Apply Material by Amar Sapra ( Cornell )

What is pre-apping ?

Pre-apping is the term used for sending requests to various universities for sending application form and other materials. Almost all the universities these days are providing them on their websites in a pdf file which can be easily downloaded and whose printouts can then be used as application forms. Actually, some universities have even stopped sending application packet through mail.
If however, the application material is to be requested from a university, then there are three ways to do that:
1) Fill out an on-line applican request form. Location of such forms can be found out with a little bit of search on the university's website. Try clicking "admissions" link on the main page.

2) By sending an email to the university. Again, the email id can be found by doing some search on univ's web site. Again, check out "admissions" link. Send your full name, DOB, GRE score (if available), TOEFL score(if available), address, intended department of study, intended major of study, current status, in that mail.

3) By filling out the forms printed on Aerogrammes. Such forms can be bought from the USEFI offices in packets of 10. This is the oldest but most reliable method given the finicky internet facility available in roorkee. The postal addresses will have to
found again.

When to preapp?

If you are using 3), then latest by August 1. Else, for 2), by August 15.

How many Universities to send requests to?

The more the better. People say something in the range 15-20…I say approximately 30.