<p>We can always start with the basics of what our application packet should really contain. It's a high time we learn this things so that it won't pester us much while we apply. So, that then we know exactly what we are doing. Currently, we shall start with basics. By June, Common app website will presumably be updated and many other colleges will also do the same with their application requirements. Then we shall sail a bit in depth. </p>
<p>'Application packet' term should encompass topics on all items whether it be common application forms, college supplement, our portfolio, financial documents / form (ISFAA, CSS PROFILE etc.)...</p>
<p>When we apply with a fee-waiver request, do colleges waive the entire fee? And is the fee-waiver application sent along with the application packet or separately?</p>
<ol>
<li>Send the Common Application online. Its the safest and most reliable method. </li>
<li>Your application packet should include: the supplement (if there is one), the International Student Financial Aid Application, Certification of Finances and any other documents about your finances (bank statement, employer’s letter etc), all supplemental material (music CDs, writing portfolio, photography portfolio etc) and fee waiver. </li>
</ol>
<p>About the fee waiver, it’d be easier if your school could type up a short letter explaining the situation and the financial burden of paying the application fee for every college and stamp it. You should just send that along with the rest of your package. </p>
<p>Snail mail? What do you want to know? If you use normal government mail, there’s no telling when it’ll get there (or even if it will). UPS, FEDEX, DHL, TNT will all set you back Rs 1500-2500 a packet (maybe even more). I remember spending more than Rs 20,000 of my own money on the application process.</p>
<p>Snail mail fees depend on each country. Caveat emptor; each applicant should decide which method of post is best.</p>
<p>My friend in Vietnam spent about 50 USD per school, to send it via EMS. I’m in Singapore, and I put a regular stamp (1.50 USD) and my financial aid forms and letters got to MIT, Wellesley, Princeton, Harvey Mudd, Reed just fine.</p>
<p>Ceveat emptor indeed. I was replying to Gurung, who’s in Nepal. Unlike Singapore and the US, Nepal’s postal service isn’t really that great. Packages are often lost, and sometimes, aren’t even sent out. I’ve had them lose two packages of mine already. Also, I don’t think they have a tracking system.</p>
<p>Please, also answer the first queschun of my secnd post and the following ones.</p>
<p>With the EMS and other snail mails, isn’t EMS way cheaper but is it reliable?? Do all of the pre-mentioned postal services in Nepal have tracking system?</p>
<p>Can’t we compile all our portfolio (of whatever written, photographic) in a C.D.? why hardpaper?</p>
<p>LASTLY, please elaborate a bit on other financial documents besides CSS and ISFAA. Like what the bank and employer statement must contain (content wise)?</p>
<p>If the college waives your fee, it will waive the entire fee and not just a portion. </p>
<p>‘Snail mail’ is usually used for letters and things that are posted by hand. Its called snail mail because of email, which is instantaneous. It doesn’t really have a specific definition and doesn’t really apply to a specific thing. Its a blanket term for posted things that take a long time to arrive. Courier service is services like DHL, FedEx, EMS etc that deliver faster but charge more. They offer tracking services and also responsibility for delivering your mail.</p>
<p>EMS is cheaper and pretty reliable. It’s never let me down but a few friends of mine have complained that their packages got lost. And all the other courier services have tracking, EMS too. </p>
<p>You can compile your portfolio in whatever way possible. A friend of mine made a PDF file of all his photographs, another friend made a folder out of scrap paper and made an actual portfolio of photographs, another friend made slides of all his photographs, I also made a simple folder with all my writing and articles in it. </p>
<p>What your college requires is the ISFAA and Cert. of Finances along with some document that verifies whatever you claim on those forms. Usually, a bank statement and an employer’s letter will suffice. Content wise? Depends on how much you can pay. Be truthful. Very few people in Nepal can afford the total costs of education in the US and they don’t expect you to. Just show it as it is. If you can afford it, pay it. </p>
<p>Also, the CSS profile and Certification of Finances are two different things. The CSS profile is for Americans while the Certification of Finances is for us internationals.</p>
<p>thanks for the help. by the way i heard that some colleges send letters here by snail mail… what for? ani, oh yes! you know we are required to submit the official transcripts of our school and college (of recent four years). So, attestation of the photocopies of such documents can be done from our own college or d we have to necessarily rush to USEF for its attestation?</p>
<p>courier companies have started to give out 50% discount on prices for universities and college applications. EMS will cost 1200 and DHL and skynet after the 50% disount will cost the same. so its better using courier service with discount on university application. EMS takes 7 days while other courier services will deliver them within 3-4days.</p>
<p>@gurung:
attestation can be done at college no need to go to USEF.
and most US colleges send letters by snail mail (to cut costs, obviously) except in case of acceptance packages (which usually they send by courier).</p>
<p>@gurung
In bnks we did all of our attestations from a school official. we can also get the documents attested from USEF. Colleges do use snail mail a lot of times. some even send acceptances using snail mail. colleges will only use courier services to send acceptance letters and I-20 forms.</p>
<p>If suppose we are sending reccomendations, from our past employers (like from social organizations or national magazines etc. Do they need to be attested (do all photocopied materials need to be attested?</p>
<p>1) Are the financial forms sent along with the rest of the application (i.e. with the transcripts and all)?</p>
<p>2)OK. now lets see… the application packet, supposedly reaches the adcom. So I guess, the next thing would be to check whether it has reached there or not…
So is it that college notifies the respective student of the procurement of their application?</p>
<p>I guess, they provide you with a ID and password to check the status of your application… SO, is it that unless all of the application materials +SAT I/II ,TOEFL scores+financial applications , they wont care to look at your application? Or do they?</p>