Pursuing a Master’s degree
in the US
For the fifth consecutive year, Indian students flocking to the US for further studies constitute the largest group of international students. Our career Counselor provides tips on how to apply for a master’s degree in the US
Know the abbreviations
Master of Science (Magister Scientiae) is
abbreviated as MS in the US and MSc in Commonwealth countries, while Master of
Arts is known as MA the world over. There are some schools that do not follow
these norms. For example, Harvard uses the terms Artium Magister (AM) or
Scientiae (SM) for its Masters degrees in arts and science respectively.
Why a Masters in US?
US schools offer a wide range of courses in
which there is an option for multidisciplinary studies. And so a combination
of English literature and music, or research on literature and animal
psychology, is a distinct possibility. Students are also attracted to schools
in the US since research work actually gets off the ground with proper funding
and resources. Says Amar, "The reason I applied to Arizona State University
for an MS in electrical engineering is due to the speech processing and
auditory perception laboratory, that caters directly to my interests in the
field of signal processing and wireless communication."
When can you take up a Masters?
MS, MA, MBA or PhD courses, which are referred to
as post-graduate courses in India are called graduate programmes in the US. In
order to be eligible for a Masters programme, you must have a Bachelor’s
degree. Earlier you were required to have a minimum of 16 years of formal
school education, which meant 12 years of primary and secondary schooling,
plus another four years of college education. Now many US graduate schools
have decided to accept the three-year Bachelors degree.
When to apply?
US schools offer two main semester intakes. All
programmes are offered in the fall semester, from September to October. Funds
are allocated for the entire year during this time, and so more financial aid
is made available to candidates. Financial assistance is more limited in the
spring semester, which is from January to February.
How to search for the right school
Not all US colleges and universities offer Masters
or doctoral degrees and not all schools fund Masters students. Search for the
right school — dream schools and those that are within reasonable reach. Do
not apply to too many schools; it costs about $300 for each application. One
needs to be highly focused in terms of one's field of study and must decide on
one's major before applying for a Masters degree. Also, check the faculty
specialising in your area of research.
Take your tests
Once you have decided, start preparing for the ETS
exams (GRE, TOEFL). It is advisable to book the dates in January and take the
exams in September or in October/November, so that your scores can reach your
chosen school on time.
Put together all the pieces
Start writing your statement of purpose (SOP) by
July or August. Essays are not usually required. An SOP is very important as
it is usually the only written piece asked for, and so it is the one and only
opportunity for you to sell yourself. In the meantime search for people who
know you well and can write an in-depth recommendation letter for you. Try and
complete all your written work by mid-October and aim to send off your
documents to the school by the beginning of November. The deadlines may be
much later but applying early will give you an edge.More on.......
Education
In USA
Student Visa For USA & Admissions For Post Graduate Degree Program
Student Visa For USA & Admissions For Post Graduate Degree Program
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