UG Students at US and Canada Address Student Queries About Choosing the Right College
Talk to Expert
Q. Can students still apply if they have a gap year? Does it affect your admission chances?
Iqra Khan: As long as you are able to fulfil the admission criteria of your chosen university and you are able to justify the reasons behind taking one year gap, it should not be an issue. The reasons could be many - you were preparing for an exam, extracurricular activity involvement, volunteering with a social organization etc. so if you utilized your one year gap well, then it will not cause any problem in your admission process.
Q. How should prospective students choose the right college? How important are rankings?
Vaibhav: It is important to look at the rankings and see where the college lines up with the rest of the country, so you have some idea about the academic reputation. At the same time, it is important to do some research online and look at the Facebook pages of the university to get an understanding of the type of international student community it has because that is one community which is going to aid you and help you adjust to the new culture and life in the new country. So make sure you are confident you will be able to integrate with the students there, and you are able to find the necessary support from counsellors at international centres, friends from other countries so that you have a good experience.
For me personally, after I searched through the Facebook pages of the universities, watching uploaded videos about the campus life and reading online reviews, I had an understanding whether I was a good fit for the college or not. So you can’t base off your fit only on the basis of a ranking.
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Q. Milap, what is your advice on choosing the right college? What criteria should be considered while making this decision?
Milap Dadlani: There are multiple factors when it comes to selecting a college, there is no right college, and it all depends on what you want to do and what are your personal preferences. One of the key factors for me was the location. The location is really important as you are going to stay in that town for at least two to four years, so will have to have a network of people. As a business student, I have to maintain a big network of people. As my town has a smaller community, it is easier to do that.
Also since Canadian weather gets really cold during the winters, you might want to choose regions which are comparatively warmer. As far as rankings are concerned, I wouldn’t say they are as important. More or less most college offer the same things. Diversity was another important factor for me. As in international student, I wanted to stay at a campus where there is a diverse culture. I had friends from around the world within a couple of months. This multicultural experience comes in handy when you are into fields like international business.
Another factor could be the USP of the course. If it aligns well with your overall long-term career goals, then the course will be a good fit for your profile.
About the Expert Panel
Iqra is a student admissions counsellor at Shiksha.com with 8+ years of experience in study abroad counselling and has worked with students across UG and PG for all top study destinations
Milap Dadlani
Milap is currently in his 4th year at Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Marketing at Thompson Rivers University, Canada
Vaibhav Chitkara
Vaibhav is the International Student Ambassador and Diversity Scholar Intern at the University Of Kentucky, USA
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Q: Â What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Q: Â What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.
Q: Â Is it hard to get into the UTSA in San Antonio Texas?
According to various sources, University of Texas San Antonio has an overall acceptance rate of around 87% which makes it somewhat selective for international student admissions. Some of the general requirements to be considered for admission are given as follows:
- SAT/ACT scores
- Overall Student's GPA
- Letters of Recommendation
- High School Class Rank
- Additional Academic Records
Q: Â Is University of North Dakota good for Indian students?
The University of North Dakota is one of the top choices for international students to pursue their higher education. The UND warmly welcomes its international students as they have contributed a lot to the success of the university. Moreover, the university offers a top-notch environment, the best academic opportunities, technical & career training, etc. The university boasts over 1000 international students who represent more than 95 countries. Additionally, international students highly enjoy the facilities provided by the University of North Dakota. The UND is one of the largest research universities in the United States for international students.
Q: Â How much is the application fee for Alabama University?
The Alabama University application fee for International students vary by application type. Mentioned below are the application fee for UG and PG applications at Alabama:
- UG: USD 40 or INR 3,342.14
- MBA: USD 80 or INR 6,684.28
Q: Â Can I get into Oregon State with a 3.5 GPA?
International students must have at least a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 for UG and PG admission at Oregon State. Therefore, candidates are eligible to get admission to the university with a 3.5 GPA in their academics. Oregon State University GPA requirements are different for undergraduate and graduate admission. Mentioned below is the range of GPA required for Oregon State University admissions:
| Program | Minimum GPA Required (on a scale of 4.0) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 2.5 - 3.0 |
| Graduate | 2.5 - 3.0 |
Read about the Grading System in the USA
Q: Â What are the scope and post-study opportunities for PGDBA in Selkirk College, Castlegar, Canada?
According to the student review on the unofficial web, pursuing a PGDBA is not a great option in Canada, and pursuing an MBA is far better than that. However, international students who are looking for an affordable option can choose PGDBA from Selkirk as they offer programs way cheaper than other SPP colleges in Canada. In addition, Selkirk College has supporting faculty members and smaller class sizes which means students will get to learn a lot with assignments and projects and get three years to showcase their talent to grab the best career.
Q: Â What is Northwest Missouri acceptance rate?
The Northwest Missouri acceptance rate for international students is around 80%. This shows that the university follows a moderate selection criteria when it comes to admission. However, the moderate selection criteria does not imply that the university accepts every application. International students must showcase their excellent academic performance, score high GPA, submit standardized test scores and English language proficiency test scores. In addition, if a student has a history of participation in relevant extracurricular or experience, their selection probability increases by 50%.
Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio
Syed Nazrul Hassan, an MA graduate in International Relations, is an adroit counselor who believes in the philosophy of putting himself in student's shoes in order to provide honest and sincere counseling services. ... Read Full Bio
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