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MS in the US is a rollercoaster ride for international students and this article details the various expectations and the other things, which you can expect while being a MS student in the US
Getting the chance to study abroad in the best university or college in the United States is definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity for any student. In the last few years, the US has enjoyed a dominating position across the globe as the most popular university destination for students looking to pursue an MS degree.
MS in the USA is typically a 2-year program that usually begins either in the fall (August) or spring (January) each year. The journey of being an MS student in the US is definitely an interesting one filled with several ups and downs. If you’re planning for MS in the US, here is everything you need to know.
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Stage - 1: Before The Admit
As an international student, before you apply for a Master’s degree in an American university, you must have a graduation degree with you. Most of the universities of the United States demand 16 years of formal education to be eligible for a Master’s program.
Some of the programs offered in India, such as BSc, BCom, and BA, which are for three years, limit the formal education to 15 years. While there are some universities that accept 15 years of formal education as well, it is advisable to either complete either a Master’s program or a one year PG Diploma in India before applying to US universities. Many Master’s programs, especially those in the fields of medicine, education, and technology, require practical experience or internships as well.
Additionally, a candidate is also judged on the basis of his\her academic record, projects, letter of recommendations, research work, published work, extracurricular activities, etc. Another important part is a statement of purpose (SOP) which is also to be submitted along with the application.
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A Statement of Purpose (SOP) is one of the most important elements of the application package. Whether your application will enjoy acceptance or face rejection is largely dependent on your SOP. An SoP basically answers the question - “Why do you want to pursue this course” - and must elaborate your unique position on each of the 4 underlined words/phrases.
To get more insights on How to Write a Killer SOP ?, click here.
A comprehensive insight of your worthy candidature is provided to the admission authorities by a letter of recommendation (LOR). Your work experience, contributions or specialization in any field – both academic and professional, are picturized in the letter of recommendation.
Proficiency in English is another requirement for applying. Two most common tests to assess the proficiency of a candidate are TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing Service). You will be required to take and qualify for any of the two exams. The TOEFL fee in India is about $170 (or 11,900 Indian Rupees).
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test and a key requirement for most Graduate Schools in the US. It is a broad assessment of your critical thinking, analytical writing, verbal and logical reasoning, and reasoning skills. GRE Exam is divided mainly into three sections: the Analytical Writing section often takes the first place followed by the other two sections: Verbal and Quantitative. It costs about $200 (14,000 Indian Rupees). Looking for tips to start your GRE preparation? We have you totally covered!
Once you put all of the above in place, you’ll need to complete an online application for each university. You’ll have to answer a few biographical questions, upload your latest resume and the items outlined above. Each application costs ~ $100. The cost and time involved in each application make it critical that you shortlist the right colleges to apply to. Our admit predictor could come in handy in helping you with the shortlisting.
Stage - 2
As an aspiring MS student in any of the US universities, the first and foremost requirement is of financial preparedness. From the process of applying for an education loan to actually apply to the desired college/university, every step should be considered carefully keeping in mind the important details such as allocated budget, varied expenses, etc.
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There is no denying the fact that America offers a high standard of living to the students going to study there, right from housing options to public transport, excellent Medicare system, and much more. However, student life in a new country like America also comes with a host of challenges. Some of these could be :
Living in the US as an MS student is both, a challenging, as well as a rewarding experience in itself. Taking every single decision on your own, managing the expenses, doing daily tasks such as groceries, laundry, etc., (along with academics) instills a lot of independence, as well as responsibility in students.
Some of the effective ways to make the transition of living in a country like America smooth are -
If you want to know about Cost of Living in the US, click here.
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The decision of studying MS in the US is definitely a significant one for students. However, culturally America is both, diverse and vastly different from India. To make the process smooth and hassle-free, students need to be well-prepared financially, emotionally, as well as culturally. It is advisable to gain sufficient knowledge and understand the background of the country beforehand, to be more familiar with the people and life in the US at large.
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