Hi! I'm from Italy....I'm preparing to take a master next fall in the US....but it's so confusing to apply...each univ has a different procedure and different deadline. Is there any of you that can help me with some advice? Or any of you from Italy or elsewhere that is doing the same so we can share opinions and burden?!!

For some reason I would have thought that a paper/pen would help or even a big calender?diary........(smiles) that indicates the deadlines you have to meet & the different procedures they want you to undertake.

Do you think that you may be overtasking? Working with deadlines often brings out the best in people. (Now, I'm braging). However perhaps taking one university application after the other may help?

Any application that demands too much, should probably be shelved away until you're done with the simplier ones. No point in sending out subnormal? applications at the expense of others.

I'm quoting THE DONALD here 'but being focused is necessary'
I'm not in the game anymore, and probably the least likely person to offer any opinion. Best of luck though...!!

My organizational approach is to make a folder for each application, to make a check-list of everything that's required for the application, and to tape the checklist on the outside of the folder so you can easily see what you've got and what you have left to do for each application.

You can make the check-list once you get the application materials or print them off the web, and read through them carefully a few times. So first off I'd get all the application materials together and go from there. This way you'll know how many transcripts to get, you'll have all the forms for letters of reference to give your professors (and can request them all at once instead of in dribbles). Good luck to you! :)

That's great advice sqrl! I also suggest that even if you request for hard copies of application materials from the schools you're interested in, check out their websites as all info needed to apply are there and the info will be faster to access (you don't have to wait for the arrival of the paper docs before you can start your application activities).

Also when you give your professors your reference forms, don't forget to tell them your deadline (or to give them one) so that you'll be assured that you'll be able to submit your materials on time.

Don't be intimidated by the seemingly different requirements of the schools. If you take away some of the particularities of a few schools, most merely require (1) app form (2) fee (3) two reference letters (4) post-secondary school transcripts (5) toefl scores (6) your resume and (7) personal statement. Once you've made a set for one school, it won't be too hard to replicate (with a few changes for your personal statement) for another school.

Best of luck!