From school to college – it is not a walk in the park! Throughout the process of short-listing your universities and applications, you will have to be very vigilant and work smart. College-life could be difficult but has in store just as much fun and self-discovery!

Read on – how to make the right moves:
Application schedule for U.S. Universities
Factors to consider before opting for undergraduate study abroad
Information for Transfer Students

Application schedule for U.S. Universities

You must follow a time-table during the application process. Otherwise, you may miss deadlines and regret missing admission to your top choice university.

1. U.S. universities charge USD 13,000 to 25,000 per annum [p.a.]. Therefore a four year bachelor’s degree will set you back by USD 50,000 to 100,000. After finalizing your university short-list, you must contact the institution and/or look in the website for specific financial data.

2. You must take the standardized tests viz. SAT and TOEFL. These scores will be required by most universities.

3. You must formulate your medium- and long-term goals. The subject you want to study is the foremost topic you must decide. Include plans, if any, of post-graduate study. If you are unsure about the course to follow take the advice of your parents, teachers, peers and seniors.

4. It is best to draw a comparative chart of the institutes you short-list. The chart should reflect the strengths and weaknesses of each university. The factors you should consider are

- Minimum score accepted in past years or average score of the class
- Suitability of the program in developing your skills to achieve your goals
- The rank of the program
- The credentials of the professors
- The percentage of applicants who were admitted in previous years
- Accreditation with local and international bodies
- Cost of study
- Accommodation available to students
- Facilities available to foreign students
- The location of the institute
- The admission procedure

5. Once you have downloaded application forms or are applying online; make sure you follow the procedure. Your work must be free of errors to avoid getting rejected by the admissions committee of the university. Institutes may ask for the following documents

Institutes may ask for the following documents
- Your Class 10th and 12th mark sheets, attested by your school principal.
- Copies of your TOEFL and SAT scores.
- Documents to prove your financial capability to finance your education in the US.
- Letters of recommendation from your school teachers.
- Application fee in USD.

6. You must ensure that the completed application reaches the university before the last date. Online applications can be submitted with the click of a mouse. Even if you courier paper applications it may take at least three working days to reach the destination.

7. Once you have applied, universities will revert with their decision. If they accept your application, you will get an I 20 form. This will enable you to obtain a visa from the nearest U.S. consulate. At this stage you must decide which university you will join.

8. Simultaneously consider your place of stay while at the university. Universities offer hostel stay to students. If you prefer to stay outside the campus, there are resources available on the Internet or you could ask students already studying there for leads.

9. Apply for a visa and make sure you have all supporting documents ready. The visa issuing officer will notify you in advance of the documents you need to carry during the interview.

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Factors to consider before opting for undergraduate study abroad

Often the higher cost of studying abroad discourages students from looking at foreign universities. The total cost of four years of undergraduate study; maybe followed by a master’s degree, could be prohibitive for many aspirants. Few universities offer scholarships to undergraduate students.

1. You must formulate your medium- and long-term goals. The subject you want to study is the foremost topic you must decide. Include plans, if any, of post-graduate study. If you would rather embark on a professional career then this must also be in your plans. Another factor is whether you plan to immediately return to India or continue your endeavors abroad.

2. You must check if it would be more cost-effective to finish your undergraduate study in India and opt for a postgraduate degree abroad. If this is not the case then by all means go abroad and study.

3. You should research the cost of studying in foreign countries. This involves doing a country-wise search and then researching the cost difference in institutes in each country. If your parents will fund your study or you are considering a loan; it is best to discuss with them [your parents and your bank] the amount they are ready to commit to your foreign education.

4. It is best to draw a comparative chart of the institutes you short-list. The chart should reflect the strengths and weaknesses of each university. The factors you should consider are

• Minimum score accepted in past years or average score of the class
• Suitability of the program in developing your skills to achieve your goals
• The rank of the program
• The credentials of the professors
• The percentage of applicants who were admitted in previous years
• Accreditation with local and international bodies
• Cost of study
• Accommodation available to students
• Facilities available to foreign students
• The location of the institute
• The admission procedure

5. You must manage your time well in order to seamlessly continue your high school studies while applying abroad. This is especially important as your academic performance will determine to a large extent your admission in the university you desire.

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Information for Transfer Students

You may move to an US college to complete your studies after attending a college in India for one or two years. The US allows students from other countries to transfer their credits to an US college. Most undergraduates transfer after completing one year in India. Rarely do they opt to go abroad in the final year of their undergraduate degree. Transfer of credits is possible if the pattern of the Indian curriculum for a particular course maps to a certain extent to that followed in the USA.
University Requirements for Admitting a Transfer Student
1. The university/college where you presently study must be recognized by the Ministry of Education/AICTE.
2. The nature or character of courses that are offered at the transfer institution must be compatible or similar in nature.
3. The courses from your transfer institution must be applicable to the award of degree, especially the major area of specialization. This can be determined only by evaluation of the courses by the admissions office and the academic department of the university.

The procedure for a successful transfer is as follows:

• Submit official transcripts.
• Describe your college education till date. Include information like the number of hours required in lecture and laboratory for each course on a weekly basis. Write a personal statement and outline your present curriculum.
• List your textbooks.
• Provide information on the total courses required for the degree programme you are currently pursuing.

You must start applying one year before the date you wish to start studying abroad. Most universities have a form for transfer students which you must fill-up. You must provide valid reasons to explain your desire to transfer. It is better to have a good academic record in your current institution to facilitate the transfer.

If you desire to attend the first year of the undergraduate course at a US university, you will have to furnish the documents required from a freshman as well. Top ranked US colleges are tough to enter. So if you are aiming for the top make your application as strong as possible.

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