Admission

Step 1. For full time study you need to get good scores in some tests. For graduate pro­grams GRE (Graduate Record Examinations)/GMAT (Graduate Management Ad­mission Test) are the most needed tests. GRE is usually required for graduate pro­grams. It includes a general test, subject test, and writing assessment. GMAT contains verbal, quantitative, analytical, and essay sections. It is usu­ally required for graduate pro­grams in business and man­agement.

For higher education in schools or undergraduate col­leges admission following tests are required by most of the institutes in the USA:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). It measures the ability to under­stand, read and write English;

• SAT (Scholastic Assess­ment Test). It is a college ad­mission pre-test. This exam has two parts, viz. SAT I (Reasoning Test) and SAT II (Subject Tests). SAT I is a three hour test, primarily mul­tiple choice. It measures ver­bal and mathematical reason­ing abilities. Subject Tests are one hour, mostly multiple choice tests in specific subject. It measures knowledge of par­ticular subject and the ability to apply that knowledge. Many colleges require or rec­ommend one or more of these tests for admission/placement purposes.

Step 2. Choose the appro­priate course and Col­lege/University of your choice. Communicate/ correspond with the university to submit your application for the admis­sion.

D. Say if the statements are false, right or there is no information on the subject.

1. Education in the United States follows a unique pattern different from that in many countries.

2. Most colleges and universities offer majors, though they are more common in professional and technical colleges than in liberal arts colleges.

3. It takes 4 or 5 years of full-time college-level coursework to get a Bachelor Degree.

4. The major field of study is the most prominent and significant structural element of the American baccalaureate degree.

5. A PhD degree can take between five and seven years to complete, depending on the course of study chosen, the ability of the student, and the thesis that the student has selected.

6. The quarter system divides the calendar year into four quarters, three of which constitute a complete academic year; quarters are typically 10 weeks long so that three quarters amount to 30 weeks of instruction.

7. Some U.S. faculties, schools, and institutions use pass-fail grading systems, especially when the student work to be evaluated is highly subjective.

8. Certain courses of study are only available at the graduate school level in America.

9. Public universities are schools that are operated by private individuals and are financed by private funds.

10. The number of credits assigned to a course corresponds to the number of hours that a student will attend class for that course.

E. Say which paragraphs contain information on:

1. What kind of programs lead to certificates and diplomas plus six degree levels.

2. How a specific field of study is called.

3. What kind of tests and examinations students take in the American colleges and universities.

4. Which calendar systems are used by most American colleges and universities: quarter system, semester system, and trimester system?

5. If students must also complete a series of courses besides the course in their major.

F. Answer the questions.

1. Do the terms “primary school” and “elementary school” differ? Why?

2. What does tertiary education include?

3. Undergraduate school follows the middle school, doesn’t it?

4. How long does it take a student to get a Bachelor degree?

5. What is the most traditional degree given by US colleges and universities?

6. A major is a head of a university, isn’t it?

7. What must be completed prior to earning the doctorate degree?

8. Do American universities operate under the semester system or quarter system?

9. What kind of tests do American students take?

10. Who do students receive guidance, help in preparing for exams, and advice throughout the academic program from?

G. Complete the sentences choosing from a) or b).

1) Adult and continuing education, plus special education is available …

1. only at Bachelor degree level

2. at all educational levels

2) Students who have finished secondary school and would like to get higher education must attend what is referred to as …

1. an undergraduate school

2. primary school

3) More and more jobs and careers in Engineering, Business Administration or Social work today require applicants to posses …

1. a master’s degree

2. an associate degree

4) Completion of a US doctorate degree typically takes between …

1. five and seven years

2. two and four years

5) Academic year runs from …

1. early September to late June

2. early August to early May

6) A majority of schools are competitive, selecting …

1. only those students with excellent grades and test scores

2. all students pursuing to be enrolled in the university or college

GRAMMAR: MODALS

THE MEANINGS OF MODAL VERBS AND THEIR EQUIVALENTS

Function	Time	Form	Example
Ability	Present	can is/are able to	She can speak Spanish but she can’t speak Italian. Despite his handicap he is able to drive a car.
	Past	could was/were able to	Mozart could play the piano at the age of five. Mike’s car broke down but he was able to repair it.
Possibility	Present	may might could	There may be a life on Mars. The rash could be a symptom of something more serious.
	Past	could have might have	She might have done it; she had an opportunity and the motive.
	Future	will be able to	We will be able to travel to the Moon.
Permission	Present/Future	can can’t	“Can I use your phone?” “No, I’m afraid you can’t”.
	Past	was/were allowed to	I was allowed to leave early yesterday.
Obligation	Present	have to must need to should ought to	Students have to wear uniform. I must get up earlier. Do we need to get a visa for the USA? They really should/ought to consult shareholders first.
	Past	had to	We had to report to Reception by four.
	Future	will have to will need to	The Council will have to find ways of cutting costs next year.
Necessity	Present	must have to need to ought to	All human beings must/have to/need to have enough sleep.
	Past	had to needed to	The staff and the students had to evacuate the campus.
	Future	will have to will need to	You will have to/need to work harder than that.

A. These sentences come from an information booklet about a college. In each case choose the appropriate modal verb: may, must, can, should, be able to, or need .

1. The College welcomes part-time students who… work towards a qualification or attend a recreational education class.

2. Students claiming concessions for tuition fee payments … still pay the registration fees in full.

3. Late entries to examinations … be allowed, but will cost more than entering on time.

4. If you wish to attend a class in English for Speakers of Other Languages, you … take our test before you enroll.

5. If you need any advice, your first point of contact is your tutor, and you … always access other people through him or her.

6. A senior member of staff is on duty each evening between 6.30 and 9.30, and … be contacted via Reception.

7. Students attending evening classes only may not … access all our services. We … however make arrangements for you to see an appropriate adviser during the day.

8. It is regretted that people with physical disability … not be able to take the course that they choose.

9. The Student Council … be elected by students from across the college to represent and promote their general interests.

10. The College café is open from 8.30 am to 4 pm and from 5 to 8 pm. Outside these hours, a range of food and drinks … be purchased from vending outlets.

B. Choose the correct word or phrase to complete each sentence.

1. You must/needn’t save a file before you turn the computer off, or you will lose it.

2. I am afraid this is a non-smoking office, so you don’t have to/can’t smoke in here.

3. Employees are reminded that they mustn’t/needn’t use the office phone to make personal calls.

4. You needn’t/mustn’t send the reminder to Eastwood’s – they paid the invoice this morning.

5. In countries like Iran, you don’t have to/can’t buy or sell alcohol.

6. This income tax form must/needn’t be completed and returned to the Inland Revenue within 30 days.

7. You mustn’t/don’t have to come to the meeting if you have more important things to do.

8. This information is highly confidential, so you mustn’t/needn’t discuss it with anyone.

9. As you are from the European Union, you mustn’t/don’t have to have a visa to go to France.

10. Drivers wishing to hire a car must/can be over 21 and have a full driving license.

C. Look at the chart and make sentences using have to, don’t have to, or can’t.

	obligation	no obligation	prohibition
Airline pilots Union members University teachers Army officers Police officers	have good eyesight pay a subscription be graduates go to training courses be over 1.75m tall	work office hours be qualified teachers carry guns (UK)	drink before flying work during a strike go on strike

e.g. Airline pilots don't have to have excellent eyesight.

They don’t have to work office hours.

D. Change each of the following sentences using might, can’t, must, and a suitable infinitive.

1) It’s possible that they will give us the discount that we want.

They … might give us the discount we want.

2) Judging by the phone bill, I am sure she has been making long international calls.

Judging by the phone bill, she …

3) The factory is on a 3-day week. I am sure they aren’t selling many cars.

The factory is on a 3-day week. They…

4) It was a very bad deal. I am sure they lost a lot of money.

It was a very bad deal. They …

5) There is a chance she will be promoted at the end of the year.

She …

E. Match the comments in column A with the comments in column B.

A	B
I’m afraid I’m tied up all this week.	Ok, I’ve got them here. Shall I fax them to you?
Can you turn the heating down?	That’s OK. Shall I pick you up from the airport?
Is the next interviewee here yet?	That’s OK. Shall I ring back this afternoon?
Is that the new screen I ordered?	Yes. Where shall I put it?
I am sorry, but I am in a meeting now.	I am not sure yet. Shall we send you a quote in a few days?
How much is this going to cost?	No, but shall I open the window for you?
I don’t know London very well.	That’s OK. Shall we arrange a meeting for next week?
I need to see the plans. Today, if possible.	Yes, she is. Shall I send her in?

GRAMMAR REVISION

F. Open the brackets.