• University Admissions
• Admissions Examinations for Degree Candidates
• Notification of Admission
• Planning Programs of Study
• Reporting Academic Progress
• Program Changes/Transfers
• Transfer of Sponsorship
• An Academic Year at a Glance: The Grantee Calendar
• Academic Honesty
• Study Skills Guide

Once you have been recommended for a grant, LASPAU will assign you a placement coordinator, who will be responsible for applying to universities and managing the application process on your behalf. You do not need to contact universities, nor should you send applications or supporting documents to universities. These documents should be sent to your placement coordinator, who will then forward them to the university.

There are three main factors that affect where your placement coordinator will send your application:

1. Tuition funding: LASPAU seeks tuition funding from the universities to which we apply. Tuition funding is available through many universities in the form of tuition waivers, scholarships, or assistantships. However, tuition funding is not available at all universities and is quite restricted in some fields.
   
   
2. Academic competitiveness: Universities, especially those that are well-known, receive many more applications than they can accept; therefore, admission is competitive. Admissions decisions are based on many factors, including standardized test scores, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, previous academic grades, research, and professional experience. You will be competing for admission against many other candidates, and the chances of admission will be determined by the overall strength of the applicant pool and the relative strength of your application. Some departments receive so many applications that they use standardized test scores as a preliminary measure to reduce the applicant pool to a manageable size.
   
   
3. Match of academic/research interests: Academic departments differ in their focus. With 40 years of experience in placing grantees, LASPAU has an extensive knowledge of university programs and will work to place you in an institution that is an appropriate match to your interests. Your statement of purpose is a vital factor in clarifying your interests for both your placement coordinator and for university admission committees. It is extremely important that you clearly express your specific interests in your statement of purpose essay.

As a general rule, LASPAU applies to three or four universities for each grantee. We only submit applications to universities where there is a reasonable possibility of tuition funding and admission. LASPAU's role is to place you in an appropriate university with tuition funding.

Your placement coordinator will consider the universities you have suggested, if any, to determine if they are appropriate options, given the three factors described above. Your placement coordinator will also suggest appropriate university programs if you have not expressed a preference or if some of your suggestions would not be viable options.

Please note that once applications have been made to universities, you should not contact these universities yourself; LASPAU will communicate with the universities on your behalf. LASPAU has longstanding relationships with individuals at most universities who support our applications and act as advocates in the admissions process. Negotiating admission and tuition funding is a time-consuming and delicate process. Contacting universities yourself creates a great deal of confusion. LASPAU has extensive experience in arranging for admission and tuition funding on behalf of grantees, and the relationships we have developed with universities represent a resource that we provide to you as a LASPAU-administered grantee.

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Most universities in English-speaking countries require that applicants for graduate degree programs who are not native speakers take a test of English language proficiency, such as the International TOEFL or the IELTS. Most programs also require that graduate applicants take a special standardized examination, such as the GRE or the GMAT that tests a candidate's aptitude for graduate study. These exams have sections that assess verbal, quantitative, and/or analytical skills. All of the tests are in English. Please note that the decision to require a standardized examination is made by each university, not by LASPAU.

We realize that if English is not your native language, your GRE or GMAT score may not truly reflect your academic and professional ability. Therefore, if we are applying to a university on your behalf, we do our best to present a university with a complete profile of your qualifications as a potential student and as a professional in your field. However, a GRE or GMAT score, especially the quantitative section for quantitative disciplines, is very important when initially presenting your documents to a university for review. We ask that you cooperate with any requests we make for you to prepare for, register for, and take required examinations. For our part, we at LASPAU will do everything possible to present all materials necessary for a well-rounded evaluation of your candidacy.

If you are required to take the paper-based or electronic International TOEFL and either the GRE or the GMAT, you must do so as early as possible. Some countries have permanent standardized test centers whereas other countries do not have a test center.

If there is a permanent testing center in your country, it will be necessary for you to make an appointment with the local companies or organizations that administer the exams. Please plan ahead because you may have to wait as long as six weeks for an appointment.

If there is no permanent center, please check the ETS website for test registration procedures for the TOEFL and GRE. For the GMAT, please check the GMAC website.

Test brochures and registration forms for these exams can be obtained directly from the exam websites. Valuable information on preparing for standardized tests can also be found on the ETS and GMAC websites. Information on the IELTS, including an online handbook, can be obtained directly from the IELTS website. You should also be able to obtain information on all exams from your sponsoring agency or from the embassy of your host country in your home country..

Business Candidates

Candidates in business fields—both native and nonnative speakers of English—must take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and submit their scores to LASPAU. Although admission decisions are based on a number of factors, the GMAT is a critical element in a university application to business schools. Business programs will not consider your application without GMAT results. The minimum score to be considered for admission at most MBA programs is 550, while ranked MBA programs require a minimum score of 600. The GMAT is a difficult exam. LASPAU urges you to begin to prepare for it immediately, so that you will be able to take the test no later than November 1 and obtain an adequate score. If you take the test after November 1, it will restrict the universities to which we are able to apply on your behalf.

If there is no permanent testing center in your country, the dates available to take the GMAT will be restricted. You should verify the availability of the test in your country.

Candidates in Education, the Humanities, Engineering, and Science

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test required for admission to most graduate programs in non-business fields in the United States. The GRE consists of Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical sections. Most universities require a minimum of 1000 combined Verbal and Quantitative score for admission. (Please note that obtaining a 1000 combined Verbal and Quantitative score on the GRE does not guarantee you admission to a university; it is simply the minimum score possible for your application to be considered for admission to most universities.) If you obtain a score of less than 1000 on the Verbal and Quantitative sections, please inform your LASPAU contact immediately, and be prepared to take the GRE again to improve your score.

You should register for the earliest possible administration of the test. If you take the test after November 1, it will restrict the choice of universities to which LASPAU is able to apply on your behalf. The GRE is not a difficult test, but it is necessary to prepare for it, since it is a critical element in a graduate application. In fact, many universities will not consider your application without results from the GRE. LASPAU urges you to begin to prepare for the GRE immediately, so that you will be able to take the test no later than November 1 and obtain an adequate score.

If there is no permanent testing center in your country, the dates available to take the GRE will be very restricted. You should verify the availability of the test in your country.

Fine Arts Candidates

Studio and performing artists are usually not asked to present standardized test results. Generally, instead, a portfolio or video tape of your work is required.

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You will usually be informed of your admission to a university between April and June. If you are in an intensive English program and took the TOEFL and GRE late, you should expect a decision somewhat later.

When you are admitted and offered tuition assistance, your university will send LASPAU your official letter of admission and other information for new students. We will forward these papers to you. Your admissions packet will include the date you should arrive on campus, the name of the person to contact when you arrive, and any conditions placed on your admission, such as a required TOEFL score.

Once we have notified you of your admission, LASPAU will write to the university on your behalf to accept its offer and to confirm your intention to enroll. After that, you may wish to correspond directly with your department to introduce yourself. When LASPAU submits your application to a university, the university will usually assign an ID number to you. Once admitted, you will need to use this number in any formal communication with your host university.

Both the university and LASPAU will be happy to answer questions you may have about your admission.

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PLANNING PROGRAMS OF STUDY

You, your academic advisor, and your LASPAU program advisor will work together to plan your academic program. Your academic advisor will make sure that, while meeting your own objectives, you also fulfill both the departmental and university requirements. Your LASPAU program advisor will ensure that your course of study conforms to the priorities of your grant sponsor and your home institution (if applicable). It is a good idea to begin your studies gradually, not enrolling in the most advanced courses during your first term. Your academic advisor will be able to recommend a selection and sequence of courses that fits your background and plans.

Program Changes Suggested by Your Academic Advisor If your academic advisor recommends either additional English courses or a reduced courseload, please consult with your LASPAU program advisor immediately. Your tuition arrangement may not cover university courses that are not part of a regular graduate program, and it may require you to take a minimum number of credits per term.

Prerequisites

If you have been admitted to the university on a provisional basis, you may be required to take several background courses stipulated by your department.

Departmental Requirements

Be sure to ask your academic advisor which courses are required for your degree. Some of these may not be offered every year, or they may need to be taken in a specific sequence. Arrange your schedule carefully to avoid unnecessary delays so that you may complete your degree within the period of your funding. If certain courses on topics relevant to your field of study are not currently available, you can usually arrange an independent study under the guidance of a professor focused on your interests and receive academic credits by registering under independent study or "directed readings."

If you plan to write a thesis, it is important to select a topic as soon as possible so that you will have enough time for your research, writing, revising, photocopying, and defense. Thesis research is sometimes the best way to expand or specialize in your area of interest.

Electives

Although electives will earn you credits toward your degree, they are not required. To avoid delays in completing your degree, try to complete all required courses before taking electives. If you find your schedule filled by required courses and you still want a course that is only available as an elective, you may be able to audit it.

Program Planning Form Once you and your academic advisor have determined your plan of study, fill out and return your Program Planning Form to your LASPAU program advisor. The form must be received by LASPAU within 30 days of the start of your program. Note that the completion-of-program date will be the actual date by which you are expected to finish all of your course work, research, and/or dissertation or thesis. In some cases, it will not coincide with your university’s graduation or commencement date.

If your tuition award includes the summer term, you may:

• Enroll as a full-time student, as defined by your university (if there are multiple summer sessions, full-time status is expected for each session).
  
• Work full time on your thesis, research project, independent study, or preparation for comprehensive or qualifying exams (without enrolling for credits unless required).
  
• Combine the two options above, as long as the credit enrollment and research work are equal to full-time academic work.

If your tuition award does not include the summer term, you may:

• Work full time on your thesis, research project, independent study, or preparation for comprehensive or qualifying exams (without enrolling for credits).
  
• If you need to enroll in summer courses for credit, explore alternative sources of funding with your academic advisor and other officials at the university.
  

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According to United States Department of State regulations for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, grantees who wish to remain in the United States for academic purposes beyond the length of funding from their grant must request permission to transfer off the Fulbright Program’s legal sponsorship. If you are requesting a transfer of sponsorship to finish your original degree program, you will transfer from the Fulbright J-1 program (program number G-1-12218) to LASPAU’s J-1 program for non-Fulbright grantees (program number P-3-03822). In the case of grantees funded by Fulbright/COLCIENCIAS and Fulbright/COLCIENCIAS/DNP who are remaining in the US to finish the original program, COLCIENCIAS has requested that LASPAU continue to monitor the grantees’ programs and to provide legal sponsorship until the completion of the degree. If you are requesting a transfer of sponsorship to pursue a second degree, you will transfer from the Fulbright J-1 program to the U.S. university's J-1 program. Once this transfer is complete, LASPAU will no longer be legally responsible for your immigration status in the United States and all future legal documents will be issued by your U.S. university. However, you will still be obligated to comply with your agreement to return to your home country after the completion of your exchange program in order to fulfill the J-visa two-year home country physical presence requirement. Below are the procedures to follow to request a transfer of sponsorship. Use the following table to determine which steps to complete in order to transfer sponsorship to complete an original degree or to transfer sponsorship to pursue a second degree. In the first two columns of the chart, locate the category of transfer of sponsorship that applies to you. The check marks indicate the procedures you need to follow to prepare documentation to send to LASPAU. To start the process, please submit the following documents to your LASPAU program advisor at least six weeks prior to the completion of your academic program or funding end date: To Finish Original Degree To Pursue a Second Degree Procedure   A letter or email from you requesting the transfer of sponsorship, including the following: a timetable of your academic plans; the anticipated completion date (month/year) of your program and the date of return to your country; and a statement confirming your commitment to return to your country and fulfill the two-year home residency requirement of the J-1 visa when you complete your academic activities in the United States.   A letter or email from you requesting the transfer of sponsorship, including the following: a timetable of your academic plans; the anticipated completion date (month/year) of your program and the date of return to your country; an explanation of how this additional degree will meet your professional goals in your home country; and a statement confirming your commitment to return to your country and fulfill the two-year home residency requirement of teh J-1 visa when you complete your academic activities in the United States.   An email from your academic advisor confirming the timetable of your academic plans and the anticipated completion date (month/year) of your program.   An email from your academic advisor confirming the completion date of your original degree and supporting your plans to continue with a second degree. A letter or email from your home institution (if applicable), approving your request for an extension or confirming that your leave-of-absence contract will be valid to the end of your academic program. Written proof of funding for your academic program, including tuition, living expenses, and health insurance for yourself and your family (J-2 dependents) for the period beyond the end of your Fulbright–COLCIENCIAS funding.   A letter or email from the Responsible Officer (or Alternate Responsible Officer) at your U.S. university international office, stating that the university is willing to assume your legal sponsorship under the J-visa program.   A copy of your letter of acceptance to the second degree program. If you do not comply with the above-mentioned six-week deadline, LASPAU will be unable to process your request for a transfer of sponsorship.   Once your program advisor receives the documents listed above, LASPAU will forward you request to COLCIENCIAS for their approval   Upon receipt of COLCIENCIAS's approval of your request , LASPAU will process your transfer to LASPAU's J-1 program for non-Fulbright grantees (program number P-3-03822) and issue you a new DS-2019. LASPAU will also inform the Fulbright Commission in Bogotá and the Department of State about the transfer.   Once your program advisor receives the documents listed above, LASPAU will forward your request to COLCIENCIAS and to the Fulbright Commission in Bogotá for approval. If the response is positive, the transfer request will be forwarded to the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State in Washington, D.C.   If the Department of State also has no objection to the transfer, LASPAU will be able to authorize your transfer in SEVIS. Once the transfer is completed in SEVIS, your U.S. university will issue your new DS-2019. Your health care coverage through the Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) will end on the date your legal sponsorship is transferred to the university, even if your ASPE identification card has a later expiration date. Remember that you and your dependents need to have health care coverage that meets the J visa requirements. Once you have been transferred off of Fulbright's legal sponsorship, you are responsible for paying the SEVIS I-901 fee of $180. You can find more information about the fee and a link to payment instructions on the SEVIS website. You were exempt from paying this fee previously because you participated in a U.S.-government sponsored program. Once your legal sponsorship is transferred, please request an official cumulative transcript to be sent to your program advisor at LASPAU. We will send confirmation of the sponsorship transfer to the Fulbright Program as part of the final progress report.