A new beginning!

It has been a really long time since I blogged and I was feeling that I might never post here again thanks to my own languidness and demanding course work. Looking back at the last few months though, I must confess the former played a much more prominent catalyst in my decision to stay away from this blog. I hope that I do put up posts with more vigour in the near future though as I find it one intellectual investment worth sticking to.

I have had one complete semester of courses and must say that I was completely disillusioned by the same. I was hoping that I would have research work right from the word go but alas, I am still stuck with more courses to conquer till my screening due in may this year. Looking back at the courses I did take up I must say they were not too challenging. I am just glad I got through the semester with the maximum possible grades.

Some tips for novice grads from what I have learnt in a semester…..

• Try to get through the first semester without a job. If you do take up a job, make sure you use your free time judiciously. I am personally of the opinion that one should stick to fewer courses if s/he has a job going in parallel.
• PhD students should try and make sure they get enough research experience right from the onset of first semester. Though I must agree that courses are a much better option for the first few semesters for those getting into a completely new field.
• Attend conferences as soon as they show up.
• Have textbooks/ references with you as soon as the semester starts. They are valuable in any situation.
• Make sure you have membership of all the pertinent organizations.
• 6) Have a completed and updated resume at all times. Make changes as and when they occur.

Graduate education is a rewarding experience indeed. I am looking forward to my spring semester and hoping that I would do something meaningful this time around.

Some good sources of books:

http://www.amazon.com/

Professional organizations/ societies (check respective websites)

A new beginning

Straight from the Horse’s mouth!

I have seen countless blogs and sites with tons of information for prospective undergrad/grad students going for their education from USA. I would suggest using the most comprehensive tools made available by education usa.

Link: http://educationusa.state.gov/

Go through the publications for certain. They have more comprehensive information than any blog or site.

2nd publication, Link: http://educationusa.state.gov/graduate/pubs.htm

4th publication, Link: http://educationusa.state.gov/life/pubs.htm

Use others as well (for undergrads). Use this resource to the fullest. You can also contact the local offices in some of the major metros in India.

PS: I am not the horse here

$$$ matters

I have been putting aside the task of penning this post for a long time now! Its perhaps the inherent uneasiness I feel when it comes to the money matters or maybe it has more to do with my own “seemingly” never ending laziness!

However, without wasting more time, let me just try and put down the information I wish to share…..

Money is inherent part of our education. More so when it comes to getting an education from the states. One needs to have adequate finances for the entire application, admission and program continuation stages! Sources of the same can vary and is often dependent on many factors. Having said that, let me just pen down the approximate expenses one can expect to incur at each stage under some specific conditions and also some useful tips which might be helpful for the aspirants!

APPLICATION

It would depend on the number of applications and also vary according to the universities as well. But a rough estimate of around $75 for each application should be good for an approximation. Also add the cost of tests (GRE/GMAT/TOEFL) at approximately 300$. Add the cost for sending the applications which would depend on the service used and can go upto as high as 20$ per application for DHL. Also include the cost of sending scores through ETS.

My Expenses: My total application expenditure came close to $1600.

ADMISSION

This stage is one of the most intense with regard to finances if one is planning on masters and has little or no scholarship or other similar financial backing.

Add the cost of Visa application, Any confirmation charges for the university, i20 expenses (these need to be shown at the visa interview), pre-departure shopping, airline tickets, booking, etc!

The i20 expenses will include tuition, living expenses and all other miscellaneous expenses. Typically varies from $10,000 per academic year to as high as $60,000 depending on the university. Normally, living expenses shown in the i20 are way more than what most Indians incur – thanks primarily to the frugal living style, sharing of apartments, etc! Source for the same (i20 expenses) is best shown through a Bank Loan. It is best to source a part of the same through the loan and also, is recommended, that one shows the total amount mentioned for the first year as expenses in the form of liquid assets and rest (second year) as fixed assets. However, this is not a dictum and in many cases; specially with good universities/good academic background, will not be that big an issue.

For PhD candidates, it is normallynot necessary to show for funds as they are fully supported by the university/department/professor! However, if they are not fully funded, the extra amount mentioned in the i20 has to be shown in personal/parental/sponsor assets!

A lot will depend on the university and your confidence level as well. It is normally seen that those going for highly ranked universities are never asked for financials!

My Expenses: My total admission expenditure came close to $1300. I have a fellowship from my University and therefore was in the clear!

PROGRAM CONTINUATION

A stage I am not conversant with since I have not started my program as such. But I am in a position to give a general idea.

Living expenses can vary from as low as $300 to $1000 depending on the state/university. Typical example for the two can be UTD for the former and USC for the latter. In most cases, it is possible to make up for the same by doing an on-campus job. In many universities, it is easy to get one. The best source for information on the same would be the graduate program you are applying to and the students already there in the university! One will also need to pay for the continuing tuition expenses (3 semesters in a year – fall, spring, summer). Private Universities cost more than Public Universities in General. Typically, a masters will last 1.5 to 2 years while a PhD will last from 3 to 6 years! You would also need to pay for health insurance and health care! Apart from these there are some additional fixed expenses that one does incur in States. An important point to take note of is the fact that all earnings for international students in USA are taxable and come under the purview of IRS. Deductions are made at source. (This includes scholarships, fellowships, Graduate assistantships and on-campus jobs/internships, etc!)

SOME USEFUL LINKS:

www.ets.org
https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/
http://www.irs.gov/

Sources of funding for the program can incude external scholarships like those from Private funds, state scholarships (USA), Indian agencies (for indian students), Companies, Universities, Departments, etc. The hunt for funding can be very exhaustive and should be started right from the time one starts the application/initial research stage! It does pay off in many cases!

Best wishes to all prospectives…..

Inches and centimeters…..

Yes! That’s right! I have been banging my head trying to make sure that my Luggage (check in) for the flight does not exceed the size and weight specifications!!! Its a tedious task and to be honest, I don’t even know if its taken with the same dose of seriousness by the airlines. But I want to be prepared nonetheless. I would recommend a laptop backpack for all those guys carrying a laptop as it can not only be used for carrying the same but also used in the college or for laundry and stuff. A good one is a tidy investment indeed.

With a few things to confirm with the airlines, I am all set for my journey about a month in advance. Though I still have a lot of shopping to do, I guess it will all fall in place.

A few pointers for those who are done with their visas.

-> Ask the university for immunization needs. This is important as you might have no time left if this part gets delayed!

-> Make sure that all necessary documents are kept as copies at home before you leave. Also take extra copies with you as your university might want the same when going for orientation!

-> Make the best possible use for the available space (luggage). Don’t try and fit in everything under the sun. In most cases, even the guidelines which I found on the Internet (the now dreaded “things to bring” topics) look like too much! I would suggest a minimal of everything and to buy stuff once you get there to maximize the resources. However, there are quite a few exceptions to this!

-> Open a bank account and keep it joint. Can be easily used for money transfers! There are, however, other methods available!

more to follow!!!

Visa for PhD Applicants!

Some people do get confused when it comes to showing finances specially for PhD studies. The norm (generally) is full funding for such students. If so, be rest assured that there is absolutely NO NEED to show ANY finances (not even for a few initial expenses!!!). All you need to have with you is your i20 and at max, your fellowship/scholarship/assistantship offer letter. If; however, you are partially funded, you will need to show the additional expenses for the 5 years (the duration mentioned in your i20) and show the same if asked for at the VI (chances are less though)!! 

Uncertainities…..

People might ask what C&@p I am talking about. After all, I am done with my visa as well so should be pretty much certain about my future plans atleast for the near term!! Well, honestly, I am a bit apprehensive about the tons of things I need to do which include stuff as thrilling as shopping to things as mundane as getting a hair cut before leaving! The fact is that I am being troubled with everything under the Sun as anything I think of doing seems a confusing errand! A few insights should clear up the air……

1) I decided to finish up with the airline bookings. Though it had seemed a simple enough task at first, it soon turned out to be quite a chore. I had to chip in 4 hours for just one ticket! That too for Air India which honestly speaking has got me really worried! My advice to everyone planning on going is to book the tickets as soon as possible (after your decision) and don’t necessarily wait for your VI!

2) I have to purchase a power convertor (for my laptop) and it’s a must for everyone planning on taking any electronic stuff from India (running on 240V)!

3) I did buy a few apparels and am planning on buying a few more. It depends a lot on the place you are going to stay! I am going to live in Los Angeles so it’s mostly summer all the way!

4) $$$ matters are important and I will discuss them in a post at a later stage (it deserves that much). This too is highly dependent on where you are headed and whether you are going with financial assistantship! Most of the money should of course be carried in the form of TC’s.

Will discuss a few of the troubling (possibly) issues in the next few weeks!!

Visa Dates!

This has been really funny. Each consulate works in its own unique way. While 3 weeks ago, the vfs was showing around 3 weeks of open dates in advance, last week, there were no dates at all (just one in may end). It was a real shocker for me and in many ways has been the reason for me pushing my planned interview from June 1st week to June 2nd. I do hope that I am prepared by then. Just a word of caution for those planning on applying. Please make sure which consulate you are supposed to go and keep track of the slots. While some like Delhi cause no issues, others like Chennai can turn out to be tricky with people eventually resorting to emergency slots!

More later!!

Out of the closet!!

I am back guys!!! After a nerve wrenching 2 months of complete isolation from the blogging world, I finally had to come back to where I belong! I really am sorry for all the readers who might have really taken me for dead with my inactivity for certain…..

coming back to the real story….Life is looking pretty good and am moving towards a new phase with final decision and preparations to be made! I am currently into the so called “visa prep mode” which i will elucidate in due course for my readers many of whom might be hoping for a future grad program in USA. I am also sorry for those who have asked queries but have gone unanswered for so long! It was completely unlike GRAD STUDIES and I promise that I will make the necessary amends. So friends be on a lookout for interesting articles related to visa interview prep, preliminary preps and so on!!!