drifter

Thank you very much for your answers. However, due to the fact that I'm currently out of country, I'm not going to be able to attend the advising session. Therefore, I'd like to know if you could send me any materials to e-mail, or just point on some good websites, or (preferably) both. If so, please refer to drift2end@yahoo.com . Thanx in advance.

1. Is it necessary (or is it good) to get in touch with the department or with professor of interest, before the actual application? What should such an contact be about? 2. What does the "record of all previous postsecondary education" means exactly? List of courses and exams with marks or just certificates (diplomas etc.)? 3. What are the "transcripts"? 4. What are the "academic credentials"? 5. Are there any good examples or directives on the Internet (maybe on this particular website) or at the Center, on how to write a good "statement of purpose" and "letters of recommendation"? 6. Is it necessary to take TOEFL and GRE before the application, or is it possible to submit the results of these, at later point (before the application deadlines, of course)? 7. Is it necessary to show evidence of sufficient financial funding at the moment of application or later (but, again, before the applicable deadlines)? In other words, when is it best to ask for scholarships? 8. What is the best way of paying taxes and fees? If it's credit cards, which one suits these payments the best (VISA, Master Card ...)?