Masters in USA Requirements for International Students

After finishing your bachelor's degree in any sector from either your home nation or the USA, you might find a placement or continue your education with a master's or PhD. Suppose you have chosen the latter in America. In that case, it's a better option since the country is home to some of the top universities in the world. Take the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), for example. It has been ranked #1 continuously and repeatedly by the QS World Rankings since 2012. However, suppose you wish to pursue a master's program in the USA.

Must Read: 

Masters (MS) in USA
MBA in USA

1. 3 to 4 Years Bachelor's Degree in Relevant Field

To pursue a chosen master's degree in the USA, you must, of course, hold a bachelor's degree. For the US, the duration of your UG course needs to be a minimum of 3 to 4 years.

For example, suppose you are pursuing MBA (Masters in Business Management). In that case, you will need a four-year bachelor's in Business Administration or an equivalent management undergraduate degree. 

2. At Least 3.0 GPA

The least score in the GPA you can have to pursue a master's level qualification in America is 3.0. However, this criterion varies from University to University, so check with the University of your choice before applying.

3. At Least 330 in GRE

Graduate Admissions Examination (GRE) is a mandatory (with exceptions) test that undergraduates wishing to pursue postgraduate must pass with at least a score of 330, but it may vary as per the benchmark of universities. Another test is the Graduate Admission Management Test (GMAT), which some universities make eligible instead of the GRE. 

Still, usually, you should remember the following 2 points.

• GRE is applicable for engineering, management, social sciences, and computer and IT. Basically, for any course.
• GMAT is only appropriate for management degrees.

4. Statement of Purpose

Your SOP is one of the essential parts of the university admission process in the USA. It is a formal letter-type document that you write to the University's admission panel sharing the following details.

• Your career path.
• Your interests.
• Your professional contributions.
• Your objectives.
• What made you choose the particular University and course?

Must Read: Statement of Purpose (SOP) - A Complete Guide

5. Research Internships/Published Research Papers

You must include any research internships or published research papers as they add value to your portfolio. You can also have them in your CV or resume mandatory for some specific programs.

6. Project Work/Seminars

Since a master's degree in the UK is a professional level degree, any project work or seminars you have taken add value to your application and increase your chances of selection. So we recommend you complete as many projects as possible as an undergraduate.

7. 2 to 3 Letters of Recommendation

To pursue a master's degree in the USA, you need at least 2 to 3 recommendation letters or Letters of Recommendation from your teachers or professors that describe your qualities, skills, behaviour, etc., that make you a good fit for the degree. It is also required for employment. Usually, these people can write LORs.

• Teachers.
• Professors.
• Colleagues.
• Clients.
• Employers.

Must Read: Letter Of Recommendation (LOR) - A Complete Guide

8. Social and Leadership Activities

Participation in leadership activities is usually required for master's degrees in management courses such as MBA or Master of Engineering Management (MEM). As for your social skills, these will also help you gain specific scholarships.

9. English Language Proficiency Exam Score

Unless you are the English language native overseas student from a country such as the United Kingdom or Australia, you must prove that you can read, write, speak, and listen in English to a proficient level. Your level is decided by a set score, judged by a standard examiner. 

Here's a typical list of these tests.

• IELTS,
• TOEFL iBT,
• PTE.

A tip here is that these are not your college or school-level English exams. Instead, each band (writing, reading, speaking, and listening) is scored individually. So you need as much practice as possible. In addition, we recommend taking classes for your chosen test to increase your chances of achieving your desired score. In short, the better your score, the better your chances of getting selected for your chosen University. 

FAQ

We hope this post cleared all your queries regarding Master's in USA requirements for international students. However, suppose you have any other questions or wish to pursue masters in the USA. In that case, aecc India can help you easily get selected in one of its top universities for your desired course. Contact us today.

aecc India is one of the world's leading educational consultancies with versatile expert professionals who are ready to help you with any queries you may have. Contact us so we can be of assistance to you in your journey of fulfilling your dream.