Take the Test

If you plan to go with a friend or relative, keep in mind that, they will not be allowed with you to the waiting room. Once you enter, you can meet them only after the test.

• First thing would be ID verification. So take ID proof document with you.
• Second, you would be asked to fill a form. In the form you need to copy a paragraph as acceptance to rules and confidentiality statement.
• Usually, there will be a locker to keep your personal items including your wallet, purse, bag, jackets, etc. You cannot keep them with you while taking the test. You can take them back only after the test.
• Scratch paper and pencil would be given that can be used during the test.
• There is an optional 10 minute break after analytical writing and a one minute break between other sections.
• Calculators are not allowed.

At the end of the test, you will see your scores on the screen. Next you will be asked to select four universities, where the scores will be reported for free. This is why you need to study the universities where you wish to apply before coming for the test by using the scores obtained from sample tests.

Schedule Visa Interview

- Pay the Visa Fees at HDFC Bank

- Access the Form DS-160. Complete your DS-160 application online. Print the DS-160 barcode confirmation sheet at the end of the DS-160 application on a laser printer. After you have printed it, email the confirmation page to yourself as a backup copy.

You can schedule the interview online. In order to schedule the interview, you need to have the following ready.

1. MRV Fee receipt – You need to pay the fee at HDFC bank. Don’t forget to carry a copy of first page of your passport and the cash/cheque/DD to the bank. For more details of Fees click here
2. DS160 Barcode Confirmation
3. Passport details

IMPORTANT: The visa fee receipt gets activated 2 working days from date of issue. Do not attempt to take an appointment till then.

Go to https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/ApplnForms/FeeDetails.aspx, or https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/USIndia/visaappointment.html and continue to schedule the interview.

Visa Application Centres: Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad

Prepare for GRE and TOEFL

GRE - Graduate Record Examination
TOEFL - Test Of English as a Foreign Language

GRE is computer based in most countries. Paper based test available in those countries where computer based testing is not available. It has 3 sections

1. Verbal Reasoning – Concentrates on English. It includes meaning of words, usage of words and relationship between words. Multiple-choice response sections are graded on a scale of 200-800, in 10-point increments.
2. Quantitative Reasoning – Concentrates on mathematics. Multiple-choice response sections are graded on a scale of 200-800, in 10-point increments.
3. Analytical Writing - Express your ideas on specific topic. Discussions in favor and against a topic. Criticizing a paragraph and finding contradicting ideas. The writing section is graded on a scale of 0-6, in half-point increments.
1. Issue Task – Discuss on a issue. (You can choose one out of two issues)
2. Argument Task – Argue on a topic (No choice available)
4. Unscored section – any one of the above section may be repeated which is unscored. It can be in any order.
5. Research section - Identified unscored section may be included at the end of the test

The verbal and quantitative scores are displayed immediately after the test. The writing results are received later may be after a week or two. There is GRE Subject test too. Some universities request subject GRE. It concentrates on a specific subject.

Financial Preparation

To prepare you financial statements, you need to have sufficient funds. If you have sufficient funds in your account, skip the next paragraph.

Decide on the bank where you will be taking your loan. Save/Collect money from different places, and put them in your account. Once you have sufficient money in your account, you can prepare the documents.

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You may use the above template as a starting point. It shall have the amount present in the account. Some universities have there own form. In this case, you need to fill that form. Hence make sure you have the required forms or the bank statement letter for each university. Get them signed by the bank.

You need to prepare documents even for the visa interview. Please click here for more info on documents required for the visa interview.

When to do MS?

There are basically 3 semesters each year.

1. Spring [Jan-Apr]
2. Summer [May-Aug]
3. Fall [Sep-Dec]

Most Courses are offered in Fall and Spring only. Usually Summer is vacation for everybody. Students either go to their native, or do research work or do some part time jobs or do internship in a company.

It’s usually advisable to join in Fall. The reason being,

1. Most courses are offered in Fall.
2. You get 3 months of internship period. This is because, you cannot start your internship in the first two semesters of study. So if you join in Fall, by summer you would have been in the US for two semesters and do your internship in summer.
3. Climate is good. Its easy to get accustom to the climate here.