How to Apply for Graduate School Abroad?

I still remember the confusion I passed through while applying to graduate school. As I am getting questions from many friends about the process, and as the stereotype in our society is to make every ambition looks impossible, I think I should share part of my experience here hoping it to be helpful.

Below is a set of Questions & Answers (Q&A). This applies to STEM programs for universities in USA (and may be Canada). This does not apply to graduate school in Europe and Australia, as the process there is different. This is all to the best of my knowledge and experience so far.

Q1) When Should I Apply and Start the Preparation Process?

Application deadline are usually in December and January. Many universities do not have Spring semester admission. So, to enroll in Fall 2021, you have to submit your graduate school application before December 2020 (One year ahead!). Actually, you will need to start preparing at least in October to have all the requirements ready like TOEFL, GRE, Statement of Purpose, etc.

Q2) How Should I Start?

? Determine your research area of interest. How?: Read research papers, ask your professors, check google/Youtube, ask other graduate students, etc..

? Start searching for potential research advisor/professor AND IN PARALLEL applying to universities.

? People recommend applying for 5 to 6 universities varying between top tier universities (where getting acceptance is challenging) to second tier universities (where acceptance is less challenging) to other universities that have high acceptance rate. In this way, you will have more chances to get accepted somewhere.

? Email potential advisors/professors. Details about this could be discussed later.

? Do TOEFL (or IELTS if the university accept it), and GRE (in most cases it is required).

Q3) How Can I Pay My Tuition Fees and Life Expenses?

Doctoral students (PhD) are paid employees and funded students. You do not pay tuition fees to the department/university. Instead, you will work as teaching assistant (TA) and/or research assistant (RA) and will be getting a monthly/biweekly salary. This salary is enough to cover your housing lease plus your main living expenses. No luxury life is expected from a PhD salary, and money saving is not always an option.

On the other hand, Masters students are either fully funded (like PhD students), or partially funded, or be self-funded (you pay everything). Some universities offer Graduate Assistantship (GA) to Masters students which covers their tuition fees. Some other offer Masters students research/teaching assistantship position to fully/partially cover the tuition fees plus a monthly stipend. Some offer both. You need to check which universities/departments have generous support for Masters students. You will find these details on the department’s webpage.

Q4) Can I Work While I am a Student?

Students on student-visa (called F1-visa) can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester, and more than 20 hours per week in breaks. If you are a teaching assistant (TA) or research assistant (RA), then these 20 hours will be consumed by this position and you will not be allowed to work elsewhere (and anyway you will be busy and would not find enough time). Keep in mind that you will get paid to serve as TA and/or RA.

Another option to gain experience and money is Summer Internships. There are many paid opportunities for good graduate students.

Q5) What are Application Requirements for Graduate Program?

For engineering, for Doctoral students (PhD), most universities require GRE and TOEFL. For Masters students, it is mainly TOFEL and sometimes GRE also depending on the university and department. And MOST IMPORTANTLY is the STATEMENT OF PURPOSE in which you describe your previous education/experience and your planned research. Statement of purpose is a KEY REQUIRMENT, so it is good to spend enough time writing it.

Q6) Is it Hard to Get a Student Visa?

In my case, it was NOT. It is not the part that you should worry about. Once you get acceptance letter, the department will send you an official document (called i-20 for USA universities) that proof you are student at that university. You will present this document during the visa interview and the process will be very smooth. In my case, the visa application and interview took 5 days only and I received my visa in the following 10 days.

Q7) Do I Need to have a Bank Deposit to Get a Student Visa or Get University Acceptance?

NO. NOT AT ALL.