Academic Planning

Your academic plan is a road map for your academic career. So that we can better assist you throughout your academic career, we recommend that you follow the academic plan outlined below.

As a high school student preparing for college, you should:

• Meet frequently with your school counselor or advisor to pick the appropriate courses and ask for necessary support, including tutoring or mentoring.
• Start your search for universities and colleges at the beginning of your junior year (11th grade).
• Prepare rigorously for your TOEFL and ACT or SAT tests.
• Participate in extracurricular activities at your school.

As an undergraduate preparing for graduate school, you should:

• Meet frequently with your academic advisor to pick the appropriate courses and ask for necessary support.
• Start your search for graduate institutions and programs as soon as possible, ideally by the beginning of your junior year.
• Utilize student support services such as Career Services to help you in your search for graduate programs and Student Involvement Office to help you find extracurricular activities.
• Prepare rigorously for your TOEFL and GRE or GMAT tests.
• Participate in extracurricular activities at your school.
• Once you have chosen a program to apply to, contact faculty members within the program to inquire about potential grants, scholarships, or graduate assistantships.
• Establish and maintain relationships with professors, since you will need strong letters of recommendation as part of your application to graduate school.

Most post-secondary or graduate institutions will have their own admission requirements. However, your application will generally be evaluated based on a number of common factors.

Your GPA

You will be given more serious consideration if your grades have been consistently above average or steadily improving in a challenging academic program. Low grades or a less demanding academic program will be weighed against you.

Standardized Test cores

While standardized test scores are not the only thing that schools look at, they are generally a good indication of your ability and preparedness. Test scores are influential not only for admission, but also for scholarship consideration. High school students applying to college should take the ACT or SAT. Undergraduates applying to graduate school should take either the GRE or GMAT, depending on the type of program they are interested in. Your TOEFL score is also very important. Certain majors or concentrations require greater English proficiency than others. Please check the English requirements for your intended area of study.

Extracurricular Activities

Educational institutions look at more than just your academic record. Participation in extracurricular activities can not only be a rewarding experience and an opportunity to meet new people, but it also shows schools that you are a well-rounded person with diverse interests. Involvement in student groups or clubs, student government, sports, or volunteer activities are strongly encouraged.

High School Course Work

For students applying to college, your high school course work is important. Most universities will require you to take courses in the following areas:

• English, including courses in literature, grammar, and composition
• Mathematics, including courses in algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus or trigonometry
• Natural Sciences, including courses in biology, chemistry, or physics
• Social Sciences, including courses in world history, economics, geography, or sociology
• Native Language, including courses in literature and composition

Graduate School

For students applying to graduate school, you must also prepare and submit:

• Your personal statement or statement of purpose.
• Your resume.
• Your letters of recommendation.
• Your research interests, if applicable.

Please be advised that every educational institution will have its own requirements and application deadlines. If you want to be considered for scholarships, you will need to complete your application by the scholarship deadlines, which may be substantially earlier than the application deadlines.

Check the deadlines for your chosen schools and prepare accordingly!