Basics of the Application Process for Graduate and Undergraduate Schools
GRADUATE SCHOOL
Several people asked me for suggestions about the application process.
Accordingly, the following is a simple brief description of the process from
my point of view. For additional information, search the web pages of the
schools and look for the graduate program of the department or the school.
Decide the department(s) you want to attend(Possible to apply to more
than one).
Look for the schools of interest. There are several ways of doing this.
*One, you have heard or have read about a particular school known in your field,
or you have read a particular journal that was of great interest to you and
therefore you can contact the professor of the paper.
*Second, you can search for schools on the internet with good reputation in your
field. The Ethiopian Professors web page has some of the major links that can assist
you in your search.
*Third, you can contact some of the professors on the Ethiopian Professors web
page.
Make an arrangement to take the GRE or GMAT, or any other standardized tests
requirerd by the department, at least 3 or 4 months before the application deadline. Please,
be well prepared, a lot of departments rely heavily on the test scores.
Apply to at least 6 schools. (Ask for as many applications as possible
from different schools and you can pick the ones that you are interested in.)
The more schools you applied to, the better
your chance for being accepted by one. If more than one school accepts you,
you get to choose. Some schools will accept you, but may not give you any
assistantship. It is also advisable to apply to schools with varying reputation.
Complete your application very carefully. Don't hesitate to ask for assistance
from a competent person. The complete application is the only way reviewers
judge your future performance. Proof-read the application several times.
Indicate that you are applying for graduate assistantship if you need it.
If you find someone in the department who is doing research in an area of
your interest, please write this person a letter stating your interest and
commitment and ask if there is an opportunity of getting assistantship from the
person.
Write your email address on your application. Individual professors tend
to communicate through email directly with a student that they are interested in.
If you don't have an email account, try to get one. Get a free email account
from hotmail or any other web service.
There could be other requirements in the application procedure depending
on the individual schools. Read the application package carefully.
UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL
Applying for undergraduate school follows a similar procedure. However,
there are a few changes fom the graduate school application procedure.
Decide the department(s)/ college you want to attend(Possible to apply to more
than one).You need to talk to friends, teachers and family. There are also
guidance counselors in several schools that are there to help you in situations
like this.
Look for the schools of interest. Location, reputation, and some other
factors should be considered in your decision. Libraries have books with a list
of schools that you can apply to. The internet is also a useful source, and you can
get lists of schools in different "categorical" ranking.
Start the process of application early in the fall semester.
Take the ACT, SAT, TOEFL, and any other required test early fall, maybe
even during the summer.
Complete your application very carefully. Don't hesitate to ask for assistance
from a competent person. The complete application is the only way reviewers
judge your future performance. Proof-read the application several times.
Look for scholarship opportunities. There are several types of scholarship
that are available. One needs to look for them, and one should get the reward.
In addition, fill out the federal Finanacial Aid Form (FAF).
The deadlines are very strict, and you should follow them diligently.
There could be other requirements in the application procedure depending
on the individual schools. Read the application package carefully.
GOOD LUCK
BACK
