The following information is provided to assist you during the various stages of your academic program.
Please see the Frequently Requested Information section for more details about the higher education system in your host country.
 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Your placement coordinator
will work with you to select appropriate universities to which we will apply
on your behalf. Your placement coordinator will be able to advise you on the
possibilities of admission and tuition funding at universities that interest
you and will be able to suggest alternate universities at which admission with
tuition funding is possible. If you would like to begin looking for universities
that meet your interests, there are several search engines available on the
Internet, a few of which are listed below:
Universities in the United
States:
Universities outside the
United States:
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.
Providing Standardized Test Scores to LASPAU
TOEFL and GRE
When you take the TOEFL or GRE, you can arrange with ETS for
your scores to be sent to four institutions at no additional cost. We
recommend that you select LASPAU as one of these institutions. (If you
do not take advantage of this option, you will have to pay an additional
fee for your scores to be reported.) On the computer exam, please select
the option that says "LASPAU." Since it is not always easy
to find LASPAU on the computer exam, please look either in the section
for scholarship/fellowship organizations or in the state of Massachusetts,
where it may be listed under Harvard University. If you order scores
by mail, please note that LASPAU’s institutional code number is
3492.
GMAT
To arrange for GMAT scores to be sent to LASPAU and universities, please note that as of January 2006, our institutional code number will be QT4-PM-34.
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 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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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.
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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.
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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.
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Summer Studies
 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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Important note: Your host institution may require that you enroll in classes over the summer in order to maintain your status at the university. Check with the university's international office to see if you are required to enroll. |
Summer Planning Form
Each spring, LASPAU will ask you to complete a Summer Planning Form, which can be downloaded from this site in PDF format. You are required to fill out and return this form even if you are not receiving summer funding. |
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If you are not
doing full-time academic work during the summer (either enrolled for credit
or engaged in one of the other academic activities listed above) or have not made an acceptable
alternate arrangement (which you should discuss with your LASPAU advisor), your maintenance payments will be reduced.
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It is your responsibility
to report to LASPAU on your academic progress twice a year. You will be asked
to report electronically on your grades and enrollment plans. You will be notified
when this form is available on the LASPAU website. Progress reports are due
on the following schedule:
- June-December grade, generally
due at LASPAU by January 31
- January-May grades, generally
due at LASPAU by May 31
In
the Progress Report Form, both you and your academic advisor will be asked to
comment on your performance. Please explain any academic difficulties or unusual
grades such as "Incomplete," "In Progress," or "Withdrawn."
In the Comments section, also note any additional activities in which you are
involved, such as conferences, events, or publications. We enjoy hearing about
your accomplishments and may use them in a newsletter or annual report.
Throughout the year, please notify your LASPAU program advisor or coordinator
of any changes in your academic status so that we can assist you if needed.
We provide reports on your academic progress to your program sponsor and to
your home institution, if applicable. It is therefore important that you keep
us updated.
When you finish your studies and before you leave your host country, please
make arrangements for LASPAU to receive an official final transcript of your
grades.
You must also complete
and submit a Final Report as required by your OAS contract.
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 LASPAU has tried to place
you in the academic program best suited to both your goals and abilities and
the expectations of your program sponsors. University transfers are made only
in rare instances because they inevitably delay the completion of the degree
program. However, if you find that your placement is inappropriate after you
begin your program:
- Please consult your
LASPAU program advisor about any requests for changes either within your university
or to a different institution.
- Meet with your academic
advisor to see whether your present university can better meet your needs
through special projects, an interdisciplinary program, or a change of department.
- If you exhaust the possibilities
above and believe a transfer to another university is necessary, explore alternatives
with your academic advisor.
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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 legal sponsorship
from LASPAU to their U.S. university.
Once the transfer of sponsorship
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 request a transfer of sponsorship. Use the following table to determine the
process for transfering sponsorship to complete an original degree or for transfering
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.
Please note that any documentation
must be sent 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
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Send
a letter or email to your LASPAU program advisor 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 understanding
that you will remain subject to the two-year home residency requirement
of the J-1 visa when your academic activities in the U.S. are completed. |
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Send
a letter or email to your LASPAU program advisor 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 understanding that you will remain subject to the two-year
home residency requirement of the J-1 visa when your academic activities
in the U.S. are completed. |
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Your academic advisor must
send an email to your LASPAU program advisor confirming the timetable
of your academic plans and the anticipated completion date (month/year)
of your program.
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Your academic advisor must
send an email to your LASPAU program advisor confirming the completion
date of your original degree and supporting your plans to continue with
a second degree.
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Your
home institution must send your LASPAU program advisor a letter or email
approving your request for an extension or confirming that your leave-of-absence
contract will be valid to the end of your academic program. |
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Send
your LASPAU program advisor 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 LASPAU funding. |
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The
Responsible Officer at your U.S. university international office must
send a letter or email to your LASPAU program advisor, stating that the
university is willing to assume your legal sponsorship under the J-visa
program. |
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Send
your LASPAU program advisor a copy of your letter of acceptance to the
second degree program. |
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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.
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Once
your program advisor receives the documents listed above, LASPAU will
authorize your transfer in SEVIS. Once the transfer is completed in SEVIS,
your U.S. university will issue your new DS-2019. |
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Once
your legal sponsorship has been transferred, you are no longer eligible
to receive any LASPAU funds. Requests for reimbursements covered by your
LASPAU Leadership Fellowship should be submitted to your LASPAU program
advisor before your LASPAU funding ends. |
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In
lieu of return airfare, you will be issued a check equivalent to the cost
of a one-way ticket to your home country from the major airport closest
to your U.S. university. |
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Once
your legal sponsorship is transferred, please request an official
cumulative transcript to be sent to your program advisor at LASPAU.
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August-September
New Grantees: If your program begins in August or September,
you will receive introductory information from LASPAU. You must:
- Return your Confirmation of Grantee Presence Form to LASPAU immediately
in order to continue receiving grant payments.
- Return your Information Sheet to LASPAU
within 30 days.
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October
-
No scheduled mailings from LASPAU.
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November
If you are planning to travel during the holidays, see the Frequently Requested Information section regarding visa issues.
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December
No scheduled mailings from LASPAU.
Happy Holidays!
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January
New Grantees: If your program begins in January, you will receive
introductory information from LASPAU. Follow procedures listed above
in the "August–September" section of the calender for new
grantees.
All Grantees: Both beginning and continuing grantees fill out
and submit an Academic Progress Report online.
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February
No scheduled mailings from LASPAU.
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March
No scheduled mailings from LASPAU.
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April
Return your Summer Planning
Form to LASPAU
by April 15th. The form can be downloaded in PDF format from
this website.
If you are planning to travel during the summer, see the Frequently Requested Information section regarding visa issues.
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May
All Grantees: Both beginning and continuing grantees fill out
and submit an Academic Progress Report online.
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June-July
No scheduled mailings from LASPAU in July. Enjoy your summer!
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Additional and ongoing mailings
You will receive information on your return travel approximately three
months before your termination-of-program date.
Shortly before your departure, you will be asked to complete a Confirmation
of Program Completion Form,
which you can download from this site in PDF format.
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While studying in their
host countries, grantees are expected to abide by the same guidelines and standards
as their peers. Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty
are strictly prohibited and can lead to failure in a class or, more seriously,
expulsion from the university. Below are basic descriptions of academic violations.
Since specific rules regarding the preparation of papers, tests, and other academic
work vary among universities, we recommend that you consult the guidelines of
your host institution.
Plagiarism: This refers to the copying of material without making reference
to its source, which could result in your being charged with claiming someone
else's work as your own. When submitting a paper, essay, or other assignment,
you should be very careful that the work contains the proper citations. All
outside sources, including books, magazines, computer publications, and class
notes, should be referenced within the paper. Consult with your professor as
to the precise way he or she would prefer that you cite your references. Your
institution may also have an office that specializes in paper and research preparation.
Cheating: This refers to unauthorized assistance and communication on
examinations and other academic work. Unless otherwise specified, you should
not confer with other students during exams. This includes any exchange of answers
or information during the exam. Also, unless otherwise specified, students are
not permitted to bring notes, books, or papers into an examination.
Falsifying information: This refers to the misrepresentation or fabrication
of data, sources, or citations. All the information you use in a project or
paper should be from a legitimate resource and should be accurately cited in
your completed assignment. Although the Internet is an invaluable tool, it can
be very misleading. Just because information is online does not mean it is true.
Anyone can publish a website, so you must meticulously verify any information
you use from the Internet to be sure that it is accurate.
Dual paper submission: This refers to submitting the same paper in two or
more classes. Each paper or project you submit to a professor should be developed
specifically for that class. It is almost never permissible to hand in the same
paper for more than one class. If you believe that a paper or project you completed
for a previous class would meet the requirements of a new assignment, you must
obtain explicit permission from both the previous and current professor in order
to resubmit it.
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The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, both in Minnesota, offer a study skills guide focusing on everything from time management to note taking.
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