What students should know before applying for an overseas university
Pursing higher education abroad is a dream for many students. But in absence of proper guidance, they often don’t know where to start from. To begin with, they need to start allocating funds and look for relevant courses and scholarships. The key is to first figure whether travelling thousands of miles is a worthwhile option or not, as it will only make sense if that overseas university has things to offer that are still unavailable in India.
Once the final decision has been made, students need to look for relevant colleges that offer the chosen course. They need to carry out a thorough research, shortlist colleges, look at the facilities offered and have potential discussions with the alumni. This is where the hard work begins, starting from the application process to understanding the final admission process. Here are a few things that student needs to know while applying for a university abroad.
The application process
Applicants should always have at least five to six options in hand while applying to foreign universities. This is because not every university will accept application despite exemplary academic performance. There are many factors that they consider before taking in a student.
The application process consists of the following steps: Submitting transcripts, well-written CV, letters of recommendations from ex-teachers and principals, Statements of Purpose (SoP) (customise it as per the university’s requirements), scores of English language proficiency tests like GRE/ TOEFL/IELTS (optional) and finally a writing sample of the student’s most promising work. The thing to remember here is that, these tests should be taken well in advance, and higher the scores, the better the chances. A separate application for scholarships also needs to be submitted in absence of self-funding options.
Internships and prior work experience
Internships and prior work experiences do convey a sense of purpose while applying to universities abroad, especially if the experience is in the same field as your preferred course. However, if the applicants have no experience whatsoever, they still have chances to get selected. It is always preferrable to pursue few relevant and formal internships to explore interests and skills pertaining to different fields.
Priority: College or course?
Youngsters planning to go abroad for high studies often undergo a dilemma when they need to make a choice between colleges and courses. As it often happens, one gets selected for a preferred course at a university of lower ranking. At this point, one needs to be self-aware and make a career-altering decision based on their future goals. If their near-term goal is to pursue further education in the chosen field, it’s better to stick with the programme despite the university’s rankings. However, if the goal is to secure a job, then one might need proper exposure for which they need to opt for a better university.