How can I increase my chances of studying abroad?

Introduction

When we start thinking of studying abroad, equally strenuous questions arise – where should I apply? How should I apply? In which country to go? Where will the money come from? All of these questions are valid and should be asked before you start the process of study Abroad. Getting into a foreign institution is not a walk-in park but it is also not climbing a mountain, it is just a very steep walk towards your goals. 

Good news is you will always have a chance to be an international student. You don’t have to have flawless grades to study abroad. Even to avail certain scholarships your grades in the home country might not matter that much but other skills come to your rescue, like essay writing and communication skills.

You can still get into your dream university even if you don’t have the required grades. Most overseas universities focus on your college application as a whole rather than only making decisions based on your academic scores. 

Increase your chances, follow these guidelines:

1. Learn a new language and Practice English

Being multilingual has numerous advantages and benefits. In Canada if you know the French language certain colleges quote tuition which is nearly as equal to that of domestic students. You can also work as a translator part-time, which is a very high paying job. This will augment your funds for your education. 

Also, make sure to practice your English because universities will require that you give some English language tests – the most widely accepted are IELTS and TOEFL. The universities in UK, Canada, USA and Australia take these test as  basic requirement to study Abroad. They are not difficult tests and you have a good chance to score good marks.

2. Thorough university research

Before deciding on universities, do thorough research about the university and the place where the university is located. Research about climate, academic term, admission requirements – both academic and language, placement information, etc. Find out some common topics or specific requirements that you can put in your SOP (statement of purpose) to increase your chance of getting admission into your dream university.

3. Well written SOP and LOR

It is crucial to write a good SOP (Statement of purpose) as stated above. Also, it can be the deciding factor in your college admission. So, it is advised to never make any common mistakes in SOP because it can cost you your admission into college. SOP should clearly define your goals, strengths, portfolio (if available), weakness, and whatever you seem relevant. An SOP is like a high-level overview of your profile that validates your claim and makes your position stronger to get admitted into the university.

LOR (Letter of Recommendation) is also very important and increases the weightage of your application. If LOR is written by a renowned person then it would increase the chances of you getting admitted into your dream college.

4. Extra co-curricular activities

Foreign universities look at candidates as a whole and it becomes necessary that you have some extra achievements to show the university that you are not adept in your academics but also pursue other activities. 

It makes a positive impact on the university officials about your personality if you clearly define that your personality is made up of experiences through such kinds of activities, like working in NGOs, school societies, etc.

Conclusion

It is extremely important to develop your application in such a way that it gives the university your complete picture. It is not meant that marks will determine your candidature and selection to a dream university.