Are you in final year of graduation and looking towards doing master's program from U.S University? Firstly you would be required to take GRE. To get more info on GRE, click here. Now, you must be wondering when should I appear for GRE. If you plan to study in U.S university you should begin the process 12 - 14 months in advance before the academic year in which you plan to enroll.
Though GRE can be given anytime of the year but the best time to write GRE is during August-October and apply for Fall(August/September) session. The academic year in the United States generally lasts nine months, from late August or early September until the middle or end of May, and it may be divided into two (Fall and Spring) or three,(Fall,Spring,Summer) academic terms depending on the institution. The student have the option to enroll for either Fall, Spring or Summer session. An optional summer term is often available and provides the opportunity to continue courses if the student wishes to accelerate the programme. However, it is always better to start the programme in the Fall(August/September) since the academic year starts in Fall. It is recommended to spend around 3 months to prepare for the exam and this is the perfect time to start preparing for GRE so that when you appear for the test in October, you are well prepared.
Here is your plan for admission into graduate
school:
June 09
Research 10 to 15 universities
First, shorlist around 10-15 universities based on the requirements, location, course, ranking where you would like to study. Gather information pertaining to the GRE test and admissions procedure to each of the universities you are considering attending. Contact universities you shortlisted above to request application forms, financial aid forms or any other information you would like to have. Find out the possible sources of financial assistance.
July 09 - September 09
1. Register for the test date
2. Start preparing for GRE. Make a study plan and adhere to it.
3. Start giving mock tests 15 days before the test date.
4. Select four universities where you would like your scores to be sent on the test day.
October 09
Practice full length mock tests. Take GRE and TOEFL test.
October 09 - November 09
Start preparing SOP, letter of recommendation, academic transcripts and other documents to be send to the university. Create a shortlist of potential universities based on your test scores and send your prepared documents to each university you wish to apply to before the deadline.
March 09 - May 09
Notification of acceptance. Once you have received acceptance from the university send in your confirmation and apply for Visa.
It is better to apply for Fall semester unless there are some exceptional circumstances. Applying for Fall offers following benefits:
1. More chances of getting a financial aid. Most of the universities either offer very less financial aid or do not offer financial aid at all in the spring session.
2. The academic year in US Universities begins with the Fall semester, so there are more seats available in Fall and hence more chances of admission being granted.
3. Most core courses are offered in Fall. So if you enroll in a spring session, some of the core courses may not be available and you may find it a little difficult to plan your coursework.
To join in 2010 fall, you will have to apply this year itself. Most of the application deadlines start in late November and early December and can extend to March and even April for some universities. It is advisable to take both these exams before the end of October this year so that you have time to get your other documents ready and shortlist your universities too.
June 09
Research 10 to 15 universities
First, shorlist around 10-15 universities based on the requirements, location, course, ranking where you would like to study. Gather information pertaining to the GRE test and admissions procedure to each of the universities you are considering attending. Contact universities you shortlisted above to request application forms, financial aid forms or any other information you would like to have. Find out the possible sources of financial assistance.
July 09 - September 09
1. Register for the test date
2. Start preparing for GRE. Make a study plan and adhere to it.
3. Start giving mock tests 15 days before the test date.
4. Select four universities where you would like your scores to be sent on the test day.
October 09
Practice full length mock tests. Take GRE and TOEFL test.
October 09 - November 09
Start preparing SOP, letter of recommendation, academic transcripts and other documents to be send to the university. Create a shortlist of potential universities based on your test scores and send your prepared documents to each university you wish to apply to before the deadline.
March 09 - May 09
Notification of acceptance. Once you have received acceptance from the university send in your confirmation and apply for Visa.
It is better to apply for Fall semester unless there are some exceptional circumstances. Applying for Fall offers following benefits:
1. More chances of getting a financial aid. Most of the universities either offer very less financial aid or do not offer financial aid at all in the spring session.
2. The academic year in US Universities begins with the Fall semester, so there are more seats available in Fall and hence more chances of admission being granted.
3. Most core courses are offered in Fall. So if you enroll in a spring session, some of the core courses may not be available and you may find it a little difficult to plan your coursework.
To join in 2010 fall, you will have to apply this year itself. Most of the application deadlines start in late November and early December and can extend to March and even April for some universities. It is advisable to take both these exams before the end of October this year so that you have time to get your other documents ready and shortlist your universities too.
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