Your transcripts from 10th class onwards (duly attested by the respective Head of the Institution) 10th and Inter (12th) transcripts need not be in sealed envelopes. Whereas, your degree marks and provisional must be in sealed envelope, with seal and signature on the flap of the envelope too
Statement of Purpose (SOP) - Ideally must be a one-page statement of your purpose in personal and academic life. SOP must contain information on your education objectives, career goals, reasons for study in the US and reasons for choosing a particular program in a particular institute
Recommendation Letters - At least two-three recommendation letters from three lecturers/professors, who taught you at the degree level preferably from those who taught you the main subjects. These recommendations must be done on personal or college letterheads and must be signed and sealed (including the envelope)
Bank Statement - Financial Statement or Bank Statement indicates the availability of funds with you, (or your sponsor) in a bank, in a Savings Bank account only. These funds must be available for the purpose of your further education. A statement given by the Bank manager, on the Bank's letterhead, clearly indicating the amount of funds available both in your native currency and also the currency of the country where you would like to study has to be given, with the seal of the bank and signature of the Manager. To each and every university you apply to, you need to enclose an original Bank Statement showing adequate funds to cover at least a year's tuition and living expenses. Instead of getting multiple originals, which may not be practically possible, you may get the first statement photocopied (before signatures are made by the banker) and then signed and sealed by the bank manager individually
Some universities need the Financial Statement filled, in the application itself. If it is indicated as mandatory, you need to get that form appropriately filled by the Bank. Ideally, one should indicate availability of funds for the entire duration of the course. For example, for a two-year Masters program, funds must be adequate to cover for both the years. If you cannot show funds for two years, then you must indicate availability for at least one year, covering tuition, living expenses and other fees. Hence, before taking a statement, calculate what would be the maximum expenditure from among the universities you wish to apply to. Take the higher amount and arrange for Bank Statement, accordingly. This will eliminate the need to take fresh statement every time you apply to universities with higher fee structure
Affidavit of Support on Rs.20 Non Judicial Stamp Paper
An Original AOS (notarized) has to be sent to each university. Letter of Undertaking or Affidavit of Support (AOS) is an undertaking to be given by your sponsor who finances your education. This has to be given on Rs.20/- (if in India) Non-Judicial Stamp Paper, in a prescribed format
Sometimes, the universities request the undertaking to be given on their applications itself, in which case you have to do so. This AOS has to be signed by the sponsor, properly witnessed and attested by Notary public. To each and every university you apply to, you need to enclose an original AOS. Instead of getting multiple stamp papers and doing the AOS, you may get the first statement photocopied (before signatures are made by the sponsor) and then signed by the sponsor and notarized individually
Application fee in US $ (or that country's currency) as required by university
Score Card - If you have already taken TOEFL and GRE/GMAT, IELTS you may just enclose the score card
Covering letter - A covering letter, indicating your plans about TOEFL and GRE/GMAT and informing them that you would arrange score reporting by ETS- If not taken and reported already.
