seen the tradition that whatever junk is created in US, it rapidly spreads up in the rest of the world, and India is not an exception for this. This cultural change creates a very strong impact on everybody's life. Habits of watching spicy Bollywood or Hollywood movies and listening to pop songs and all such stupid stuff gets very easily cultivated in people of your age...but believe me, there is nothing great in that. This all just makes you run away from your culture. And there is no wisdom in running away from your culture. Indian culture, which has great Vedas and stories like Mahabharata and Bhagwatgeeta is really great and even Donald Knuth enjoys reading that. You should understand that fundamental things in Indian culture teach you a lot and you should never forget them.
Finally, I would like to conclude by saying that it's your life...donot waste it on stupid things...develop your tests, and start the fight.
1. Study , Study and Study
- Never ever think that you have acquired all or most of the knowledge which exists in the world. Almost everybody in US at age of 14 and everybody in India at age of 24 starts thinking that he has acquired all the wisdom and knowledge that he needs. This should be strictly avoided.
- You should be habituated to studies...exactly in the same way as you are habituated to brushing teeth and taking bath every morning. The habit of study must become a 'part of your blood'. And the study should be from both the areas: CS, since it is your profession, and something from non-CS...Something which doesnot relate to your work. This would expand your knowledge in other field too. A regular study, everyday, is extremely essential. It doesnot matter whether you study of 20 minutes of 2 hours, but consistency is a must.
- You should always study basics and fundamentals. There is no point in going for advanced topics. When I was at the age of 24, I wanted to do PhD in program verification, though I was not able to understand anything from that. The basic reason was that my fundamental concepts were not clear. Studying 'Algebraic Geometry' is useless if you donot understand basics in Algebra and Geometry. Also, you should always go back and re-read and re-iterate over the fundamental concepts.
What is the exact definition of 'fundamental'? The stuff which is around for a while and which forms basic part of the concepts can be regarded as more fundamental. Of course, everybody understands what a fundamental means.
- Here are few books which I would strongly recommend that every CS professional should read and understand.
1. i. "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs" by Albenson and Sussman
I personally donot like the material present in this book and I do have some objections about it but this is the best book I have ever seen which explains all the concepts in programming in a clear and excellent way.
This book is available online at http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/
1. ii. Introduction to Computer Architecture: by Hennessy and Patterson.
How many of you have shipped the programs by writing them in assembly? A very good understanding of basics of how a computer operates is what every CS professional must have.
H&P Wrote two books on CA. I am talking about their first book, the introductory text for understanding basic aspects of how a computer works.
Even if you feel that you know whatever is written in that book, donot stop reading. It's good to revise basics again and again.
iii. "Fundamentals of Programming" by Donald Knuth.
The core of CS is algorithms and Data structures. Every CS professional must have the 3 volumes of Knuth's Book on programming. It really doesnot matter if you take 30 years of your life to understand what Knuth has written, what is more important is that you read atleast some part of that book everyday without fail.
iv. Introduction to Algorithms by Cormen, Leiserson and Rivest
This book should be read daily to keep your concepts fresh. This is the best book for fundamental concepts in algorithms.
2. Learn Professional Ethics
- As a CS Professional, you are morally obliged to do a good job. What this means is that you are supposed to do your job not for your manager but for yourself. This is already told in Bhagwatgeeta : Doing duties of your life.
- The direct implication of this is: never ever write a bad code. You don't need to be fastest and run after shipping dates; rather you need to write quality code. Never write junk code. Rewrite it till it is good. Thoroughly test every piece of code that you write. Donot write codes which are "sort of allright". You might not achieve perfection, but atleast your code should be of good quality.
- Let me quote my own example in this context. You might have heard about STL, The Standard Template Library that ships in with C++ compilers. I wrote it 10 years ago, in 1994. While implementing one of the routines in the STL, namely the "search routine", I was a bit lazy and instead of writing a good linear order implementation of KMP which was
difficult to code, I wrote a best quadratic implementation. I knew that I could make the search faster by writing a linear-order implementation, but I was lazy and I did not do that. And, after 10 years of my writing STL, exactly the same implementation is still used inside STL and STL ships with an inefficient quadratic implementation of search routine even today!! You might ask me: why can't you rewrite that? Well...I cannot, because that code is no more my property!! Further, nobody today will be interested in a standalone efficient STL ...people would prefer one which automatically ships out with the compiler itself.
- Moral is, you should have aesthetic beauty built inside you. You should "feel" uneasy on writing bad code and should be eager to rewrite the code till it becomes upto the quality. And to the judge the quality, you need to develop sense regarding which algorithms to use under what circumstances.
3. Figure out your Goals
- Always aspire doing bigger things in life
- "Viewing promotion path as your career" is a completely wrong goal. If you are really interested in studying and learning new things, never ever aspire for being a manager. Managers cannot learn and study...they have no time. "Company ladder aspiration" is not what should be important for you.
- You might feel that you want to do certain things which you cannot do till you become a manager. When you become a manager, you will soon realize that now you just cannot do anything!
- You will have a great experience as programmers. But if you care for people and love people, you will never enjoy being a manager...most good managers are reluctant managers. If you see people as people, you cannot survive at management level.
- Always aspire for professional greatness. Our profession is very beautiful because we create abstract models and implement them in reality. There is a big fun in doing that. We have a profession which allows us to do creative things and even gives nice salary for that.
- The three biggest mistakes that people usually make are aiming for money, aiming for promotion and aiming for fame. The moment you get some of these, you aspire for some more...and then there is no end. I donot mean that you shouldnot earn money, but you should understand how much
money would satisfy your needs. Bill Clinton might be the richest person in the world; he is certainly not the happiest. Our lives are far better than his.
- Find your goal, and do best in the job that you have. Understand that what is in your pocket doesnot matter...what is in your brain finally matters. Money and fame donot matter. Knowledge matters.
4. Follow your culture
I have seen the tradition that whatever junk is created in US, it rapidly spreads up in the rest of the world, and India is not an exception for this. This cultural change creates a very strong impact on everybody's life. Habits of watching spicy Bollywood or Hollywood movies and listening to pop songs and all such stupid stuff gets very easily cultivated in people of your age...but believe me, there is nothing great in that. This all just makes you run away from your culture. And there is no wisdom in running away from your culture. Indian culture, which has great Vedas and stories like Mahabharata and Bhagwatgeeta is really great and even Donald Knuth enjoys reading that. You should understand that fundamental things in Indian culture teach you a lot and you should never forget them.
Finally, I would like to conclude by saying that it's your life...donot waste it on stupid things...develop your tests, and start the fight.
12 Steps to a Positive Attitude
More than 100 years ago, author Robert Louis Stevenson offered the following tips for maintaining a positive attitude. They still apply today.
· Make up your mind to be happy. Learn to find pleasure in simple things.
· Make the best of your circumstances. Everyone has problems. The trick is to make laughter outweigh the tears.
· Don’t take yourself too seriously. Don’t think that somehow you should be protected from misfortunes that befall others.
· You can’t please everybody. Don’t let criticism worry you.
· Don’t let your neighbor set your standards. Be yourself.
· Do the things you enjoy doing, but stay out of debt.
· Don’t borrow trouble. Imaginary burdens are harder to bear than the actual ones.
· Hate poisons the soul, so don’t carry grudges. Avoid people who make you unhappy.
· Have many interests. If you can’t travel, read about new places.
· Don’t hold post-mortems. Don’t spend your life brooding over sorrows and mistakes.
· Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself.
· Keep busy at something. A busy person never has time to be unhappy.
· Make up your mind to be happy. Learn to find pleasure in simple things.
· Make the best of your circumstances. Everyone has problems. The trick is to make laughter outweigh the tears.
· Don’t take yourself too seriously. Don’t think that somehow you should be protected from misfortunes that befall others.
· You can’t please everybody. Don’t let criticism worry you.
· Don’t let your neighbor set your standards. Be yourself.
· Do the things you enjoy doing, but stay out of debt.
· Don’t borrow trouble. Imaginary burdens are harder to bear than the actual ones.
· Hate poisons the soul, so don’t carry grudges. Avoid people who make you unhappy.
· Have many interests. If you can’t travel, read about new places.
· Don’t hold post-mortems. Don’t spend your life brooding over sorrows and mistakes.
· Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself.
· Keep busy at something. A busy person never has time to be unhappy.
CHOOSING THE BEST GRADUATE PROGRAMS FOR YOU
Choosing universities from thousands of miles away presents some challenges — especially when there are so many outstanding universities to choose from in the United States. However, careful planning and advance research will help you come up with a manageable short list of institutions that match your needs. Every student is different, and it is very important to consider the factors that are important to you in both your education and your lifestyle. This section will give you some ideas on where to get further help and information and on what academic and lifestyle factors to consider in developing a short list of universities. Finding the right academic and personal match requires careful planning, research, and networking on your part. No special formula or answer applies to everyone. You should begin the process of reflection and research 12 to 18 months before you wish to start studying in the United States.
STEP 1
Define Your Education and Career Goals
Defining the goals for your education and career will help you select the most appropriate graduate programs and will help motivate you through the application process. It will also assist you in writing the application essays in which you often will be asked to explain your career goals and how they relate to your application for graduate study. Lastly, defining your career goals will lead you to find out exactly what qualifications are required for that career and whether or not U.S. credentials are recognized in your home country.
To help define your education and career goals, ask yourself these questions:
✏ What career do I want to pursue? Is employment available in my country in this field? What advanced degree is required to enter this profession?
Speak to people already working in the field and to representatives of professional associations. Educational advisers or career advisers in your country may also have information about the skills and background required for various professions, as well as knowledge of the need for professionals in different fields in your country.
✏ How will study in the United States enhance my career? Will a graduate degree help me earn a higher salary?
Consult educators, government officials, and working professionals in your country about the value of U.S. study for you at this stage in your career, including any increased earning potential. Take into account in your planning any revalidation or certification requirements for employment in your particular field when you return home.
✏ What is the system of recognition for U.S. degrees in my country?
In many countries, a U.S. degree is highly valued, and recognition of degrees is straightforward. However, in some countries, particularly those with educational systems markedly different from that of the United States, graduate degrees from the United States may not be officially recognized, or they may be recognized at a different level. If this is the case, you may still wish to consider U.S. study to gain knowledge and experience. Check on the situation in your country with your nearest U.S. educational information or advising center or with the ministry of education or other appropriate authority before you begin your applications. This step is especially important if you are planning to undertake a professional program in the United States, because requirements for professional education usually are rigorously upheld and vary greatly from country to country.
STEP 2
Consult a U.S. Educational Information or Advising Center
“You can easily get information from everywhere, but knowing how to select the right program can be much harder.” – Germanic languages and literature student from Hungary
Trained educational advisers in these offices provide information and advice about study in the United States. Advisers are available to assist you in answering questions about:
✏ equivalency between the educational system in your country and the United States;
✏ entry requirements for study in your field;
✏ using reference materials to find institutions that are appropriate for you;
✏ sources of financial assistance available in your home country and in the United States;
✏ testing and other application requirements;
✏ preparation of your applications;
✏ planning your education;
✏ adjusting to academic and cultural life in the United States;
✏ using your education after you return to your home country.
To find the information or advising center nearest you, contact the American embassy or consulate in your country, or consult the list available on the U.S. Department of State’s Web site at http://exchanges.state.gov/education/educationusa/. U.S. educational information and advising centers may be located in U.S. embassies, Fulbright Commissions, binational centers, American libraries, or, in some countries, at AMIDEAST or Institute of International Education (IIE) offices. When you contact the center, you should be able to provide the following information:
✏ the degree(s) you have already earned;
✏ your field of study;
✏ when you want to begin study in the United States;
✏ your English language proficiency;
✏ whether or not you need financial assistance.
In addition to educational advisers, graduates of U.S. colleges and universities who have recently returned home are excellent resources for advice about study in the United States.
STEP 3
Develop a Short List of Programs
Deciding which institutions to apply to is one of the most important decisions you will make. It requires serious consideration. Since there is a great deal of diversity in graduate programs, it is especially important to clearly articulate what it is you wish to accomplish and find out which institutions offer the kind of program you are seeking.
Identify Universities That Offer Your Field of Study
Your first and most important step is to identify institutions that offer your subject area and any specializations you wish to pursue within that subject area. Finding the right academic “match” between you, the department, and its faculty by using the various human, electronic, and printed resources below can be the key to a successful graduate experience in the United States.
Printed Directories: There are several general directories that list institutions by degree program and include helpful articles on graduate study. Professional associations for different subject areas also publish directories of university departments in the United States, including information on different specializations and faculty research interests. University catalogs provide the most specific information about the institutions and their programs. You will find many of these directories and catalogs at U.S. educational information and advising centers and in some university libraries.
Contacts: Discuss your plans with faculty members at your institution and with students who have studied in the United States. They are likely to have their own contacts in the United States and suggestions of universities to consider. Also, do not be afraid to contact universities in the United States directly with questions about their programs or to communicate with other international students in the department you’re interested in.
College Web Sites and E-Mail: The United States leads the world in using the World Wide Web. Almost every U.S. university and college has a Web site that offers information about degree programs, application procedures, academic departments, faculty members, facilities on campus, and other topics. In many cases, you will also find a copy of the college catalog that you can study online or download to read later. Don’t forget that many sites also give e-mail addresses for current students, including international students, who often are happy to answer your questions about applying to the school and about campus life. Once you have narrowed down the colleges and universities you are interested in, you may wish to e-mail professors and admissions personnel to have specific questions answered before you finally decide where to apply.
College Searches on the Web: Some Web sites are independent of colleges and universities and allow you to search for institutions by the subject you are interested in studying, by geographic preference, or by a range of other criteria that you can specify.
Other Considerations
Rankings: There is no official list of the top 10, 20, 50, or even 100 universities in the United States. The U.S. government does not rank universities. Rankings that you may come across are usually produced by journalists and are likely to be subjective. They generally are based on a wide range of criteria that do not necessarily include academic standards or general reputation as a primary factor. Be particularly wary of rankings that do not explain the criteria on which the ranking is based. The more established rankings may give you a starting point for your decision; however, the “best” college is the one that is right for you based on factors such as those suggested in this email.
Internship or Overseas Study Programs: Many U.S. universities have incorporated into their curriculum internship (voluntary or paid work placements) or overseas study (“study abroad”) programs that may be of interest to you, particularly if you are undertaking a professional master’s degree program.
Size: Some institutions are small and offer degrees in one or two fields of study; some are very large and offer degrees in many fields. When choosing where to apply, you should consider the size of the institution, as well as the size of the department and degree program. A large institution may offer better academic facilities, while a small institution may offer more personal services. The same is true of the size of the degree program. A large program that has many students may not provide the individual attention you need; however, there may be more diversity within the faculty and student body, and more assistance may be available from other students. A small degree program may not expose you to as wide a range of views in your chosen field.
Student populations on U.S. campuses can range in size from 200 to 60,000 students. Some universities resemble small cities with their own post offices, grocery stores, and shopping centers. Other institutions may be in large, densely populated urban areas but have a very small enrollment. Determine what opportunities are important to you, and read the university catalogs closely with these in mind.
Location: Universities are located in all parts of the United States, from major cities where many institutions may exist, to rural areas where one institution serves a large area. Urban campuses offer a variety of eating, entertainment, cultural, and shopping facilities. Cities are usually more diverse in their populations than rural areas and may have a significant number of residents from particular countries. However, cities may also be more expensive. A rural university may mean a quieter, more college-centered environment. Climate is another possible consideration. From the four seasons in the Northeast to the desert in Arizona and a sub-tropical climate in Florida, the variety is almost endless. .
Student Services: U.S. universities offer students a variety of services such as international student advisers, campus orientation programs, counseling services, legal aid services, housing offices, day care facilities for students with families, varied meal plans, health centers, tutoring facilities, English as a Second Language programs, writing laboratories, career counseling, and more.
Prospective students can compare facilities among universities to find services tailored to their specific needs.
Services for Students With Disabilities: If you have special needs, make sure that the university you choose can accommodate you. Allow plenty of time to correspond with colleges. It is advisable to begin your inquiries at least two years before you plan to leave for the United States. When you write for information from universities, give brief details of your disability and request information about assistance they offer to students like yourself.
You may also want to contact the office on campus that deals with the special needs of students with disabilities to find out more about the services they provide. This may be a specific office, such as the Office of Disabled Student Services or the Office of Disability Services, or services may be housed within a general student services office on campus. Some universities offer comprehensive programs for students with disabilities, while others make a number of special services available to such students. You should look at the services offered and compare them to your needs. Find out which services are provided automatically and free of charge and which services need to be prearranged and incur a charge. When you apply you will need to supply evidence to support the existence of your disability. A campus visit is recommended. If possible, try to contact a student at the college who has a similar disability to yours so you can gain a more personal perspective. Students with disabilities can, with proper documentation, request special facilities or extended time to take the graduate school admissions tests and any examinations during the academic year.
STEP 4
Decide Where to Apply
Once you have narrowed down your list to 10 to 20 accredited institutions that offer your field of study and any relevant specializations, you will need to compare the objective data among these institutions. Do not rely solely on rankings or ratings of institutions to do this; there is more to choosing the right department than choosing the most well-known or selective university. For any particular discipline there will be at least five or six schools that have excellent reputations. Keep in mind that a department’s reputation relies heavily on the reputation of its faculty. Sometimes it is more important to study under a particular person than it is to study at a university with a prestigious name. Remember too that assistantships and fellowships are often based on the right “match” between student and faculty research interests. Good advance research can help you find the schools whose departments and faculty meet your academic and professional goals, and it may enhance your chances for obtaining financial assistance.
Make a comparison chart listing the differences among universities with respect to:
✏ research programs and facilities, including libraries and computer facilities;
✏ size of department (students and faculty) and size of institution;
✏ qualifications of the faculty;
✏ accreditation of the institution and, if applicable, the department or program;
✏ course and thesis requirements;
✏ length of time required to complete the degree;
✏ academic admission requirements, including required test scores, degrees, and undergraduate grade average required;
✏ cost of tuition, fees, books, etc.;
✏ availability of financial assistance ;
✏ location, housing options, campus setting, climate, and cost of living;
✏ international student services and other needed services available on campus.
Eliminate those institutions that you cannot afford and that do not offer financial aid for which you qualify, that do not meet your individual needs, or that have admissions requirements that do not match your qualifications. Narrow your choices to those that meet your personal and professional needs, that you can afford to attend, and for which you are qualified for admission. Develop a final short list of four to seven institutions to which you plan to apply.
STEP 1
Define Your Education and Career Goals
Defining the goals for your education and career will help you select the most appropriate graduate programs and will help motivate you through the application process. It will also assist you in writing the application essays in which you often will be asked to explain your career goals and how they relate to your application for graduate study. Lastly, defining your career goals will lead you to find out exactly what qualifications are required for that career and whether or not U.S. credentials are recognized in your home country.
To help define your education and career goals, ask yourself these questions:
✏ What career do I want to pursue? Is employment available in my country in this field? What advanced degree is required to enter this profession?
Speak to people already working in the field and to representatives of professional associations. Educational advisers or career advisers in your country may also have information about the skills and background required for various professions, as well as knowledge of the need for professionals in different fields in your country.
✏ How will study in the United States enhance my career? Will a graduate degree help me earn a higher salary?
Consult educators, government officials, and working professionals in your country about the value of U.S. study for you at this stage in your career, including any increased earning potential. Take into account in your planning any revalidation or certification requirements for employment in your particular field when you return home.
✏ What is the system of recognition for U.S. degrees in my country?
In many countries, a U.S. degree is highly valued, and recognition of degrees is straightforward. However, in some countries, particularly those with educational systems markedly different from that of the United States, graduate degrees from the United States may not be officially recognized, or they may be recognized at a different level. If this is the case, you may still wish to consider U.S. study to gain knowledge and experience. Check on the situation in your country with your nearest U.S. educational information or advising center or with the ministry of education or other appropriate authority before you begin your applications. This step is especially important if you are planning to undertake a professional program in the United States, because requirements for professional education usually are rigorously upheld and vary greatly from country to country.
STEP 2
Consult a U.S. Educational Information or Advising Center
“You can easily get information from everywhere, but knowing how to select the right program can be much harder.” – Germanic languages and literature student from Hungary
Trained educational advisers in these offices provide information and advice about study in the United States. Advisers are available to assist you in answering questions about:
✏ equivalency between the educational system in your country and the United States;
✏ entry requirements for study in your field;
✏ using reference materials to find institutions that are appropriate for you;
✏ sources of financial assistance available in your home country and in the United States;
✏ testing and other application requirements;
✏ preparation of your applications;
✏ planning your education;
✏ adjusting to academic and cultural life in the United States;
✏ using your education after you return to your home country.
To find the information or advising center nearest you, contact the American embassy or consulate in your country, or consult the list available on the U.S. Department of State’s Web site at http://exchanges.state.gov/education/educationusa/. U.S. educational information and advising centers may be located in U.S. embassies, Fulbright Commissions, binational centers, American libraries, or, in some countries, at AMIDEAST or Institute of International Education (IIE) offices. When you contact the center, you should be able to provide the following information:
✏ the degree(s) you have already earned;
✏ your field of study;
✏ when you want to begin study in the United States;
✏ your English language proficiency;
✏ whether or not you need financial assistance.
In addition to educational advisers, graduates of U.S. colleges and universities who have recently returned home are excellent resources for advice about study in the United States.
STEP 3
Develop a Short List of Programs
Deciding which institutions to apply to is one of the most important decisions you will make. It requires serious consideration. Since there is a great deal of diversity in graduate programs, it is especially important to clearly articulate what it is you wish to accomplish and find out which institutions offer the kind of program you are seeking.
Identify Universities That Offer Your Field of Study
Your first and most important step is to identify institutions that offer your subject area and any specializations you wish to pursue within that subject area. Finding the right academic “match” between you, the department, and its faculty by using the various human, electronic, and printed resources below can be the key to a successful graduate experience in the United States.
Printed Directories: There are several general directories that list institutions by degree program and include helpful articles on graduate study. Professional associations for different subject areas also publish directories of university departments in the United States, including information on different specializations and faculty research interests. University catalogs provide the most specific information about the institutions and their programs. You will find many of these directories and catalogs at U.S. educational information and advising centers and in some university libraries.
Contacts: Discuss your plans with faculty members at your institution and with students who have studied in the United States. They are likely to have their own contacts in the United States and suggestions of universities to consider. Also, do not be afraid to contact universities in the United States directly with questions about their programs or to communicate with other international students in the department you’re interested in.
College Web Sites and E-Mail: The United States leads the world in using the World Wide Web. Almost every U.S. university and college has a Web site that offers information about degree programs, application procedures, academic departments, faculty members, facilities on campus, and other topics. In many cases, you will also find a copy of the college catalog that you can study online or download to read later. Don’t forget that many sites also give e-mail addresses for current students, including international students, who often are happy to answer your questions about applying to the school and about campus life. Once you have narrowed down the colleges and universities you are interested in, you may wish to e-mail professors and admissions personnel to have specific questions answered before you finally decide where to apply.
College Searches on the Web: Some Web sites are independent of colleges and universities and allow you to search for institutions by the subject you are interested in studying, by geographic preference, or by a range of other criteria that you can specify.
Other Considerations
Rankings: There is no official list of the top 10, 20, 50, or even 100 universities in the United States. The U.S. government does not rank universities. Rankings that you may come across are usually produced by journalists and are likely to be subjective. They generally are based on a wide range of criteria that do not necessarily include academic standards or general reputation as a primary factor. Be particularly wary of rankings that do not explain the criteria on which the ranking is based. The more established rankings may give you a starting point for your decision; however, the “best” college is the one that is right for you based on factors such as those suggested in this email.
Internship or Overseas Study Programs: Many U.S. universities have incorporated into their curriculum internship (voluntary or paid work placements) or overseas study (“study abroad”) programs that may be of interest to you, particularly if you are undertaking a professional master’s degree program.
Size: Some institutions are small and offer degrees in one or two fields of study; some are very large and offer degrees in many fields. When choosing where to apply, you should consider the size of the institution, as well as the size of the department and degree program. A large institution may offer better academic facilities, while a small institution may offer more personal services. The same is true of the size of the degree program. A large program that has many students may not provide the individual attention you need; however, there may be more diversity within the faculty and student body, and more assistance may be available from other students. A small degree program may not expose you to as wide a range of views in your chosen field.
Student populations on U.S. campuses can range in size from 200 to 60,000 students. Some universities resemble small cities with their own post offices, grocery stores, and shopping centers. Other institutions may be in large, densely populated urban areas but have a very small enrollment. Determine what opportunities are important to you, and read the university catalogs closely with these in mind.
Location: Universities are located in all parts of the United States, from major cities where many institutions may exist, to rural areas where one institution serves a large area. Urban campuses offer a variety of eating, entertainment, cultural, and shopping facilities. Cities are usually more diverse in their populations than rural areas and may have a significant number of residents from particular countries. However, cities may also be more expensive. A rural university may mean a quieter, more college-centered environment. Climate is another possible consideration. From the four seasons in the Northeast to the desert in Arizona and a sub-tropical climate in Florida, the variety is almost endless. .
Student Services: U.S. universities offer students a variety of services such as international student advisers, campus orientation programs, counseling services, legal aid services, housing offices, day care facilities for students with families, varied meal plans, health centers, tutoring facilities, English as a Second Language programs, writing laboratories, career counseling, and more.
Prospective students can compare facilities among universities to find services tailored to their specific needs.
Services for Students With Disabilities: If you have special needs, make sure that the university you choose can accommodate you. Allow plenty of time to correspond with colleges. It is advisable to begin your inquiries at least two years before you plan to leave for the United States. When you write for information from universities, give brief details of your disability and request information about assistance they offer to students like yourself.
You may also want to contact the office on campus that deals with the special needs of students with disabilities to find out more about the services they provide. This may be a specific office, such as the Office of Disabled Student Services or the Office of Disability Services, or services may be housed within a general student services office on campus. Some universities offer comprehensive programs for students with disabilities, while others make a number of special services available to such students. You should look at the services offered and compare them to your needs. Find out which services are provided automatically and free of charge and which services need to be prearranged and incur a charge. When you apply you will need to supply evidence to support the existence of your disability. A campus visit is recommended. If possible, try to contact a student at the college who has a similar disability to yours so you can gain a more personal perspective. Students with disabilities can, with proper documentation, request special facilities or extended time to take the graduate school admissions tests and any examinations during the academic year.
STEP 4
Decide Where to Apply
Once you have narrowed down your list to 10 to 20 accredited institutions that offer your field of study and any relevant specializations, you will need to compare the objective data among these institutions. Do not rely solely on rankings or ratings of institutions to do this; there is more to choosing the right department than choosing the most well-known or selective university. For any particular discipline there will be at least five or six schools that have excellent reputations. Keep in mind that a department’s reputation relies heavily on the reputation of its faculty. Sometimes it is more important to study under a particular person than it is to study at a university with a prestigious name. Remember too that assistantships and fellowships are often based on the right “match” between student and faculty research interests. Good advance research can help you find the schools whose departments and faculty meet your academic and professional goals, and it may enhance your chances for obtaining financial assistance.
Make a comparison chart listing the differences among universities with respect to:
✏ research programs and facilities, including libraries and computer facilities;
✏ size of department (students and faculty) and size of institution;
✏ qualifications of the faculty;
✏ accreditation of the institution and, if applicable, the department or program;
✏ course and thesis requirements;
✏ length of time required to complete the degree;
✏ academic admission requirements, including required test scores, degrees, and undergraduate grade average required;
✏ cost of tuition, fees, books, etc.;
✏ availability of financial assistance ;
✏ location, housing options, campus setting, climate, and cost of living;
✏ international student services and other needed services available on campus.
Eliminate those institutions that you cannot afford and that do not offer financial aid for which you qualify, that do not meet your individual needs, or that have admissions requirements that do not match your qualifications. Narrow your choices to those that meet your personal and professional needs, that you can afford to attend, and for which you are qualified for admission. Develop a final short list of four to seven institutions to which you plan to apply.
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