Step 1
Search a course
Before selecting a course, you should crystal clear about you want to pursue. Once decided, start looking for the institutions, which offer the course. It’s always advised to go through institutions’ websites and online brochures to have a better idea about what the course curriculum offers and whether it’s in tune with the industry needs or not. US is known for its diverse range of programs, which can start from general programs in liberal arts to specialized ones in computer engineering, nano technology or microbiology to off programs like cinematography or animation.

Step2
Search a college
Depending upon the choice of programs students can search for colleges, though the fees, joining time and duration of the course may vary. However, it is advised to narrow down choices to a fewer institutes due to the cost of application.

Note of caution: Students must be careful about selecting an institution. It must be a genuine and recognized one. In fact many American universities have developed independent accreditation agencies to vouch for the quality of the degrees they offer. The accreditation agencies rate universities and colleges on criteria such as the quality of their libraries, the publishing records of their faculty, and the degrees, which their faculty holds. Accreditation helps to ensure that the school is of high quality.

Step 3
Apply to a college
Each school has its own admission requirements and policies. Some of the general policies talk about – filling the personal application form; official records of academic achievements records; teacher ecommendations; proof of financial capability; Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) grades; and at times many universities requires grades of other tests like Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), Law School Admission Test (LSAT)and the Achievement Tests (AT). Most of the times, graduate students are asked to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Those students applying for MBA and other graduate business programs are required to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).

Remarkably, students can apply to some colleges using the Common Application. There is no limit to the number of colleges or universities to which a student may apply, though an application must be submitted for each. In few institutions, students may be required fill an institution generated application form.

Step 4
Collecting documents
Once the college and course is decided, you should start collecting documents like syllabus of the last program studied, result certificates and recommendation letters from teachers.

List of documents required
Exam Scores- GMAT,GRE,SAT,LSAT,TOEFL whichever is applicable to you.
Transcripts-Your qualifying certificates for various colleges
Statement of Purpose- Document explaining everything about you. You need to present a case explaining why you are the best candidate for a particular course and a particular college.
Recommendation from your professor or your last employee.