How to choose to right college when pursuing education abroad
Some students may have a very clear idea on what they want to study or where they’d like to go for their higher studies. But if the wide variety of choices of programs and destinations confuse you, and you are unable to pick the right one, Here is a 5 point plan to keep in mind while making a study abroad or career choice.
1. What is Your Budget?
In most cases, the budget will put the upper cap on the choice of college or destination. Some universities are more expensive than the others. Some colleges offer financial aid or scholarships. In some countries such as Germany, public universities don’t charge tuition fees. However, you still have to take into account the living costs.
You will need to assess which colleges or destinations are within your price range and come to a favourable conclusion.
2. What is Your Target Score on the Standardized Tests?
Do you envisage a 90 plus percentile ranking in your standardized tests? You can find out your potential based on your mock tests. A high score will help you open more gates and also give you an edge to apply for scholarships too if you plan to.
3. What Kind of Studies Interest You?
If you are interested in majors like economics, biology, engineering, medicine etc., you should do some research on the best-ranked universities, depending on the subject. Business, economics, medicine and law remain the most popular courses across most countries. For engineering, a popular study destination is Germany, while the UK focusses on business management, nursing and pharmacology specializations.
Many students in the past chose to study in the US or Europe, as the rewards outweigh the challenges. However, we increasingly find that students are open to exploring beyond western shores. Destinations like Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and New Zealand are also being preferred by international students. Each destination offers its own tantalizing mix of history, culture, languages, food, and familiar amenities.
For students pursuing their undergraduate degree, you have a vast choice of courses. Select the right one, based on your aptitude, interest, and aspiration. For instance, if you decide to pursue a career in the field of biogenetic engineering, you may want to consider an undergraduate degree in science. Get an in-depth insight into the subjects taught in each of these programs, how the program is designed in different countries, and how it will benefit you. With this kind of knowledge, and an intuitive understanding of yourself, you can make the correct choice.
4. What Kind of Employment Prospects Do You Seek?
Do you plan to work in a company abroad, or do you plan to return home to work in your own country? Do you intend to start your own entrepreneurial venture? If you are not sure what career path you want to pursue, that is okay too. However, if you have a brief idea or some inclination, it will help you narrow down your choice of colleges abroad.
5. Do You Meet the Eligibility Criteria?
Do you want an undergraduate level degree or masters? Will the college you want to study in provide the best education in the field of your choice? Does the college have a good success metric with the alumni of the school? Having asked yourself these questions, study the course you want to pursue in detail. The choice will present itself to you.
Most American universities require 16 years of formal education to be eligible for a Master’s program . For UK schools, students seeking admissions for Masters studies need to have 15 years of formal education in any stream equivalent to the UK’s bachelor degree. Many Master’s programs, especially in the fields of medicine, education and technology, require practical experience or internships. These criteria will help you narrow down your choice of school or country.
