step 3: tips for a winning application to u.s. universities 2015
TRANSCRIPT
Shawn LentEducationUSA Advising Coordinator - Cairo
Yasmine ElRoweiny EducationUSA Adviser – Cairo
Reem Abou ElenainEducationUSA Adviser - Alexandria
Your EducationUSA TeamAt AMIDEAST/Egypt
EducationUSA can help you every step along the way.5 Steps to U.S. Study
1.Research Your Options
2.Finance Your Studies
3.Complete Your
Application
4.Apply for Your Student
Visa
5.Prepare for Your Departure
Let’s Begin
What Are They Looking For?
A Student Who Will Not Struggle in His/Her
Classwork
A Student Who Will Be Social and Active Outside the
Classroom
A Student with Developed and Documented
Athletic or Artistic Talent
A Student With Strong English Proficiency (especially academic writing)
A Student with a Compelling Story to Share
Bright Character, Passion, Maturity, Independence, and Goals
A Student Who Wants to Be There and Knows Why, Not Based Solely on Rank
A Student Who is Capable of Completing the U.S. Program
Financially
Assess your own strengths and weaknesses.Have I Got What It Takes?
Applications are reviewed holistically - There is not a single disqualifying factor in any given application.
Make Yourself More Competitive. Stand out. Address any hindering weaknesses – If you did
not have outstanding academic performance, you may want to consider accumulating relevant experience or (re)taking the test to increase your chances.
Change of Career – Not always a disadvantage. Is there anything in your current career that has peaked your interest in or prepared you for a new field?
Gaining Work and Volunteer Experience – Always gives you a competitive edge when relevant. It is oftentimes required because of the unique perspective it allows you to bring to the table.
Every little piece counts. And every university is different.The “Application Package” for the U.S.
• Application Fee and Form – Your answers to questions
and lists.
• Statement of Purpose and other Essays
• 2-3 Recommendation Letters
• Official Academic Records/Transcripts in sealed enve-
lope
• Exams (SAT/ACT, GRE, GMAT) Scores sent from testing
agency.
• TOEFL iBT (or IELTS) Results sent from testing agency.
• Writing Samples, Research Papers, Portfolio, Other
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• Financial Aid Form and Documents as Proof
• Interview
• School Form: details of your high school. For Common
App only.
Tips for a Winning Application Package
TIP ONE: Start Early
TIP Two: Know Yourself
Top Rank or High GPA
English Proficiency
High Test Scores
Other Courses/ Rigor of classes
Stand Out Behaviors
Honors and Awards
What are your… Academic Strengths?
Character and Passion
Great Stories/ Culture to
Share
The First or The Only
Flexible and Well-Rounded
Experience and Goals
Talents in Arts or Athletics
What are your… Personal Strengths?
Personal Savings
Family Contribution
Clarity of Documents
Knowledge of the System
Demonstrated Need
Honest and Trustworthy
What are your… Financial Strengths?
TIP THREE: Know Your Schools
Know the Schools on Your List
Who is there?What will you be doing?Where is the university?When will you be there? Will anything exciting be happening there at that time?Why do you think it is a fit?
Institution
Academic Personal Financial Application Details
University A
• 65% admitted• Flexible program
• New lab facility opening in
2016
• Great city• Free Trips• Laid back
atmosphere
• Low total cost• No aid
• $8,000 projected net cost
• Rolling Deadline• No tests• E-mailed
University B
• 11% admitted• High ranking
• Laptop/Wifi• Near beach• Values and adventurous
spirit
• High cost• Scholarships• $8-18,000
projected net cost
• Deadline 11/1•SAT required &TOEFL 85
University C
• 48% admitted• Unique classes
• Arab music and dance club• Quiet town
• Global Citizen
• Medium cost• Guaranteed
academic scholarship
• $7,000 projected net cost
• Deadline 1/1• SAT or TOEFL
Chart Your Options
Double Check it is the ‘Best Fit’
Is it accredited? (www.chea.org )Are there 5-10% international students on campus?Is the location good?Cost of Living Near to friends and/or relatives Urban or rural? What climate?Do you match the academic and personal profile of the average applicant? Does it offer Financial aid you are eligible for? Or is it affordable?Is there research being done on your focus of specialization?Do any faculty members share your focus of specialization? Read their publications and make connections.
TIP FOUR: Consistent Name
TIP FIVE: Stay Organized and Professional
Read the Directions.
TIP SIX:
Follow them!
*Remember that in the U.S., dates are month/day/year.
TIP SEVEN:
Undergraduates: Aim for Early Decision/ Early Action I and II, or Priority Deadlines
Graduates: Before deadline.
Leave no holes in your application. Use N/A.
TIP Eight: Apply Early and Completely
Make a copy.
TIP NINE:
TIP TEN: Follow Up. Then Be Patient.Hardest part of the admissions process
Appropriate follow-up and communication with university offices and faculty
Time for a Little Review
1. Start Early.2. Know Yourself.3. Do your Research: Know Your Schools.4. Use a Consistent Name.5. Stay Organized and Professional.6. Read the directions.7. Follow them!8. Apply early and completely.9. Keep a copy.10. Follow up. Then be patient.
Letters of Recommendation
This is the one part of the application package
where you have no direct control.
Purpose of a Recommendation A recommendation is a personal
account of one’s accomplishments, academic/ professional qualities, and experiences that are related to the program.
Rather than certificates, a recommendation letter backs-up a student’s claims and presents a complete picture of the candidate, based on what they have witnessed regarding your development and achievements accomplished.
“I recommend Mona for study in the USA.”
Who to Ask?
2-5 People who know you well. Be selective. 2 Teachers, professors, tutors, or deans –
People who have known you for 2+ years and can attest to your academic abilities, regardless of their professional stature.
1 Boss, supervisor, employee, or colleague - Recommendation from someone in the field you wish to pursue. Someone who can provide evidence of your professional abilities and potential.
Never ask family or friends, unless the university application specifically asks for this.
What if my recommender cannot
provide a letter in English?
An official translation is acceptable.
Recommendation Types
Online1. Student provides e-mail
address for each recommender.
2. Recommender receives e-mail with prompt.
3. Completes letter form online or uploads a signed and scanned PDF.
Written• Typed on school
letterhead (or form) and signed.
• In sealed envelope with signature across seal.
• If copied, signatures should be original and school stamp on all copies.
• One page is sufficient.
Dealing with Recommenders
• Let your recommenders know as early as possible why you have chosen them and what you will be asking them to do.
• Do not give up if someone refuses.• Provide your recommenders ample
time (4-6 weeks) to write.• Meet with them in person to share
important information.• Follow-up with them.• Thank your recommenders.• Let them know if your applications
were successful.
Things to Discuss with your Recommenders
Deadline and process/prompts
Transcripts/School Records: How have your grades improved over the years? What are consistently your strongest/weakest areas?
Recent resume and Career goals
Theme of your application Components of a Letter of
Recommendation Why do you want to study
in the U.S.? Degree or non-degree program, scholarship, other?
Recommendation Letter Components• Date, Signature and Letterhead/Stamp
• Addressed to a particular person or panel• Context: Who? Where? What? When?• How long and how well you know the student• Student’s strengths in the form of
stories/evidence: - Academic ability and Intellectual curiosity
– Determination and extent of effort– Work habits: punctual, reliable, thorough,
innovative…– Team player? Effectiveness in groups– Communication skills – written, speaking
• Student’s assets outside of the classroom when known (clubs, community service, arts, athletics, leadership...)
• Do you recommend them to study in the U.S.?
Remember
Your application package is the only thing they have to compare you to other applicants.
Remember
Your application is their first impression of you.
Remember
The application package defines who you are and what you will add to the institution.
Meet Ramy• 2.8 GPA student• TOEFL: 85• SAT: 1850• Developed websites for MOE• Volunteers with Resala every week• Wants to study Computer Engineering
because he like it• Works to support himself after parents died
EducationUSA.state.gov
Meet Maha• 3.8 GPA Student• TOEFL: 90• SAT: 1760• Artist, participates in exhibits• Gives “Ramadan bags”• Wants to study Art Therapy to help Egyptians with
post-traumatic stress, cancer, and other ailments• Would be first one in her village to study in the USA
EducationUSA.state.gov
Meet Peter• 4.0 GPA Student• TOEFL: 112• SAT: 2260• Volunteers with his church• Involved in drama team and acting• Wants to study Comparative Literature• Comes from a wealthy family / No brothers or sisters• Wants another university more
EducationUSA.state.gov
Meet Noha• 3.5 GPA Student• TOEFL: 103• SAT: 2100• Participated in YES exchange• Helps to clean/paint streets• Wants to study Political Science• Comes from a middle-income family• Fantastic essay and really wants it (Early Decision)
EducationUSA.state.gov
Who Would You Choose? Let’s Vote.
EducationUSA.state.gov
Who votes Ramy?• 2.8 GPA student• TOEFL: 85• SAT: 1850• Developed websites for MOE• Volunteers with Resala every week• Wants to study Computer Engineering
because he like it• Works to support himself after parents died
EducationUSA.state.gov
Who votes Maha?• 3.8 GPA Student• TOEFL: 90• SAT: 1760• Artist, participates in exhibits• Gives “Ramadan bags”• Wants to study Art Therapy to help Egyptians with
post-traumatic stress, cancer, and other ailments• Would be first one in her village to study in the USA
EducationUSA.state.gov
Who votes Peter?• 4.0 GPA Student• TOEFL: 112• SAT: 2260• Volunteers with his church• Involved in drama team and acting• Wants to study Comparative Literature• Comes from a wealthy family / No brothers or sisters• Wants another university more
EducationUSA.state.gov
Who votes Noha?• 3.5 GPA Student• TOEFL: 103• SAT: 2100• Participated in YES exchange• Helps to clean/paint streets• Wants to study Political Science• Comes from a middle-income family• Fantastic essay and really wants it (Early Decision)
EducationUSA.state.gov
Who Gets Accepted?
EducationUSA.state.gov
Brand New Website!EDUCATIONUSA.STATE.GOV
Other Tools and Resources
AMIDEAST.ORGInformation on testing, test prep, and fields of study.
COLLEGE BOARD.COMFantastic tools and resources for undergraduate study, incl. SAT.
PETERSONS.COMFantastic tools and resources for graduate study, incl. GRE.
CHEA.ORGDatabase of accredited American education institutions.
US EMBASSY CAIROInformation on Student Visas and list of exchange programs.
NUMBEO, FOREIGN CREDITS, ETC. Cost of Living comparison, GPA calculator, and more.
Our Facebook CommunityStudy USA -Egypt
www.youtube.com/EducationUSAEgypt
@EducationUSAEG
Thank you and Good Luck!
19263
Q&A
Ask your questions about Letters of Recommendation.