如何申请美国研究生留学

Whether you’re a US national or an international student, the US grad school admissions process can be difficult to get to grips with. But of course, all the effort you put in will pay off once you get your place at the grad school of your dreams! Follow our step by step guide to navigating the US grad school admissions cycle…

　　无论你是一名美国本国学生还是国际留学生，美国研究生院的招生过程可能都很难应付。但是当然，一旦你被你梦想中的研究生院录取的话，你所有的付出都得到了回报!你可以按照我们为大家整理的申请步骤来，这样你就可以掌控美国研究生院的招生周期。请看出国留学网为大家独家整理并且翻译的美国研究生院申请指南，希望对小伙伴们有帮助。

　　1. Start early and check deadlines.

　　Obviously applications to graduate schools can take up a lot of time. From achieving high scores in your standardized tests to submitting your transcripts and obtaining letters of recommendation from your professors, there’ll be quite a few hoops to jump through. So start early, and outline a list of all the documentation that you will need to provide, noting down any important deadlines – including those for scholarship applications. It might be worth annotating a calendar or setting up reminders on your phone to help you remember the host of deadlines that you will have to respect.

　　1、尽早开始申请，并且提前了解清楚申请截止日期

　　显然，申请研究生院会占用你大量的时间。从在标准化测试中取得高分数，到提交你的成绩单以及来自你教授的推荐信，你需要经历的步骤还不少呢。所以尽早开始你的申请，并且在申请截止日期之前把所有你需要提交的材料都准备好，请一定注意下任何重要的截止日期——包括申请奖学金的截止日期。你可以在你的日历上做个备注，或者在你的手机里设置一个提醒，这都能够帮助你不至于错过申请的截止日期，不会耽误你的申请。

　　2. Figure out funding.

　　What are the tuition fees for each course you are applying to? What budget does the university recommend for living expenses? Which scholarships would you be eligible to apply for? Will you (realistically) have time for a part-time job alongside your studies? Are there opportunities to apply for a graduate assistantship? Are you prepared to take out a loan?

　　You’ll also need to take account of individual application fees, which can average between US$50 and US$100, as well as fees for standardized exams such as the GRE. Prepare a budget noting down all the costs involved in your application, the amount you would need in order to attend, and the funds available to you from various sources. Keep this updated regularly throughout the process.

　　2、了解清楚留学的相关费用

　　你申请的每门课程的学费是多少?大学推荐的生活费用预算是多少?你会有资格申请哪些奖学金?你会在学习之余有时(切合实际的)做一份兼职工作吗?你有机会申请研究生的助学金吗?你是否准备获得一笔贷款?

　　你还需要考虑每个人的申请费用，花费大约为50美元到100美元之间，还有像GRE这种标准化考试的费用。你需要准备好在你申请中会涉及到的所有费用，以及你如果所需要的金额，还有你可以从不同的途径获得的资金援助的信息。你应该在申请的过程中不断保持这些信息的更新。

　　3. Book your standardized tests.

　　Find out what standardized tests you need to take. Most US universities ask graduate applicants to submit GRE® General Test scores, while some departments might ask for your scores in the GRE Subject Test. When booking your test date, make sure you allow enough time for your papers to be marked and scores sent to each grad school within the deadline. You may also want to allow time to re-sit the test if unhappy with your score.

　　If you’re an international applicant, you may also be asked to submit scores in a test of English language proficiency, such as the TOEFL or IELTS.

　　3、预约参加你的标准化测试

　　你应该找出你需要参加哪些标准化考试。大多数美国大学会要求研究生申请人提交研究生入学综合考试(GRE General Test )的成绩，有一些院系可能会要求你在GRE科目测试中的分数。当你预订你的测试日期的时候，请确保你预留了足够的时间，一方面是为了让你的试卷被批阅，另一方面是为了让你的测试成绩在申请截止日期之前能够被寄到每个研究生院。并且如果你对你的分数不满意，你也可能想要留出时间来重新参加考试。

　　如果你是一名国际申请者，你也可能被要求提交英语语言能力测试的成绩，例如托福或者雅思考试。

　　4. Prepare for the GRE.

　　The amount of time you should allocate to preparing for your GRE test will largely depend on your test-taking confidence and familiarity with the exam, but keep in mind that the GRE is, as most standardized tests tend to be, an acquired skill. Examiners will look for specific things in your answers, and other test-takers will be familiar with strategies to save time during the exam and score extra points. Set aside time to review past papers and marking rubrics, and invest in some preparatory resources. If you’re keen to keep costs down, there are many cheaper second-hand editions of GRE prep textbooks available through online stores like Amazon and eBay, as well as free online resources such as QS Leap.

　　4、准备GRE测试

　　你应该分配给准备参加GRE考试的时间将很大程度上取决于你参加考试的信心以及对考试的熟悉程度，但是请记住，GRE在很大程度上是标准化的测验，考察你获得的技能。考官会在你的答案里寻找具体的东西，并且其他的考生也会熟悉战略，以求在考试中节省更多的时间并且多得到一些分数。你可以留出额外的时间来回顾一下你自己完成的卷子，并且给自己估个分，然后了解一些准备的资源。如果你非常想要降低成本，有许多便宜的二手GRE准备教材，你可以通过向亚马逊和eBay这样的网上商店购买，同样还有一些免费的在线资源，你可以在网上搜索一下。

　　5. Perfect your personal statement.

　　Without a strong personal statement outlining your motivations, qualifications and research proposal, you will stand little chance of getting into graduate school in the US. Write and re-write your essay, enlisting the help of your classmates, professors, friends and family. Your essay should sum up your academic achievements, intentions and suitability for the course – and it should be 100% error-free. Don’t underestimate the negative impact of even just few small typos!

　　5、完善你的个人陈述

　　没有强烈的个人陈述来概述你的动机、学历资格和研究建议的话，你可能没有多大机会进入美国的研究生院。写并且反复重写你的文章，征求你的同学、教授、朋友和家人的帮助。你的文章应该总结了你的学术成就、你的意图以及你非常适合学习你申请的课程——并且这份个人陈述应该是100%无错误的。千万不要低估这些错误的负面影响，那么只是几个小错别字!

　　6. Ask for references.

　　Ask for references from professors with whom you have a good rapport at least two months before the deadline. First, ask your potential referees whether they would feel comfortable recommending you. If they accept, thank them and give them a rundown of the process and the deadline. If possible, schedule an appointment with each professor to explain your motivations for attending graduate school, as well as your intended research project. Make sure your references comply with the guidelines set by your chosen grad school; your referees may need to submit a formal letter, or complete an online form.

　　6、寻找推荐人

　　从跟你有良好的默契的教授中找到你的推荐人，至少要在截止日期前的两个月完成这件事。首先，问问你潜在的推荐人他们如果为你推荐是否会觉得方便。如果他们接受了，感谢他们，给他们一个准备的过程以及你需要这份推荐的截止日期。如果可能的话，安排与每位教授的见面，向他们来解释你就读研究生院的动机，以及你打算参与研究的项目课题。确保你的推荐人能够在研究生院规定的截止日期之前完成为你的推荐，你的推荐人需要提交正式的心寒，或者完成在线表格。

　　7. Apply for a student visa.

　　If you’re an international student, start your student visa application as soon as you’ve been offered and accepted a place at a US grad school. To apply, complete the online application form and upload your photo, and schedule an interview with the US embassy or consulate in your country.

　　Be prepared to pay an application fee of about US$160 and provide a photocopy of your passport; a form I-20 supplied by your university; the confirmation page on your form DS-160; evidence of your intent to leave the US once your studies are completed; evidence of necessary funds in your bank account to pay for your studies; and evidence of your academic preparation for the course, such as your standardized test scores, transcript and diplomas.

　　7、申请学生签证

　　如果你是一名国际学生，一旦你已经被美国的研究生院录取，并且你也接受录取的话，你应该尽早开始你的学生签证申请。如果你想申请，那么你要完成在线申请表格并且上传你的照片，并且安排在美国大使馆或者你所在国家领事馆的面试。

　　你要准备支付大约160美元的申请费，并且提供你护照的复印件;你的大学所提供的I-20表格;你的DS-160表格上的确认页;一旦你完成你的学业就会离开美国的证据;在你的银行帐户有用于支付你的学费的足够的资金证明;以及你的课程学术准备证据，例如你的标准化考试成绩、成绩单和文凭。