How to Apply to U.S. Graduate Schools

How to apply to U.S. graduate schools. Includes information on standardized tests.

How to Apply to U.S. Graduate SchoolsU.S. graduate schools are all independent, and each sets its own requirements for admission. Within each school, individual programs may often have different requirements. Begin the process of applying to schools early – we recommend that you start one year before you plan to begin your studies in the U.S.

Please note: Norway (along with the rest of Europe) has now adopted the three-year bachelor degree (3-2 degree system, known as the Bologna Process or, in Norway, Kvalitetsreformen ). A three-year European bachelor degree may not always be enough to be accepted directly into a Master’s degree. Additional courses, taken either at home, or at the U.S. university, may be required.               

Finding Schools:

Obtain information about institutions that offer the program you wish to pursue. Sources of information include:

Internet Sources of Information:

Other Sources:

  • Talk to your professors and advisers. They often know about researchers and universities specializing in your field of study.
  • Consult journal articles in your academic field. Who are the leading researchers? Which universities are they at? This can be a good way to find relevant research centers.

Standardized Tests

Because U.S. universities are so diverse, U.S. schools require all applicants to take one or more standardized tests. International students, whose mother tongue is not English, are also required to take a test of English.

The test results from these tests are among the factors that schools look at when they select students. You should also remember that these scores are the only ones that are directly comparable for all applicants. It is to your benefit to prepare well before taking the tests. The tests cost money and are not offered too often, so you want to get the best possible results on the first try.

Preparation:

Remember to prepare for both the FORMAT and the CONTENT of the tests.

Format: there are two main formats: Paper based tests (pencil and paper) and computer based.  All tests “multiple choice” type questions, and there’s limited time to work on each section of the test. You should familiarize yourself with the format of the test, so that you will encounter no surprises on the test date itself.

Content: Be sure to prepare for the content of the tests. Most Norwegian students do well on the TOEFL test, and if your command of English is good, you may not need to spend a lot of time preparing for this test. Both the GRE and the GMAT tests include verbal and analytical questions. The verbal questions are similar to questions found in the TOEFL test (although TOEFL is for non-native speakers of English, and the GRE and GMAT are primarily designed for native speakers of English). The analytical sections include mathematics and reasoning. If you haven’t had mathematics since videregående skole , we strongly recommend that you spend some extra time reviewing for the tests. Internet information on test preparation: kaplan.com or ets.org .  

When you take the test, be sure to indicate to which schools you want the test results sent. This will save you both time and money later on in the application process.

Application process

Application forms: Most universities now have online forms, which are available from each university’s website.

Apply early. Do not wait for test results. Stated application deadlines are the final date for receipt of applications and supporting documents.  It will be to your advantage to apply before the final deadline. Universities often accept good candidates as their applications are received, and programs may be full by the time the application deadline is there.

Apply to more than one institution. U.S. institutions receive many applications and often cannot accommodate all qualified applicants. It’s a good idea to pick 4-5 universities. Among them, you may want to include some “dream schools” and others that are easier to get accepted to. If you have done your homework well, you should be accepted to more than one school and will be able to make a choice about where to go.

Complete the admission application carefully and legibly.   Always give your name in exactly the same way on the application and on all correspondence. If some of your records are under a different name, be sure you indicate that on the application. Complete all items on the application and submit all documents requested. Don’t leave anything blank – if a question does not apply to you, write N/A (not applicable).

Submit the application fee in U.S. currency with your application.   Most institutions will not process your application without the fee.

Submit official academic records both in the native language and in English.   Official documents (and photocopies) must bear the seal of the school and authorized signature. Records should be submitted for all post-secondary schools attended and should provide a list of courses taken, yearly examination results and conferral of degrees.

Submit letters of recommendation as required by the institution. These letters should be written by professors or others who are familiar with your academic work.

Application essays: many institutions require that you write an essay as part of your application. Be sure to follow the instructions in each school’s application papers closely – each school is a little different, and it is to your advantage to answer the question(s) asked.   Many schools would like to know why you have chosen to apply to that particular school. In other cases, they want to know more about you as a person. For more tips, see the links below or borrow some of the books available on the subject at the Fulbright Office.

Submit verification of stipend or other financial support.

Allow 6-8 weeks after your application file is complete to receive their admission decision.   Many schools, however, send admissions offers only in March and April.

It is courteous to notify an institution if you will not be accepting their offer of admission.

Visa: The process of applying for a visa begins when you have been accepted for a full course of study by an educational institution. The academic institution will send you the papers you need in order to apply for a visa from the U.S. embassy in Norway. Please see the embassy's website for updated information on visa regulations. Do not travel to the U.S. to begin your studies without first having obtained the proper student visa in your passport.