My Journey to US: Part I

   I've been intending to write about all the things I did to come to US for higher studies as soon I reached here. However it is only now, after 2 weeks that I've found the mind to do it. 

  I want to start with a warning to all those who aspire to continue their studies in the US whether for bachelor's, master's or PhD. Think about you decision over and over again with regard to all  aspects. The entire process from taking the tests to finally boarding your flight can take at least 6 months and may even go up to a couple of years. In addition to time the costs involved are also phenomenal. By the time you board your flight you might have been set back a few lakhs of rupees even. Of course the expenses that will occur once you reach there are another matter.

 Comparatively getting into a good Indian institution like an IIT or an NIT is much simpler and less harsher on you and your families pocket. Of course if you have already your bachelors in a good Indian institution then none of this post applies because they are in great demand anyway abroad.

   After deciding to go for higher studies in the US, the first thing I did was to convince my parents about the greatness of going to US and of all the wonderful things I could do over there. Understandably they were not so enthusiastic about it since I already had a master's degree and a good paying job. However I was able to win them over. But now as I look back I wonder how many of the arguments I made stand valid now or would prove valid in the future.

Within a month I  took my GRE test. Then started a period of finding the right professor and University and emailing them. A few replied positively and negatively. Also I got my recommendations which was surprisingly the easier part. The transcripts took their time but mostly due to my fault. I took my TOEFL in December determined to send my application before the summer deadline.

  Finally in January I sent out a grand total of 2 applications. Why I only sent two still puzzles me but this may have been one of the most foolish mistakes I did. The only good thing was that I could save a few thousand on the application fees. This was small change compared to the fact that I had spent nearly 25000 rupees till then on the expenses related to GRE, TOEFL, application fees, transcript fees etc. This is despite the fact that I did everything by my own or through family without the help of any payed consultants.

  I thought the hardest part would be over once the applications were sent. I was  full of hope and dreaming of all the research I would do. However what followed made me realize that sending applications was the easier part.