Applying Abroad

Applying Abroad
Farzan FarbizFarzan Farbiz
University of TehranUniversity of Tehran
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DISCLAIMERDISCLAIMER
• This presentation deals with the method of the effective
applying. The author is not willing to encourage/
discourage anyone to apply abroad.
• The author reserves the right not to be responsible forthe topicality, correctness, completeness or quality of theinformation provided. Liability claims regarding damagecaused by the use of any information provided, includingany kind of information which is incomplete or incorrect,
will therefore be rejected.
• Please use this guide only if you are decided to apply toa foreign country.

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OutlineOutline
• Preparing for applying abroad
• Choosing your university
• Applying
• Time schedule for Fall 2005
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Studying in Iran Vs. AbroadStudying in Iran Vs. Abroad
• Living in your own
country
• Appreciation
• Depression
• New experiences
• Research fund
• Faculty quality

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How to applyHow to apply
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Preparing for applyingPreparing for applying
• Exams: TOEFL/ GRE/ GMAT
• Transcripts
• Recommendations
• Financial Support
• Resume/SOP

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TOEFLTOEFL
• Computer Based Test (300)
• Paper Based Test (670)
1. Listening
2. Structure (grammar)
3. Reading
4. Writing
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TOEFLTOEFL
• Select a country for your test (e.g. UAE,
Turkey, Syria).
• Reserve a time by phone.
• Consider the military service roles.
• Prepare your passport.
• ETS in IRAN!!

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GREGRE
• Verbal (max 800)
• Quantitative (max 800)
• Analytical (max 6)
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TOEFL PreparationTOEFL Preparation
• Barrons series
• Longman series
• Kaplan series
• PowerPrep by ETS
• Specific classes
• Any other English references
• Less than 3 months

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GRE PreparationGRE Preparation
• Kaplan
• Barrons
• PowerPrep
• Less than 6 months
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GRE SubjectGRE Subject
• Computer Science
• Physics
• Mathematics
• Chemistry
• Psychology
• Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology
• Literature in English
• Biology

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TOEFL/GRE scoresTOEFL/GRE scores
• Completely depend on the university.
• Depend on your situation.
• Usually:
– American schools: 217-233
– Canadian schools: 233-250
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IELTSIELTS
• Two exams per month
• Paper based test
• You can take it in Iran
1. Listening
2. Writing
3. Speaking

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Choosing the countryChoosing the country
• United State
– High rank schools
– Good job offers
• Canada
– Social roles
– Security
– Immigration
• Europe
• Australia
• Asia
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Choosing the UniversityChoosing the University
• Rank of university
– US NEWS, PhDs
• Research quality
• Faculty members quality
• Environment
• Iranian community
• Reputation of Iranian students
• Costs
• Minimum Requirements

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Which one is better?Which one is better?
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US News 2003 list for ElectricalUS News 2003 list for Electrical
EngineeringEngineering
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2. University of California–Berkeley
3. Stanford University (CA)
4. University of Illinois–Urbana-
Champaign
5. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
6. Georgia Institute of Technology
7. California Institute of Technology
Cornell University (NY)
9. University of Texas–Austin
10.Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
Purdue University–West Lafayette (IN)
12. Princeton University (NJ)
13. University of California–Los Angeles
14. University of California–San Diego
15. University of Southern California
16. University of Wisconsin–Madison
17. Johns Hopkins University (MD)
Penn State University–University Park
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (NY)
Texas A&M University–College Station
21. University of California–Santa Barbara

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Research QualityResearch Quality
• Look at the researchlink in the website.
• The amount of research fund.
• Research equipments.
• The number of published papers.
• The number of cited papers.
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Faculty Member QualityFaculty Member Quality
• Look at the peoplelink in the website.
• Assistant, associate or full professor
• His/her former school
• The number of his/her students
• Publications
• Patents

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EnvironmentEnvironment
• Temperature
• Humidity
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Iranian CommunityIranian Community
• 1,000,000 Iranians live in America.
• 50% in California, near LA.

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Reputation of Iranian StudentsReputation of Iranian Students
U.S:
• Stanford
• Georgia Tech
• Cal Tech
• UCLA
• USC
• Maryland
Canada:
• Toronto
• Waterloo
• UBC
• McGill
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CostsCosts
• Tuition
– The amount of money should be paid to the
department.
• Living costs
– Housing, food, travel, entertainment

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Costs (contCosts (cont’’))
• Housing: $300-$700
• Food: $250-$450
• Others: $200-$500
• Total: $750-$1650
• Tuition: $15,000-$30,000
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Financial SupportFinancial Support
• Research assistantship
• Teaching assistantship
• Tuition waiver
• Fellowship
• Usually enough to pay the fee but it
is not easy to save.

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Who get scholarshipWho get scholarship
• You must be exceptional
• High/good GPA, GRE, research
background, or recommendations
• Find an advisor
• Search through the students.
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Application MaterialsApplication Materials
• Application forms (downloadable)
• TOEFL/GRE score report (phone request)
• 2-3 Recommendations
• Transcripts (B.S/M.S)
• Resume/SOP
• Paying the application fee (by credit card)

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Application CostsApplication Costs
• TOEFL + GRE : $130 + $140
• One trip to take the exams : $300
• Application fee : $50*N
• Post fee : $35*N
• Score report : ($10 + $15)*(N-4)
Total: $470 + $110*N
• 2 trips for U.S visa (at least!) : $600
• Final trip : $1000
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Evaluate Your ChanceEvaluate Your Chance
• What are the important factors for getting
admission & financial support?
• GPA
• Research Experience
• GRE
• Recommendation
• Honors

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Military Service TroublesMilitary Service Troubles
• Getting ‘GOVAHI ESHTEGHAL BE
TAHSIL’ from the administrative office.
• ‘NEZAM VAZIFE’.
• 5,000,000 T !
• Consider 4 days for your pass (minimum)
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M.S vs. PhDM.S vs. PhD
M.S:
• More available seats as well as more
applicants.
• Usually you don’t need much research
backgrounds.
• You receive the degree after only 2 years.
• Good chance for a job.

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M.S vs. PhD (contM.S vs. PhD (cont’’))
PhD:
• Better financial support (quantity and
quality)
• Better relation with your advisor
• You are more familiar with your
prospective research project.
• You have time during the M.S study to
increase the admission chance.
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Time ScheduleTime Schedule
• Suppose you want to apply for Fall 2005.
• You didn’t take the required exams yet.

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SummerSummer
• Beginning: If you want to take GRE start is
ASAP.
• Middle: Start the TOEFL at the mid of
summer.
• End: Call and reserve a seat for the mid of
Fall.
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FallFall
• Beginning: search through the internet and
find your desire schools.
• Middle: Take the tests.
• End: Finalize your list. Apply!

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WinterWinter
• Beginning: You are still applying.
• Middle: prepare yourself for KONKOR/
Start your thesis.
• End: Take KONKOR.
Now, you must be ready to hear from
abroad. Be strong and hopeful.
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SpringSpring
• Beginning: You feel completely panic.
Can’t do any thing but checking email.
• Middle: That’s the end. You know where
you go for Fall 2005. Think and decide
which one is better and chose it.
• End: Request the official acceptance letter
(I’20 or Letter of Acceptance)

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SummerSummer
• Beginning: Get the Visa.
– United State: arrange a trip, reserve a time for
interview. Pray as much as possible to get the
visa.
– Canada: Feel well. You get the visa. Trust
me!.
• Middle: Prepare yourself for abroad.
• End: Goodbye party!
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NotesNotes
• Try your best in TOEFL.
• Apply early and consider the deadlines
strongly.
• Don’t be prideful. Instead, be realistic.
• Consult with your professors and friends.
• Take into account the U.S visa.
• Apply for PhD if you are a B.S student.

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Technology Alert List (US)Technology Alert List (US)
• Conventional munitions
• Nuclear technology
• Rocket systems
• Rocket system and unmanned air vehicle (uav) subsystems
• Navigation, avionics and flight control useable in rocket systems and
unmanned air vehicles (uav)
• Chemical, biotechnology and biomedical engineering
• Remote sensing, imaging and reconnaissance
• Advanced computer/microelectronic technology
• Materials technology
• Information security
• Laser and directed energy systems technology
• Sensors and sensor technology
• Marine technology
• Robotics
• Urban planning
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ConclusionConclusion
• Think well before any decision.
• Evaluate your budget.
• Consult as much as possible.
• Reserve some alternatives.

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ReferencesReferences
• http://www.toefl.org
• http://www.gre.org
• http://www.ieltstehran.com
• http://www.usnews.com
• http://www.phds.org
• http://www.oiss.yale.edu/visa/tal.htm
• Apply Abroad Yahoo group.
• http://www-scf.usc.edu/~igsa/pdf_files/
iranian.pdf