HELP! -- Applying to US Colleges for Masters.

[meghna0314]

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I am a 2nd year student from Kolkata, India. I am currently pursuing Political Science Honors under Jadavpur University.
My concerns about applying are as follows:
- Most Universities need a 16 Year Study background, where as I only have 15. (This is because EVRY Arts course in India culminates on the 3rd year)
- I wish to pursue International Relations or International Law. I need clarification however on what I need to do to prepare for the same. (Only GRE? GRE Subject Tests? TOEFL?)
- My extra curriculars, though varied, are restricted to the State Level. (Rowing, Debating). However, I have been a on a high Leadership Role in AIESEC for over a year and have recommendations for the same, and also Summer Internship Experiences in respected firms. (Is that enough? I still have time to add to my CV)
- Lastly, I need to get an idea about the scope for Scholarships. Though I would really appreciate getting to an A Grade University, it will be redundant without the aid. Suggestions for schools are also appreciated. </p>

<p>It would be GREAT if I can get a clear perspective in this matter.
Thank you! :)</p>

[hopingforbetter]

<p>Your last post dates to December 2010!!</p>

<p>1) Most universities require a 16 year study background because they don’t accept the 3-year Indian bachelor degrees. But there are colleges that accept the 3-year degrees. Also there can be a way, so email those universities that require 16 year study background and explain your situation. They might do something, but I am not sure if that would help.</p>

<p>I found something here:[Master’s</a> Degree Programs In USA For International Students - Postgraduate Programs In US - Postgraduate Degree In The United States of America](<a href=“http://www.indobase.com/study-abroad/countries/usa/master-programs-in-usa.html]Master’s”>Master's Degree Programs In USA For International Students - Postgraduate Programs In US - Postgraduate Degree In The United States of America)
And I quote:

The basic requirement to apply for a Master’s Degree course in USA is to first complete a bachelor’s degree. Students who have completed only a three year degree can register for one year university affiliated program in their country that corresponds to the fourth year of a US undergraduate course.

</p>

<p>On the Harvard website:

Applicants whose native language is other than English and who do not hold the equivalent of a US Bachelor degree from an institution at which English is the language of instruction must submit scores from the Internet based test (IBT) of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

</p>

<p>2) I don’t think Political Science or International Relations require any GRE Subject Test. So you must take only GRE and TOEFL.</p>

<p>3) I am unaware of the CV thing.</p>

<p>4) Financial Aid and Scholarships depend on amount of your need. Specify the reuirement and then, someone can help.</p>

[hopingforbetter]

<p>A very helpful thread on Graduate Admissions by molliebatmit:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/graduate-school/348756-graduate-school-admissions-101-a.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/graduate-school/348756-graduate-school-admissions-101-a.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

@molliebatmit

</p>

<p>Graduate schools are looking for future scholars in your field, not “well-rounded” students.
Very broadly speaking, graduate schools care a lot about your letters of recommendation and your statement of purpose – the essay you write about why you want to attend graduate school in a particular field, and what your qualifications are. In some fields, admissions committees care about things like undergraduate research, writing samples, your work or internship history, or an in-person interview. Graduate schools generally do not care about extracurricular activities whatsoever unless they’re directly related to the field you want to study – often there’s not even a place to write about extracurriculars on the application. </p>

<p>Graduate school admissions are not usually as numbers-based as undergraduate admissions.
We can’t tell you the magic GPA or GRE score that will help you get into the program of your dreams. And actually, that data’s not even generally available on the web – very few programs publish their average GPAs or average GRE scores. That’s because those numbers aren’t usually used as major determinants of your status; a bad GPA/GRE score will probably hurt you, but a good one definitely won’t secure you a spot. You should try to do your best in college and get a good GPA and good GRE scores, but there’s probably no number that’s going to absolutely keep you out of every program.

</p>