Applications

If you are going to apply for advanced training, as soon as possible start investigating the requirements for a successful application. Applications can require the results of standardized tests like the GRE or MCAT, personal statements, financial information, transcripts, letters of reference, a CV or résumé, and filling out several standard forms. Read through the application instructions very carefully and make a checklist of all the parts required to complete your application. If you're not clear what is required, is there contact information on the application form that you can call or e-mail to inquire about this? If you know of someone who has successfully been admitted into a similar program, talk with them about what they did, what they would do differently, and ask for any advice they can give to help you be successful.

If standardized test results are required, you must take the test well in advance of the deadline as it takes time for the exam to be scored and sent to the university. Test preparation workbooks and courses are available to help you prepare and possibly improve your score.

If you don't like your first score, you generally can take the test multiple times, and often just taking the test twice improves your score. If you do this, you want to make sure you take the test for the first time very early, to allow you several months afterwards to receive your score, and assess whether you want to take it second time.

Writing is a key part of most applications. If English is your second language, you may need help in making sure the grammar and spelling are correct. It is best to have several people who are proficient in writing English read your personal statement and suggest edits before you submit it. There are also companies in many countries that will specifically edit documents to make them more grammatically correct. It may be well worth the fee to ensure that your statement is the best that it can be.

It is also extremely important that you are able to speak and write English well before accepting a training position at an English-speaking university. Many schools require students from other countries to take exams that test their proficiency in spoken and written English and will give a short period of time for that person to improve their skills if they are deficient. I recommend you start working on your English as early as possible, rather than waiting for the university to require it of you. I know one graduate student who had enormous trouble passing the spoken part of the exam, and was almost expelled from graduate school because of this. In the end, he received intensive one-on-one tutoring and passed the exam on his very last try, but it would have been less stressful for all involved if he had received more training and achieved greater proficiency in spoken English before coming to the US.

Filling out even the simplest application form takes some care because any mistakes and/or typos can completely undermine the way you come across. Most professionals, especially admissions officials, are sticklers for correct grammar and spelling. If the form is electronic, I recommend you print and fill out in writing an exact copy of the form, check and fix any errors, have at least one more person proofread it, and then copy the whole thing onto the real form before submitting. If the application is not electronic, then make a photocopy and write in all the details on the copied page before writing on the original. Your application has a higher chance of appearing professional if you follow these steps.