From Barranquilla, Colombia to Lawrence, Kansas, United States

From Barranquilla, Colombia to Lawrence, Kansas, United States: My experience applying to a master’s Program in the United States

By Valeria Rodríguez Parra

In October 2024, I was finishing my undergraduate research project at the Universidad del Atlántico in Colombia and wanted to share my preliminary results at that year’s Online Weevil Workers Meeting. Jennifer Girón, as one of the organizers, reviewed the subtitles of my presentation, so she was able to see it beforehand and contacted me to let me know that Professor Nico Franz was looking for master’s or PhD students at the University of Kansas (KU), interested in working on weevil systematics. She also mentioned that she could guide me through the application process for that opportunity.

With Jennifer’s help, I revised my CV and planned the email I would send to Professor Franz to express my interest in joining his lab. In that message, I mentioned that his research lines aligned with my professional interests, especially his guidance in the field of weevil systematics. I also attached my CV and the link to my presentation, since at that time it was the only tangible evidence of my work because I didn’t have any publications yet.

The interview with the professor took place exactly the day after I sent the email. I was very nervous because I didn’t expect such a quick reply and felt I didn’t have enough time to prepare. However, I knew that opportunities like that don’t come around often, so I decided to take the risk and go for it. During the interview, Nico focused more on getting to know me as a person rather than as a professional. He asked if I had applied to other universities, what my interests were, and what my goals were. He told me he believed I had a strong chance of being admitted and that the program would be fully funded by the university. In addition, I would be hired as a Graduate Research Assistant to support myself financially. However, we had to work against the clock, as there were only fifteen days left before the application due date. 

The university’s requirements included three letters of recommendation, a professional and a personal statement of purpose, an academic transcript, and, for international students, the TOEFL English exam results. The required minimum score was above 50 for conditional admission (with English classes) and above 80 to be exempt from them.

The most challenging part of the process was the TOEFL, since I didn’t have much time to prepare and had never taken formal English classes before; everything I knew I had learned on my own. The test was expensive (around 300 USD) and evaluates four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It lasts about two hours and can be taken either at home or in an authorized center. I chose to take it at home because there were more available dates, but the disadvantages were that you need a strong internet connection and the security verification process is quite strict.

My results, although enough to be accepted, were not the best. Because of that, I had to take another English exam (specific to KU) to demonstrate that my level of English was sufficient to enter the program.

In March 2025, I received my official letter of admission from KU, marking the beginning of the second stage of this journey: the legal migration process. U.S. universities have international student services that guide you through the visa application process. To schedule your appointment at the embassy, you must first have documents such as your passport, the DS-160 form (required for any visa), and, for the student visa (F1), the I-20 form. This form is issued by the admitting university and certifies your eligibility for student status in the U.S. Once you receive it, you can request your appointment at the embassy. In Colombia, the waiting time is approximately fifteen days for student visas. You need to schedule two appointments: the first for biometric data collection and the second for the interview at the embassy.

Electronic devices are not allowed inside the embassy, so I recommend bringing a book or something to do, as the wait for the interview can take about an hour or even longer. During my interview, the officer asked me about the name of the program I was going to start, the degree I had completed in Colombia, and how I planned to finance my studies. The U.S: embassy’s response is immediate, you find out right away whether your visa is approved or not.

After getting my visa, the third stage began: finding a place to live. This process should start well in advance since housing contracts are usually annual and fill up quickly. From Colombia, it was difficult to contact landlords, but I was fortunate to find people who helped me along the way. The department coordinator sent an email to help me find a roommate, and a Colombian professor at KU, Víctor González, introduced me to the person who is now my roommate. I faced some challenges during the search, many places look great on websites, but Google reviews often show a different reality. That’s why I recommend always checking reviews before making a decision. Eventually, I found a good place to live. Usually, furnished apartments are cheaper but tend to have worse reviews. My advice is to find a native roommate: it helps you integrate more quickly into the culture, better understand the new things you’re experiencing, and, of course, improve your English, which was very helpful in my case.

Finally, the trip from Colombia to Lawrence was the easiest part of all. It’s helpful to bring as many things as possible, but keep in mind that large luggage can be an issue if you’re traveling alone. The immigration process in the U.S. took no more than five minutes; they simply ask about the purpose of your trip to confirm your student status, which is important for both the university and later immigration paperwork.

In conclusion, you are not alone. If you decide to take the risk of starting a new path, don’t be afraid, you will always find people willing to help you. The process, although it might seem complicated, is actually much simpler than you imagine.