10 votes

I got my IELTS scores back and I need help

Posted by azaadi
Tags: education.higher, ask.advice, usa, india, international english language testing system, graduate record examinations, science.computer

Overall band score 8.

What's the next step? I am an Indian and wish to pursue a master's program in the US.

Should I prepare for the GRE and apply for spring semester? Total newbie about all of this university stuff.

Thanks in advance.

7 comments

  1. chocobean
    Link
    I don't have direct advice but I have indirect advice. Make use of academic advisors: check out many colleges and universities -- some will arrange for you to talk to advisors BEFORE you put down...

    I don't have direct advice but I have indirect advice.

    Make use of academic advisors: check out many colleges and universities -- some will arrange for you to talk to advisors BEFORE you put down any money at all. Use those free meetings to ask as many "generic" questions as you can.

    Save money with transfer credits: find out what credits your target school accepts and how many, and then get started doing that. Look into stuff like Sophia Learning or Modern States.org

    As for your IELTS, do you need tutoring or retaking?

    7 votes
  2. [4]
    aditya
    Link
    Aim for starting in the fall. Your internship opportunities are better and you finish your program at a more appropriate time from the perspective of getting a job (if that’s what you want). Also,...

    Aim for starting in the fall. Your internship opportunities are better and you finish your program at a more appropriate time from the perspective of getting a job (if that’s what you want). Also, most US universities prefer TOEFL but IELTS should also be accepted by a bunch.

    4 votes
    1. [3]
      sparksbet
      Link Parent
      Yeah I echo this -- it is not very common to start in spring semester in the US (even for master's programs) so starting in fall will have you fitting better into the conventional schedule. Plus,...

      Yeah I echo this -- it is not very common to start in spring semester in the US (even for master's programs) so starting in fall will have you fitting better into the conventional schedule. Plus, it's pretty last-minute to be applying for spring semester 2024 anyway, and you'd benefit from having more time beforehand to study and prepare your application.

      3 votes
      1. [2]
        Thallassa
        Link Parent
        If we’re talking US grad school, most application deadlines for FALL 2024 have already passed. Spring isn’t just last minute, it’s impossible to apply at this point.

        If we’re talking US grad school, most application deadlines for FALL 2024 have already passed. Spring isn’t just last minute, it’s impossible to apply at this point.

        5 votes
        1. sparksbet
          Link Parent
          Ah, I only applied for undergrad in the US and you could technically apply for those up until around April iirc, but I didn't apply to US grad schools so no personal experience there. German grad...

          Ah, I only applied for undergrad in the US and you could technically apply for those up until around April iirc, but I didn't apply to US grad schools so no personal experience there. German grad schools definitely let you apply MUCH more last minute by comparison lol

  3. [2]
    zixx
    Link
    It really depends on which university(s) you plan to apply. You'll get better information asking them directly. What do you plan to study?

    It really depends on which university(s) you plan to apply. You'll get better information asking them directly.

    What do you plan to study?

    1 vote
    1. azaadi
      Link Parent
      Computer science, hopefully.

      Computer science, hopefully.

      1 vote