International Student Forum/ Message Board

I am currently midway through a 3 year degree in England (I finish June 2010). I would like continue my Studies after this and do a Masters Degree in the US.

I have a few ideas of where to continue my study (Computers Technologies) in the US, but I am not sure on how to apply for different things.

When do I need to start applying for a September/October 2010 start?

What type of VISA do I need to apply for? I wouldn't mind being able to work as well to afford to live there.

Any help on this matter would be great, I have googled about for these questions, but couldnt find anywhere to give straight enough answers.

Hi There,

I'm currently working on an MS in Biochemistry in the US, from Canada originally. These answers are based on my experiences.

In my experience, most American schools begin accepting applications for Fall semesters the previous November-ish, often with opportunities to apply up until April or so (though sometimes deadlines for international students are a bit earlier). So, this would put you in the application process in Nov 09 or thereabouts. Definitely figure out which schools you want to apply to by about late summer so you can find out which standardized tests you'll need to take - most American schools require the general Graduate Record Exam (google it) and some require a subject test as well.

As for the Visa, the most common type is the F-1. When you're accepted into a school, they'll send you an I-20, which is the form you'll then need to take with you to the embassy to obtain the F-1 visa. Without the I-20, there's really nothing you can do at this point, though the proactive approach you're taking will be helpful when dealing with US bureaucracy because it moves quite slowly and delays in visa processing are pretty routine. Best to have all your ducks in a row early.

The F-1 visa does allow you to work up to 20 hours a week on campus only. However, since you're applying to a graduate program, I suggest that you apply to a program that will guarantee a teaching or research assistantship. Many schools do provide these. Mine, for example pays $20K USD per year. Having this guaranteed funding will also make it much easier to get the I-20 form sorted out since you need to provide proof of funding before the school will formally admit you and send the I-20. Not to mention that working as a TA or RA looks a lot better on a CV than saying that you worked 20 hours a week at an on-campus coffee shop.

I've done my best to answer your questions - please let me know if you need more information!

Thanks alot for your response. Probably the best reply I could of hoped for.

How many places you recommened I apply to? I have my heart set on going to Upenn (Pennsylvania Uni) at the moment, you see. Ideally, I'd want to be located in that sort of area of the US (wouldn't want to study in New York though - due to expenses!).

Thanks for clearing that work issue up, deffiantely something I would consider.

I agree with naperry, i completed my masters in information systems in dec 07 and also did my undergrad in the US. Obtaining an F-1 visa is relatively easy but you do have to go through a lot of steps so starting early is definitely necessary.

I would suggest going to an american international school in the UK to get ideas on taking the GRE or GMAT (take a couple of months to study for these, they are pretty different from anything in the UK) depending on what your program requires.

They also may be able to give you some info on different universities. Looking for a graduate assistantship is a must and easy to get if you familiarize yourself with the program and the staff.

There are a lot of very good but smaller schools than UPenn, i wouldnt keep your heart set on just one incase you dont get in. In upstate NY there are several SUNY schools that are very good but watch out for the weather in that part of the country, it gets extremely cold in winter.

Hope this helps

Well, the number of places you apply is a personal choice, and depends a lot on a) how much time you have to devote to it (application essays, gathering recommendation letters, etc, takes quite a bit of time) and b) each of these applications will likely have a fee between $50 and $100....which certainly add up. I applied to 4 US schools and 1 overseas. I would think applying to more than 7 or 8 might be overkill, though.

Expenses are definitely a consideration - however, something to keep in mind is that schools that offer the assistantships I was mentioning often adjust for cost of living, so you end up on pretty even footing whereever you go. (ie, a $15000 assistantship in oklahoma would get you as far as a $25000 assistantship in Philadelphia). I agree, though, NY might be kind of an exception. I'm actually studying in North Carolina right now, and it's probably one of the least expensive places to live on the eastern seaboard. (Though a little south of your target I think!) I love it here.

Happy to help! Let me know if I can offer any more info...

Ahh, North Carolina, nice choice. Is the weather better there than, say in the likes of Philli?

Obviously also, apart from the Education side of things (of course, this is impotant), but what is the night life like where you are situated? What am I to look out for?

Really appreciating the responses though guys. I have so many questions to ask about things

I did my undergrad in NY state and my masters in Arkansas which are extremely different. Being from the Portsmouth/Southampton I really miss the sea which sounds stupid but you never appreciate these things until they are gone. I imagine north Carolina has pretty nice weather, most of the east coast has pretty good weather except for the extremes I.e new England and Florida.
Any larger university will have a good social scene (>15,000 people or there about) even here in Arkansas it's not bad at all.

North Carolina is gorgeous. As for the weather, certainly depends what you like. The winters in Pennsylvania get REALLY cold, and I think the summers are pretty mild. NC winters are mild - doesn't usually get much below freezing, and even then, it's only Dec/Jan. I sunbathed at my pool until a few weeks before Halloween. On the other hand, the summers are HOT (often 25-30+ degrees Celsius) and very humid. Depends on what you like - since I'm from canada, all of the Grad schools I applied to were in the Southern US to avoid the snow....

As for nightlife, here in Raleigh is decent. It's not NY or something, but there is always somewhere to go and lots of great little pubs and funky coffeeshops. Couple of nice dance clubs too. I agree that looking for somewhere you'll be comfortable is important, and if that includes nightlife then by all means include it in your criteria. Lots of people take the attitude that "During grad school, you'll be in the lab or studying 24 hours a day, so the location doesn't matter". I tend to disagree with that....it's Grad school, you'll *need* to blow off steam sometimes. Towns that exist almost solely to support the university, (ie, West Lafayette, Indiana, where Purdue is located), generally don't have a lot going on. Sure, there will be a ton of student bars and stuff, but if you want to go out for good sushi or a nice martini lounge or something, you might not have a lot of options.

One other VERRRRRY important thing to consider is whether or not you'll want to own a car, and if not, what the public transportation is like. In raleigh, there's a pretty extensive bus system for the university and the small surrounding area, but if you choose to live a bit further from campus you absolutely need a car. Don't just assume that big cities have good transit, definitely look it up.

Are you planning on taking a research-based or class-based masters program? If research based, definitely look at the individual professors in the department and think about who you might want to work with based on their research. Getting into a great school like UPenn is wasted if you can't find a faculty member you're intersted in working with. As for the choosing a research advisor, that's a whole topic unto itself...

feel free to continue asking questions!! That's what this is here for!

I'm an active outgoing sort of guy and like to go on night outs when possible, so a decent nightlife is essential I suppose. I have friend who is planning on coming along with me, also. This would work in our favour moving out there together I am presuming with costs and everything.

I would consider getting a car deffianately just for the luxury of being able to go wherever, whenever. Do you recommend having a car? Hope that isn't another complicated process.

I didn't know there was two types of programs to go one. I guess I'd probably pick the class based program as I assume there would be more information and support from the tutor?

I know I can't actually apply for anywhere until late 2009 officially, but doesn't hurt researching where I actually want to go first. Knowing there is more places has deffianately opened my choice option up more!

Good idea going with a friend though, yeh?

Definitely moving with a friend will be great. Good to have a roommate you already know rather than looking for one online...not to mention a drinking buddy

Having a car is great for me, again, though, personal preference, and consider how good the public transit is wherever you end up. What you might want to do is wait for a few months and see whether or not you actually need it. Getting a car is not THAT complicated....if you pay cash. If you need to finance it, you need to have credit in the US...any credit cards you have in the UK will not help you, sadly.

Thesis-based and class-based Master's programs are two entirely different beasts. A class based Masters program is more like an extension of undergrad - more difficult classes, more demanding timewise. I wouldn't assume that you'll get more "face-time" with your professors in graduate school than you do in undergrad. A thesis-based masters, though, still involves some classwork (how much depends on the school) but most of your time would be spent working with a faculty member working on your own research project. From what I've heard, a thesis-based masters degree is generally more highly regarded simply because it involves more of your own creativity and skill than does a class based program. If you're interested in research, I'd definitely recommend going that route - it's difficult but rewarding.

Definitely spend as much time as you can researching schools!!! No such thing as too much info.....