It is a great idea to nurture the dream of pursuing your higher education in an esteemed university abroad, but always remember that it is not an easy target to achieve. With stupendous competition with a limited number of seats in the top schools of the world, the job of creating an impression on the admissions committee is a daunting task. The profiles which stand out in the crowd are usually the ones which have undertaken a lot of research and carried out the task of applying abroad with utmost diligence.
It is good to start the process early. You should begin your research on universities right from class 11th. This will give you ample time to review your choices and understand the admission requirements and prepare accordingly. The earlier you begin, the more time you will get to take virtual campus tours online, refine your college list, brainstorm essay prompts, write essays and prepare for standardized tests.
Universities prefer versatile candidates who are keen to explore and grow. Starting early with your preparations for studying abroad gives you adequate time to engage in activities that can create an impression later. International universities prefer students who can easily gel with their multi-cultural environment and even contribute to it significantly.
If you have been actively participating in team based activities so far or taking up leadership roles such as organizing events at school or involved in community service actively, you have less to worry as these engagements will help you stand out. However, don’t sweat if you have not paid much attention to extra-curricular activities so far. Utilize your summer vacations right from high school and other holidays to give the much needed boost to your profile. Engage in internships/summer jobs, participate in summer camps, take up community service according to your interest or pursue online courses/short-term courses to add much sought after credentials to your profile.
Choosing to study abroad is an excellent decision, but the task is a humongous one. It requires a lot of effort and time to build a strong profile for admissions, so, the earlier you begin your preparation, the better are your chances to make it to your dream university. So, let’s get going!
