Masters Degrees in the United States of America Finding the Right Fit INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK TURKMENISTAN 2014 DECEMBER 12, 2014

Transcription

1 Masters Degrees in the United States of America Finding the Right Fit INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK TURKMENISTAN 2014 DECEMBER 12, 2014

2 Why Pursue a US Graduate Degree? Promotions, more responsibilities, higher salaries and more job opportunities Gain more expertise and build existing skills Develop new skills Change careers without doing another full 4-5 years of undergraduate studies Prestige, extra letters after your name American Masters is a Global Masters degree

3 Concept of Right Fit for US Masters Programs Masters programs in the US are highly specialized, even within a specifc field They want students whose goals match their specialty and will be successful Prestige of programs is measured by the accomplishments of their graduates You want a program that will help you best achieve your professional goals

4 Why is finding the Right Fit graduate program so important? Increased chances of the degree helping you actually achieve your personal and professional goals Increased personal satisfaction with the educational experience Increased chances of receiving financial aid; you match their goals as well

5 Best Piece of Graduate Education Advice I Have Ever Received If you want to work in International Development, don t get a Masters degree in International Development. Matthew Mulherin, Former American Councils Country Director His meaning: not all Graduate Program will be a good Right Fit to reach your goals You must search for the Right Fit program and universities want Right Fit students for their programs, especially for financial aid

6 Session #1: Panel Discussion with Turkmen Citizens with US Degrees Name? Where/what did you study for Undergrad? Where/what did you study for your Masters? Where do you now work? How did a US Masters degree help you professionally? How did a US Masters degree help you personally? Advice for Turkmen considering a US Masters

7 Session #1: Advanced Questions Describe your academic program. What was useful? What could have been better? Describe your search process for a program. What worked out went well? What do you with you had done differently? Describe social life at a your school? What special entertainment options or opportunities did you have? Describe your experience studying with a family. How did you manage the balance?

8 Session # 4: Financial Aid for US Masters Programs Finding Financial Aid through the Right Fit INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK TURKMENISTAN 2014 DECEMBER 12, 2014

9 The Bad News Tuition for American Masters programs can be very expensive ($10,000 to $30,000 per year) Cost of Living in the United States is much more expensive than Turkmenistan ($12,000 to $25,000 per year) Total cost per year to study in the US for a Masters program can range from $22,000 to $55,000 per year or more.

10 The Good News There is much, much, much, much, much, more financial aid available for Masters students than for Undergraduate students Masters students have a much wider range of funding options available to them These funding options are often designed to enhance their graduate study experience The low number of graduate students from Turkmenistan puts you at an enormous diversity advantage for financial aid

11 Typical Kinds of Financial Aid for International Graduate Students Home Governmental Scholarships (not available in Turkmenistan yet) US Government Scholarships (Humphrey and Fulbright programs; only 3-4 slots a year) Private foundations or scholarships (very rare) Personal savings (some personal contribution usually expected) Institutional Funding (most common and largest source of funding from University itself)

12 Typical Institutional Funding for International Graduate Students Tuition Waivers discounted or free tuition Grants blocks of funding for tuition or cost of living Stipends salaried payments for cost of living Resident Assistant free housing and food for monitoring a living area and assisting residents Part-time work graduate students usually given preference for on-campus work Many different ships

13 Common -Ships partnerships that provide stipend or tuition waivers Fellowships attached to a work commitment, usually related to field of study in department Internships placement in department or organization outside program to work Teaching Assistantships teach or help teach introductory Undergrad student classes Research Assistantships help professors conduct research

14 Financial Aid Packages Financial Aid usually offered by institution in a package Combination of various different kinds of financial aid the department will offer Organized in a budget format comparing The I-20 cost of attendance How much they will commit to you How much they expect you to pay/find yourself Likely other opportunities outside of department/program for financial aid

15 Financial Aid Package Example Total Cost of Attendance per year: $37,000 ($25,000 tuition, $12,000 Cost of Living) Diversity Tuition waiver: - $20,000 Research Fellowship with Eurasian Studies Department (10 hours a week): - $8,000 Teaching Assistantship ECON 101 (10 hours a week): - $7,000 Per year Expected Personal Contribution: $2,000

16 On what basis are you evaluated? In personal statement: evidence of maturity, initiative, originality, work habits, focus, commitment, knowledge of and interest in specific program Writing and research skills, mastery of English Teaching/professional experience Experience/knowledge of the field of study Good test scores Knowledge of the program, faculty, their research, and the accomplishment of their students/graduates

17 How to make yourself more competitive for Financial Aid Find Right Fit programs, departments are MUCH more likely to finding funding for potential students whose goals match their specialties More professional experience, accomplishments, and leadership positions equals more financial aid Improve your GRE and TOEFL scores Apply at least by the deadline but earlier if possible Craft a strong Statement of Purpose that clearly lays out your goals, why that particular program is the best for you, and how you will serve the university s goals

18 How Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs Evaluates Applicants: Personal Statement: Clear career goals; how applicant s goals match to SPEA specialties; evidence they are aware of SPEA programs, faculty, alumni, and common career paths; how they will handle rigor Professional Experience: at least 2-3 years of professional experience, strong leadership or community service could substitute Good Test Scores: high quantitative GRE and decent Verbal score, higher more important for scholarships; Good TOEFL score for international students

19 Financial Aid links

20 US Government Exchange Programs Fulbright Fellowships Hubert Humphrey Fellowships For more information on these programs you can also visit the IRC

21 Questions? Educational Adviser: Internet: