Study Abroad Checklist

Year 1 September / 24 months to go
Research! Research! Research! Find out the following information:
Exams required for your program
Date and location of exams
Schedule review classes (if you feel you need it)
Begin reviewing for tests
Research schools and programs, check out websites and request for catalogs and application forms (you can do this online)

Exam websites:
http://www.toefl.org/
http://www.gre.org/
http://www.gmat.org/
http://www.lsac.org/
http://www.aamc.org/




Other helpful websites:
http://www.collegeboard.org/
http://www.travel.state.gov/
http://www.petersons.com/
www.intstudy.com/start.htm
http://www.iie.org/
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/

Year 1 October/23 months to go
Check if school representatives will be visiting
Talk to alumni, ask for advice on the program you’re interested in
Universities from the US, Europe and Australia sponsor information seminars once or twice a year. They usually advertise these events in the newspaper or you can call the embassy directly.

Year 1 November /22 months to go
Review school catalogs/bulletins
Begin taking exams

-Guidelines for comparing colleges: specialization of college, area, cost of living, job placement, racial mix, graduate organizations, religious organizations, proximity to city, relatives in the area, campus environment, housing, test requirements, tuition, financial aid, deadlines

Year 1 December/21 months to go
Review application requirements

Year 2 January/20 months to go
Decide on final list of schools

-Unless you have an unlimited budget, limit the number of your applications. Remember that you have to pay for application fees, mail, and if you exceed four schools, GMAT/TOEFL/GRE might charge you extra for each additional school

Year 2 February/19 months to go
Develop a budget. If your family is paying for your tuition, discuss the costs with them. Refer to Money Matters section.
Find out available scholarships
Find out visa policies of the country where your school is located

Embassy Links: Or go to section with list of embassies in the Philippines
http://www.embassyworld.com/
USA: http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/rp1/wwwhmain.html
JAPAN:
www.aiej.or.jp/index1e.html
http://www.mofa.go.jp/ (Asian Youth Fellowship)
http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/
AUSTRALIA:
http://www.australia.com.ph/
http://www.idp.com/philippines/
UNITED KINGDOM:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/
http://www.educationuk.org/homep.html
www.britishcouncil.org/philippines

Year 2 March/18 months to go
TOEFL Exam
-You might not have to take the TOEFL if your school is accredited. You will need a letter from your school.

Year 2 April /17 months to go
Request current catalog/bulletins and application forms
It’s always a good idea to keep updated. Know the classes you want to take (even with a set program you still have to choose your electives), professors you want to meet, and possible scheduling conflicts.

Year 2 May/ 16 months to go
Approach the people you will be asking for recommendations
- It’s never too early to request your favorite professor for a recommendation.
If you plan to ask your boss for a recommendation, plan it carefully since they might not appreciate knowing you plan to leave them soon.
Request copy of transcript
-Since you’ll be visiting your old school, you might as well go to the registrar and ask their policy on sending out transcripts. Sometimes you have to mail it yourself with the university seal embossed on it. Always ask for 2 extra copies, one for yourself and another one for safety just in case you misplace it.
Prepare portfolio (for students whose graduate studies will involve the submission of the portfolio)
-For art or design majors, make slides, copies of slides of your work and place them in two different suitcases when you pack in case either of them gets lost.

Year 2 July/14 months to go
Work on application
- If you only have one copy of the application. Photocopy it and work on it as a draft.

Year 2 August/ 13 months to go
Begin draft of essay for applications
-Remember that you’re trying to sell yourself.

Year 2 September/ 12 months to go
Schedule admission tests if not taken or if you want to improve grades

Year 2 October/ 11 months to go
Complete essay for applications and financial aid application forms
Submit application forms and other requested materials

Year 2 November/10 months to go
Be sure to request for your scores on all required tests are sent to the colleges you selected
Check if recommendations have been sent
Be sure your school has sent your academic records

Year 2 December/9 months to go
Reply promptly and completely to any requests for additional information

Year 3 January/8 months to go
Mail financial aid forms if not yet mailed

Year 3 February/ 7 months to go
Review your budget. With the ever-changing value of the peso, it’s always a good idea to compute your expenses again.

Year 3 March/6 months to go
Hear from college. Be sure to send your reply and deposit by acceptance deadline if there is one.

Year 3 April/5 months to go
Write to the colleges you haven’t heard from
-Once you receive an acceptance letter and you‘ve decided to go that college, you should reply immediately. The school is supposed to send you an I-20 that you will need when applying for your student visa. Some schools are not familiar with paperwork for foreign students so you might have to follow up on the I-20 more aggressively. It is a good idea to write down the name of the person that you spoke with in case you have questions in the future, you’ll know who to call.

Year 3 May/4 months to go
Work on student visa requirements: proof you can pay for tuition if you are not on scholarship -- bank accounts, and other assets. Schedule an interview once, and when you have all the necessary requirements.

Review pre-departure procedures. Review your school’s website - most schools have tips for foreign students.

Confirm housing reservations at the college of your choice. If your school doesn’t provide housing you can look for housing when you get there or ask friends and relatives to look around for an apartment for you. (See our section on temporary housing on our Setting Up a Home Away from Home chapter.) If you don’t have a friend or relative to stay with before you get permanent lodgings, get the number of a student hostel, YMCA/YWCA for more affordable accommodations.

Apply/renew passport. Your passport should last the length of your study. If studying in the US, add an extra year for practical training.

Year 3 June/ 3 months to go
Apply for visa
Make travel arrangements. Try to get to your area a month before; use this time to help you adjust to your new surroundings, attend orientation seminars and play tourist before you face the academic challenges ahead of you.

-When buying your ticket, apply for the frequent flyer program

Year 3 July/ 2 months to go
Pack!
-If arriving during the cold season, make sure you have enough warm clothes for the first few days before you can go clothes shopping for sufficiently warmer clothes.
Visit your doctor (general check-up, update your prescriptions, shots, etc.) and dentist (cleaning, cavities filled, etc.)
Buy a gift for your host if you are staying with someone before finding permanent quarters
Other things to consider before leaving home: go on retreat, climb Mt. Banahaw, go to the beach, spend quality time with your loved ones...

Year 3 August/ 1 month to go
Depart for grad school!
-Right before you leave, make sure you have a place to stay when you get there and have money in your pocket (enough for transportation to your destination, phone calls and emergency money).