How to Select the Right College Abroad?
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How to select the right college abroad: One of the most critical steps for students applying abroad, is to select which colleges to apply to. Creating applications for universities requires a lot of time and effort, making it all the more important that students shortlist colleges based on careful planning and thought. The most common way of shortlisting colleges is to look at rankings, but are rankings really that important? In this article, we will explore why it’s important to look beyond rankings, and how students can do that.
There are several research companies that publish rankings for universities across the world. Some are specific to one country, while others release global rankings. It is important to understand that every ranking is based on a certain set of parameters, each of which is given different weights by the publisher, before calculating a university’s rank. That is why one usually sees differences in ranks of particular colleges across different publications.
The question that students need to ask themselves is – does the ranking give weightage to the factors that are important to me? Very often, the answer to this question might be ‘no’. And that’s when students need to tread with caution while shortlisting colleges only on the basis of a ranking. This is because the information captured in the rankings might not necessarily help you find a college or university that is the ‘best fit’ for you.
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Another important thing to remember when looking at rankings, is just because a university is ranked high overall, doesn’t mean that they rank high in the course you want to pursue. So, if you must look at ranking, focus on those that are course-specific.
Every student has his or her own unique expectations from college life, and their choice of university has to be influenced by these expectations. Different things could be important to different students when shortlisting colleges.
Also Read: Top Fully funded Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad
For example, you might not be able to deal with extremely cold weather. As silly as it may sound, this is a parameter for you when shortlisting colleges. You may decide not to apply to universities located in geographies where the winters are too harsh. Could any ranking have captured this information to help you identify colleges that don’t have cold weather? No.
Like this, there might be several factors that influence your decision on which colleges you should think of applying to, such as:
- Does the college offer the course you want to pursue?
- If you are dependent on financial aid, you might have to limit your choices only to those colleges that provide aid to international students
- You may want to pursue a particular sport seriously at college, and choose to apply to colleges where that sport is popular
- The size of the college might impact your decision – are you ok studying at a state college with 30,000 students, or do you prefer studying in a smaller college with just 3,000 students?
- Some students might prefer studying in a city campus, such as universities in New York, or London have, where there isn’t necessarily a college campus – university buildings are spread across the city. Other students might prefer to study in a smaller city/town where the university life is campus based, and offers more of a community life.
These are only a few of the criterion students might think of. There are several others. Bottom line is, that rankings don’t capture this kind of information, which can be critical to your decision making process.
It is always good to aspire and work hard to get into a competitive college, but it’s equally important to be realistic about where you stand, and what your chances of getting into your shortlisted colleges are. While students should definitely apply to their competitive dream school(s), they should also apply to some colleges where their chances of gaining admission might be slightly higher. Remember though, that these colleges should not be treated as a ‘back-up’ or ‘second choice’. You will spend 3-4 of the most important years of your life at college, so you need to be happy with all the choices you make.
The best way to find out information about a college is to speak to people associated with it. Students currently studying at the university can give you great insights into what they think is good, and what they think isn’t great about the college. University professors and admission officers are also great resources and will always be happy to give you information that you need. Reach out to them over email and try connecting with students through your network of friends or family.
Often, students who aren’t able to shortlist colleges with clarity, end up sending out too many applications. This isn’t the advisable approach as writing applications requires a lot of hard work, time, and effort. Applying to 8-10 colleges is usually considered optimal. If you burden yourself with 20 applications, the quality of your essays is bound to suffer. Also remember that applying to every college costs money, so it’s important to be practical during your shortlisting process. The 8-10 colleges you choose have to be carefully selected keeping all your parameters, and likelihood of acceptance in mind.
Although it isn’t always possible, if you can, try and visit some of the colleges you are most passionate about attending. It will give you a very real feel of what student life will be like once you join, and give you the opportunity to meet students and faculty and see the campus.
Choosing the right university is a personal experience, and hence it is very important for students and parents to identify the parameters that will influence their decision while shortlisting colleges to apply to. Once these parameters are laid out, students can do research to identify which colleges meet their needs.
Read more:
How to Select the Right College Abroad FAQs
Q. How do I choose the right college/university abroad?
A. The decision of choosing the right college should be made by considering a number of key parameters such as:
- College/University Rankings: This should be your primary factor when shortlisting colleges and universities abroad. Several college and university ranking bodies conduct thorough analyses on teaching pedagogy, student satisfaction and several more such factors to give a ranking to a particular university.
- Available Course and Specialisation: Consider your desired program (e.g., B.E, B.Sc., etc.) and research universities with strong programs in that field.
- Student-friendliness: Research the support services offered to international students, such as orientation programs, academic advising, cultural adjustment workshops, and mental health resources. A welcoming environment makes a big difference during your studies abroad.
- University/college location: Think about factors like country, city size, and campus environment that suit your preferences.
- Affordability: Research tuition fees, living expenses, and scholarship opportunities to ensure affordability. Explore financial aid options offered by the university and external scholarships you might be eligible for.
- Habitability/acceptance of international students among the local communities and college atmosphere
- Quality of Education/Education System
Q. How to choose a country to study abroad?
A. You can base your decision of choosing the right country for studying abroad on the following factors:
- Quality of Education
- Quality of Living
- Potential Employers/big companies around
- Climate - too hot/cold and if that suits you
- Cost of Living and Studying
Q. How can I get into a good college/university abroad?
A. There is a standard way of applying to any university abroad. You need to fill out an online application on your desired university's official website. However, with several measures, you can make your application stronger and increase your chances of getting into a good university abroad. Below are some points that can help you to increase your chances of getting into a good college/university abroad:
- Strong Academics: Maintain high grades throughout high school, particularly in subjects relevant to your desired program.
- Standardized Tests: Ace standardized tests required by the university (e.g., SAT, TOEFL, IELTS, PTE).
- Stand Out with Achievements: Showcase your talents and passions through extracurricular activities, awards, or relevant work experience.
- Compelling Essays: Write compelling application essays that highlight your unique experiences, goals, and fit with the university.
- Strong Letters of Recommendation: Request recommendation letters from teachers or mentors who can speak to your academic potential and work ethic.
- Research & Apply Strategically: Research universities that align with your profile and application deadlines.
Q: How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?
The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
Q: Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
Q: What is University of Wales, Trinity Saint famous for?
University of Wales, Trinity Saint (UWTSD) was founded in 2010, is a public institution for higher education and research at multiple locations. It was set up under the 1828 royal charter of Lampeter, the institution was the result of the merger between Trinity University College and the University of Wales. The institution merged with the Swansea Metropolitan University in 2013.
- Top Ranked University: The UWTSD is not ranked by any major ranking body, however as per the university ranking given on the official website of the university, it is ranked among:
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Film Production and Photography
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Fashion and Textiles
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Graphic Design
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Education
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Sports Science
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Mechanical Engineering
- #1st in Wales for Fine Arts
- Variety of Courses: UWTSD offers more than 300 programs at various levels including undergraduate, postgraduate degrees as well as multiple online courses.
- Highly distinguished and learned faculties: the faculty at UWTSD is highly learned and distinguished which enables students to be the best in their field of study.
- High Placements: According to Graduate Outcome data 2019-2020 quoted by the UWTSD, more than 95% of its graduates were found to be employed within 15 Months of graduation. The average salary of a graduate is not explicitly released by UWTSD, however, as per some unofficial sources the average salary of the graduates of UWTSD is approximately INR 30-35L. with the highest salary being reported as high as INR 66.5L for jobs in Financial Services.
Q: What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?
The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:
| Ranking Body | Ranking |
|---|---|
| The Guardian University Guide 2024 | #101 |
| The Complete University Guide 2024 | #117 |
Q: Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
Q: Why indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School - UK?
Indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School in the UK for several reasons, including its highly ranked programs, global outlook, and career support. Hult offers a range of full-time master’s degrees, immersive bachelor's programs, and MBA options that prepare students to excel in the global job market. The school is the largest and top-ranked global business school, providing students with an incomparable universal outlook. Additionally, Hult's focus on experiential learning, extensive career support, and the opportunity to study at multiple campuses around the world are attractive to Indian students seeking a global business education. Furthermore, the school's emphasis on innovation and meeting the needs of students and employers may also contribute to its appeal to Indian students
Q: How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?
Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.
- Know the exam pattern
- Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
- Solve previous year question papers
- Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
- Revise regularly
- Figure out weaker areas and learn them well
With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.
Q: How to download UK Board 12th date sheet 2024?
Following are the steps to download the UK 12th date sheet 2024.
- Open the Uttarakhand Board's official website at ubse.uk.gov.in
- Click on 'Examination Scheme' available on the homepage
- A new window will appear on the screen containing a link of the UK Board 12th date sheet 2024
- Click the link and download the Uttarakhand 12th date sheet 2024
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