One final note: Almost every grad school applicant will receive at least one rejection. While that won't be fun, it's not quite the final act. Call your contact professors in that department and politely express your regret at not being admitted. Ask them if they can point out where your application was weak or give you some suggestions on how you might strengthen your candidacy in the future. This will help if you choose to re-apply the following year, in case you are not satisfied with your present university.

Talking to the professors at prospective universities
With all the piles of paper involved in applying to universities, it's easy to conclude that paperwork is what it's all about. But the application process doesn’t end on the page. When it comes to graduate admissions, you have a big advantage if you talk to people. The conversations you’ve shared with faculty at your prospective schools will play an important part come decision time. A typical graduate program receives only hundreds—not thousands—of applications each year. Out of these hundreds, a program might extend offers of admission to a few dozen, expecting some of those admitted to choose other schools. Usually, the number of candidates is small enough that the admissions committee can expect to meet, or at least talk to, a significant portion. Faculty members who are not on the admissions committee often lobby it to admit preferred candidates, whom they have spoken to. Therefore, to put together the strongest possible application, you have to be a go-getter (or at least act like one!). That means getting in touch with professors at your prospective schools and making your research interests and career intentions clear to them. If you've done some thinking about what you want from a graduate program, the faculty will sense your clarity and direction, and do the rest.

Don't feel that you need to sound like a professor yourself. Stretching your knowledge to sound wiser than you are is a sure-fire way to appear unreal. If you haven’t studied an important area of your field, present it as a topic you’re looking forward to learning about. Then try and shift the discussion back to a subject in which you’re more conversant. After all, no one is expected to enter graduate school already knowing everything there is to know.

Remember to stick to the positives when you talk about yourself. Though you should be prepared to discuss your shortcomings, don't volunteer them yourself.

Finally, have a clear sense of what you’d like to get out of each conversation.  It’s best to have a few specific, carefully chosen questions prepared. Practice discussing your background and interests. Professors will be more likely to advocate for you if you’re articulate, friendly and respectful of their time.

A few final Suggestions...

• When applying to universities, it is important to present the application in the best light possible. In addition to listing academic and personal achievements, it is the tool of persuasion, which students can use to promote themselves as ideal candidates for a program. The success of the application depends on the ability of the student to demonstrate strengths, creativity, and individuality. It is important to describe skills and accomplishments as well as academic interests.
• Preparing an application package requires time and effort. Do not leave it until the last minute. Start the process in early September to meet the winter deadline for submitting the documents. Many Indian students miss opportunities for acceptance at institutions of their choice or chances for financial aid simply because they do not allow enough time for the application process. The process of admission in the United States requires at least a year if you are applying to selective institutions or requesting financial aid. Selection, application and testing may each require several months.
• Throughout the process you should try to improve your understanding of the program, show continued interest and passion for the school and continue to stay connected to the professors and staff in the department you are applying to.
• The sooner your application is considered the better the chances of getting admitted, because most American universities start admitting students even before the deadline for application has expired. So if your profile is good enough and you applied two-three months before the deadline, there is a better chance of admission, than when your application reaches them one week before the deadline. So it is strongly recommended that you try to send the application as soon as feasible. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DEADLINE!

When all is said and done, don't overdo it. Sit back and relax. All the work you put into the application you submitted by the deadline was not all for nothing.