GETTING SCHOOLED ON GRAD SCHOOL
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Deciding where to apply:
Location
“You may find the perfect match for your learning style and career aspirations” schools,” she says. “In addition, I hope it’ll separate me from the others applying with similar qualifications.”
A satisfying social experience Between the lectures, log books, and late night lattes, social experiences are also important. Attending an American school may be your chance to round out your academic experience with new social and cultural ones. During her time in the U.S., Borchiver felt a renewed energy: “Americans are very spirited. There’s a certain energy I didn’t see as much when I was attending school in Canada. ... People are expected to join a team and support it … whatever the activity may be. Students are encouraged to be active, whether it’s in the classroom or outside.” Choosing an American grad school can be an opportunity to gain valuable life experience. Jennifer Brownstein, a student at McGill University who will be pursuing a doctorate of psychology in the U.S., says she’s “Excited to gain experience out of her comfort zone and to take on a new lifestyle.” Borchiver feels the same way. “Living in Florida has exposed me to a number of new experiences that have forced me to make my own decisions and carve my own path,” she says. “I’m dependent on myself to resolve the day to day issues I face and grow as a person.”
But how will I pay for it? Many American graduate programs have their own internal scholarships, some of which you may qualify for. You can also look for funding sources on scholarship sites such as International Financial Aid and College Scholarship
Search (www.iefa.org), EducationUSA (educationusa.state.gov/), and ScholarshipExperts. com. These sites house databases containing scholarships and grants for several levels and fields of study.
Identify your needs and wishes, and spend some time touring the campus and local community.
Reputation Ensure the program you’re considering is accredited. Ask graduates about their experiences. Look at websites to see where graduates have become employed.
Going to grad school in the U.S. takes planning and persistence to make your way through what seems like an overwhelming process. But the possibilities for a life enriching experience and a fulfilling future may just lie south of the border.
After Enrolling: Obtain Your Visa You’ll need an F-1 Visa. You must be enrolled full-time (at least 18 hours of study per week) at an approved U.S. school (also known as an SEVP-certified school). You can check out SEVP-certified schools here: http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/school-search/. You’ll need to demonstrate that you have the funds to support yourself during the program and that you intend to return home upon completion. Once accepted, get a Form I-20 from your school and check its accuracy.
Cost Consider tuition and living expenses. Find out about scholarships and graduate assistantships that are available.
Program and degree Look into the teaching philosophy, opportunities to work with established experts, internships, and global fieldwork. Are joint degrees offered?
Next, pay your SEVIS I-1901 fee. You can learn how to do this here: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/factsheet/090104_fs.htm With your I-901 payment receipt, you can apply for a visa at any American embassy or consulate before you leave for the U.S. You can find information on this here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/ temp/types/types_1268.html. An interview at the embassy consular section is required, and waiting times can vary: http:// travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/wait_4638.html.
Application requirements Do you meet the admission requirements? Research and write Statements of Purpose or other application documents. Prepare for and write any required tests.
2012 | JOBPOSTINGS.CA