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 center 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 recognized 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 verbal 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
