Taking GRE and TOEFL and Applying for a MS/ PhD: A Self-help Guide for Engineering and Physical Sciences Students

✍ Scribed by Pradeep Kumar Pasricha

• Publisher: Nova Science Publishers
• Year: 2020
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 236
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

The book is a self-help guide for international prospective graduate students to facilitate planning for taking the GRE General Test, the TOEFL iBT Test and applying for admission for graduate studies at the US universities. The book is meant for the undergraduate students of the disciplines of engineering and physical sciences comprising physics, chemistry, mathematics, etc., who aim to undertake the MS and PhD graduate programs, hopefully with financial support from the universities. The book is equally appropriate for the students who have completed their under graduation.The book presents the sequence of tasks involved toward admission for graduate study at US universities, in general. Some of the tasks are the following: selection of universities to apply to, taking the GRE General and TOEFL iBT Tests, preparation of official transcripts, preparation of summary of transcripts, credential evaluation, preparation of SOP (Statement of Purpose) and Resume, considerations toward letters of recommendation, requesting grant of RA (Research Assistantship) and TA (Teaching Assistantship), preparation of affidavit of financial statement, online application and mailing of hard copy application package if deemed necessary, requirement of immunizations and medical tests, acquiring health insurance plan, travel plans and living in the USA as an honorable and disciplined foreigner. A schedule for the performance of tasks in chronological order for the undergraduate engineering students, for illustration is presented.Various illustrations in the book have been cited from the engineering discipline; however, the plan and the subject matter are equally applicable to students of disciplines of physical sciences. The book includes samples of the following: SOP and Resume, recommendation forms, affidavit of financial statement, health- and medical-related forms of immunizations and medical tests, credential evaluation report and so forth. Lists of topical research fields and well-known universities to undertake the graduate studies are presented that may enable the prospective graduate students to seek admission with financial support from the universities.

✦ Table of Contents

Contents
Preface
Disclaimer
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Introduction
Chapter 2
The PERT Table
Chapter 3
The Graduate Programs and Selection of Universities to Apply
3.1. MS and PhD Graduate Programs
3.1.1. MS Graduate Program
3.1.2. PhD Graduate Program
3.1.3. Which Graduate Program to Apply – MS or PhD
3.1.4. MS Graduate Program – Amount of Financial Assistance
3.1.5. PhD Graduate Program – Amount of Financial Assistance
3.1.6. Tax Deduction on Financial Assistance
3.2. University Structure in the USA
3.2.1. Public University versus Private University
3.3. Various Criteria to Select Universities
3.3.1. Choice of Research Field and Research Topic
3.3.2. MS Degree
3.3.3. Choice of Public University
3.3.4. Select University with Reasonable Tuition Fee and Living Expenses
3.3.5. Select University Offering Both RA and TA, and Professor Having Adequate Funds
3.3.6. Criterion of Location of University
3.3.7. University Close to One’s Friend
3.4. Graduate Study in Engineering
3.5. A Short List of Topical Research Fields
3.6. A List of Well-Known Universities
Chapter 4
Taking TOEFL iBT Test
4.1. TOEFL iBT Test
4.2. Validity of TOEFL iBT Test Scores
4.3. Minimum TOEFL iBT Test Scores of Universities
4.4. TOEFL Test Scores – iBT vis-a-vis CBT
4.5. Various Aspects of Taking TOEFL iBT Test
4.5.1. The Preparation
4.5.1.1. View ETS’s TOEFL Website, and Read Barron’s TOEFL iBT Book and ETS’s TOEFL Book
4.5.1.2. Read Nova’s Speaking Strategies Book
4.5.1.3. Need of Coaching Institute
4.5.1.4. ETS’s TOEFL iBT Practice Tests and Practice Tests Online
4.5.1.5. Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
4.5.2. Registration and Creation of “Home Page”
4.5.3. TOEFL iBT Test Centers and Test Dates
4.5.4. Fixing of TOEFL iBT Test Center and Test Date
4.5.5. Rescheduling of Test Date
4.5.6. Confirm Test Center and Test Date
4.5.7. Things to Carry on Test Day
4.5.8. Some Important Notes
4.6. Viewing and Receiving of TOEFL iBT Test Score Reports
4.7. Mailing of TOEFL iBT Test Score Reports to Universities
4.7.1. Assessing TOEFL iBT Test Institution and Department Codes
4.8. Keeping Track of Whether TOEFL iBT Test Score Reports Have Been Received by Universities
4.9. Contact Them for Help
Chapter 5
Taking GRE General Test
5.1. GRE General Test
5.2. Validity of GRE General Test Scores
5.3. Requirement of “High” GRE Test Scores of Universities
5.4. Taking Analytical Writing Section Seriously
5.5. GRE Test Scores – Present vis-à-vis Past Test Scores
5.6. Various Aspects of Taking GRE General Test
5.6.1. The Preparation
5.6.1.1. View ETS’s GRE Website, and Read Barron’s GRE Book and ETS’s GRE Book
5.6.1.2. Study High School Mathematics Books
5.6.1.3. Need of Coaching Institute
5.6.1.4. ETS’s GRE Practice Tests Online
5.6.1.5. Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
5.6.2. Registration and Creation of “ETS Account”
5.6.3. GRE General Test Centers and Test Dates
5.6.4. Fixing of GRE General Test Center and Test Date
5.6.5. Rescheduling of Test Date
5.6.6. Confirm Test Center and Test Date
5.6.7. Things, Including Mailing Codes of Universities, to Carry on Test Day
5.6.7.1. A Sample of Mailing Codes of Four Selected Universities to Carry on Test Day
5.6.8. Some Important Notes
5.7. Viewing and Receiving of GRE Test Score Reports
5.8. Mailing of GRE Test Score Reports to Universities
5.8.1. Assessing GRE Test Institution and Department Codes
5.9. Keeping Track of Whether GRE Test Score Reports Have Been Received by Universities
5.10. Contact Them for Help
Chapter 6
Official Transcripts
6.1. Statement of Marks and Transcripts
6.2. Preparation of Official Transcripts
6.3. A Sample of Front and Backside of Envelope to Mail Official Transcripts
Chapter 7
Preparation of Summary of Transcripts
7.1. A Summary of Transcripts
7.2. A Few Samples of Preparation of Summary of Transcripts
7.2.1. Summary1 – A Sample of Hard Copy of Summary of Transcripts
7.2.2. Summary2 – A Sample of Summary of Transcripts for Online Posting by Copy-and-Paste in Microsoft Word
7.2.3. Summary3 – A Sample of Summary of Transcripts for Online Posting by Copy-and-Paste in Microsoft Excel
7.2.4. Preparation of a List of Courses
Chapter 8
Credential Evaluation
8.1. The Credentials
8.2. The First-Class Status
8.3. Credential Evaluation by WES
8.4. Preparation and Mailing of Official Transcripts for Credential Evaluation
8.5. A Sample of Credential Evaluation Report by WES
Chapter 9
Preparation of Statement of Purpose (SOP)
9.1. The SOP
9.2. A Sample of SOP
9.2.1. SOP1 – A Sample of Hard Copy of SOP for a University
9.2.2. SOP2 – A Sample of Hard Copy of SOP for another University
9.2.3. Online Posting of SOP by Copy-and-Paste in Microsoft Word
9.2.4. Online Posting of SOP by Copy-and-Paste in Microsoft Excel
Chapter 10
Preparation of Resume
10.1. The Resume
10.2. A Sample of Resume
10.2.1. Resume1 - A Sample of Hard Copy of Resume for a University
10.2.2. Resume2 - A Sample of Hard Copy of Resume for another University
10.2.3. Online Posting of Resume by Copy-and-Paste in Microsoft Word
10.2.4. Online Posting of Resume by Copy-and-Paste in Microsoft Excel
10.2.5. Resume on Internet
Chapter 11
Considerations toward Providing Letters of Recommendation
11.1. The Letter of Recommendation
11.2. Importance of Letter of Recommendation
11.3. Choice of Officials Providing Letters of Recommendation
11.4. Contents of Letter of Recommendation
11.5. A Sample of Recommendation Form
11.6. A Hard Copy of Letter of Recommendation
11.6.1. A Sample of Front and Backside of Envelope to Mail Letter of Recommendation
11.7. Providing Letter of Recommendation Online
Chapter 12
Considerations toward Grant of Research Assistantship (RA) and Teaching Assistantship (TA)
12.1. Financial Support to Graduate Student
12.2. Criteria for Financial Support to Graduate Student
12.3. Fellowship, Scholarship and Teaching Assistantship (TA)
12.3.1. Fellowship
12.3.2. Scholarship
12.3.3. Teaching Assistantship (TA)
12.4. Research Assistantship (RA)
12.5. Research Assistantship (RA) from Research Program
12.6. Automatic Financial Support
12.7. How to Apply for Financial Support
12.8. Always Request for Financial Support
12.9. RA/TA in Bank and Filing of Tax Return
Chapter 13
Preparation of Affidavit of Financial Statement
13.1. Affidavit of Financial Statement
13.1.1. A Sample of Financial Declaration Form
13.1.2. A Sample of Supporting Financial Documents
13.1.3. Family Funding through Bank Loan
13.1.4. Preparation of Supporting Financial Documents Afresh
13.2. The Financial Details in Form I-20
Chapter 14
Summary of Educational Experience, Work or Professional Experience, Additional Essays, Extracurricular Activities, Additional Documents and Extenuating Circumstances Statement
14.1. A Summary of Educational Experience
14.2. Work or Professional Experience
14.3. Additional Essays
14.3.1. A Personal Academic Accomplishment
14.3.2. Reasons for Taking up Graduate Study
14.4. Extracurricular Activities
14.5. Additional Documents
14.5.1. High School Examination Certificates
14.5.2. Xeroxed Copy of First Page of Passport
14.6. An Extenuating Circumstances Statement
Chapter 15
Submission of Online Applications to Graduate School and Department
15.1. A General Description of Submission of Online Applications
15.1.1. Routing Application from Graduate School to Department
15.1.2. Routing Application from Department to Graduate School
15.2. Submission of Online Applications to Graduate School
15.2.1. Maintain Separate Folder for Each University
15.2.2. Set Aside Pages in Diary for Each University
15.2.3. Usage of Application Network
15.2.4. Edit-and-Save Online Application Every Time
15.2.5. Be Extra Careful with Specific Information in Online Application
15.2.6. Aim is Graduate Program and Master’s Degree
15.2.7. Uploading Documents
15.2.8. Input TOEFL iBT and GRE General Test Scores and Dates Tests Taken
15.2.9. Submission of Declaration of Financial Statement
15.2.10. Submission of Letters of Recommendation
15.2.11. Payment of Application Fee and its Receipt
15.2.11.1. How to Make Application Fee Payment with Credit Card
15.2.11.2. How to Make Bank Draft in Dollars
15.2.12. Checking Status of Online Application Having Been Submitted
15.2.12.1. Checking Status of Admission Online
15.2.13. Things to Be Kept Handy while Filling Online Application
15.3. Submission of Online Applications to Department
Chapter 16
Submission of Hard Copy of Application Package
16.1. Requirements of Graduate School
16.1.1. A Sample of Covering Letter
16.1.2. A Sample of Front of Envelope to Mail Application Package to Graduate School
16.2. Requirements of Departmental Graduate Committee
16.2.1. A Sample of Covering Letter
Chapter 17
Requesting Research Advisor for RA/TA
17.1. Mail Advance Copy of Application Package
17.2. Fax Transcript for Seventh Semester
Chapter 18
Health Considerations
18.1. Health History Form
18.2. Medical History Form
18.3. Tuberculosis Screening Form
18.4. Medical Care
18.5. Health Insurance Plan
Chapter 19
Embassy Documents
19.1. The F-1 Nonimmigrant Visa
19.2. Passport, Form I-20 and SEVIS Fee
19.3. Passport of Earlier Visit to the USA
19.4. Papers of Financial Support from University
19.5. Homepage of Specialized University
19.6. Original Hard Copy of Application Package
19.7. Appearing at the US Embassy
Chapter 20
Travel Plans
20.1. Travel Plan Tasks
20.2. Air Travel Arrangements
20.2.1. Reaching University Early
20.3. On-Campus Accommodation Arrangements
20.4. Contacting Indian Student Forum
20.5. Learn to Drive Car
20.6. Dental and Eyesight Checkup
20.7. Things to Carry
20.7.1. Backpack, Wallet and Keychain
20.7.2. Pocket Diary
20.7.3. Family Photograph
20.7.4. Table Tennis Bat and Tennis Racquet
20.7.5. Something to Munch and Common Medicines
20.8. Learn Something to Interact with Others
20.9. Learn to Cook
20.10. Ports of Departure and Entry
20.11. Setting Time on Wrist Watch
20.12. Call Back Home
20.13. Taking Dollars
Chapter 21
Potpourri
21.1. When to Expect Offer of Admission
21.1.1. Admission without Financial Support
21.1.2. Admission with Financial Support
21.1.3. Admission to PhD Graduate Program
21.1.4. Decision Letter Online
21.1.5. Confirmation of Acceptance of Offer of Admission
21.1.6. Assistantship Offer Letter
21.1.7. Mailing of Documents by University
21.1.8. Checking Status of Admission with Departmental Graduate Committee
21.2. Documents to Be Mailed after Completion of Application Process, Including Opening of Student Account if Required
21.2.1. Transcript for Seventh Semester
21.2.2. Documents to Be Mailed Back to Opted University
21.2.3. Form I-20 to Be Mailed Back to Other Universities
21.3. Verification of Original Documents at Opted University
21.4. Document to Be Received after Reaching Opted University
21.5. Mailing Documents by International Courier Service
Chapter 22
The Immediate Tasks After Reaching University
22.1. Reporting and Enrollment
22.2. Presenting Academic Documents
22.3. Checking On-campus Accommodation
22.4. Presenting Health- and Medical-related Forms
22.5. Obtaining Health Insurance ID Card
22.6. Opening Bank Account
22.7. Attending Orientation Program
22.8. Register for Classes and Seek Appointment with Research Advisor
22.9. Acquiring Social Security Number
22.10. On Buying Spree
Chapter 23
The Initial Phase of Living in the USA
23.1. Some Salient Features of Everyday Life
23.2. Some Dos and Don’ts
23.2.1. Dos
23.2.2. Don’ts
23.3. Carrying one’s Documents on Person All Time
23.4. Precautionary Safety Measures
Chapter 24
Conclusion
Chapter 25
Book at a Glance
25.1. The US Universities
25.2. A Typical International Graduate Student in the USA
25.3. Approach to Take GRE General and TOEFL iBT Tests, and Apply for MS/PhD
25.4. The Present Book
25.5. Basic Documents and Set of Data with Prospective Graduate Student
25.6. Tasks to be Performed After Referring to Chapters of the Book
Appendix A: A Short List of Topical Research Fields to Undertake Graduate Study
Appendix B: A List of Well-Known Universities to Apply
References
About the Author
Index
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