Filling out Your Applications Read the application fully before filling it out. Make a photocopy of the application and fill out the copy first. This way the final version will be as neat as possible and you will make a good impression at the admissions office. Try to use only the forms provided. If you must write on extra paper, write your name on every sheet and attach them to the original application so they do not get lost. You should answer as many questions as possible as completely as possible. Do not leave questions blank unless the instructions tell you to do so. Unless otherwise indicated, you should list educational or work experience in "reverse chronological order," meaning the most recent experience first. Dates in the U.S. appear in Month/Day/Year format. Some questions are used for statistical purposes only, such as what race are you? You do not have to answer the question as it will not affect your application. You do not have a social security number yet, so you should indicate "None" or leave the space blank. You will receive one when you reach the U.S. In the section on educational background, provide the names of your schools and degrees completed in your native language. You will also have to report which academic entrance exams and which test of English proficiency you have taken and your scores, if known. In addition to stating your score here, you must have the testing service send official copies of your scores directly to the university. For more information on how to contact the testing services, click here. Forms for letters of recommendation will be provided. Fill out the part of the form that concerns you (your name, address, etc.), and provide these forms to your recommenders. In order to allow for frank responses, these recommendations are often required to be confidential. To ensure confidentiality, universities require recommenders to send their comments directly to the university. Ask the recommenders to keep copies so that they may send them to several schools on your behalf. You will be asked to provide intimate details of your financial situation to prove your ability to pay for your education. Forms may include personal savings, family support, scholarships, etc. The university will keep this information confidential. Also, complete the financial aid application completely and correctly. If you have your mind set on one university in particular, you might consider indicating on your application that you want to apply for early decision. This tells the university that you are really serious about their school and if they accept you, you are certain to attend. You will hear months before normal applicants learn of whether they have been accepted. The personal statement is perhaps the most important and most difficult section of the application because it helps differentiate you from other candidates beyond academics and test scores. If you write about something that you believe in, that is important to you, and are authentic in your essay, you will shine in your essay. You must be the one to write your essay and it must be in English; schools consider this further proof of your English ability. Someone can correct your mistakes, but you must be the author. Schools usually ask you to talk about your experiences and goals in these essays. Some sample questions include: 1) What experiences led you to the selection of your professional objectives?, 2) Describe a significant historical event in your country, or 3) Briefly describe your activities, achievements, and talents. A good essay should be brief, interesting, clearly written, and in correct English. You may require several weeks for the essay alone, but make sure it is written from the heart. Enclose you application fee (make sure you have paid the correct dollar amount with an international money order, American personal check, or bank check in U.S. dollars). For currency converter, click here. Sign and date the application. Make photocopies of everything in the application before mailing it to the university. Top of page Acceptance A few weeks later, you should receive a notice from each school that has received an application. If you do not receive notice from a school within a reasonable amount of time, contact them by telephone, fax, or letter. After the schools have all of your documents, you will receive a notice of acceptance, conditional acceptance, or denial within a few months. After hearing from all schools that interest you, you must choose one and notify them that you accept their offer. You must send a letter to the admissions department of the school you have chosen accepting admission. Below is a sample acceptance letter you can send: April 25, 2000 School School Address Dear Mr./Mrs. ______________, Thank you for your letter dated April 10 stating that you have accepted me to begin studies at Yale in September, 2000. I am writing to confirm my acceptance of your admissions offer. Sincerely, Your Signature Afterwards you will receive an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility (or other certificate of eligibility) from the school that you have chosen, which enables you to apply for a student visa. To receive your visa, you must apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Source: The Princeton Review's International Guide to the U.S.A. by Ian Jacobs and Ellen Catskill, Random House, 1996 Top of page Home | Learn | Mentors/Hidden Treasures | Hotline | Join Us | Member Log-In Mission | Services | Community | Team | Site-Map | Terms of Use ©2000 StudentOasis. All rights reserved.