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The U.S.A is a great place to study your graduate and postgraduate degrees. My article will be dealing mainly with studying M.S in Computer Science or Computer Engineering.Others can use the general information available and use the same for their own required subjects.I have arranged procedures in sequence of execution for a good applying process.

1.PREREQUISITES: These are a list of processes which you can/have to do before starting to apply to U.S.A:
a.TRANSCRIPTS:
   You will have to obtain photocopies of your marksheets attested by your university.Each american university(on an average) asks for 2 sets of your photocopies.Final year students need provide scores upto 6^th semester.Even the envelopes will have to be attested by the university officials.The University of Madras has its attesting office @ the beach campus near the library.This process can be done even after you write your GRE.but earlier the better b'cos the proces takes a considerable amount of time(3 weeks-1 month atleast).A MUST.
b.ATTENDING FAIRS:
   Though not a must ,attending educational fairs organized by U.S.I.S or other organizations can provide you valuable info regarding admission.
c.MEMBERSHIP:
   Those who are living in chennai or cities having u.s embassy can become a member of the U.S information services bureau(USIS) which contains a host of books regarding GRE,TOEFL,Universities.personally,i didn't benefit much from it.But others reported that it proved be very valuable.so its your decision.   Become members of various egroups such as FALL -2002,etc where students applying for U.S collaborate.Goto yahoogroups page,search for "applying for u.s universities" or some other string,join a suitable group. I didn't use this step.Not abs necessary.
d.WEBSITES:
   Visit the websites of american universities and their corresponding departments.order the application form packets to be mailed home(its free). Try to visit as many universities as possible.visit the department of your choice.gather as much info as possible.each univ has as ISA(indian student association website).visit the ISA website and mail those guys over there.They provide valuable inside info regs the univ,aid ,etc.some recommended sites are: www.gradunivs.com,www.gradschools.com,www.gradfortunes.comA MUST-do process.

2.PRE-APPLICATION(PREAPPS): Pre-Application can give a very good start to your application process.(something i missed out on,but arun did).This preapplication consists of intimating U.S universities that you are applying to the m.s degree in comp sci or comp engg program.

3.GRE,TOEFL,TSE...etc Now come one of the most important sections(if not the most important sections),your GRE: Write your GRE,TOEFl exams as early as possible.pref june-sep.But october is ok,too.The earlier the better.You can book through telephone(credit card) or by post(dd...).cost is around 110$-125$ each.GRE and TOEFL bulletins can be obtained free of cost @USIS.

Your GRE-Graduate Record Examination consists of an quantitative,verbal and analytical sections.its tough yet easy if you know the formula.However,none can tell you what the formula is,you gotta discover it for yourself.(sounds like a dialogue from matrix ,doesn't it?.).Barron's book,powerprep,kaplan are one of the best ways to prepare.But,one important point.All your preparation is nothing compared to those 3 hours in which you write the exam.Relax,get tensed but not to the point of being incapable of thought.Many of my friends did that and scored low.Bring along asweater or shawl if you can't bear cold.(one of my friends shivered in the cold and scored a low score.but it felt so hot to me-due to the tension).Just take GRE and think it to be a stupid exam.

Subject GRE: Subject Gre tests your proficiency in your subject(for eg:Comp sci).Top univs and some depts requires this exam along with general GRE.Highly recommended.But not a must.(i didnt take this exam).Gives you a edge over others.

TOEFL is a cakewalk compared to GRE.its pretty easy.Use some preparatory material like barron's or cliffs.The listening section can be a prob.but can be overcome by listening to some cd provided by Barron's.Go through the list of topics provided in the TOEFL bulletin.

TSE-Test of Spoken English-is recommended for those who want Teaching Assistantships.This test checks for your oral and communication skills.

NOTE:Each of the exams ask for UNIVs which they send your scores free of cost.careful research of univs and planning can save you 100$.

4.APPLYING
   CONGRATS!YOU HAVE OVERCOME ALL THE ABOVE HURDLES!!! Applying is a major process and a crucial one.Visit each university and print out their forms.If you have their posted application packet,well and good,go ahead and use them.Check out the departmental websites for the following criteria.

.
• Deadlines
• Requirements such as Subject GRE,minimum scores,...
• additional forms such as assitantship forms...required by the dept which are not included in the application packet.
• Miscellaneous information such as professors,research,etc

• Your GRE,TOEFL scores
• The info you gathered through your alumni,the universities 's ISA,etc.

a.SOP and RECOS:
   Your Statement of purpose(SOP) and recos are very important.They are the guiding factor for the admissions office in realizing what kind of person you are.
SOP:The sop should be crisp and be max 2 pages long."98csesrec"ians can mail me and acquire a compilation of my sop,arun's sop and others.The sop should reflect upon your achievements,your career goals,your reason for choosing the subject,the university,etc.Pretty good lingo must be employed.Not too bombastic yet formal.
RECO:Most univs ask for 3 recos. 2 recos from your department and 1 reco from the dept of mathematics or english."98csesrec"ians try to get 2 recos from our dept (cse) and third one from Prof.Narayanan from dept of english or maths hod(he is a prof),if u have good math marks.(98csesrecians mail me for a compilation of my reco,arun's...)
Miscellaneous.
   Along with your application packet, mail them your resume, a covering letter and a list of enclosures.

4.ASSISTANTSHIPS:
   U.S univs offer aid in the form of Teaching assistantships,Research Assistantships and Graduate assistantships(apart from tution waiver...).TA and Ga is offered by The resp depts.However,RA's are offered by the proffesors.So,Visit each dept's website and search for proffs doing research in the intended area of your specialization and mail them .

                            - Naveen.N                 
                              98CSESREC        

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