MS in US

Documents required for F1 Visa Interview

2012-06-28T14:09:00.000-07:00

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

Revised GRE vs Old GRE

2011-07-26T21:14:00.000-07:00

Old GRE	New 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 question	Can go back
Adaptive questions	NOT 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

Steps to do MS in US

2010-11-10T12:34:00.000-08:00

Decide on the time line. When do you want to start your masters? Which year and semester?
Financial Preparation
Prepare for GRE and TOEFL
Register for GRE and TOEFL exams
Research on the universities, based on your interests
Based on the scores you get from the sample tests, decide on the universities
Take the tests. Report to four schools for free
Prepare the required documents for application

Transcripts (sealed)
Degree certificate (sealed)
Resume
Experience Certificate
Recommendation Letter (sealed)
Bank Statement
Affidavit of Support
Statement of Purpose

Report the exam scores to the universities
Prepare the application package for each university you wish to apply and post them well before the deadline.
Schedule Visa Interview (F1 Student Visa)
Documents required for visa interview
Fees for F1 Student Visa
Block flight ticket?
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.
Get in touch with the Graduate Student Association of the university
Join the groups/community of the prospective students. Attend the students meet in your area. Make friends while in your country.
Reach the university a week early (preferably). Decide on roommates, house. Enquire about on-campus and off-campus housing. Look for part time jobs
Old GRE vs New/Revised GRE - New GRE is effective since Aug 1, 2011.

H1B Visa Stamping Process

2010-11-10T12:25:00.000-08:00

When you leave the US first time after your H1B visa has commenced, you need to get stamping from US Consulate before re-entering US. This info is specially for those who did their masters in the US and started their work in OPT and obtained their H1B. You need to prepare for the interview atleast 2-3 weeks in advance.

1. DS-160 Form

2. Documents required for Booking Visa Interview date:

DS-160 Barcode (Filled online)
HDFC Bank Receipt Barcode
I-797 - USCIS approval notice
Passport
Link to Schedule an interview - https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/USIndia/visaappointment.html
More info: click here

3. Documents required for the Visa Interview

More info: http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/h1bvisas.html
Official link for Steps for the interview - http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/howtoapply.html

Form DS-160

2010-11-10T12:22:00.000-08:00

Currently only DS-160 form need to be filled. Other forms may be required based on some criteria. Please verify the official site for more info. This form is required for the booking the visa interview date.

Details required for filing form DS-160 online:

Photo as per the specification (Soft copy/scanned copy)
Passport info
Parents info
Employment info
Education info
Duration of stay in the US
Previous Visa info
I797 - USCIS Approval Notice
Start your application - https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/
Official link to DS-160 Application Form - http://www.vfs-usa.co.in/USIndia/applicationformDS160.html

Back to H1B Visa Stamping Process

Documents required for the H1B Visa Interview

2010-11-10T12:18:00.001-08:00

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
I-797 - USCIS approval notice
I-129 Petition copy
Degree certificate (BS & MS)
Transcripts (BS & MS)
I-20
EAD - Employment Authorization Document
Passport
Last 3 year Tax documents
Offer letter (latest and previous if any)
Paystub 6-12 months (latest and previous if any)
Letter from current employer confirming employer's intent to hire the applicant
Note: Keep a copy of all the documents, just in case you are asked.
Optional - Resume / CV
Optional - Passport Photo

Back to H1B Visa Stamping Process

Fees for F1 Student Visa

2010-02-28T21:21:00.000-08:00

Payable at approved HDFC Bank

Visa Fee: ($160) Rs 6288.00
VFS service charge: Rs 359+15 = Rs. 374.00

Note: Visa Application Fee (MRV Fee) is payable in cash or by DD/HDFC Bank cheque favoring “US Embassy - Visa Fees”. VFS Service Charge is payable in cash or by DD/HDFC Bank cheque favoring “HDFC Bank a/c VFS”. DDs issued by cooperative banks are not accepted.

You are required to submit a clear photocopy of the first page (biopage) of your current passport to the bank when making your payment. The bank will issue you a visa fee receipt in duplicate which will have a 10 digit barcode number affixed on it. You require this barcode number to schedule your interview appointment. Please note, you are required to wait for one working day from the date of purchase of your visa fee receipt before you can use it for scheduling your interview appointment.

Approved bank locations: https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/USIndia/pdf/HDFC%20Locationsfeescenter.pdf

SEVIS Fee
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is an Internet-based system that tracks F, M and J visa participants (and their family members) from the time they receive their initial documentation (either an I-20 or a DS-2019) until they graduate/leave school or conclude/leave program. Click here to pay your SEVIS Fee.

For additional info on visa fees: https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/USIndia/applicationfee.html

Useful links for SEVIS fee:
http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm
https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/students/student/help.htm

Take the Test

2009-03-25T21:49:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-24T22:26:00.001-07:00

- 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.

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
DS160 Barcode Confirmation
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

2009-03-23T22:02:00.000-07:00

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

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.
Quantitative Reasoning – Concentrates on mathematics. Multiple-choice response sections are graded on a scale of 200-800, in 10-point increments.
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.

Issue Task – Discuss on a issue. (You can choose one out of two issues)
Argument Task – Argue on a topic (No choice available)

Unscored section – any one of the above section may be repeated which is unscored. It can be in any order.
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

2009-03-23T00:05:00.000-07:00

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.

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?

2009-03-22T01:59:00.001-07:00

There are basically 3 semesters each year.

Spring [Jan-Apr]
Summer [May-Aug]
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,

Most courses are offered in Fall.
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.
Climate is good. Its easy to get accustom to the climate here.