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

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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