16 November 2007
Educational Advisers Discuss Studying in the United States
Chinese-language USINFO Webchat transcript, November 14
Professor Rae Lan of Soochow University's Department of English and Clarence Fu, EdUSA Advisor with the Foundation for Scholarly Exchange, participated in a November 14 USINFO Webchat organized by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) on studying in the United States.
Following is the transcript:
(begin transcript)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
USINFO Webchat Transcript
EducationUSA: Celebrating International Education Week: Tips for Study in the U.S.
Guests: Professor Rae Lan, EdUSA Advisor Clarence Fu
Date: November 14, 2007
Time: 01:30 a.m. EST (14:30 Taipei)
AIT Moderator: Welcome to our webchat! You are invited to begin submitting your questions now. Simply click on the tab marked “Submit Question or Comment.”
AIT Moderator: 您好！歡迎光臨本次WebChat活動！您現在可將您的問題送出。步驟很簡單，請點一下“Submit Question or Comment”的欄位，在文字方塊中填入您的問題，按下 “Submit”送出即可。]
AIT Moderator: 由於網友提問眾多的緣故，此次WebChat活動將由WebChat 線上主持人進行過濾與篩選。您所提的問題，將由WebChat主持人篩選之後再交給嘉賓回答，然後才會在此視窗出現。
AIT Moderator: Good afternoon! Welcome to today’s webchat. The live chat will start at 2:30 P.M. (Taiwan local time). Our speakers today are: Professor LAN Rae from Soochow University and Mr. Clarence FU from Foundation for Scholarly Exchange.
AIT Moderator: You can begin asking questions now. Just click the “Submit Question or Comment” button. You can see the answers by clicking “View Discussion.” 要問問題、請點“Submit Question or Comment”的欄位。回到“View Discussion”看答案。
EducationUSA Webchat Guests: Hi, this is Rae Lan, associate professor from the English Dept. at Soochow University. I got my MA in Comparative Lit. and Ph.D. at the University of Maryland, College Park in Curriculum and Instruction in 2005. I was also a Fulbrighter too. Well, I have been giving advice to many students about studying in the U.S. You are more than welcome to ask me question about applying to the U.S. graduate schools and any related questions!
EducationUSA Webchat Guests: 大家好，我是學術交流基金會留學顧問傅鏡平，希望今天的webchat可以幫助大家順利申請美國學校。我們昨天剛剛得知台灣留學美國的總人數持續增加，已經逼近三萬人，在所有前往美國留學的國家中排名第五，比去年進步一名，特地和大家分享這個好消息。
Question [IRC ANTANANARIVO2] To F: Michael Madagascar: Good morning, my name is Michael and I'm twenty. I live at Madagascar and I am a student. My question is what should I do to improve my knowledge about English because I wanna speak like a true English speaker?
Answer [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: You may want to check out voaspecialenglish.com. It's a Voice of America's website with many great tools for learning and improving English.
Q [Chat Participant]: 請問如果已經畢業數年,但缺乏想申請科系的相關工作經驗,在申請時應該如何向學校說明比較好?
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: First of all, you have to be honest. Secondly, without relevant backgroud and experience, you might have to emphasize your interest and enthusiasm and perhaps the potential in the field you want to study. How after getting the degree you will be able to use what you have learned.
Q [Ning2]: To C: 您好! 我想請問有什麼管道可以得知美國學校的哪些系所會有availible PhD position? 又有哪些管道可以知道所學的領域前景如何阿? 還有,美國有Industrial PhD這種制度嗎?常不常見?
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: 各個專業領域的學刊後面通常會有學校的求職廣告，另外學校網頁上如果有求職欄也可以找看看。各個領域的前景可能要問各個專業的人士才能回答，不過有學者說現在有些行業其實在十年前還沒發明，所以培養基本能力比較重要
Q [rui]: To C: 您好，我想請問傅先生，所謂的順利伸請是有怎麼樣的方法可以讓學校能馬上注意這個學生，並答應他的伸請嗎？是不是要注意些什麼？謝謝你吆^^
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: 美國學校都是把申請者的資料整體評估，所以你最好有一到兩項比較突出，例如很高的GRE分數或是GPA`,如果有在國際學術期刊有發表就相當有利
Q [Chat Participant]: To L: 你好:大學成績不好,若在台灣先唸碩士,把成績拉高一點,然後再申請出國會比較有利嗎?
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: Well, this might help but it really depends. You need to take into account many factors such as
1. The time and money you invest in Taiwan and U.S.
2. The quality of the graduate school in Taiwan will it be a plus to your application to the U.S. schools?
3. What quality level of the U.S. schools are you interested in applying?
All these should be considered before you make your decision.
Q [Chat Participant]: To C: Hi ~ I am Paul. Could I apply College with IELTS scores?
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: 有越來越多的美國學校開始接受IELTS分數例如University of New Mexico 請上各校網站去查看
AIT Moderator: Did you know that … EducationUSA Advising Centers provide Taiwan students and their parents with information to Make a Study Plan, Choose a U.S. School, Find Financial Aid, Apply for Admission, Get a U.S. Student Visa, and Prepare for Departure. For Information: www.educationusa.org.tw.
Please post your question only once -- 請勿重複送問題
Download the FREE EducationUSA screensaver at http://www.educationusa.org.tw/en/screensaver.aspx
AIT Moderator: Question 1: 請問通常申請研究所要申請幾所? Answer 1: 通常大都是申請10到12所，其中有2到3所是所謂的Dream School，也就是比你條件略好的學校，當然也不要太好高騖遠，挑選與自己條件相差太多的學校，那只是浪費申請費。當然也要申請幾家比較容易申請的學校，以防萬一。
EducationUSA Webchat Guests:
Q: 如果我想跨領域學習，如何在台灣取得關類似經驗(行銷)
A: It is quite common for people to decide to study at a different field. However, you have to at least get the basic ideas about the field that you are interested in studying. Getting related experience is a good idea. If you have time to prepare yourself before applying to the schools, I have two advice for you:
1. You should at least do some research such as the programs of the schools you wanna apply. Read some papers by the Professors in that program. All this will help you write a good SOP (Statement of Purpose) which is a very important part of your application.
2. Get some real job experience, if possible. It's also important to talk to people who are in the field and who have experiences studying in the field you are interested in studying.
Stella_Stylist@hotmail.com: To C: 您好, 我想問有關fashion
Marketing的MasterDegree有哪些學校
EducationUSA Webchat Guests: 這個領域學校很少，如果你申請不到，建議你申請一般的行銷課程，然後到有Fashion課程的學校旁聽或修課
Q [Steven Lin]: To F: 關於practical training, 是大學畢業與研究所都能申請嗎? 有沒有科系的限制?
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: You can add Optional Practical Training at the end of any undergraduate or graduate degree program, however the work must be in a field related to your studies. For example, if you studied chemistry, you could not work as a teller at a bank.
Q [Chat Participant]: To C: 您好!我目前工作經驗為三年半,大學畢!在大學時成績並不好，若想申請美國的MBA或Marketing相關研究所，該如何釐清自己的準備工作呢?該去哪裡諮詢第一步的動作呢?雖然找了很多網站資料,卻好像人人說一套,非常的無所適從~還是說該先準備托福的考試呢? 謝謝!
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: 請打02 23887600預約時間來和我們的顧問做一對一諮詢
Q [Stella_Stylist@hotmail.com]: To F: Hello, may I ask if there any tips for preparing the study plan?
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: You should first think about what you want to get out of the study abroad experience. Is it to improve language? To acquire a specific professional degree? Doing some thinking in advance and then consulting your nearest EducationUSA advising center can help.
AIT Moderator: Taiwan students: Welcome to attend Free Group Advising Session: every Thursday, 5:30PM – 6:30PM.
Foundation for Scholarly Exchange (FSE) Fulbright Program Office e-mail: ustudy@ustudy.org
Q [labellavitaflute]: To C: 如果想申請美國大學，除了SAT外，該做什麼樣的準備？
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: 其他的準備文件和申請研究所一樣，還要準備托福，有的美國大學不需要SAT分數
Q [Chat Participant]: To L: 我想問申請碩士也需要跟教授聯絡嗎?還是寄申請資料給學校就可以了!謝謝!
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: This really depends. Your application will first go to the graduate School where your application gets reviewed for general requirements. If it is accepted, then your application will go to the department you are applying. In most cases, you don't have to contact the professors. However, sometimes it is a good strategy to contact specific professors to ask questions related to the research you will be focusing on and this should also be the professor's specialty too. By doing this, you might impress the professor with your enthusiasm your research background and hopefully your good writing and communication skills, that is, if it happens to be one of your strengths.
Q [rui]: To L: 您好，我想再請問一下，是否有工作經驗對於伸請會有好處呢？因為大部份的人都會建議說若要出國要早一點去~
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: This really depends on the field you choose to focus on. For some fields, particularly in business, it should be a plus to get some practical training and job experiences. However, you need to take many factors into consideration. For example, time, money, your strengths and weaknesses.
AIT Moderator: 台中地區免費留美諮詢 Are you in Taichung area? Free one-on-one Internet counseling at the Taichung American Corner located within the National Taichung Library Reference Room, 1F, No. 291-3, Jing-wu Road, Tsaichung. To sign-up, please call Mr. Chen Dong-liang (陳棟樑) at the Taichung American Corner at 04-226-1105 ext. 762.
Q [Chat Participant]: To C: compares to taiwan educational system. What advantage does U.S. offer their student? can you take MBA program as an example?
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: 美國居世界商業的領導地位，你可以看看世界前五百大公司有多少是美國公司，所以到美國唸MBA有機會接觸到商業精英，接觸新觀念，甚至認識來自世界各地的同學。大公司甚至會主動到名校去招攬新人，另外英語也是商業界的世界語言，這些都是美國的優勢
AIT Moderator: Question 2: 我怎麼知道哪些學校容不容易申請? Answer 2: 我們基金會的美國教育資料中心的布告欄上整理有去年台灣學生總數超過一百人的所有美國大學。另外Petersons研究所指南中也列有各個program的申請及錄取人數。
Q [Chat Participant]: To F: If I want to bring my pet to the U.S. during the time I study there. What process do I need to go through?
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: If you're living on campus (in school-owned housing), you will have to follow the school's regulations. Most schools do not permit pets in on-campus housing. If you are living off-campus (finding your own housing), it's up to you and the landlord, though again many landlords do not permit pets.
For U.S. Customs requirements please see http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/toolbox/publications/travel/pets.ctt/pets.pdf.
Q [Chat Participant]: To F: If I can visit the schools before I apply to them, do you think that could give me some extra points on my application?
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: For undergraduate applications, some top schools will conduct an interview if you visit the school. This can form part of the admission decision. However, there are few if any schools that require an interview. Most will certainly understand that visiting the school can be difficult for international students.
AIT Moderator: Question 3: 我想申請MBA，請問要如何增加被錄取的機會? Answer 3: MBA通常看4個項目: GGWE: GPA，GMAT，working experience及Essays。如果你有一項較差，最好有一到二項比較強，彌補過來。不過其中GMAT的分數影響比較大。
EducationUSA Webchat Guests:
Q:你好:請問學校要求三封推薦信,是不是三封都應該找不同領域的人寫比較好?THANKS
A: The three recommendation letters should be written by people who know you either academically, professionally or personally. Usually, you will ask at least two professors who have taught you in your undergraduate studies. Unless you have decided to study in a different field, otherwise, it is more helpful if you ask the professors who know you and preferably, who were impressed by your performance when you were his/her student.
It is also better if the subjects (for which the professors agree to write you the letter) are related to your graduate study. If your field emphasizes on job experience, then it is also helpful to ask your boss or your supervisor who knows about your job performance to write you the letter.
Q [Chat Participant]: To L: some people said the east coast schools are better than west coast, is it true? if we look at the school rank of the year, it seems to be true. do you think i should take it as an consideration before i accept the school offer.
EducationUSA Webchat Guests: There are certainly many prestigious schools on the east coast, but there are many very good schools on the west coast as well. The question is what school is right for you, not what somebody else says is higher or lower.
[Chat Participant]: To C: Is non profit organization management popular in the us? i mean not only in acadamic field but also job offering chances. i'm considering if i should choose that program. i graduated from liberal art department but i had few time of volunteer working experience. do you think the school would accept this kind of students like me? and is there any possiblity for me to earn scholarship at the first year of my graduated school?
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: Petersons研究所指南中有non-profit management這個項目，所以還沒有那麼冷門。我今年在American U碰到一位台灣去唸公行的同學，她說DC一帶有不少非營利機構提供實習機會，但是英語能力一定要好。目前文史科系碩士階段提供的獎學金不多。
AIT Moderator: Question 4: 請問申請博士班和碩士班有何差異? Answer 4: 博士班的經費大多是助教或研究助理薪水，所以選人的標準不見得是高GRE或GPA分數，而是你是否適合講課或可以協助教授做研究。
Q [Chat Participant]: To F: If I get accepted by a school, but later I realize that field is not what I concern about. is it easy to change my major in graduated school there? Or how to transfer from my school to another school program? Will it be like how I apply to a new school? (Which means I need to deal with lots of trivial documents again?)
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: Graduate school is very different from undergraduate. In graduate school, you are there to study one specific subject (e.g. you're getting a master's of business administration). If you change your mind (e.g. you decide you want to get a master's in history instead), you will in most circumstances have to start over, even if at the same university. In undergraduate studies it's easier to change, but you will still have to fulfill all the requirements of your new major.
Q [rui]: To C: 請問您剛說的美國教育資料中心的布告欄上整理有去年台灣學生總數超過一百人的所有美國大學，網路上查的到嗎？謝謝吆，因為我想伸請動畫研究所~~也是像無頭蒼蠅一般~
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: 抱歉網路上查不到
AIT Moderator: AIT Moderator: Attend a Free Group Advising Session: every Wed. and Fri., 2:00PM – 4:00PM. American International Education Foundation (AIEF) e-mail: service@aief.org.tw
Q [Steven Lin]: To L: 如果英文程度中等,是先讀兩年的社區大學再插一般的學, 或直接申請一般的學.(若不考慮經濟問題)
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: Your 英文程度 should be decided by test scores such as GEPT, IELTS or TOEFL. However, if you lack confidence and would like to spend more time polishing your English skills, then it is a good idea to go and study at the community colleges first. I personally have met many students like this. You can make the best of the time in improving your language skills and also get yourself immersed in the cultural experiences too! However, you also need to consider the ESL program in the college. Some of them are good but not all of them.
Q [Chat Participant]: To F: 您好!請問有申請獎學金會比較容易被拒絕嗎?謝謝.
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: Many schools will consider your ability to pay as part of the admission decision. However, if you think you might qualify for financial aid, you should certainly apply for it.
AIT Moderator: Question 6: SOP讀書計畫重要嗎? Answer 6: 寫得好的讀書計畫會有意想不到的功效，也就是必須要能夠寫得讓評審教授感動，即使你其他條件不佳也願意收你，但是母語不是英語的人比較難做到。
AIT Moderator: Question 7: 有人說申請文件要用某某紙，請問這真的有差嗎? Answer 7: 是的，最好避免用一般的白色影印紙，而是用比較厚，比較有質感的紙，感覺比較正式。
AIT Moderator: Question 8: 請問推薦信找有名的人寫比較有用嗎? Answer 8: 最好是找美國學界也知名的人寫最好，但是這是可遇不可求，而且推薦人一定要和你有師生或是長官部屬的關係。
Q [Ning2]: To L: 我想請問,如何得知某一所學校在某項專業領域的排名如何?研究水平高不高?e.x. XX University的數學系排名第幾之類的.謝謝!
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: 我們基金會有美國新聞世界報導及高曼報告等有關排名的資料供讀者查詢，前者網路上也可查，但是能查到的數量有限
AIT Moderator: A Consular Officer from AIT will give a presentation on "Applying for a U.S. Student Visa at AIT" on Thursday, November 15, from 4:30 - 5:15 pm, at the Foundation for Scholarly Exchange, Yanping S. Rd #45 F3, Taipei, tel. 02 2388 7600.
Q [Chat Participant]: To F: I've heard many students can't get a job offer after their graduation. Is it true? Is there any possibility for me to stay in the U.S. longer after my graduation? Do I need to change my visa to visitor's visa? I have many relatives there, so I don't really need to worry about my life expense.
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: Your purpose of travel to the U.S. must be to study, nothing else. The visitor's visa would not entitle you to continue to live in the U.S. after graduation.
AIT Moderator: Be sure to check our website for information on upcoming events. Website address is: www.educationusa.org.tw.
You can read transcripts of past EducationUSA webchat at: http://www.educationusa.org.tw/zh/webchats.aspx.
Q [RsWang]: To L: 假如我和我的先生都想到美國深造，而且都想進同一所大學（但不同科系），在申請上有什麼好策略能讓我們如願？
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: If there is ONLY ONE school that both of you want to apply, the chance might be slim unless you two both have very strong qualifications. My suggestion is to include more than one school to add to the possibility of having both of you get accepted by the same school. Another advice is for one of you to apply first with a F1 student visa and your spouse can go with an F2 visa which actually allows you to take some courses. You can then take the opportunity to familiarize with the professors and the dept you are interested in studying and than apply a bit later!
Q [Chat Participant]: To C: 您好~請問在美國轉學容易嗎?若先申請排名較差的學校,之後再轉學到比較理想的學校,這種方法可行性高嗎?thanks a lot!
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: 大學部轉學很容易，全美每年超過50萬人轉，碩士年限短比較難，但只要有學校願意收你就可轉系，當然成績要好
AIT Moderator: We have time for one last question.
Q [Chat Participant]: To L: If I want to study theology in the U.S. How to find my school? Not many ranks could provide me some resource or advice.
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: 請上www.petersons.com網站查學校
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: 時間好快，一下子就到四點了，如果有任何問題請和學術交流基金會聯絡，Bye!
Q [Steven Lin]: To F: 目前有考過SAT and TOEFL, 在尚未正式申請學校以前,以目前的分數,如何找可能合適的學校?
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: Your score report on the SAT should give you an idea of where you rank relative to others who've taken the test. This should give you some indication of what kind of school you have a reasonable chance of getting into. However, most schools consider a lot more than just test scores, so you should not rule out schools based on test score alone.
A [EducationUSA Webchat Guests]: Well, it has been a real pleasure answering your questions. Please contact the 學術交流基金會 for further questions. I wish you the best of success in your application and a most fruitful and rewarding experience studying in the US! Rae
AIT Moderator: We wish to thank our special guest speakers today – Prof. LAN Rae and Mr. Clarence FU. The web chat is now closed. Please visit our EducationUSA webpage http://www.educationusa.org.tw for more information on upcoming events. (Guests are chosen for their expertise. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of AIT or the U.S. Department of State.)
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
