1. Create Account
  2. Login
StudyUSA
Match Me
  • Create Account
  • Login
  • School Search
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Articles
    • Student Voices
    • Videos
    • Magazines
    • Podcasts
  • Services
    • All Services
    • Accommodation
    • Support
    • Career
    • Financial
    • Insurance
    • Testing
    • Other
  • Chat
  • Success Stories
  • TOEFL Testing

Applying to US Graduate Schools

Applying to US Graduate Schools

Aug 5, 2020

By Jim Crawley

If you are interested in attending a graduate program in the USA you will need to spend time researching the many options that exist in the United States. What specific graduate program are you interested in? What type of university are you looking for? Where in the U.S. are you hoping to live? These are just a few of the many important questions that you need to answer during the search for the “right” graduate program.

Web resources such as www.studyusa.com, www.gradschools.com and www.universityguideonline.org may be used to search for academic programs that meet your needs. Once you have a short list of options, spend some time investigating the university and academic department web sites. It is important that you have the best information possible before deciding which schools you would like to apply to. It can be a long and complicated process, but the end result is a quality educational experience!

Once the research is done and you have chosen a few universities, what is the next step in preparing to apply for admission? Admission criteria does vary between institutions and graduate programs, however, the following documents are generally required:

Graduate Application for Admission

It is important to fill out the application, completely and honestly. Any missing information could delay a decision, and any required information that is omitted could cause the application for admission to be denied.

Academic Documentation

You will need to have original academic transcripts, as well as proof of degree completion, sent to each U.S. university, from every college or university you have attended. Even if you only attended an institution for a semester (term) or two, or even if you did not do very well, these transcripts must be sent. If the academic documents are not in English, then you must provide certified translations as well.

Personal Statement

Most graduate programs will want to see a personal statement as part of the application packet, and many of them will have specific instructions as to the content of the statement. The statement will be reviewed carefully by the admissions committee to see if the student’s experience, academic background, and professional goals are a good “match” for the graduate program. The statement must be written by the student. If the student will be studying English first, and has limited writing skills in English, the statement may be translated, but it should be stated at the beginning of the document that it is a translation of the student’s original document.

GRE or GMAT Score Report

A GRE or GMAT score is not always required, but when it is required, an official score report will need to be requested from ETS for the GRE or directly from GMAT. Some graduate programs will give a specific minimum score requirement, while others will just require that a test score must be submitted. This is because the admissions committee is looking at all aspects of the application, not just a specific test score. If you will be studying English first, and requesting conditional admission, some schools may allow you to defer taking the GRE or GMAT until later. But the official score report is almost always due prior to a full admission being offered.

Proof of English Proficiency

Unless you will be studying English prior to your graduate studies, you will be required to show that you are proficient in English. Generally speaking, graduate programs will ask for a specific score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or they may also accept an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score. The university website could list other ways of fulfilling the English Proficiency requirement. If you do not have a score yet, or you have received a low score, some graduate programs offer the opportunity to be considered for conditional admission. If conditional admission consideration is available, you would still need to meet all the other academic qualifications required by the department.

Verification of Financial Support

Showing that you have full financial support is usually part of the admissions process. The reason is that if you were offered admission, then the school would like to issue the appropriate immigration document with your admission letter. They are only able to issue this documentation after you have shown that you have full financial support. You are required to show enough support for the first year, but it is assumed by the university and by the visa officer that your support will continue for the duration of your degree. Scholarships for graduate study are very rare. Some departments, however, will consider highly qualified applicants for a Graduate Assistantship. These awards are very limited in number, and the application process is highly competitive. Usually there is a separate application that would need to be submitted—conditionally admitted students are usually not considered for assistantships.

Each graduate department decides what documents will be required. It is important to remember that a decision to offer graduate admission is normally not solely based on grades (marks) or test scores, but the admissions committee will look at all of the student’s qualities and qualifications. Very often there are limited spots available in an entering class, and they are looking for applicants who have the best chance of being successful in the academic program.

Good luck in your search to find the “right” graduate program!

 

Follow us:
Written by

Jim Crawley


Jim Crawley is the Director of Global Recruiting and Partnerships at Alma College in Alma, Michigan

 

Get matched to the best program for you

Let us know what you're looking for so we can find the best school for you.

Get matched
Call to action background image. Decorative.

Useful Articles

Main image for the article titled Studying Marketing at Hillsborough Community College in Florida
Studying Marketing at Hillsborough Community College in Florida
Main image for the article titled Global Dreams Realized: Inspiring Journeys of Priscilla and Eduardo at American English College
Global Dreams Realized: Inspiring Journeys of Priscilla and Eduardo at American English College
Main image for the article titled Embracing Diversity: Navigating Culture Shock on Campus
Embracing Diversity: Navigating Culture Shock on Campus
Main image for the article titled Read it now! Study in the USA's new India edition!
Read it now! Study in the USA's new India edition!
Read more

Check Out These Schools

Independence Community College

Independence Community College

$5,000—$10,000 Semester

Online Summer Certificate/Short Term
Contact
Dominican University Graduate School

Dominican University Graduate School

$30,000—$35,000 Semester

Online Masters
Contact
Louisiana State University – Global Pathway

Louisiana State University – Global Pathway

$10,000 — $15,000 Semester

Bachelor Degree Undergraduate Certificate/Short Term
Contact

Featured Programs

Los Angeles City College

Typical cost per Semester: $1,000—$5,000

Bachelor Degree Certificate/Short Term Summer
Learn More

University of North Georgia

Typical cost per Year: $15,000—$20,000

Bachelor Degree Masters Undergraduate
Learn More

Mission College

Typical cost per Semester: $1,000—$5,000

Bachelor Degree Summer English Programs
Learn More

Related Stories

What Good Language Learners Do

Main image for the article titled What Good Language Learners Do
What to Do When You Get Homesick

Main image for the article titled What to Do When You Get Homesick
Being an English Major When English Isn’t Your First Language (And Some Really Good Advice for All International Students)

Main image for the article titled Being an English Major When English Isn’t Your First Language (And Some Really Good Advice for All International Students)
What to Do if Your Student Visa Is Denied

Main image for the article titled What to Do if Your Student Visa Is Denied

Start your U.S. adventure with Study in the USA

What's your dream? We can guide, advise, and connect you with your perfect U.S. school. We can also help you with the application process.
More about us
Partner Services

Learn About U.S. education financing, housing, and more

Partner service logo for Find the perfect student housing with Unilodgers

Find the perfect student housing with Unilodgers

Choose an entire apartment, a studio, a shared room, or a private room, with 24x7 assistance from Personal Student Advisors. Book Now!

Read more
Partner service logo for A world of greater possibility.

A world of greater possibility.

Follow your dreams with the TOEFL iBT® test, which has helped millions of students study abroad.

Read more
Partner service logo for VISIT® Student Health Insurance provides competitive Student Health Plans to meet every requirement

VISIT® Student Health Insurance provides competitive Student Health Plans...

International STUDENT & SCHOLAR Health Insurance provides important protection against unexpected medical expenses for Accidents, Illnesses and Medical Evacuation while Studying or Traveling Abroad. Protect yourself and Study Safely, with a Stud...

Read more

Resources

Learn about American culture and education direct from our experts at Study in the USA. Read more

Achieving Your Goal
Admissions and Placement Testing
Beyond the Basics
Education System in the USA
Financing Your U.S. Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Life in the USA
Resources
Student Experiences
For students age 10-18
Study in Canada
Podcasts
Magazines
Videos
Student Voices
Ask StudyUSA.com

Subscribe to get the latest from Study in the USA

You can unsubscribe at any time.


StudyUSA
Explore

  • School Search
  • Resources
  •   Articles
  •   Student Voices
  •   Videos
  •   Magazines
  • Partner Services
  •   Accommodation
  •   Career
  •   Financial
  •   Insurance
  •   Other
  •   Support
  •   Testing
  • TOEFL Testing
  • Apply
  • Chat
Information

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Course Index
  • Featured Programs
  • Article Index
  • Create account
  • Sign in
  • For Educators & Institutions
Match Me
  • English
    العربيـة English Español Français Bahasa Indonesia 日本語 한국어 Português Русский ภาษาไทย Türkçe Tiếng Việt 简体中文 繁體中文

  • Privacy & Policy
  • /
  • Terms

Study in the USA logo

© 2023 Study in the USA. All Rights Reserved.

Global Study logo
A member of the Global Study network

When you visit or interact with our sites, services or tools, we or our authorised service providers may use cookies for storing information to help provide you with a better, faster and safer experience and for marketing purposes.