University Admissions Procedures

UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS PROCEDURES

The MBA Admission Process
Admissions to Other Graduate Programs
Undergraduate Admissions

THE MBA ADMISSION PROCESS
Most top schools have a rigorous admission process to select students into their programs. Admission decisions are not formula-driven, but depend on the applicant's overall profile.

The application procedure should be carefully completed with all requested information showing the qualifications that schools request and highlight in their public materials. The admission selection process is highly competitive-with the best candidates competing for a restricted number of school openings. A candidate's undergraduate performance, GMATTM and TOEFL® test scores (when required), length and quality of work experience, career goals, resume, personal essays, and recommendation letters are different elements of an MBA application.

Because of the rigors of Business School, admissions committees look for students who are able to motivate and discipline themselves to learn and to balance academic pursuits with their personal lives. Good responses to essay questions and the length and quality of the applicant's work experience wood therefore contribute in making a strong
application.

Financial assistance and loan programs for non-US citizens are available though they are very limited. Some of the larger, well-established programs have more funding available, or at least more programs in place, to help students finance their MBAs. All banks give education loans at nominal rates of interest, and it is a good idea to avail of these loans in case one is looking for outside sources of funding.

The evidence of financial support is required by universities to issue the documents needed for visa application. Applicants are also required to submit a bank statement demonstrating their financial capacity to support their education.

ADMISSIONS TO OTHER GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Students wishing to pursue a Master's or PhD in Engineering or Sciences (Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical etc.) or a Master's or PhD in Economics or Arts subjects need to supplement their application profile with GRE® and TOEFL® scores. For some PhD programs, Subject GREs might also be required. For admission to post graduate courses, you need to have a Bachelor's degree. Applications to most graduate programs include details of past academic record, statement of purpose indicating the applicant's areas of interest, recommendation letters, and financial statements showing adequate proof of funding and application forms of the university. The range and choice of courses available in universities abroad is quite exhaustive and one can always find the course of one's choice.

Most universities in the U.S. and UK have academic sessions starting in Fall (August/September) and Spring (January/February). It is advisable to apply about six months prior to your intended date of enrolment. But don't forget to check the application deadline of each university.

Funding options are available to international students for most graduate programs in the form of scholarships, tuition waivers, and research and teaching assistantships though they might not be enough to cover your entire expenses. Most aid in graduate programs is based on merit, and also depends on the funding available to each university in this regard.

UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS
High School academic record, SAT® scores (when required), personal essays, recommendation letters from teachers, and financial statements are the key elements of undergraduate applications. The choice of courses available is varied and exhaustive.
Most universities in the U.S. and UK have academic sessions starting in Fall (August/September) and Spring (January/February). It is advisable to apply about six months prior to your intended date of enrolment. But don't forget to check the application deadline of each university.

Few top Universities such as Harvard, MIT, Yale, etc. give upto 100% Need Based aid. Their admission policy is need-blind. Few top Universities such as Brown, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, etc. give upto 100% Need Based aid. However, their admission policy is not need-blind. Few top Universities such as Cornell, Duke, etc. give a combination of need-based and merit-based scholarships upto 100%. A lot of schools give merit based scholarships upto 100%. Students with SAT scores more than 1900 if applying carefully can look forward to scholarships. Part-time jobs are also available on campus, and students can expect to cover a part of their living cost by working part time.

How do I find out about American universities and colleges?
The best source of information is the Internet. Most institutions have web pages that contain a wealth of information and instructions on how to submit an application for admission, including special instructions for international students. Alternatively, if you do not have access to the Internet, you can find information by visiting the nearest USEFI, British Council or other country-specific education centers. You can also avail of the services of the Jamboree admission cell to help you get information on colleges and universities abroad.

How do I find the right university for me?
First, you must have a clear idea of what you wish to study and what features you would like the school in which you want to study to have. There are also financial considerations to take into account, and the cost can vary enormously from institution to institution. The field of study, geography, and cost will help you narrow down your selection.

The next step is to contact the universities that appeal to you and obtain information from them. As it can take some time to complete the application process, the earlier you begin the better it is for you. Start your search at least 12 months in advance; if you are planning to begin your studies in the autumn of 2012, you should start contacting universities in the autumn of 2011. Most universities admit new students twice a year.

What is the application process?
Once you have gathered all the information and application forms from the universities that interest you, read them carefully and follow the instructions. Most require you to fill an application form and submit it, along with your educational qualifications, test results, one or more letters of recommendation from former teachers or employers, personal essays and statement of purpose, financial affidavits, and applications for scholarship if any. They will also require that you pay an application fee.

What tests?
The standardized tests required for admission vary from country to country and from course to course.

All universities in the United States require applicants to take 'standardized tests' designed to measure students' aptitude for further study. Students whose native language is not English must also demonstrate their proficiency by taking the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Graduate schools of business and MBA programs usually require the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT); post-graduate programs in other disciplines require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Students going just after Class 12 for undergraduate programs need to take the SAT® I and, in some cases, SAT® II as well.

Where do you send your applications and how are they Reviewed?
The admissions office in the university is responsible for receiving applications, credentials, test results, letters of recommendations and application fees. When a file is complete, it is reviewed and a decision taken on admission. For post-graduate admission, the file is referred to the department to be reviewed by professors who make the final decision. A decision of admission could take between one month and six months depending on the university though most decisions take about two to three months.

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