Thursday, June 28, 2012

Documents required for F1 Visa Interview

Please take the originals for all the documents except where mentioned. Also keep a copy for each, in case you are asked.
  • Visa Interview Confirmation Letter
  • DS-160 Confirmation page
  • HDFC Bank Receipt
  • Latest Degree certificate
  • Latest Transcripts
  • I-20
  • Acceptance Letter from University
  • Passport
  • Proof of Financial Support
  • Note: Keep a copy of all the documents, just in case you are asked.
  • Optional - Resume / CV
  • Optional - Passport Photo

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Revised GRE vs Old GRE

Old GRENew GRE
Until July 31, 2011
Effective since Aug 1, 2011
Score Range: 200-800,
Point increments by 10
Score Range: 130-170,
Point increments by 1
No Calculator
On screen calculator available. Note that, using calculator might slow you down
Cannot go back to a previous questionCan go back
Adaptive questionsNOT Adaptive

Things to know:
  • No more synonyms & antonyms
  • New Text Completion questions test your ability to interpret, evaluate and reason from what you've read. Text Completion questions test this ability by omitting crucial words from short passages, requiring you to fill them in by selecting words or phrases.
  • New Sentence Equivalence questions test your ability to reach a conclusion about how a sentence should be completed while focusing on the meaning of the whole sentence.
  • Special discount of 50% on the GRE exam fee if you take the test between Aug 1 and Sep 30. Scores for the tests taken during this period will be sent in mid-November.
  • Multiple correct choice questions - More than one answer may be correct
  • New question types in GRE, like selecting the sentences from the passage which meets a certain description. Clicking anywhere on the sentence highlights the passage.

Verbal Section:

  • Reading Comprehension - Three types of questions
    • One answer choice (Select only one)
    • One or more answer may be correct (Select all that apply)
    • Select-in passage - Select the sentence from the passage which meets a certain description. Clicking anywhere on the sentence highlights the passage.
  • Text Completion - A sentence or a small passage with one or more blanks and 3 choices of each blank are given. You need to choose one (out of 3) choice for each blank
  • Sentence Equivalence - Find the words which fill the given sentence with the same or similar meaning. You need to select 2 out of 6 choices. Partial choices are not given any points.

Math Section:

  • Multiple-choice Questions — Select One Answer Choice
  • Multiple-choice Questions — Select One or More Answer Choices
  • Numeric Entry Questions
  • Quantitative Comparison Questions

Study Material


One of the best online study material for New GRE - Magoosh, Click here. Special offer of 50% is available until July 31, 2011 [Sunday] using code 50percent. The default package includes both Math and Verbal. Math only or Verbal only options also available. Magoosh provides video explanation for each question, select the type of questions you want to answer, answer unanswered questions, review incorrect answers. Try the limited one week trial questions for FREE to see for yourself.

Source: ets.org

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Steps to do MS in US


  1. Decide on the time line. When do you want to start your masters? Which year and semester?
  2. Financial Preparation
  3. Prepare for GRE and TOEFL
  4. Register for GRE and TOEFL exams
  5. Research on the universities, based on your interests
  6. Based on the scores you get from the sample tests, decide on the universities
  7. Take the tests. Report to four schools for free
  8. Prepare the required documents for application
    1. Transcripts (sealed)
    2. Degree certificate (sealed)
    3. Resume
    4. Experience Certificate
    5. Recommendation Letter (sealed)
    6. Bank Statement
    7. Affidavit of Support
    8. Statement of Purpose
  9. Report the exam scores to the universities
  10. Prepare the application package for each university you wish to apply and post them well before the deadline.
  11. Schedule Visa Interview (F1 Student Visa)
  12. Documents required for visa interview
  13. Fees for F1 Student Visa
  14. Block flight ticket?
  15. After finalizing the university, explore the university website and related forums and groups. Contact professors and find if any job opportunities available (Research assistantship, Graduate Assistant Ship, or any other on campus job). Seniors or current students in the university are good source of information about jobs.
  16. Get in touch with the Graduate Student Association of the university
  17. Join the groups/community of the prospective students. Attend the students meet in your area. Make friends while in your country.
  18. Reach the university a week early (preferably). Decide on roommates, house. Enquire about on-campus and off-campus housing. Look for part time jobs
  19. Old GRE vs New/Revised GRE - New GRE is effective since Aug 1, 2011.