What career do I want to pursue? Is employment available in my country in this field? What advanced degree is required to enter this profession?

Speak to people already working in the field and to representatives of professional associations. Educational advisers or career advisers in your country may also have information about the skills and background required for various professions, as well as knowledge of the need for professionals in different fields in your country.

How will study in the United States enhance my career? Will a graduate degree help me earn a higher salary?

Consult educators, government officials, and working professionals in your country about the value of U.S. study for you at this stage in your career, including any increased earning potential. Take into account in your planning any revalidation or certification requirements for employment in your particular field when you return home.

What is the system of recognition for U.S. degrees in my country?

In many countries, a U.S. degree is highly valued, and recognition of degrees is straightforward. However, in some countries, particularly those with educational systems markedly different from that of the United States, graduate degrees from the United States may not be officially recognized, or they may be recognized at a different level. If this is the case, you may still wish to consider U.S. study to gain knowledge and experience. Check on the situation in your country with your nearest EducationUSA information and advising center or with the ministry of education or other appropriate authority before you begin your applications. Refer to the section on accreditation. This step is especially important if you are planning to undertake a professional program in the United States, because requirements for professional education usually are rigorously upheld and vary greatly from country to country.

Below is the recommended timetable for applying to universities in the United States. It is sometimes possible to complete the process more quickly, but you may have a much more limited choice of schools. Planning ahead gives you sufficient time to make successful applications to the universities of your choice. 12 TO 18 MONTHS PRIOR to the academic year in which you hope to enroll, begin to consider, research, and do the following:

• What are your reasons for wanting to study in the United States?
• Which universities offer your subject and specialization?
• Will you need financial assistance?
• Begin narrowing down your choices of schools to approximately 10 to 20 institutions, and make sure they meet your academic, financial, lifestyle, and other needs.
• Find out application deadlines. This will affect when you take the standardized tests required for admission since test results must reach admissions offices
  no later than these deadlines. The tests should be taken in advance of submitting university application forms.
• Register to take paper-based GRE Subject Tests if required by the universities to which you are applying.

Time Line / Check List

12 MONTHS PRIOR to enrollment, start to complete the following (months indicated are estimates):

August

Continue narrowing down your choice of schools.  While some students apply to more, 5 to 10 well-researched choices are sufficient.

• Contact universities for application and financial aid forms and catalogs.
• Register to take the TOEFL and the GRE General Test, GRE Writing Assessment, GMAT, or other admissions tests, as necessary

September – December

Continue narrowing down your choice of schools.  While some students apply to more, 5 to 10 well-researched choices are sufficient.

• Request official transcripts from your undergraduate institution.
• Brief your recommenders and request letters of reference from them.
• Draft personal statements or statements of purpose and research proposals, if requested.
• Submit completed application forms (for admission as well as financial aid).
• Double check that transcripts and references have been sent.
  
• Take the necessary admissions tests.

January – March

• University application deadlines must be met.

April – June

• Letters of acceptance or rejection arrive. Decide which university to attend, notify the admissions office of your decision, complete and return any forms they require.
• Send letters of regret to those universities you turn down.
• Organize finances (arrange to transfer funds to a U.S. bank; make sure you have funds for travel and expenses on arrival).
• Finalize arrangements for housing and medical insurance with your university.
• Notify any sponsoring organizations of your plans.

June – August

• Use information from your Form I-20 or DS-2019 to fill out the SEVIS Form I-901 and pay the $100 required SEVIS fee (see SEVIS information for description of SEVIS form and fee).
• Upon receipt of your I-20 and SEVIS I-901 payment receipt, apply to your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for a visa. This should be as far in advance of your departure date as possible (see "Visas").
• Contact your nearest EducationUSA information and advising center to let them know that you have been accepted to a U.S. institution.
• Make travel arrangements, planning to arrive in time for the university's orientation program.
• Contact the International Student Office at your university with details of your arrival plans, and confirm details of any orientation for new students held by the university.