How to enroll in a magistracy at an American university: instruction

Choose a program, pass IELTS and TOEFL, get evaluation and other steps.

Фото: Depositphotos

I decided to share my experience with the author. VC.ru Catherine Sakovich.

Further from the first person.

From this school year, I began to receive a Master of Science degree in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Innovation and Entrepreneurship) at one of California's oldest universities, the University of San Francisco.

I chose this program for excellent networking in the heart of Silicon Valley. It took more than a year to complete the entire journey. I really lacked a detailed description of the experience of other foreign applicants, so I had to collect information in pieces. Having received many questions in social networks, what to do, I decided to share a description of the whole process.

1 Stage: Choose University and Program

In fact, this is the most difficult and important stage. It depends on him, what tests you need to pass and prepare the documents. It is better to start in advance (in a year), because most of the deadlines are completed six months before the start of the program, for example, January 15 for study in September. Usually there are several rounds of filing, but it is better to get into the first two in order to have time to make a visa and apply for a scholarship.

It’s not just the best idea to drive in a search for a specialization, a university and a country (in my case, the USA), since advertising and the most popular universities are displayed in the top, which means programs with a high competition.

I used several approaches.

• The first way. I chose the cities I like, then I searched for the top universities and colleges in them or nearby, visited the websites of these universities and looked through all the graduate programs that exist. Often, a similar specialization may be called differently, somewhere this advertising, somewhere marketing or even integrated communication.
• The second method is university rankings and specialty rankings, such as the top master's degree in marketing in the United States. What is good just to go through the websites of the best universities: you can find for yourself an interesting program that you did not know about in principle. It happened to me: I found a specialization of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and then on this request and through the association of universities that give such a degree, I found where there are still similar programs.

In order not to get confused in all the programs and links that interest me, I entered the information into a table with the following columns:

• "University".
• "Program".
• "City".
• "TOEFL requirements (score)."
• "Do I need a GMAT, GRE?"
• “Having“ flexible requirements ”for those who have professional experience.” For me, this was a critical point and dropout criterion, as I did not have time to prepare and pass the GMAT exam.
• "Do scholarship give".
• “Deadline Application”.

Since I was looking for magistracies in several specializations, I had such a sign for each direction. I spent on data collection, program search and structuring of requirements for about three weeks.

Sites of some normal universities are organized so badly that you had to go through a quest to find the right numbers. If you did not succeed at all, I wrote letters to the selection committee with my questions. Almost everyone answered within 24 hours.

I also recommend not focusing on the same level of universities (Stanford and Harvard), but consider the options in different categories (top-10, top-20 and top for 50) in order to finally form the top 6: two uni dreams, two medium and two exactly passable. After analyzing my tablets for the compliance of each criterion with my capabilities, I formed this very top program and wrote down the requirements for those that had the nearest deadline.

Photo by the author

Photo by the author

2 Stage: Pass TOEFL, IELTS

Almost all universities take both exams, but if you think not only about the USA, then it is better to take the IELTS, since I saw programs combined with European, English, where they took only it. For some reason, I started preparing for TOEFL six months ago and decided to take it.

The exams are very similar, but IELTS is considered less academic, it is also taken by a real teacher, and in TOEFL you just speak into the microphone of the headphones (many comparisons can be found on the Internet). At first I was preparing for semi-annual courses, but either because of the stretched schedule, or because I didn’t understand what score I needed and why, I think that this training was ineffective.

Therefore, it is ideal to pass a mockup (test test), which simulates all the conditions of the exam, but you do not receive a certificate, it is cheaper to understand the “starting point” and move more clearly towards the desired grade.

Also, a test test shows the conditions of how the exam passes on a computer, and its timing, which are very different from performing tests in a book in class. After the courses I went out completely unsure of my abilities (again, this was a problem of my lack of constitution) and found other intensive monthly courses in IBA (Minsk).

There, classes were held on computers, also before classes, and at the end of the course a free mockup test was given to see progress. I really liked the structured approach to the presentation of materials, working out each type of task and technical capabilities.

I planned that after completing the courses on my own within a month I would bring up weaknesses with a tutor and through online tests Magoosh, which I clearly understood, signed up for the October 28 exam.

The exam was quite comfortable and less stressful than I expected. Three and a half hours of the exam flew instantly. If you do not concentrate on what someone says next, it does not particularly distract. The results came in seven days and in ten they could be downloaded.

It is important that before the day you take the exam on the TOEFL website, you can enter five addresses where they will send the results for free. After delivery, each shipment costs about $ 20. In order not to miss the freebie, I entered the addresses from my top, even if I was not sure that I would go there by points.

An application somewhere can be submitted with an electronic copy of the certificate, and already upon receipt send the originals, but someone only requires the original. As soon as the university received my TOEFL certificate, he attached it to my account, which was displayed in the personal account. Universies require an average of 90 and the most common 100 test scores. In NYU, I saw the requirements in 110, as the specialty implies high communication skills.

In total, you can prepare for the exam in two months, if you spend four hours a day preparing for the preparation. It is important to say that the level of my English was very far from the average and came closer to the intermediate. If you start in advance and be collected, you may be able to avoid the fierce intensity that I had.

Evaluating my time resources, GMAT and GRE, I decided not to pass, although this greatly narrowed the program search range, therefore it is better to plan this test. According to the testimonials, if you have good basic (school) knowledge of mathematics, you can prepare for it in four months. Academic vocabulary strongly intersects with TOEFL.

Test price $ 200, courses $ 250.

3 Stage: Transcripts and Evaluation

Since most of the universities from my top requested not just a scan and a translation of a bachelor's degree, but a confirmed evaluation (certificate) from an agency from the list of NACES that issue it, I decided to do it. The process of collecting requirements was just awful, it was not written anywhere in detail and clearly what should be done and how.

I dug up a bunch of blogs and forums, and now I share the algorithm for obtaining the evaluation in Belarus (similar in Russia). From the agencies that provide this service in the US, I chose ECE in the reviews. I liked the site with detailed instructions for each country, people wrote what they were doing quickly and did not find fault. All confirmed.

The most terrible thing for me was that they needed to send the originals of their diplomas, I read this line dozens of times and found confirmation that everyone is doing so, went to collect documents. However, just a diploma and its supplements for course-by-course-evaluation (subject to review) are not enough. It is necessary to put a seal "apostille" and a piece of paper inside the diploma in the Ministry of Education, that it is real.

By the way, I have a Lithuanian master's degree, there were no apostilles required, and the diploma itself with the attachment has already been translated into English.

I had very little time. Understanding the horror of standing in a queue at a ministry, I decided to order a translation into English, notarization of the notary and apostille in one place - perevedi.by. The guys worked very fast and cool, although the price turned out to be biting - about $ 125.

Before sending documents (originals and translations), I scanned them, created an account on the ECE website, placed an order ($ 160 for course-by-course, $ 60 for courier delivery of documents back) and wrote out the address for sending documents and the order number. I decided to send DHL, I brought the documents, on the envelope, in addition to the address, it is necessary to paste the order number (they gave a sticker). Worth the pleasure of another $ 60.

A week later, in the tracking status of my order, I saw that the documents had arrived and the verification began. By the way, it is not necessary to send a school diploma, bachelor and master (if any) is enough. Despite the Christmas period, the documents were done quickly: ten days later, a courier from DHL called me and brought my originals and the evaluation sheet from the agency back. It all took 20 days.

Total cost: $ 405.

4 Stage: CV, motivation and other essays

First of all, I prepared a CV, based on the example that Marina Mohyhkona sent me a personal consultation. There were examples of other CVs, but I decided to build it on achievements, as Marina recommended. The most difficult thing was to isolate them and remember what other awards and activities you have had since university. I read in blogs that it is important to show in addition to the work of volunteer practice.

An average letter of motivation should take from 450 to 1000 words. Requirements write basic questions that you must answer. Usually this is the rationale for why this particular program is interesting to you, as it relates to your experience, short-term and long-term goals. As you can see, it will not work to write a universal letter.

Each program needs its own adaptation, which demonstrates that you understand what courses you will teach, who the teacher is and what opportunities the university provides to mark this in your motivation.

I tried to tell a story, that is, to place in the center an example from my life or work, which pushed me to submit an application, and also to “sell” myself as much as possible, which was insanely difficult, since it is not customary for us to write such texts, unlike Americans. . My English tutor helped me to check for grammar and style.

In addition to the motivational letter, some universities allow you to add additional essay, in which you can explain, if there are any shortcomings in your application, why it happened (the points are not high enough, a pause in work, did not finish past studies, and so on), self -evaluation essay to assess their qualities and competencies and other issues up to 300 words on specialization requirements.

Only one of the universities that I considered asked to complete a test task. Also, some people ask to record their video business card on 1-3 min.

Stage 5: Filling out an application

To apply, you must register on the university website and fill out a form. They are very similar to each other and vary specific issues, in general, much easier than a visa application form in the United States.

The main blocks are: personal information (name, contacts, gender and age), data about the bachelor (and also attach a scan of the evaluation), a passport, whether a scholarship is needed, work experience (also a CV and a letter of motivation). You also need proof of funds or proof of funds necessary to pay for your studies, but as long as you do not know whether you are enrolled or given a scholarship, you can attach a file where you can write what you will add after enrollment.

In addition to your data, you need to enter the data of the people who give you recommendations (usually they ask for two). You enter their email address, phone number, name - and that's it. They receive a form by email, where they themselves upload a recommendation letter.

Naturally, I prepared the letters in advance: I wrote and sent them to my referees to save them from unnecessary work. The form of a letter of recommendation is on the GMAT website, it is common to all leading universities. Alternatively, other requirements for the form may be specified in the application requirements.

Application to each university is paid: from $ 55 to $ 300. Therefore, if you are served in five places, the amount runs up decent. I wrote to every university, what a cool I am (so that they understand that they are losing a potentially talented candidate) and asked to give me a fee wavier, that is, the opportunity to apply for free. Someone sent a promotional code for a free submission, someone refused, in any case it turned out to save some of the money.

It is important that all correspondence with the commission can be considered as part of your story, so I tried to combine the questions into one letter, not to ask what you can google, be specific and sell yourself.

Applications sent and waiting for the decision of the commission. The next stage is passing the interview via Skype and searching for finance with a positive response.

Stage 6: feedback and interview

As a result, the completely relevant and accepted applications I went to two universities - Northwestern University for the Integrated Marketing Communication program (11 in the ranking of US universities) and San Francisco University for the Master of Science Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The first gave the answer in two months (April) and the second in a month (March).

Exactly on the appointed deadline, I received a response from the USF that they congratulate me on my admission and ask me to add proof of funds to my application, that is, a certificate from the bank about the availability of funds to pay for my studies and life in San Francisco. However, there was no interview at all.

Northwestern University did not send a reply in time. After a long correspondence with the administrations about what kind of response, transfer from one responsible person to another, it turned out that one of my recommenders started downloading the letter of recommendation and did not complete it.

I asked him to fill out the form again, then it turned out that they did not like the recommendation form, but they accepted it and appointed an interview. The interview with the course director lasted 30 minutes and was very positive.

The questions concerned my experience, motivation, understanding of market trends and prospects for data-driven marketing. In conclusion, I was given feedback that I was an overqualified student and they had doubts whether I would be interested, but the confirmation was still sent. Total enrollment occurred in two of the two programs.

Stage 7: seeking funding

The main difficulty of making a dream to study in the USA is the huge cost of education. The program in San Francisco cost about $ 50 thousand, in Chicago - almost $ 100 thousand. After enrollment, I started sending out a lot of letters to the university, funds, and support programs for foreign students about possible full or partial funding. Unfortunately, all university programs support local students or green card.

The only thing I was offered was to apply for a grant based on the achievements of the first semester. Funds do not consider Belarus as a country that needs sponsorship, so they are sent to the embassy or the Ministry of Education (aha). There is still a need to take into account the commercial orientation of the programs (after all, not medicine, the rights of people or engineering) and the fact that you are a white, working heterosexual woman, whose rights no one particularly violates.

Throwing a venture with grants, I began to look for sane loans. You can get them to a foreign student only if you have a local American sponsor. None of the friends who live in the United States, of course, does not want to take such responsibility. There are startups that offer loans without a co-signer, but only for a limited number of programs.

The only thing left is to collect your savings, lend money and rely on the fact that the investment in yourself is the most justified. To confirm the application, it is necessary to show in addition to the amount for the entire course of study, also money for life, and if you go with your husband, also for it.

It turned out about $ 80 thousand. Such a sum was not entirely, but no one bothers to put, for example, $ 30 thousand in one bank to an account, make an extract, withdraw funds, repeat in another, and collect the necessary amount. Extracts in English to me, my husband and parents accepted and sent a package of documents for a visa.

Stage 8: enrollment and visa

The main document that you must send is the I-20 form. If you are traveling with your family, then at her too. In addition, you must register in the list of US students and get the SEVIS number. With this information, fill out a form at the embassy and sign up for an interview.

After reading the information about what they could ask, I collected a huge stack of documents - real estate availability, program information, CV, statement of income, bank references, photos from the wedding (which was just a month before the interview) and photos from the holidays and so Further.

As a result, they asked only for a marriage certificate. They asked why this program, what she did, about her husband, what he would do. We answered honestly that we work in IT, we want to develop this area in Belrusi, but for this we need the best experience from Silicon Valley. The interview lasted about five minutes, our visa was confirmed.

9 Stage: Preparatory Documents

The remaining steps: transfer payment for one semester (via SWIFT and WireFire service, state bank commission from $ 15 thousand fixed, - about $ 16), download an extract from vaccinations, which had to suffer to prove that our vaccine is enough for their requirements Harassment Think About It.

The originals were allowed to give already in place. Accommodation is a separate story, the campus does not offer options for graduate students, you can pay a deposit of $ 300 to be included in a joint search group, but since I was traveling with my husband, the hostel did not suit us either. After a lot of interviews with Americans and tons of correspondence, they rented housing for the first time through the Russian-speaking community in San Francisco.

Stage 10: Arrival

In the US, at the border, we were asked to show a passport and an I-20 form for each person. No questions were asked, they just joked that soon I would be rich and successful. On that positive note, we called Uber and rolled our four suitcases.

The first week of study began with orientation, which told in detail what awaits us, what administrative processes on the documents need to be done, and loaded into the first network-events and IT environment with a tour of Google office in San Francisco. But this is the beginning of a different story.

I hope that my experience will help someone to structure their preparation for admission and believe that if you wish, you can fulfill your dreams, even if they seem completely unrealizable at first glance. If you have any questions, write them in the comments.

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