If you're considering graduate school in Deutschland...
Earlier this week I finally turned in my application for a Master of Arts in International Beziehungen in Berlin. And it was a long process! That's why I'm writing my first blog on this very topic, because apparently to apply to graduate school in Germany, you should start preparing now! There's not a lot you need to do, but there's definitely some documents I wish I hadn't lost over the years and had to spend the last few weeks getting together. So here's some steps you might want to consider if you're thinking of Deutschland as an option:
1. Take a German language exam. Even though many graduate programs in Germany are now offered in English, most still require official proof that you can speak German. When I was studying in Munich, I decided to take TestDaF. Before the test, I enrolled in a preparation course offered by Deutschkurse für Ausländer bei der LMU München, which was fairly cheap, considering we met four nights a week for a month. I felt that this course really helped me with the exam, because like with most standardized testing, learning the format is key.
And TestDaF isn't the only option. I chose it because it's geared more towards university vocabulary than other tests. Another comparable exam is the DSH (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang). I remember hearing that the speaking and listening sections were more difficult with DSH than TestDaF, so play to your strengths. I definitely recommend taking one of these exams at the end of your time abroad or immediately after your return.
2. Look for scholarships early. While there definitely are funding options, I haven't found a huge variety of sponsors. The DAAD has tons of opportunities for internships and other summer programs in Germany, but if you're looking for graduate funds, check out their Study Scholarship. Because Georgetown is a DAAD partner university, you will apply first to a committee here sometime in October. There's also always the Fulbright Program, though their deadlines are earlier. I remember still being in Germany when the proposal draft was already due to Georgetown internally in mid-Summer. The only downside is that no decisions are made with either of these programs until late Spring, which means potentially having to wait around to figure out your future plans.
3. Don't lose your high school diploma. This may sound like a given, but it definitely took me and my parents a month to find mine. It's not something I kept handy after coming to Georgetown, but German universities will want to see your Hochschulzugangs-Berechtigung!
4. Get Nachweis for all your internships. This is also something important to do if you want to someday work in Germany, as they need proof of everything! When I saw this requirement on the online application, I emailed the program coordinator saying that we didn't receive any sort of certificate in the U.S. when we completed an internship. Her response was, "but how will we know if you're telling the truth?" So, that's how Germans think. I then proceeded to email all of my former employers, asking them to sign a letter saying I had indeed worked for them and for what time period. That was definitely a pain to do in the last few weeks before the deadline, so it might be practical just to ask for some sort of document after every internship you do. That way you don't have to try to get in touch with people you haven't spoken to in years...
Those are the main things I can think of right now. If you have any questions, feel free to email me in the future. And if you're having trouble choosing a program, check out the DAAD's database, where you can search by city and field of study.
Viel Glück bei der Bewerbung, ich drücke euch die Daumen!