I have recieved serveral offers from univeristies in America.

　　 Here,I hope to share my experiences with many other prospective applicants. I think I could be a miniature of a large part of applicants,who try to arrive at Aemrica with full financial aid.

　　 Now,Let me give an account of my information at first. So you can find something useful to you according to your own situations. I got Master degree in Computer Science from a university, very good but worse than Tsinghua and Beida. I have worked for about 3 years as a software engineer in Shenzhen. Because of pressure from work, I have not much time to prepare for GRE and TOEFL,let alone going to New Oriental School. So my GRE is not high,less than 2100. TOEFL is also below 620. But I also have a strong accademic background,my GPA ranks top 1-2% in my class. Of course, the score system in many universities is very strict,the score ranging from 85 to 100 should be A according to American score system. So you should calculate your GPA in their ways, if not, you will lose. Another strong aspect of me is my research experiences. This ability will be appreciated by many assistant professors. The information above is just a outline of my backgrounds. You can compare with me in different pespectives to target your own points.

　　 My advice is as follows:

　　 [1]Be confident even if your GRE and TOEFL is not very good. Undoubtedly,an excellent GRE and TOEFL will cast a promising prospect on your application. Many good universities put an emphasis on GRE and TOEFL scores. However, another part of universities also look at your overall abilities, such as your GPA, recommendation letters, Statement of Purpose, etc. So, even if your GRE and TOEFL are not good enough, you still can show your other outstanding abilities in your application materials. For instance, I get an offer with $23,000 from a university. They just appreicate my strong accademic background,recommedation letters and research experiences. One point deserves mentioning,that is the recommedation letters. Certainly, a famous professor is a good choice. But, if you are not familiar with a renouned professor, just like me, your advisor should be another choice. A positive comment from your advisor is definitely a highlight in your application stuff. So, be careful to prepare your application materials. Be confident too, you can compensate your GRE and TOEFL with your other abilities.

　　 [2]Be careful to select universities. GRE and TOEFL tests are only a part of your application process. You also should select universities carefully. Like me,not graduated from Tishuang and Beida, GRE and TOEFL is not very high. I select universitiy mostly ranging from 50 to 100. You should be aware of your own situations, then you can make the policy of selecting schools. To select about 15 schools is a general strategy in applicants. Another point I should mention here,is that you should avoid such universities, which award the financial aid too late. As a result, you will be very anxious and worried when others get offers.

　　 [3]How to get financial aid from professors? This a very common question among apllicants. From my experiences,I think that you should choice a right person to contact. Personally, an assistant professor is a good choice. Maybe this point will triger different responses among us. But, I really succeed on it. For an example, I contact an assistant professor just several times, he promises to give me a TAs. But, he also requires me to complete a PhD degree. Why he so quickly give me a positive answer. Now, I give some possible reasons. First, I have strong accademic background and research abilities. I can do research work for him in near future. Second, My research interests match his. Third, I am more mature than many other appliants,who just come from schools. I can communicate with him very well. A trust relationship has been constructed between us. So everything goes on well. He succeed in fighting a TAs for me, just a stranger several days ago. So you can also create a miracle if you try your best in the right way. Now,I need give an explanation about why I choce the assistant professor. I am graduated from universities. I know that an assistant professor means a promising young man. He will have more research funds than many old professors. Although he maybe some cruel to our work and pay, the most significant point is that he will give me money. Why not to do it ?!

　　 [4]Keep in touch with the graduate secretary or graduate director. You will know your application status from them. Remember that,keep enquiring status is a very important thing. You will know whether your materials are complete or not sooner. You also will get some messages about financial aid. Don't forget to enquiry the application status. It is suitable to enquiry every two weeks. But, at the same time, you should be patient and polite. A good impression is also an artistic way to your success.

　　 [5]Any excellent publications will give your a big pie. Many professors are very concerned your papers. So if you have some, it is really a highligt. But, in many cases,your papers are in Chineses version, it is hard to present before professors. In my way, I try to give an summary of my papers,which will be helpful to have professors understand your past work. It is also a good way to show your abilities. So,don't neglect it.

　　 I just discuss application in several aspects with my own experiences. You possiblely have your own ways. But, if you can benifit from my experiences, I will be very pleased. I once felt depressed when I found my GRE is not very high. I once be very worried when I get no reply about my offer. The mixed complex feelings are hard to express. But,if you persist in your own goals, dreams will come into reality definitely. Never give up, you will get it.