UG Students at US and Canada Talk About Writing SoP and LoRfor University Admissions
Talk to ExpertQ. Who should a student ask for a letter of recommendation?
Iqra Khan: A letter of recommendation provides the admission officer with a comprehensive understanding of the candidate. This document helps them form a favourable picture of yours based on your skills, experiences, knowledge and achievements illustrated by the recommender. Most of the students have a misconception that the designation of the recommender adds value to your case. However, in reality, the letter of recommendation holds significance only if it is written by someone who knows you well and has worked with you on some projects. Students should ideally pick someone with whom they have been closely associated for a certain amount of time.
Q. Which aspects should be highlighted in the statement of purpose?
Iqra Khan: In a statement of purpose, the students should highlight their purpose behind choosing a particular course. Apart from that, an SOP should reflect upon your academic journey, projects, assignments and internships or any interesting activity that you have done academically. Connect every point to your career goals, to show that every step you are taking is directing you towards your ultimate aim.
Further, talk about the country and university that you have chosen. What makes you want to pursue your higher education from that particular university and country? How will that help you in achieving your career goals? All these questions need to be addressed in a way that highlights your achievements.
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Q. Which documents are required to apply to a foreign university?
Iqra Khan: Every university application should include a filled-in application form (usually online), school transcripts, test scores, academic CV, a statement of purpose, recommendation letters – one from a subject teacher and another one from school counsellor, passport (as ID proof), and a portfolio if you are applying for an art/design course.
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Q. What was your approach to the statement of purpose and letters of recommendation during your application stage?
Vaibhav Chitkara:
For an undergraduate application, a statement of purpose has comparatively less significance as that for a graduate application. You need to talk about your participation and achievements in academics and extracurricular activities. Focus on the clubs that you joined, volunteering experience along with what you achieved in studies. Talk about your goals, your motivation, and discuss them in relevance to the recent activities that you have done. Essentially, you need to elaborate on what your academic interests are, because, in the end, they are looking to get an idea about why you want to come to their country, and specifically that university.
For letter of recommendation, you do not need to worry about them as students are not supposed to write those. You need to get in touch with your teacher who knows what you have done academically and otherwise. S/he should be a good judge of your character and should be able to highlight your positive attributes in the letter of recommendation.
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About the Expert Panel
Iqra Khan
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
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Milap Dadlani
Milap DadlaniMilap 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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%.
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- Universities in Canada174 Universities
- Universities in USA1036 Universities
- Universities in Australia122 Universities
- Universities in UK175 Universities
- Universities in Ireland33 Universities
- Universities in New Zealand70 Universities
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
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