University Application Procedure
 The following
information should be understood as advice compiled by the Educational
Advising Center. It should be used as a guideline, not as a rule. Students
are encouraged to tailor applications to meet the requirements of the university
to which they are applying and their own needs. Please feel free to consult
with the Education Advisor about all aspects of university applications.
When applying
to universities, it is important to present the application in the best
light possible. In addition to listing academic and personal achievements,
it is a tool of persuasion which students can use to promote themselves
as ideal candidates for a program.
The success
of the application depends on the ability of the student to demonstrate
strength, creativity, and individuality. It is important to describe skills,
and accomplishments as well as academic interests.
Preparing
an application package requires time and effort.
Do not leave
it until the last minute.
Make sure that
the application package contains ALL the documents and information required
by the university admissions office. An incomplete application will not
be considered until all missing documents are sent. This means that time
may be lost, and places and scholarships may have been allocated by the
time all material is sent.
Students should
make a check list before sending in their applications. Many applications
require the following:
-
Cover letter
-
Completed application
form
-
Transcripts and
diplomas in original language and an English (or host university language)
translation
-
Letters of recommendation
-
Statement of Purpose
-
Current CV or Resume
-
Application fee,
if applicable
-
Test scores: students
waiting for TOEFL or GRE results must indicate in their cover letter that
the results will be mailed later (or, “sent under separate cover”)
Elements of
an application
-
The Cover Letter:
The cover letter
introduces the applicant and lists the documents which are in the package.
The letter should also contain the correct name and address of the student
and the correct name and address of the person to receive the application.
Remember to include your e-mail address as well. If documents are missing
, this is the opportunity to explain why. The cover letter should always
be typed.
-
A completed
application form:
-
Type or print the
application. Minimize the number of correction, smudges and deletions
-
Do not leave questions
unanswered. If the question does not apply, write “n/a” (not applicable)
-
Complete financial
aid forms. If there are no resources, list potential sources of funding.
3 Transcripts
and Diplomas:
Transcript,
undergraduate and graduate, must be sent with the application. Transcripts
that are not in English (or host university’s language) must be officially
translated. Students must send copies in their home language as well as
translated copies. Students who do not have additional copies of transcript
from their home university may make copies (not in all cases will universities
allow this).
-
Letters of Recommendation:
Strong letter of
recommendation can greatly increase one’s chances of being accepted into
a university. Therefore, it is important to consider carefully who will
write the letters. Who will provide the most positive recommendation? Who
will write the fairest letter? Who has known the student the longest?
Writing recommendation
letters for student is a very time consuming task. It should be looked
upon as a favor that faculty offer to students. It should not be expected.
Faculty always reserve the right to refuse. Thus, it is important to ask
courteously and give the professor time to prepare the letter. You should
at
least give 10 days (preferably more time) notice to write a fair and
comprehensive letter of recommendation.
Letters should
be in a sealed envelope that is signed on the back by the faculty member.
(Universities will not always consider letters presented in an unsealed
envelope). Students should always provide faculty with details of the program
to which they are applying, the name of the university and the department.
It is a good idea to provide your Statement of Purpose to the faculty,
this provides direct knowledge of your intentions and goals in a clear
and precise manner.
Faculty may
choose to return the letter to the student or send it to the university
themselves. In this case, students must provide faculty with the exact
address. However, try to send the letters of recommendation with the application
package. If this is not possible, the cover letter sent with the application
package must explain the estimated time of arrival of the letter and details
of who is sending them.
-
Application
Fees:
Most universities
in the US (and some in other parts of the world) require students to pay
an application fee. These fees usually range from $20 to $80. Application
fees can be paid in the form of bank check or money order.
In Lviv, contact:
The Western Ukrainian Commercial Bank
Lavitskoho Street,
67
(0322) 75-05-41
Passport
required as identification!!!
Students
applying to “Special Scholarships” do NOT need to pay application fees.
Some universities
will waive the application fee upon request by the student. Students who
are applying to a number of universities may want to consider asking for
application fee waivers. However, some universities do not look favorably
on students requesting application fee waivers since it can imply that
the student may not have sufficient funding to cover the larger tuition
and living costs. It is advisable to budget carefully to pay for application
fees.
Typically, you
are required to show significant need to waive the application fee. In
some cases, universities which allow you to waive the fee will process
the application after the applicants who have paid are completed. Be sure
to ask about the procedures.
-
Statement of
Purpose
The Statement of
Purpose allows a student to highlight and emphasize individual achievements,
goals and objectives for the future. It distinguishes one student from
another and is one of the deciding factors for admission in an application
package. Universities want to select motivated and bright students. The
selection of the right graduate students is important for the faculty and
the long term reputation of the department and university.
The Statement
of Purpose gives the student the opportunity to be remembered by the Admissions
Office out of thousands of applications. It should not be duplicated from
one application to another but adapted for each application. A Statement
of Purpose is not necessarily a research proposal.
The statement
of Purpose should address the following two questions:
Why has the
student selected this program?
What makes the
student an appropriate choice for admission to the program?
When preparing
a Statement of Purpose:
-
Specify the program
(code, name)
-
Type write the
essay
-
answer the question
that is asked
-
Check the grammar
and spelling
-
Make sure it is
no longer than the number of words required in the application
-
If an exact number
is not specified, write no more than 2pages
-
adapt each statement
of purpose to suit teach application
-
Check the essay
before sending it
The Style &
Tone:
-
Don’t be modest
-
Be concise, brief
and clear
-
Do not write a
life story - include only relevant information
-
Minimize the number
of times saying “I”
-
Structure the essay
with an introduction, explanation and conclusion relating to the program
and the interest of the applicant
In considering
these questions, student should do the following:
-
think about the
long term implications for studying on the program and how this fits into
future goals and objectives
-
Explain how your
personal interests relate to the program and how personal, professional
and academic experiences could contribute to the program and the university
-
Highlight how the
program will contribute to future goals and objectives
-
Detail any work
experience connected to the topic of study
-
Expand the topic
to relate to issues in the region (Central Europe and Former Soviet Union).
-
TOEFL and GRE Test Scores
-
Students will need
to send scores in their application packages. Students are requested by
the Educational Testing Service to order official copies of Test scores.
TOEFL scores cost $11 per report GRE scores cost $13 per report. For both
reports, follow instructions on the order forms and allow plenty of time
for the order to be processed. Students who require extra copies of their
test scores are responsible for ordering and paying for them.
-
Final Suggestions
-
Send the application
and all documents together in one large envelope
-
Send the application
by registered airmail
-
Always keep copies
of application materials
-
Send application
in well before the deadline. Applications sent afterwards will not be considered
-
Budget for application
fees, photocopying, test scores, and postage costs
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