Postgraduate Study in the US

Postgraduate Study Postgraduate Study

in the USin the US

• Promoting peace and cultural understanding through educational exchange

• Awards for postgraduate study and research in the US and UK

• Fulbright Advisory Service offering information and advice on all levels of US study to the UK public

• Part of EducationUSA global network of more than 400 advising centres supported by US Department of State

US-UK Fulbright Commission:

President John F Kennedy signing the Fulbright-Hays Act; Senator

William J Fulbright (far left)

Educational Terminology Differences:

US UK

College, university, institute, school

University

Class, course Module

Degree program Course

Undergraduate study First-degree

Graduate study Postgraduate study

Public State-funded

Why Study in the US?

• Quality and reputation of US universities

• Funding opportunities

• Flexibility to explore your academic interests (focus on teaching)

• Opportunity to experience campus life and activities

• Internationalise & strengthen your CV

• Learn about a new culture & expand your horizons

Quality & Variety of US Universities

Funding Opportunities

Simon McCabe, PhD Social Psychology, University of Missouri-Columbia, Teaching Assistantship

Flexibility and Focus on Teaching Collaboration

Opportunity to Experience Campus Life & Activities

Alexandra Latham, Arizona State University

Internationalise Your CV

Learn About a New Culture & Expand Your Horizons

Jorja Hudson, British student at San Jose State University

Overview of Postgraduate Study:• Key differences between the US and UK:

– No pure research degrees– Coursework expressed in credits or required courses– No set fees – Law and Medicine studied at postgraduate level

• Type of degree programmes:– Master’s: Academic/research or professional– Doctoral– JD/LLM (law)– MD (medicine)– Visiting or non-degree seeking students

Ideal Timeline:Typical

TimeframeTime Before Enrolment

Notes

Spring / Summer1 – 1 ½

Years•Learn about US higher education and application process•Begin choosing universities

Late Summer/Early Autumn

10-12

Months

•Finalise your selection of 4-6 universities •Register for admissions exams•Begin admissions and funding applications•15 November 2012 - Apply for a Fulbright Award for 2013-14

Late Autumn / Winter

8-10

Months

•Submit admissions applications •Submit funding applications

Spring4-7

Months

•Receive admissions decisions

Summer1-3

Months

•Notify universities •Apply for your visa•Read pre-departure information on our website

Aug. / Sept. -- •Begin study in the US!

Application Components:• Submit an application to each university

• Will follow a similar format:– Online application form– Admissions exam scores, such as the GRE– Transcript– Personal statement– 2-3 recommendation letters– CV– Application fee– Interview (for MBA) or audition (for the Arts)– Submission of work (writing sample, portfolio, etc.)

Sources of Funding:• Personal/family funds

• US universities– Fellowships– Assistantships– Application procedures

• External funding bodies– Types of funding bodies– Application procedures

• Loans

Fulbright Awards:

“The Fulbright Commission aims to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs and thereby increase the chance that nations will learn at last to live in peace and friendship.”

    - Senator J William Fulbright

2010-11 UK Scholars

• Scholarships cover tuition fees & a living stipend for one year– Paid in instalments directly to grantee– Up to $10,000 may be subtracted from the first academic year and instead

earmarked for a subsequent year(s)

• Sickness & accident benefit coverage (‘health insurance’)

• Recognition of the Fulbright name during admissions process and beyond

• Visa sponsorship & processing support

• Fulbright Finalists Workshop in March, a comprehensive 3 day orientation in July (with a reception held in your honour!), and on-the-ground US support and enrichment events throughout the year

• Variety of Fulbright Scholar Memberships and extensive alumni networks, including:– National Trust– Royal Society of the Arts (RSA)– British Fulbright Scholar Association (BFSA)

Benefits:

• UK citizen

• Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) from any university

• May not hold US citizenship, be a dual citizen, hold a green card, or reside in the US at time of application

• Some preference given to candidates who have not had extensive recent experience in the US

Eligibility:

Successful Applicants:• Are well-rounded

• Have demonstrated academic achievement

• Have shown leadership skills and initiative and have been active inside the classroom/lab as well as outside

• Possess a curiosity for the US and American culture

• Serve as good ambassadors for the Fulbright Commission and for the UK in the US

• Indicate a clear reason for selecting universities and a desire to give back to the UK and the Fulbright Commission upon returning home

• All categories (except Harvard MBA Award):– Application available online at www.fulbright.co.uk from 1 August 2012– Components:

• Application form• Personal and Research statements• Transcript / confirmation of degree results• Copy of UK Passport• CV

– Deadline: 15 November 2012 for study commencing in 2013-14

• Harvard MBA Award:– Application available online at www.fulbright.co.uk now– Deadline: 15 April 2012 (for study from 2012-13)

For application questions please contact the Fulbright Programme via email:[email protected]

Application Information:

www.fulbright.co.uk

USA Grad School Day (9 March 2011 in London) & Autumn Seminar

Resource Library

Enquiries

Questions?Questions?

FYI - Selection Criteria:• Academics

– Degree results - Minimum 2:2 undergraduate results– Admissions exam results

• ‘Academic fit’ – As discussed in ‘choosing’ slide, compelling reasons for:– pursuing that particular degree programme at that institution – how it will help you achieve your future goals– For UK students - why you’re interested in studying in the US

• Relevant preparation - Work/research experience and/or coursework

• Extracurricular involvement

FYI – Approximate Grade Conversions:

UK US

First Class Honours A (4.00)

2:1 A-/B+ (3.33 – 3.67)

2:2 B (3.00)

Third Class Honours C+ (2.30)

Pass C (2.00)

Choosing a Degree Programme:

• Type of degree programme:– Master’s: Academic/research vs. professional– Doctoral– Joint degree programme– Non-degree seeking student status

• Suitability of the department - the ‘academic fit’:– Faculty expertise– Electives and concentrations– Size and atmosphere– Relationships between students and faculty– Additional opportunities for research, teaching and conference

attendance

• Prestige - the slippery slope

Choosing a Degree Programme:

• Location– Centres of excellence for certain fields– Cost of living– Urban, suburban or rural– Campus size– Cultural differences– Weather and climate– Proximity to public transport / airports

• Extracurricular opportunities

• Competitiveness of admission

• Costs and availability of university funding – prioritise if necessary