Study Abroad After 12th - How to Build A Profile

Study abroad after plus Two: To study abroad after 10+2 has been the dream of many Indian students for decades now. Every year lakhs of students apply for colleges outside India as they want to explore and get the best possible education, and careers thereafter. While the entire process of applying to a foreign university/college can be complicated and tedious, most aspirants forget to take one aspect seriously ‒ profile building. Taking up opportunities that reflect personality as well as expand knowledge and skillset is known as profile building of a candidate. Profile building for high school students not only makes them holistic individuals but also gives them tons of valuable content to add to their SOPs and resume to apply for top universities abroad. It is a guaranteed way to make a positive impression on the admission committee of one's dream college/university! Some time-tested strategies for profile building for students that will help them get their dream colleges are as follows.

This Story also Contains

1. How to Study Abroad after 12th from India
2. Exams to Study abroad After 12th
3. Online courses/certification programmes
4. Exchange student programs/ summer school
5. Profile building for high school students- Summer internships
6. Profile building for high school students- Public speaking
7. Extracurricular activities
8. Online projects
9. Scholarships to Study Abroad after 12th from India
10. Best Courses to Study Abroad after 12th

How to Study Abroad after 12th from India

Planning to study abroad after 12th is a great step to take in one life. Profile building for study abroad after 12th is crucial for such aspirants. It is also important to know how to study abroad after 12th from India to reap maximum benefits. It helps optimize various factors such as applying to the best universities, scholarships, etc. Study abroad after 12th has a less competition compared to study after graduation. Completing undergraduation abroad shapes knowledge and perspectives of a candidate in a totally different way due to the exposure to international cultures. Go through the following steps on how to study abroad after 12th from India:

1. Prepare a strong academic profile
2. Select the best field of study
3. Prepare a list of top countries, universities and courses to study.
4. Take the required tests such as SAT/ACT.
5. Make an application as early possible to the chosen universities.
6. Check eligibility for various scholarships to study in a particular country/university/course.
7. Receive a letter of acceptance from universities.
8. Apply for student visa of the respective country well in advance to accommodation course start dates.
9. Arrange finances.
10. Prepare for departure.

Exams to Study abroad After 12th

How to go abroad for studies after 12th? The first and the foremost thing in a profile that will grab the attention of the admission officers is CGPA. So prospective candidates must work on one's academics if they are aiming for a creamy layer of institutions like the Ivy League colleges in the USA. Other than CGPA, the scores of other exams also become important like SAT, IELTS/TOEFL (language tests). Desirable scores in these exams can always make a profile stand out when opting to study abroad after 10+2.

Popular exams to study abroad:

Research work

Research work adds immense value to profile building for students who want to study abroad after 10+2 in one of the top universities/colleges. Although it is a strenuous process that takes two years of prior planning, once a research work starts getting published a candidate is sure to stand out from the rest. While in school, candidates can assist a senior friend or a family member they know who is doing research projects and become one of the co-authors.

List of scholarships to study abroad by country:

Online courses/certification programmes

The internet is booming with information today and as aspirants of overseas higher education, everyone must take advantage of this amenity when looking to study abroad after 12th. There are plenty of MOOCs, paid courses and certification programmes available online. What adds the most value when pursuing a course in a niche area i.e. the area/discipline that a student want to pursue as an undergraduate programme. This conveys a candidate's honesty, sincerity and seriousness towards the program they want to pursue in their desired foreign university.

Best countries to study abroad:

Exchange student programs/ summer school

Yet another strategy for profile building for high school students is to interact with like-minded people from diverse backgrounds. Student exchange programs help build network, undertake assignments/projects, represent a candidate's country/school. But there are many more benefits of study exchange programs. Summer schools or exchange programmes not only help hone interpersonal skills but also build personality, something that comes in handy when choosing to study abroad after 10+2 for students.

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Profile building for high school students- Summer internships

Doing an internship in niche areas is another way to build profile. This will help understand the practical aspects of the domain and acquire some skills in the process. Internships can be easily found online or through family/ friends. Do make sure to get a certificate at the end of the internship period (ideally 2 months).

Profile building for high school students- Public speaking

Participating in public speaking activities like debating, extempore, declamations etc. indicates that the student is confident and possesses effective communication skills. This contributes to the all-round personality development as well as profile development for high school students.

Also, explore the benefits of studying in other popular study destinations here:

Profile building for high school students- Community service (National/ International community service)

Community service aka volunteering for a cause is highly beneficial to study abroad after 10+2, especially when it is either from a niche area or an area of global concern like climate change, child labour, gender inequality and the like. This activity conveys that a candidate is a global citizen who gives equal importance to burning issues or concerns of today’s world.

Extracurricular activities

Achievements in extracurricular activities like sports, dance, music, art, theatre, etc. can serve as tie-breakers between two equally impressive applications who want to study abroad after 10+2 in a particular university. Try to earn a couple of accomplishments in the same.

Online projects

The last couple of years of the coronavirus pandemic have brought about an unprecedented boom in the usage of the internet and social media. Students in their teens are launching their online startup projects and flourishing on social media platforms. Those that already have a social media account with a cause and several followers can find it to be an excellent strategy for profile building for high school students. It is always possible to start working on online projects provided students have ample time to build their page and make a presence on the internet. Participate in national and international fundraising projects.

All things considered, foreign universities look out for students who are good at much more than just academics. While academic scores do play an important role when wanting to study abroad after 10+2, there are several other factors that make a candidate's profile stronger and more attractive compared to other applicants.

Whatever one chooses to do from the list mentioned above, making sure that one has the proof of the same, like certificates, can help in profile building for students. In addition, be able to articulate all that is learned from varied profile building activities and their relationship with the course and university applying for in an SOP. And, last but definitely not least, time is of the essence for those aspiring to study abroad after plus two in a foreign university of repute. So plan ahead, at least 1.5 - 2 years prior to the application dates.

Scholarships to Study Abroad after 12th from India

Though it is possible to study abroad after 12th, not many prospects know that it is possible to study free of cost after 12th even in abroad universities. There are various financial aids, scholarships, grants in place for meritorious and needy students. When they are given by universities, candidates will be automatically considered for eligible financial assistance after at the time of admission. For some scholarships, candidates have to submit a separate application. Usually, candidates must check for available scholarships and apply to them on their own as no information will be given by the universities at the time of application.

There are full funding scholarships to study undergraduate courses abroad such as Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship by Toronto University, York University Scholarship for undergraduate studies, DAAD Germany scholarships, etc. Candidates must research thoroughly to identify the right scholarship that suits their eligibility and apply within deadlines.

Best Courses to Study Abroad after 12th

After deciding to study abroad after 12th the next step regarding how to study abroad after 12th from India is choosing the best course. Prospects can select based on their own interest or after consulting their friends and family for information regarding the highly valued courses. Generally best courses to study abroad after 12th are those that give the student enough knowledge and growth opportunities. In abroad universities, it also means starting research from undergraduate level itself.

1. Engineering

   • Mechanical Engineering
   • Computer Science
   • Aerospace Engineering
   • Civil Engineering Automobile Engineering

2. Medicine

   • Doctor of Medicine
   • Health informatics
   • Occupational Therapy
   • Public Health Administration
   • Optometry

3. Management, Business & Commerce

   • Accountancy
   • Finance
   • Marketing
   • Business Administration
   • Economics

4. Arts

   • Bachelor of Arts (B.A)
   • Fine Arts
   • Product Design
   • Interior Design
   • Hotel Management