US Application Portals Walkthrough: GradCAS, ApplyTexas & Direct University Portals

Executive Summary: Understanding US Graduate Portals

Unlike undergraduate admissions which rely heavily on a single Common App, US graduate programs utilize three major application portal systems: Centralized Application Services (GradCAS, BusinessCAS, EngineeringCAS), State-wide Portals (ApplyTexas for Texas public universities), and Direct University Slate Portals.

Here is what Indian families need to know upfront:

1. Application Fee Range: US university application fees range from $65 to $150 USD (approx. ₹5,400 to ₹12,500) per university. Applying to 8 universities costs around $700 to $900 USD total.
2. Fee Waiver Opportunities: Many US university departments distribute 100% Application Fee Waiver Codes to students who attend official online Zoom information sessions held between September and November!
3. Official Recommender Email Rule: Recommenders (professors or managers) MUST submit their Letters of Recommendation (LORs) using official institutional email addresses (@university.edu.in or @company.com). Personal Gmail/Yahoo accounts are automatically flagged! Read LOR rules: SOP & Resume Blueprint Guide.

Major US Application Portal Systems Matrix

Step-by-Step Application Submission Workflow

### 📋 PORTAL SUBMISSION WORKFLOW

* Step 1: Create Account & Save 9-Digit Applicant ID Number

* Step 2: Input Official Recommender Emails (@university.edu.in)

* Step 3: Upload PDF Transcripts, WES Evaluation, SOP & Resume

* Step 4: Enter Application Fee Waiver Code OR Pay Fee via Credit Card

* Step 5: Monitor Applicant Status Portal for Department Admissions Dec

Next Steps for Students & Parents

1. Review SOP writing and LOR formatting guidelines: SOP, LOR, and Resume Blueprint Guide.
2. Learn how priority deadlines impact assistantship funding: Priority vs Rolling Deadlines Guide.
3. Check post-admission I-20 issuance steps: I-20 Issuance & Deposit Payment Guide.