Undergraduate Admissions Process

celectedu

Undergraduate Admissions Process

High School academic record, SAT® scores (when required), personal essays, recommendation letters from teachers, and financial statements are the key elements that form a part of undergraduate applications. The choice of courses available is varied and exhaustive.

Most universities in the US and UK have academic sessions starting in Fall (August/September) and Spring (January/February). It is advisable to apply about six months prior to your intended date of enrolment. But don’t forget to check the application deadline of each university.

Few top Universities such as Harvard, MIT, Yale, etc. give upto 100% Need Based scholarships. Their admission policy is need-blind. Few top Universities such as Brown, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, etc. give upto 100% Need Based aid. However, their admission policy is not need-blind. Few top Universities such as Cornell, Duke, etc. give a combination of need-based and merit-based scholarships upto 100%. A lot of schools give merit based scholarships upto 100%. Students with SAT scores more than 1400 can look forward to scholarships provided they choose their universities carefully. Part-time jobs are also available on campus, and students can expect to cover a part of their living cost by working part time, so earn as you learn.

Admission Procedure FAQs:

How do I find the right university for me?

First, you must have a clear idea of what you wish to study and what kind of school you are looking for. There are also financial considerations to take into account, and the cost can vary enormously from institution to institution. The field of study, geography, and cost will help you narrow down your selection. The next step is to contact the universities that appeal to you and obtain information from them. As it can take some time to complete the application process, the earlier you begin the better it is for you. Start your search at least 12 months in advance; if you are planning to begin your studies in fall 2019, you should start contacting universities in the fall 2018. Most universities admit new students twice a year.

What is the application process?

Once you have gathered all the information and application forms from the universities that interest you, read them carefully and follow the instructions. Most require you to fill an application form and submit it, along with your educational qualifications, test results, one or more letters of recommendation from former teachers or employers, personal essays and statement of purpose, financial affidavits, and applications for scholarship if any. They will also require that you pay an application fee.

Which tests are required to seek admission in universities abroad?

The standardized tests required for admission vary from country to country and from course to course. All universities in the United States require applicants to take ‘standardized tests’ designed to measure students’ aptitude for further study. Students whose native language is not English must also demonstrate their proficiency by taking the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Graduate schools of business and MBA programs usually require the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT); post-graduate programs in other disciplines require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Students going right after their class 12th for undergraduate programs needs to take the SAT I and SAT II tests.

Who takes a decision on admissions?

The admissions office in the university is responsible for receiving applications, credentials, test results, letters of recommendations and application fees. When a file is complete, it is reviewed and a decision taken on admission. For post-graduate admission, the file is referred to the department to be reviewed by professors who make the final decision. A decision of admission could take between one month and six months depending on the university though most decisions take about two to three months.