MA, MSc/Phd
General background questions on advanced degree studies
How do I find out which are the good universities in my field of study?
With over 1,700 universities offering graduate degrees, there are probably dozens of good programs in your field. Rankings are published for some subjects, but they can be misleading and subjective. A more reliable source of information and advice will be your professors and students who have studied in the States. You will also find that universities and their faculty members are mentioned in academic articles and professional journals that you read. Refer to catalogs and reference material at the EducationUSA Center, as the content of Master's or Ph.D. programs does differ. Internet and email access also make it easy to research graduate programs and to contact professors in the US.
Can I do a graduate degree in a field unrelated to my undergraduate degree?
Competition for places can be tough, and in most cases a bachelor's degree in your intended field is a prerequisite. However if your degree was inter-disciplinary and you took, for example, one-third of your courses in political science, you may be admitted into a graduate program in political science upon the completion of a designated number of undergraduate courses at the institution in which you want to enroll. For professional degrees in subjects such as business (MBA), education or hotel management, the above rules tend not to apply, but relevant work experience is important.
How long before the planned starting date of my studies will I have to apply?
Most deadlines for graduate school are at least nine months prior to the start of the academic year. US universities, particularly the more competitive ones, receive many hundreds of applications, so deadlines are firm and you will need to ensure that the application form, test results and recommendations have reached the university before the required dates. You can use the Peterson's guides to graduate study or the Internet to research program deadlines.
If you have not taken the necessary standardized test for admission, you need to factor in taking the tests and submitting the scores before the application deadline.
What is a "rolling admissions" system?
Some universities operate a "rolling admissions" system, accepting applications throughout the year rather than imposing a fixed deadline. Selection committees at these universities meet periodically to make decisions on admissions.
Is it possible to begin studies in the spring semester rather than in the fall?
Some universities allow students to commence their studies in the spring semester, rather than the fall semester. If spring admissions are permitted, consult the institution's catalog for the appropriate application deadline.
You should be aware, however, that the financial aid at the disposal of university departments is distributed almost entirely in the fall at the beginning of the academic year, so there may be less chance of obtaining an assistantship if you start your studies in January.
How can I convert my Israeli grade point average to an equivalent U.S. GPA?
The U.S. and Israeli educational systems are different, and thus there is no clear way to convert your Israeli grade point average to an American equivalent. Broadly speaking, a US 3.0 is more or less equivalent to 80 in the Israeli university grading system.
What is "accreditation", and will my degree be recognized when I return to Israel?
The United States does not have a national institution, paralleling the Israeli Council of Higher Education, which is legally empowered to authorize institutions to operate programs of study leading to the award of academic degrees. The process of accreditation in the US is a voluntary one, based on intensive self-review by the institution and an inspection by external examiners. Six regional accrediting organizations throughout the US conduct these evaluations. The US government plays no role in this process. In order to increase the chances that your degree will be recognized upon your return to Israel, we recommend that you apply only to US schools that are regionally accredited.
If you are enrolling in a professional school (architecture, engineering, social work, physical therapy, pharmacy, business, etc.), you should also check whether the program in your field has been approved by a specialized professional association.
We strongly encourage students to consult with the Council for Higher Education, as well as with organizations responsible for professional licensing, such as the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and the Engineers and Architects' Registration Board, for further guidance regarding the recognition of US academic degrees. In addition, we advise you to consult with EduationUSA's professional counseling team before making a choice of universities.
Can I do a Master's degree in one year?
Some universities allow students to complete a Master's degree in one year. However, if your program requires submission of a Master's thesis, you may find it difficult to finish in less than 18 months. Additionally, if you have a teaching assistantship or research assistantship, you may find that your duties take up so much time that it will be difficult to complete your degree in one year. If you are changing fields, some professional degrees have prescribed course work which makes it impossible to complete the program of study in one year. However, certain professional schools may offer a one year Masters degree program for students with prior work experience.
How long does it take to complete a Ph.D. in the US?
US Ph.D. programs are usually much longer than Israeli doctoral programs. Students must complete between one to three years of course work and then pass qualifying examinations before receiving authorization to begin work on their dissertations. Thus it may take 5-7 years of post-BA work to receive a PhD in the social sciences, 4-5 years in the natural sciences. Completion of the requirements for a PhD in law may require 4-5 years of work, not including the LLM degree.
Do I have to know several languages before I can do a graduate degree in the US?
You do not normally need to know any language other than English prior to enrolling in a US graduate degree program. In some disciplines, however, post-graduate students may have to demonstrate proficiency in another language in order to receive the degree toward which they are working.
The application process
When do I begin applying for study in the US?
Ideally you should begin the process 12 - 18 months in advance. Application forms for the fall term (beginning August or September) are available from August of the preceding year. (Some schools accept students for January/spring semester admission.)
Each institution has its own deadline, which may be as early as November, and deadlines are strictly enforced.
Usually about three to four months pass from the submission of applications to the receipt of the university's response.
Do I have to write to the institutions myself in order to receive information and application materials?
Yes. There is no central clearinghouse for application materials.
How many universities should I apply to?
There is no limit on the number of universities to which you may apply. Most students write to between 10-20 universities for initial information, and then narrow down their choices and apply to between four to six US universities.
It is not a good idea to apply to just one highly competitive program, unless it is the only program in which you really want to enroll.
What do I do to apply, besides taking the standardized tests?
You must complete the university's application forms. Each university has its own forms, detailed documents which you must fill in and return by the specified date. Most universities also require that you write and submit essays on your personal history and your life and educational goals.
You will need to provide official transcripts regarding your studies for your previous degree. A transcript is a document listing the courses a student has taken and the grade achieved in each. Be sure to request transcripts in the English language.
You will also be required to request references from professors from your previous post-secondary studies. Finally, you will probably need to complete a financial information questionnaire to prove your ability to pay for your first year of studies.
How do I translate my documents?
Most American universities provide in their application package exact instructions on how to translate documents into English. Most institutions will accept only an official translation provided by your university or college.
Standardized tests
Which tests do I have to take?
If you are pursuing a graduate degree in the Arts and Sciences, you will most probably be required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General and/or Subject. If you are pursuing a graduate degree in a business-related field, you will be asked to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). You will also need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) unless you have completed a university degree in the US or another English-speaking country. In most cases, LLM students only need to take the TOEFL exam.
I'm an American citizen; do I have to take the TOEFL?
Yes, if you are an American citizen who grew up in Israel and have an Israeli Bagrut plus local university studies, you will have to take the TOEFL because the language of instruction in your studies was not English.
How do I register?
For the TOEFL, GRE General and GMAT, just follow the instructions in the TOEFL, GRE and GMAT bulletins. You will take computerized versions of these tests at various testing centers. For further information on the test and registration procedures, please visit the websites of TOEFL, GRE, and GMATbelow.
For the GRE Subject, a paper-based test, you must send a registration form to the US. Forms can be obtained from the EducationUSA Center in Tel Aviv and from the subcenters in Haifa and Jerusalem (see "Services to the general public" here).
When should I take these tests?
You should plan to take exams about one year before the date when you wish to commence studies in the US. US universities will not consider your application complete until they receive your official score reports. Students can see the scores of computer-based tests (TOEFL, GRE General and GMAT) once they have finished taking the test. However, official score reports are usually received by mail only after 3-4 weeks. You must request that your results be sent directly to the institutions to which you are applying.
For paper-based tests (GRE subject), it takes 6-8 weeks for score results to reach those tested through the mail.
How can I prepare for these tests?
The EducationUSA Center sells study guides for the TOEFL, GMAT, GRE General and Subject exams. In addition, the center has information on preparation courses offered in Israel for all the above mentioned tests.
How can I learn more about standardized tests?
Visit the following web sites for further information:
http://www.toefl.org
http://www.gmat.org
http://www.gre.org
http://www.ets.org
Financing graduate study in the United States
How much does it cost to study in the United States?
Each institution sets its own fees. Consequently fees vary widely. In 2005/06, tuition for state universities ranged from $8,000-$15,000. Private universities generally charged between $15,000-$30,000. Tuition fees have been rising steadily and seem likely to continue their upward trend. Take into account also that students are usually expected to purchase textbooks for use in each course in which they are enrolled.
Living expenses also vary, with the highest cost of living encountered in the big cities. Living expenses range from $10,000 to $15,000 per academic year (9 months). Of course, you will also have to cover the cost of living during the summer vacation period.
Overall estimated total costs for a 9-month academic year are: single student: $15,000-$43,000; married student: $22,500-$65,000.
In addition to the items noted above, you should also take into account the cost of travel to and from the US and the cost of travel within the US, and the cost of setting yourself up on campus (initial purchases of furniture, appliances, winter clothing, etc.).
What kinds of financial assistance are available for graduate study?
Graduate students are often offered Teaching Assistantships (TA) and Research Assistantships (RA) to help them finance their studies.
Departments may also be able to offer a limited number of fellowships, scholarships which do not entail a work assignment. Obviously, the competition for such awards is very strong. Fellowships are usually available only to students admitted into Ph.D. programs.
International students may also be eligible to apply for a limited number of awards, such as Fulbright Fellowships, each with its own particular conditions and application process, which are offered by institutions other than the universities themselves.
See Financial Aid for further information on financial aid options.
What are my chances of getting financial assistance as an international student?
Overall only about one third of international students at the Master's level receive their primary funding from the institution in which they enroll. Of the remainder, the majority are self-financed, while a small percentage are the recipients of non-university awards. At the doctoral level approximately 85% of international students receive their primary funding from the institution in which they enroll.
Competition is very difficult, and most awards for international students are merit, rather than need, based. Take into consideration the following points as you make your plans for study in the US:
- It should NOT be assumed that financial assistance can easily be obtained after getting to the United States. While it is possible that you will receive an assistantship after successfully completing a self-financed first year of study, you should take into account the risk involved in beginning studies in the US on the basis of such an expectation. Ask the professors under whom you plan to study, and research the pattern of financial awards at each graduate department to which you are applying. Don't be afraid to ask questions about your chances of getting funding, and be sure to apply to departments with whom you have common research interests in order to increase your chances of funding.In general, more university-based funding is available on the doctoral rather than master's level and in the hard and applied, natural and life sciences, as opposed to education, humanities and social sciences.
- Funding is rare for the international student intending to pursue a terminal masters or professional degree in business, law, or any of the therapeutice health related professions.
- Limited financial assistance may be available to talented graduate students in the fine, applied, visual or performing arts who are interested in an MFA, MM or MArch.
- Resources available to individual departments in a university vary from year to year, since departments depend on funding they receive from state and federal agencies as well as from private foundations. Thus, a graduate student receiving financial assistance one year cannot automatically assume that this assistance will continue through the entire period it takes to complete his/her degree.
- You may have better chances for acceptance and funding in the long run if you can show the department and graduate admissions office that you are able to contribute something from your own funds for at least the first year.
For futher information see the sources referenced at Links - Financial Aid and consider joining the EducationUSA Membership Plan in order to get further assistance in making a realistic appraisal of your chances of receiving financial support for advanced study in the US.
I'm a US citizen as well as an Israeli citizen. Does this increase my chances for financial assistance?
Most definitely. See Financial Aid for a list of websites on financial aid.
Are there loans available to international students?
Yes, there are a few reputable loan agencies to which you can apply. You must have a US citizen co-signer, and usually you must already be enrolled in a US university before you can apply. Before taking a loan, make sure you know how you are going to repay it, and how a loan will affect your plans for further study and returning home.
Can I and my dependents work in the US while I am studying? Can I work in the US after finishing my degree?
See Visas and Employment for detailed information on regulations regarding the employment of international students and their family members.