STEP 1:  Consult an advising center

STEP 2:  Define your educational and career objectives

STEP 3:  Determine whether you meet admission requirements

STEP 4:  Arrange to take required graduate admissions examinations

STEP 5:  Evaluate your ability to finance U.S. study

STEP 6:  Arrange to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) examination, and, if necessary, the TSE (Test of Spoken English) examination

STEP 7:  Prepare for enrollment by selecting 10 to 15 appropriate institutions

STEP 8:  Write to the Graduate Admissions Office of the institutions you have selected and ask for an application and information. When application forms arrive, prepare them carefully, including all the items requested

STEP 9:  If you need financial aid, begin to took for sources

STEP 10:  Wait for offers of admission; supply any additional items requested

STEP 11:  Accept one offer of admission; write to the institutions you will not attend

STEP 12:  Decide whether you will live in housing on-campus or off

STEP 13:  Apply for a student visa

STEP 14:  Attend a predeparture orientation session at your advising center