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‘How to plan your career after 12th towards study abroad programmes‘

9 Career Planning Tips for Class 12 Students Who Want to Study Abroad. As you walk out of the hallowed halls of high school after completing standard 12, you feel the heady joy of achievement, mixed with a tinge of excitement for the future. After high school, you have the choice of studying in India or abroad. If you are contemplating an overseas education program, here are 9 tips to keep in mind:

1. The Early Bird Gets Admitted to Good Colleges.
To make a comfortable plan for going abroad, start at least 2-3 years before your 12th standard. Study abroad requires a lot of planning and preparation that cannot be rushed. If your parents and you are convinced that a program abroad is right for you, begin planning from that point on.There will be loads of documentation work and financial planning thatwill require your keen attention. Also, you will need to research, interact and connect with the school alumni and faculty members. Multiply this work for the number of applications you plan to send out, and you get the picture. Most importantly, don’t forget working towards building a compelling profile. Any procrastination on your end will cost you the college of your choice.

2. Know Your Strengths and Interests.
Make an informed decision based on your strength and interest areas.Do your grades reflect your preference of study? If you plan to focus on a core subject, make sure that you fill in the lacuna in your profile. For instance, if you plan to study further in computer science, ensure that your profile matches with the school specifications for computer science. If you lack expertise in a discipline, make sure to update your knowledge base. Admissions councils look positively at students who are willing to work on their weaknesses, and build on their strengths.

3. Build a Strong Academic Profile.
Do your academic credentials support your plan to pursue higher studies abroad? It’s important to work towards the A’s and take challenging coursework. Admissions officers closely look at your performance in your school grades to draw an impression about you. Participate in academic activities that can bump up your performance metrics, such as the Olympiad exams, for example.

4. Start Collating Information About Your Chosen College or Course.
Having identified the course or college you would like to target, gather all the information you need. Read the college website, and keep abreast with their activities and event. Find out specific details about the course curriculum, the faculty credentials, and the available tuition waivers for the course you will take. Look out for on-campus jobs, internship opportunities, and financial aid. It is also important to study other factors such as location of the university, the international student makeup, the accommodation available on-campus and close to the university campus.

5. Learn About the Pre-requisites of a Study Abroad Course.
Most colleges require a) filled application form, b) application fees, c) letter of recommendation, d) Essay or Statement of Purpose, e)Resume, f) Standardized Test Scores, g) Transcripts, h) TOEFL or IELTS qualification,and i) Financial Aid or Proof of Funds. Based on your course of study and/or geography there may be other requirements such as a portfolio. Study each of these requirements and work on preparing your application by completing these pre-requisites.

6. Prepare for the Necessary Tests That Are Required by Your School.
Most US universities ask for the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores or the American College Testing (ACT) score. Additionally, American colleges may also need your SAT Subject Tests.Even though there is no cut-off, a stronger score can boost your chances of landing in the top tier colleges of the world. Take the test when you are fully prepared. If you have already taken the test, and not satisfied with the score, you can consider taking it again. However, you should target a higher score, than your previous one.

7. Not Sure About aLong Term Course? Start With a Short Study Abroad Program.
If you are not sure about doing a full-term long course abroad, consider a short study abroad course like pre-college summer school program. A short course will give you the real feel of studying in a foreign environment. You gear up mentally and emotionally for independent living. Among many challenges, staying abroad entails planning your schedule, meeting school project deadlines, cleaning your laundry, taking care of your health, ensuring your safety, and cooking your meals. Also, it will initially be difficult staying away from home for the first time.

8. Select the College That Best Matches Your Profile.
If you have your heart set on a particular course or college, ask yourself why you want to join this one over any other. Consider the following:

Do you want a flexible curriculum or a prescribed format?
Is the teaching style in sync with your learning style?
Are you comfortable in a large diverse class?
Are there enough opportunities to engage in activities outside of academics?
Is financial aid important to you?
Does the career placement statistics align with your goals?

9. Consider Taking Up Internships to Give More Definition to Your Profile.
Candidates with work experience have a greater chance of being accepted to the college of their choice. With hands-on experience, you deliver the impression that you are a committed student, who does not shy away from hard work. In addition to picking up professional expertise, you will also be able to identify the right course and career path suitable to your profile.

Studying abroad is an enriching journey that you’ll cherish forever so it’s important to start early and prepare well. These 9 tips are important guidelines you cannot afford to ignore. Follow them to chalk out the right career after 12th standard.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

ReachIvy is a premium education and career advisory that helps aspiring students get accepted into top tier educational institutions globally. We have successful admits at MIT, Columbia, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, London School of Economics, University of Michigan, Oxford, University of Chicago amongst others.

Vibha Kagzi, Founder and CEO, ReachIvy, holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a Bachelor of Science from Carnegie Mellon University. She has also pursued courses at the University of California, Berkeley, the London School of Economics and the Indian School of Business.

Our global team of counsellors have also acquired their degrees from premier institutes and are passionate about sharing their experiences with students worldwide.