Key Principles When Choosing Your Program

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Principle 1: Link Your Program to Your Jobs

Choose a program related to your current or future job role.

Example: If you’re a software engineer, pick MS in Computer Science, not MS in Organizational Behavior.

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Principle 2: Avoid Repeating the Same Major

Don’t select a program too similar to your previous degree at the same level - it may cause RFE issues.

Example: If you already hold a Master’s in Data Analytics, don’t pursue another one. Instead, consider an MBA with a focus in Business Analytics or aim for a doctorate.

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Choosing the Right Intake Date

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1. Check Your Status End Date

Always align your CPT start date with your OPT expiration (or other status end date).

Goal: avoid any long gaps in employment or status.

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2. Factor in Employer Flexibility

If your employer allows unpaid leave → you have more flexibility to wait until the later intake.

If not → you must transfer SEVIS before the earlier intake.

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Example

OPT ends: June 1

Intake options: Summer 1 (May 6) or Summer 2 (July 1)

With sufficient unpaid leave: transfer SEVIS & get CPT before July 10 → continue working smoothly.
With limited unpaid leave: transfer SEVIS before May 6 → maintain status without gaps.

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🌟 Upcoming enrollment window at McDaniel College

If you missed the application deadline, reach out to a GoElite Advisor to check admission availability.

Spring 2026 - 01/09/2026

Application Deadline for Transfer Students: 12/01/2025

Application Deadline for Initial Students: 11/01/2025

Summer 2026 - 05/26/2026

Application Deadline for Transfer Students: 04/01/2026

Application Deadline for Initial Students: 03/01/2026

Fall 2026 - 08/15/2026

Application Deadline for Transfer Students: 07/01/2026

Application Deadline for Initial Students: 08/01/2026

Commit to McDaniel.
- When you’re ready to commit to McDaniel, submit your Intent to Enroll form or deposit to secure your spot in the upcoming semester and register for classes.

Step 1: Contact Your Previous School

You will have to request your SEVIS I-20 Transfer/Release From from the international office of your previous school.This process requires the following information:

Offer of admission (scan or photo of admission letter or email with offer of admission)
New school’s SEVIS code (provided by the new school's admission office)
Decide your requested SEVIS transfer/release date.

Once you submitted the "Transfer-out" form, allow time for processing. You will receive a confirmation, usually an email, of your SEVIS transfer/release from the previous school. The process of transfer-out usually takes several business days. If the school declined the date of SEVIS release, communicate directly with them and arrange another date.

Step 2: Transfer-In your SEVIS

When your previous school release your SEVIS record, the new school's DSO will process the transfer-in and generate your new I-20. You might not get the I-20 right away since it takes time to process, but your SEVIS record will be held by the new institution right away when the DSO complete the SEVIS transfer-in, which only takes a couple of minutes.

Once you transfer out your SEVIS, you OPT will end immediately. However, your new school will start processing your CPT application only after receiving your SEVIS. Typically, the processing time for CPT I-20 is around 1 week. Thus, there must be a gap between OPT and CPT. During the transitional period between OPT and CPT, you do not have legal authorization to work, or to get paid. So it is common for students to take a few days, maybe a week of unpaid leave, instead of paid time-off.

A student must complete and sign the CPT Application and provide the following to both the student’s academic advisor and your international student advisor for approval:

A completed and signed Cooperative Agreement from the employer, along with one of the following
- A current, official signed offer letter from the employer to the student on company letterhead that contains a detailed job description; or
- A current, dated detailed job description on company letterhead listing the job title and responsibilities for the CPT position

Applicants for admission should contact the Office of Graduate Admissions with questions and for the specific forms and details of the approval process.

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Book a 1-on-1 Consultation

Campus:

Westminster, Maryland

Program:

MS Data Analytics

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	$0 (Waived thru GoElite) Application Fee
	$12,600 Av. Annual Tuition
	20 months Av. Program Duration
	5 Days (Thru GoElite) Av. Application Processing

McDaniel College

Campus:

Program:

Step 1 | Select Your Major

Key Principles When Choosing Your Program

Principle 1: Link Your Program to Your Jobs

Principle 2: Avoid Repeating the Same Major

🌟 All Hybrid Professional Programs at McDaniel College