For this post I’m going to skip the pleasantries and just dive right into it – are you among those people who want to pursue their studies abroad, but have absolutely no idea how? Well then keep reading, because I’ve made this post specially designed for you.
To start off, I’m going to clear out a few of the more common misconceptions that students (and in some cases their parents) associate with traveling to a foreign university for an undergraduate degree.
"The process is easy and can be done in a week."
Wrong. I assure you, the whole application process will not be completed quickly and neither can it be defined as easy. From filling out the forms, to applying for a visa you will need to plan, organize and be patient. If you’re dedicated to your goal, then the whole process will be worth it.
"All my problems can be solved if I ask a senior how they got in."
Lol. Don’t get me wrong because seniors are a huge help when we’re lost – but, they don’t have a magic formula for getting accepted. You will need to do your own research on the places you would like to go. Ask for help on specific problems; not the entire process as a whole.
"Only top-tier universities are worth going to."
Trust me when I say that there are hundreds and thousands of universities out there that offer a top-notch education and an incredible undergraduate experience. Rankings can be misleading – don’t judge a university based solely on a number.
So now that you have a general idea on what not to believe let’s get started on the main topic: how do you begin?
Your first most important task is deciding where you would like to study. There are many factors that can help you choose:
- What are you planning to study? Universities offer a variety of degrees; from journalism to architecture, there’s something for everyone. Choosing the institute that focuses mainly on your subject will narrow down your choices.
- Do you have any specific country in mind? The most popular student destinations for undergrads are Canada, Australia, the US and the UK, and to a lesser extent, there’s Malaysia, Singapore, and Germany as well. Research the living expenses, facilities, visa availability etc. in each country to make your choice.
- Scholarship facilities. Be realistic and figure out how much you can afford. I would say that colleges in the U.S. offer the most financial help: in the form of financial aid, merit scholarships, and loans, they considerably reduce the expense of studying there.
- What are the college’s requirements? Do they need standardized testing or a minimum number of A’s in A Level? These are questions you should honestly answer before choosing your destination.
- Common Application submission deadlines (for the majority of universities): November 1st (early decision), January 1st (regular decision)
- Date of decision release: late March to early April (the following year)
- Term starts: Fall of that year (probably in late August or September)
Grab a pen and notebook and begin your research. All of the information you need is available on Google.
Note: For Bengali’s, I’d recommend joining the Bangladeshis Beyond Border Undergraduate Info Portal group on Facebook and taking a look at their files section. It’s a great place to begin your research.
Once you have a collection of sorts, it’s time to divide your choices into two lists: Safety Colleges (the one’s that you are quite sure of accepting you) and Reach Colleges (have more requirements than the safety colleges, but where there’s still a chance of getting in).
Begin the application procedure: Doesn’t seem so hard now does it? There may be multiple ways to apply; the Common Application (U.S.), OUAC application (Canada), or just applying directly to the university may suffice. Check the college’s website to make sure.
Make a list of each and every deadline you need. This includes application deadlines (varies depending on whether you apply Early or Regular Decision), standardized testing deadlines, scholarship/financial aid form deadlines, the date that decisions release and when your term starts. I've given a few deadlines below:
Note: Colleges in the U.S. usually start in the fall. If you're applying to somewhere in Australia, for instance, the deadlines are quite different since their semesters begin in February (Spring).
Testing: This may include SAT and SAT subject tests, IELTS, TOEFL, ACT etc. This varies depending on country (such as SATs in the U.S. and IELTS in Australia) and also university. Start preparing for them as soon as you can and make note of when to register and the respective registration fees.
Transcripts, recommendation letters, extracurricular activities and college essays: You now know a good deal better than when you first started reading this article. Transcripts and recommendation letters are collected from your school. If you've already given your A-Levels, then the transcript is all you will need; but for those of who are applying after AS, you may need Mid-Year reports as well. Don't worry about extra-curricular activities and college essays for now - by the time you're done researching, I'll have written two separate articles for them and then one more on the subject of testing.
Once you're done with your application, the only thing that remains is waiting for your decisions and then, of course, visa processing. Since you've just begun, it's best not to worry about that now... concentrate on your research and make your game plan. The rest will sort itself out with time!
I hope this article was helpful in giving you a good idea of the basics when applying abroad. If you have any questions, feedback, or opinions don't be shy to leave a comment, like and follow. Best of luck!
Suha
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