10 Steps to Choosing a University Abroad

10 Steps to Choosing a University Abroad - One of the important steps to studying abroad is choosing a foreign university. Once you have decided on the courses you wish to study and shortlisted the countries where you wish to study., the next step will be to choose the right university. It helps to have an honest chat with yourself to know which universities best match your academic potential rather than applying to those you fancy, just because everyone likes to go there. A quick ‘reality check’ will not only set you on the right track but also make sure you don’t fall prey to unethical consulting. Here’s are the 10 steps to choose a University Abroad which guide to help you select foreign universities that will offer you the best of academic and cultural experiences:

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1. Step 1 - How to choose a course to study abroad?
2. Step 2 - Research the course
3. Step 3 - How to choose university abroad
4. Step 4 - Know the University Rankings
5. Step 5 - Contact the university admissions department
6. Step 6 - Collect information from available resources
7. Step 7 - Check the universities that are based in the industry location
8. Step 8 - Shortlist the Universities
9. Step 9- Prepare Comparative Charts
10. Step 10 - Once University is finalized, check for further requirements

Step 1 - How to choose a course to study abroad?

Based on your potential and career goals, identify the course you wish to study and apply only to the universities you are genuinely interested in as each application can cost as much as 300 dollars. If you don’t know your interest yet, postpone the decision until you are sure. This will save you money because you will not be wasting your efforts in applying to universities in which you have no genuine interest.

Step 2 - Research the course

Research the study programme you have selected as courses with the same name can have different specialities. Go through websites, brochures, and literature on your desired programmes for a fair analysis and then select the suitable course.

Step 3 - How to choose university abroad

Find out university rankings from reliable sources like THE, Financial Times, and Newsweek (for more details refer to the adjacent box on university ranking sources). University rankings play an important role when you are selecting foreign university as this is an indication of how good your career will be once you finish your course in that university. Also, you should understand the purpose of choosing a university. Whether you want an education in a specific field or a general education that opens doors to your future.

Best countries to study abroad:

Step 4 - Know the University Rankings

From the rankings, find universities that do good research in your area of interest and offer grants. Visit respective consulates for unbiased and accurate information on universities (refer to Box on Consulates). This will make the task of selecting the right university a lot easier for you.

Step 5 - Contact the university admissions department

Email the admission officer with any query you may have about the programme. Engage with alumni and faculty to know more about the programme. This will help you get first-hand information on the universities and courses that you have shortlisted. Take a look at the University Directory and try to get all the university-related information there. It's the best guide to know if your college choice is right and if it's right for you.

Step 6 - Collect information from available resources

Consider universities where your seniors have secured admission and also financial aid offered by the universities you have selected. Every university has a website with basic information about the courses offered, admission times, application periods, and in some cases fees. Therefore, it helps you plan everything. The testimonials section also provides insight into the real-life experiences of students who have attended the university. If these universities are satisfied with your application, the chances are they will consider your application favourably.

Step 7 - Check the universities that are based in the industry location

Industries concentrated in particular states or cities in a foreign country tend to hire heavily from the universities around them. For instance, the hardware firm, Dell, based in Austin, Texas, hires a lot of engineers and MBAs from Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas at Arlington. If you are interested in automotive engineering or management, consider applying close to Detroit where the Big Three (Ford, General Motors and Chrysler) are based.

Step 8 - Shortlist the Universities

Now identify one or two ‘dream schools’, three or four ‘good-match’ schools and two safe schools. Dream schools would be the top 10 colleges where admissions are tough, a good match is good academic life and a good chance of admission; safe ones would be universities among the top 50 universities but with good facilities. Remember to pay equal attention to each college in the three categories as admission selection is subjective. Make sure that you modify your application based on the university you are applying for.

Pointers to keep in mind:

• Minimum GMAT/ GRE/ SAT/ IELTS/ TOEFL score accepted in previous years
• Your potential and programme’s offerings
• The rank of the programme
• Faculty and department’s area of specialisations
• Strength of Indian students
• Accreditation with local and international bodies
• Cost of study
• Accommodation, facilities and location of the institute

Entrance Exams for Studying Abroad

Step 9- Prepare Comparative Charts

If confusion persists, draw a comparative chart that reflects the strengths and weaknesses of each university

Step 10 - Once University is finalized, check for further requirements

Now that you have almost made up your mind, roll up your sleeves and aim for:

• A good GPA/CGPA,
• A good GMAT/ GRE/ SAT/ IELTS TOEFLiBT score
• A strong personal statement or Statement of Purpose
• Solid work experience
• Extracurricular Experience
• A short and crisp resume
• Letters of recommendation