STUDY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA



Most U.S. universities include standardized tests as a mandatory part
of their application requirement. Detail of requirements at an
individual university are given along with application form.

All these tests are objective in naature i.e. Multiple choice tests.
They are conducted four or more times during an academic year on
specified dates. Students should try to take these tests at least
three months prior to deadline dates.

Entrance tests provide a common measure for comparing the
qualifications of applicants, both U.S. and foreign.

Most Commonly Required Entrance Examinations:

1. English Proficiency:

A) Tests of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Required by most
colleges. The test uses a multiple-choice format to measure the
ability to understand North American English. It is given in a single
session of about three hours a consists of three sections. a)
Listening comprehension-measures ability to understand spoken English
as spoken in North America Structure. b) Written expression-measures
ability to recognize languages that is appropriate for standard
written English, Vocabulary & c.) Reading comprehension - measures
ability to understand non-technical reading matter. for additional
information regarding (a), (b), & (c), and tests forms write to:
-Institute Of Psychological and Educational Measurement (IPEM), 25 -A,
Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Allahabad-211001, U.P.

B) Test of Written English (TWE): Is required by a few universities of
all applications. The test is of half an hour and is an essay
examination which gives an opportunity to demonstrate The ability to
write in English i.e. the ability to organize ideas on paper, support
them with examples or compose in standard written English. It is
important to register for a toffel date, which includes a TWE
administration. For further information write to IPEM.

C) Tests Of Spoken English (TSE): Is required by many universities of
students applying for teaching and research assistantships (this test
is also recommended for licensure or certification in students. During
the half-hour test, examines are asked a set of questions, and their
answers are recorded, no writing is required. There are seven sections
in which students are asked to answer questions about themselves, Read
aloud passages, complete partial sentences, construct a story about a
series of pictures, answer questions about a single picture answer
questions on general topics"and give a short presentation as if they
were speaking to a group of students or colleagues. st is administered
on a few TOEFL testing dates. for further information write to IPEM.

2. Undergraduate Tests :

A) Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT): Is a three-hour multiple -choice
test that measures the verbal and mathematical abilities developed in
and out of school. this test is made up of the following sections :
§ Two 30-minute verbals sections that test vocabulary, verbal
reasoning, & reading comprehensive
§ Two 30-minutes mathematical sections that test ability to solve
problems involving arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. .

§ One 30 - minute test of standard written english (TSWE) that
measures ability to recognize and use standard written English.
§ One 30- minute section of equating question (verbal, mathematical or
TWSE) – answers questions do not count towards the score.

College Board ATP. P.O. Box 6200, Princeton, NJ 08541-6200 USA.

B) The Achievement Tests (ACH) : Are one - hour multiple choice tests
in specific subjects.Unlike The SAT, which measure general abilities,
Achievement Tests measure knowledge of particulars subjects and
ability to apply that knowledge.
Achievements Tests Are Given in these subjects: English, Composition,
Literature, American History, European History, Math's, Level I,
Math's II, French, German, Hebrew, Latin, Spanish, Biology, Chemistry,
and Physics.

C) The American College Tests (ACT) : consists of four academic tests
covering the following subjects areas: English, Mathematics, Social
Studies, and Natural Sciences. This test requires the students to
demonstrate knowledge of the subject as well as both problem-solving
and reasoning abilities.
For Further Information Write To American College Program (ACT), P.O.
Box 168.2201 North Dodge Street, Lowa City, Lowa 52243, USA.

3. GRADUATE TESTS:

A) The Graduate Record Examination (GRE): Is Required Of Students
Enrolling For An Amster's Or Doctoral Program In Arts, Science And
Engineering Fields. It Consists Of Two Independent The General and The
Subject.

§ GRE General: When a University mentions that a GRE Is Required, it
is safe to assume that only the General Test is Required. This is test
contains seven 30-minute sections designed to measure_ quantitative
and analytical abilities. they include verbal reasoning questions,
reading comprehension and mathematical questions that require
arithmetical reasoning, algebraic problems, interpretation of graphs,
diagrams and descriptive data. Six sections of the General Test
contribute to the test scores.

§ GRE Subject: The subject tests are designed to assess whether a
student has the pre-requisite back ground to undertake graduate -study
in a particular field. Subject Tests are available in fifteen
different subjects: Biology, Chemistry Computer Science, Economics,
Education, And Engineering. Geology, History, Literature In
English, Mathematics, Music, Physics Political Science, Psychology,
And Sociology. The total testing time for each subject test is 2 hours
and 50 minutes. Only one test may be taken on any given test date.

For additional information and test forms for both GRE General and
Subject, write to: Institute Of Psychological and Educational
Measurement (IPEM), 25-A, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Allahabad-211 001 ,and U.P

B). The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) Is required of
student applying for degrees in business. GMAT measures student's
verbal, mathematical analytical and problem": solving separately timed
sections, each containing 20 t025 multiple-choice questions. The
testing time is three and one half-hours.

For additional information writes to: Graduate Management Admission
Test, Educational Testing Service, CN 6103, Princeton, NJ0854L61O3, USA.

STEPS IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

Applying to a University in the USA is a long process requiring
considerable and careful planning, research and expense (between Rs.
5,000 to Rs 10,000)

1. Following are the essential requirements for establishing a
favorable student profile:
§ Type of Education to be pursued in U.S.
§ A good academic record i.e consistently above 55% preferably above 60%
§ Able to read and write English fluently, understand spoken English
without difficulty.
§ Able to bear costs at U.S. Universities ranging between $ 10,000 and
$ 30,000 per year for tuition and living.
§ Studies required to be completed in India to be eligible for joining
an U.S. University.

ON COMPLETION OF: LIKELY TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR

§ Std Xll-H.S.C (10+2) First Year Undergraduate

§ F.Y/S.Y, College First year Undergraduate/ Transfer Undergraduate

§ B.A/B.Sc.lB.Com Transfer Undergraduate/Pre-Professional Course
Masters (Masters only in exceptional cases)

B.E./B.Tech /B.Arch./B.Pharm /Bfa/ Master/Ph.D. Masters Part un
Post-Graduate Diploma

§ .After completion of a B.Sc./ B.Com/ B.A, degree India, it is
advisable to complete one additional year of postgraduate level study
in India itself before proceeding for graduate (i.e Master or Ph.D.)
programs in the U.S.A Transfer at the undergraduate level in the u.s
can take well over a period of one year and prove expensive.

§ .Make a list of about 20 Universities offering academic program of
your choice.along with top 10 universities which are extremely
selective, choose universities where there is REALISTIC chance if
being admitted.

The brief information about courses and admission requirements of
almost all the Universities Colleges in Untied States is given in
Peterson's Handbook for International Students (Applying to Colleges &
Universities in Untied States). This informative book is available in
prominent Book Depot in the city.

§ Send pre- application (Ram) forms to the Admissions office of each
of these Universities. These forms can be obtained from USEFI at
Rs.5/- for a set 10 forms, or write directly tot he university, giving
a brief and clear outline of the points listed in 1 above. .

§ The University sends an information and application packet if you
appear to meet its board requirements. Read this carefully to
assess-i) departments expectations. ii) program (course) details. iii)
funds required for the course. iv) financial assistance available for
the subject. v) entrance tests required & application fees. vi) Select
5 To 10 Universities to which application has to be actually made.

§ Register for TOFEL and Other tests as required by the Universities.
Ask for _cores of these tests to be sent directly to the Universities
to which application are made.

§ Fill out the application forms as directed, neatly & legibly without
spelling or grammatical mistakes.§ Obtain letters of recommendation as
required by the University. These should generally be written by
professors who can comment on Specific aspects of your academic
performance, capabilities and potential or by someone who has
supervised you if you have relevant work experience
§ Complete the financial certification form. Your sponsor may be from
India or abroad, and you may have more than one sponsor. Remember that
you cannot plan on working, as under current U.S. Law. You are not
permitted to work off campus, nor can your on campus jobs displace an
American Citizen.

§ Both undergraduate and graduate students will probably be asked to
write a personal essay of approximately 250-500 words.

§ 10. on selection the University sends al-20 or iap-66 certificate of
eligibility as proof of admission. This form specifies the program
(Course) It's usual duration, proficiency in english, the amount funds
required. This needed to complete the predeparture formalities. If you
are funding yourself from India, you can obtain a RBI exchange permit
by showing you're 1-20 or IAP-66 and original marksheets to the
Exchange Control Department of the Reserve Bank of India. You can then
proceed to apply for a visa.

§ .USEFI, Mumbai conducts pre-departure to focus on various aspects of
academic personal and social life
lthough no accurate figures are available as to how many students
return to India, anecdotal evidence and comments from administration
officials suggest that perhaps upward of 75 per cent of them do not
return after their studies, preferring to stay on in the US, work, and
become part of the American melting pot.

``It is fair to say a vast majority of them remain here for extended
trainingperiods, find jobs here, and get integrated into American society
Indian economy currently incurs an outgo of more than $4 billion every
year because thousands of students go the United States and Europe for
higher studies.
. A successful education system must do two things. It must allow
all young Indians to dream, and it must teach them the skills to
turn those dreams into reality.
To give people productive employment, education needs to be connected
to the job market. Our education system has to deepen its links with
industry, with research & development, with technology and with
finance. It is only by building these links that we will move from
creating job seekers to entrepreneurs