Graduate School Admissions, Step 1: Know The Main Factors in College Admissions
In this post, we are going to look at step 1, which is KNOW the main factors in college admission. In this step, I am going to briefly talk about the five main factors in college admission and then a couple of other factors that universities use in determining whether to accept you into their university or not.
In this step, I am giving an overview of the factors because it is very important to be familiar with these factors so you will know what is expected of you. Let’s now look at the first factor factors.
I.Five Factors. There are 5 factors that are the most important factors that determine whether an international student gets into a university. Here are those factors:
English Proficiency is the most important for international students. Common tests are the TOEFL and the IELTS and most universities accept both scores.
Grades is another important factor for international students. The most important grades are the last two years of college for graduate degree admissions. They are looking here for the grades in your undergraduate degree. Some universities put on their website the minimum grade point average that is accepted for application.
A third factor is Admission Tests. There are two tests that are used for graduate entrance. One test is called the GRE and the other is called the GMAT. Many schools require students to take either the GRE or GMAT test. Some schools like business schools will only accept the GMAT. There are some, however, that do not require those tests or those tests are optional. There are certain majors that also require a test in your field and these are called GRE subject tests. They are in the following fields: biology, chemistry, literature in English, mathematics, physics and psychology.
A fourth factor is the Personal Statement/Essay. Now, most universities require students to write a personal statement. Some universities call this essay a personal statement and others call it a statement of purpose or an application essay. Most of these essays are in written form but some universities will also require an additional video essay.
A fifth is Recommendations. Many universities require 3 letters of recommendation. You can get recommendations from professors and especially professors who you took more than one course from and those courses were in your major. Some students will also get a letter of recommendation from an employer. If you had a job that relates to the major, it is a good idea to get a recommendation from that employer. You can also get a recommendation letter from one of your teachers at the Language Institute. To select the teacher, choose a teacher whose course you did well in, and if you had a teacher for more than one course, then that would be the best choice.
II.Know the Other Factors.
There may be other factors that decide whether a student is admitted into a university. These factors vary from university to university and within each university. Different majors require different skills and experience so these factors differ.
1. A Portfolio. Some majors in particular require a portfolio, which is a collection of the work you have done in that major.
2.Interview. Some universities require an interview in order to be accepted into their program.
3.An Audition. Some majors like music or voice majors require an audition. In other words, you have to give a performance in order to be accepted in their program.
4.Work experience. Some degree programs will not accept a student unless that student has had 5 or more years of work experience in their majors. This requirement is often the case for business schools.
III.Where to Find the Factors Required for Each University.
Unfortunately, each university differs on what they require and also different majors in a school often have different requirements.
1.Specific Department’s website. Some universities will put all the requirements for a specific major like mechanical engineering or architecture on the website for that degree. Others will just put some of those requirements on the department’s website and then refer you to graduate admissions with the other requirements. Some departments will explain in detail what determines admission and what prevents a student from gaining admission.
Here is an example from Georgia Tech’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, https://www.ece.gatech.edu/graduate-admissions
“The admission committee considers several factors when making admission decisions: your academic performance at prior institutions (GPAs), your GRE test scores, your statement of purpose, and your letters of recommendation. All of these factors are important, and your application will be strengthened if your GRE scores are at or above these average values. If your GRE scores are lower than these averages, your chances for admission will be reduced. The minimum scores that are needed to be considered for the program are 146/V, 155/Q, and 3.5/AW. Due to the volume of admission correspondents, emails and phone calls are highly discouraged when pertaining to the GRE cut-off scores. It is the discretion of the applicant to make the decision as to whether to apply, though we welcome all applicants. Furthermore, meeting or exceeding these average numbers for GRE scores does not guarantee admission.”
2.Graduate Admissions website. You also want to look at the graduate admissions website as it typically provides the factors required by all majors in order to gain admission. The site often provides other helpful information like frequency asked questions (FAQ).
3.International Students. There is typically a tab for international students where information is provided like English proficiency tests.