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I enjoy how even when I leave the lab and walk out the building at the end of the day my learning doesn't stop....
Meet Simon McGabe
at University of Missouri - Columbia
(2010 - 2014)
Applying
"The US application process honestly is a little bit more time consuming than the UK one. However, as long as you're prepared and organised early on, then it's by no means insurmountable. Get started early, and be organised."Richard, John Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies
Similar to applying for postgraduate programmes in the UK, students submit a separate application to each postgraduate programme in the US. Students can apply to as many universities as they wish, though for time and cost purposes we recommend you choose 4-6 universities.
Each university will set its own deadlines, applications requirements, etc. Fortunately, most applications will follow a similar format, and you’ll be able to re-use or adapt the materials you prepare for each application.
Most applications will include:
- Application form on which the student will fill out basic information about his/her contact details, schools, marks, work experience, community or school-related activities, etc.
- Admissions Exam Scores which will be sent to the university by the organisation that administered the test
- Transcript, or listing of your academic results
- Personal statement- describing your academic interests, professional and personal goals and relevant experience
- Possibly a separate research statement– describing your research interests and plans
- 2-3 Recommendation Letters
- Possibly a CV listing your professional and extracurricular accomplishments
- An interview may be requested for some students (such as MBA applicants), while an audition is likely to be required for students applying for programmes in the arts
- Arts students may also submit a portfolio of work, while students applying for research-focused degrees may be asked to submit a writing sample
- Application fee of approximately $50-100 per application
The key to submitting a competitive application is to allow plenty of time to complete each of the steps of the process, concentrating the majority of your effort on revising for admissions exams and writing a strong personal statement. If you need extra help studying for admissions exams, preparing your applications, or are interested in an exam preparation course, please see our resources page for information on test tutors and educational consultants. You can also download EducationUSA's handout with Seven Tips For Graduate Study. For MBA programmes, watch a video on Selecting and Applying to MBA Programmes in the US.