higher education abroad

STUDY OVERSEASBasic Guidelines

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UNIVERSITY SHORTLISTINGWhat Defines a Good University?• Every University has its share of positive and negative

traits. Verify and research to ascertain if the institution where you plan to study meets most of the following points:

• Up-to-date course-curriculum and excellent research opportunities

• Qualified and friendly academic staff members• Affordable fees and generous scholarships• Comfortable on-campus accommodation and affordable meal-plans• A helpful career-placement team• Vibrant student life


CHOOSING A DEGREE IN THE USA• If you decide to apply for a degree in the U.S, it must be in a

specified field known as a 'major'.• Although most undergraduate schools do not require

applicants to choose a major before they are admitted, all students must select their major by the end of the second year.

It is a good idea to know what you would like to study before deciding on which universities or colleges you are going to apply to.

• This way you can choose institutions that not only offer that subject as a major, but which also have strong courses in that subject.

Some colleges and universities have highly reputable (although normally very competitive), degree programs in some fields, but weaker programs in other fields.


• The term Ivy League commonly refers to a group of 8 private, east-coast colleges and universities renowned for providing an excellent education and their significant history.

• These universities were some of the earliest American institutions founded:


IVY LEAGUE UNIVERSITIES1. Harvard in 16362. Yale in 17013. Pennsylvania in 17404. Princeton in 17465. Columbia in 17546. Brown in 17647. Dartmouth in 17698. Cornell in 1865

• Each university and college in the U.S has its own international student entry requirements – the minimum requirements for grades and standardised tests, e.g. the TOEFL and SAT, varies from institution to institution.


ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES

• Even within the same university there may be different admissions requirements, depending on which major you choose to study.

• Usually, the higher your grades and test scores, the better chance you have of getting into one of the top institutions in the U.S, eg. Cornell, Harvard.

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• Start Organizing and Narrowing Down Your Choiceso After you’ve gotten a good idea of the types of colleges you are

interested in, you’ll want to create a filing system with individual folders for each college’s correspondence and printed materials. This will make it easier to go back and find information during the months to come.

o Next, you’ll want to start narrowing down your choices. After you have gathered all of the information you need about the colleges you are considering (entrance requirements, tuition, room and board costs, course offerings, student activities, financial aid, etc.), it is time to start comparing the schools according to the factors that are most important to you and rank your choices.


• Financial Aido Another important factor to keep in mind around this time is financial aid.

Learn about your family’s resources and gather information about financial aid from all of the schools in which you are interested. Next, you’ll want to start a scholarship search, There are plenty of scholarships out there, you just need to spend a little time and effort in order to fine them.

• Register and Prepare for Required Entrance Examso Undergraduates should register and prepare for the TOEFL, IELTS

or other English language test accepted by your schools, as well as the SAT exams. In addition to one of the English language tests, Graduate students should determine whether they will need to register for the GRE and/or GMAT exams. Law students will likely need the LSAT, medical students the MCAT – and there are several more

• SAT tests the skills you’re learning in school: reading, writing and math. Your knowledge and skills in these subjects are important for success in college and throughout your life.

• The critical reading section includes reading passages and sentence completions.

• The writing section includes a short essay and multiple-choice questions on identifying errors and improving grammar and usage.

• The mathematics section includes questions on arithmetic operations, algebra, geometry, statistics and probability.


PREPARING FOR SAT

• Applying to American universities is a lengthy process compared to the UK undergraduate application system.

To apply for a U.S undergraduate programme, you must submit your application directly to the individual university rather than a centralised body such as UCAS.

Each institution has its own application deadlines and procedures, although 392 American colleges and universities subscribe to a Common Application Form in order to help streamline the undergraduate applications process


HOW TO APPLY ?

• Choose the schools to which you will applyo 1 or 2 institutions that you would like to attend, but that may not accept youo 2 institutions where you feel you have a decent chance of being acceptedo 1 or 2 institutions where you are quite certain that you will gain admissiono Prepare a folder for each of the schools you select in which you will keep copies of all

correspondence, application materials and other information.

• Stay on tracko Colleges are going to be paying special attention to what you’ve done with your 10th,

11th 12th grades, so make sure you work hard and keep your grades up. It is also a good idea to maintain a commitment to any extracurricular activities that you are a part of. Colleges like to see that you are involved in extracurricular activities, but they like to see that you can maintain an interest in and commitment to just a few activities, rather than bouncing from club to club every semester.

o All your Extra curricular and co-curricular activities are considered.o You need to do internships and do socially relevant work.o Identify your references and supply them with required reference forms o Request transcripts from your school/so Write your application essay (also called a “personal statement”)


THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

• Your application essay or statement of purpose. The theme is typically given to you by the university, but common themes include: o Your academic and personal backgroundo Your personal abilities and/or academic goalso Why do you want to study in the U.S.?

• Transcripts may be needed to verify that you have attained what you have stated in your application form. They may include previous test scores or academic certificates.

• Letters of recommendation, or references, are written about you by previous professors. In some cases, a reference may also be written by a recent employer.

• Required financial statements, such as notarized financial forms from the institutions, ban letters, etc. You must be able to show proof that you can support yourself while living and studying in the U.S.

• Please keep in mind application DEADLINES of the universities you are applying.


• The UK has a long history of welcoming international students

• UK Qualifications are recognised and respected throughout the world

• A UK degree will ensure you are well-placed to secure global employment

• British universities and colleges provide a multicultural, diverse, creative and inviting environment


WHY CHOOSE THE UK FOR YOUR STUDIES?

• Teaching Excellence• Essential Skills• English Language

• Iconic Culture• Creative Industries• Multicultural society• Number of institutions• Number of courses• Number of students

accepted in 2012• Over 12% of these

were international students


HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE UK


WHEN TO APPLY

1 September First day for receipt of applications

15 October Medicine, Veterinary and Dentistry, Oxford or Cambridge

15 January Advisory application deadline

24 March Many art & design courses (check each course for deadline)

30 June Applications after this date held for Clearing

THE UCAS APPLICATION PROCESS

References can be done by your school or college, or by someone who knows

you well.

Every applicant has to complete:

• Personal details• Choices• Education• Employment• Personal statement• A reference• Finance

MAKING A UCAS APPLICATION


PERSONAL STATEMENT• Gives you the chance to tell universities and colleges

why they should want you as a student

• Every personal statement should be unique. Just keep in mind that it’s your chance to sell yourself

• What you might include:o Why you want to study in the UKo Evidence to show you can complete a higher

education course taught in Englisho Examples of leadership, communication skills or other

relevant experienceo Any preparation you have done for the course

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An admissions tutor may make one of three decisions:

• Unconditional offer• Conditional offer• Unsuccessful

Or they may offer a place on an alternative course

Institutions may also request an

interview, ask to see your portfolio or

ask you to take admissions tests

DECISION - MAKING BY INSTITUTIONS

THANKYOU