If you want to study in the United States and get a scholarship from an American university, you'd better follow the following steps, which will save time and get twice the result with half the effort:
(1) Take the exam
To make an examination plan, students with good foundation can take the strategy of taking GRE(GMAT) first and then TOEFL, because GRE(GMAT) is valid for five years, while TOEFL is only valid for two years; Generally speaking, it is better to take the TOEFL test first, which is conducive to the gradual increase of vocabulary. There shouldn't be too many things that take up time and energy during the exam.
(2) Choose a school
Choosing a school can be said to be the first step in applying for studying abroad. Whether this first step is right or not is directly related to whether the whole application process is smooth. Mistakes in choosing a school may make people with strong qualifications stay in China for several years, while those with unfavorable conditions are invincible. The following suggestions may help you:
1. Factors to consider when choosing a school
A. First of all, we should correctly estimate our English level and choose a suitable school according to our English situation.
B Understand whether the teaching, scientific research level and major setting of the selected school are similar to their own majors and research, so as to avoid many troubles caused by mismatched majors.
C. Understand the admission requirements, admission standards, competition and application deadline of the school, and objectively estimate whether you meet the admission standards and conditions of the school and have strong competitiveness. Many universities in the United States have specific requirements for the admission of foreign students, so we should pay attention to the different requirements of each school.
D. Understand the various expenses and grants of the school, that is, whether your financial situation can pay for your study and living expenses at school. At the same time, we should also pay attention to the conditions and requirements for applying for grants to measure our own strength.
E. Pay attention to whether you can adapt to the climate and customs where the school is located.
2. The method of choosing a school
The following institutions in Beijing have long-term "school introductions" sent to them by American institutions: the Foreign Affairs Bureau of the State Education Commission, the Beijing Library, and the Cultural Office of the American Embassy in Beijing (28th floor, Jingguang Building):
American Universities and Colleges, Guide to University Selection, Handbook of American Colleges, Handbook of American University Fees, Blue Book Yearbook of University Grants and Scholarships, Guide to Postgraduate Courses, Information Index, World Guide to American Universities, Guide to Faculty and Staff of American Colleges and Universities, Guide to Postgraduate Courses of Peterson Yearbook, Guide to Studying in America, and/or Guide to American Graduate Schools, Scholarships for China Scholars and China Students Willing to Study and Research in the United States, Yearbook of World Universities, Guide to American MBA Courses, Yearbook of American Postgraduate Medical Education.
In addition, you can also find detailed information about universities on WWW. The information on the Internet is the fastest and most comprehensive.
3. Methods of screening schools
A. primary election:
After consulting the above information, select 20 ~ 30 schools according to their own conditions, and send letters according to their detailed addresses, asking them to send detailed information and application forms (note: some schools can contact directly by mail, but some schools require that the first letter should be a formal letter).
B. Check again: After receiving the detailed information sent by the school, select according to the following criteria:
A. TOEFL requirements. Different schools and majors have different requirements for TOEFL. Moreover, due to the sharp increase of domestic students' scores and the increasingly fierce competition in recent years, most TOEFL scores actually won scholarships above 600. So we must have an objective estimate of our own strength.
GRE(GMAT) requirements of b). Many schools require GRE (Art, Science, Engineering, Agriculture, Medicine) or GMAT (Management Science). Therefore, it is necessary to know whether the school applying for this exam has any requirements and what is the standard of achievement. Some majors in some schools require not only GRE (general), but also corresponding sub-scores. Therefore, we must understand the relevant regulations in detail and choose according to our own situation.
C) Testing. Application fee. Considering your own financial situation, don't apply for a school with a high application fee.
D) test. Financial aid. Scholarship policies for foreign students vary greatly from school to school and even from major to major. Be sure to pay attention to whether to provide scholarships for international students, the amount, the local living expenses and so on.
E) Conduct tests. Equipment and teachers
C. Final selection:
After contacting the school and sending the application materials to the school, you will eventually get the admission notices of some schools, and then choose the school you are most interested in to apply for a visa and register. You can also make a final screening of scholarships, future prospects, transfer schools, the number of people in China, etc. (these materials can be directly contacted by the school)
(3) External contact
1. After the exam, start preparing application materials, including recommendation letter, self-introduction, report card, degree certificate, diploma, copy of thesis and other special requirements put forward by other schools.
2. Send the application materials. The application fee can be exchanged for a draft in China Bank. Remember to mark your name and birthday on the check in case you lose it.
3. Always contact schools, departments and tutors by email to pay attention to the admission progress.
4. Don't react too quickly after receiving the letter of admission. You should carefully consider the scholarship situation and cost, whether it is desirable or not. Once accepted, it is best not to change it repeatedly.
(4) Apply for a passport
(5) Apply for a visa