General

 

How To Improve Student Profile for Studying Abroad?

 

Are you wondering how to receive an admit from your dream university? Or how do you perfect your profile for a better study abroad prospects? 

 

If you are a student dealing with the countless formalities involved in the process of studying in a foreign country and you are confused about how to start, Whizstorm’s experts will guide you right through counseling to post-visa preparation. 

 

Studying abroad starts with many questions when to apply? where to apply? how to apply? etc. However, we do not always have the choice to apply to any university that we want as there are certain conditions and criteria that need to be fulfilled for you to become an eligible candidate. Many students start working on these pre-application mandates in the middle of the process. We agree that improving a student’s profile is an ongoing process, but there are a few factors that can be taken into consideration much early to avoid stress and disappointments once you start the process. 

 

Students can work on certain aspects of their professional life which will help them increase their chances of receiving admits from good universities. To make your study abroad journey worthwhile it is important that you study at a reputed institution that will expose you to a wide range of job opportunities and make you more employable. Every student wishes to continue with their higher studies at ambitious universities abroad, however, we come across students whose profiles are weak and do not stand a chance at renowned universities. Many students start having second thoughts due to lack of time, age factors and financial burden. Whatever the reason may be, it surely discourages students to work on their profile and it is not long before studying abroad remains a lost dream. 

 

Whizstorm’s experience with counseling and advising the student community, suggests some tips for students who are in the beginning stages of planning to study abroad. Please note that these are universal suggestions, every university’s assessment for student recruitment is based on different conditions and students are expected to fulfill that criteria while applying. Let us see how you can strengthen your career profile and make it more acceptable as per the most university standards.

 

1. Admission tests:

 

Be it language tests like IELTS/ PTE/ TOEFL or, admission entry exams like GMAT/ GRE/ SAT, it is a must for students to understand their importance and acceptance rate. If you have to scores ready for these exams you do not have to start preparing for these tests in the middle of the process which can further lead to obtaining lesser marks than your potential. Students should give enough time for the preparation of the required tests and take the tests only when they are confident about the outcome. Preparing for IELTS at a later date is not a wrong approach, but it may hamper the scores and eventually your chances of getting an admit. Preparing for these tests well-in-advance makes it convenient for students to focus on the core things related to the application procedures at that time. Do not take the exams too early from the time you plan to start applying, as very old scores are not accepted by some universities. 

 

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2. CGPA/ GPA:

 

CGPA is the Cumulative Grade Points Average. CGPA plays a crucial role in boosting your overall profile. To create a good CGPA it is important that you retain a consistent and fine academic performance 

 

Some tips to increase your CGPA will be to:

 

1. Make use of library
2. Preparation before exams is a must
3. Conduct research relevant to your subjects
4. Understand the exam pattern 
5. Do not hesitate to ask for help from tutors, professors, seniors, etc
6. Practice and know your weaknesses and strengths
7. Take mock exams before the real ones
8. Attend lectures regularly
9. Build a good rapport with your professors
10. Participate in discussions to assimilate concepts better

       

3. Internships / Assistantships

 

Internships are extremely important when it comes to demonstrating your working capabilities to the university’s admission committee. Internships help them know how good you are at applying and implementing the theoretical concepts to real-world cases. Taking up internships is very much necessary for presenting a good statement of purpose (SOP) and claiming impressive letters of recommendation (LOR). Internships allow them to know your real potential through the assignments and work you have performed at your workplace. Learning a subject at a university and working in that field are two different things. Internships also give you an opportunity to understand your interest in the practical side of a particular subject which you might just enjoy learning for the sake of a degree. It builds immense confidence in students and introduces them to workplace etiquette, teamwork, communication skills and building interpersonal rapport. It is a good start to taking up challenging positions in any field after you completing your degree.                  

 

4. Work Experience:

 

Gaining relevant work experience before joining the program is a mandatory criterion for some programs. The most common courses asking for work-ex are some MBA programs, Ph.D. programs, post-doctorate courses, integrated masters + Ph.D. courses, etc. Also, there are a few PG diploma programs which make it mandatory for students to possess at least 2-3 years of relevant experience. Work experience matters and add real value to your career trajectory. It becomes a good platform for the university to judge your aptitude, your capabilities as an employee, and make a utility analysis of your skills and qualifications. Even if it is not required by the university you are applying to, work experience (relevant or irrelevant) shapes up your professional identity and always helps your SOP to win-over other applicants. 

 

5. Extracurricular participation

 

Once you have given enough proof of your qualifications and experience what also makes a positive difference is your contribution and participation in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities in your academic and non-academic life. Involvement in the social events at school, college or at the office also creates a positive impression about your personality and purpose in life. It is not about showing that you are an all-rounder person, but what is important is that you have interests and hobbies that you are passionate about apart from the academic and main-stream profession. Achievements at competitions, sports, and technical events make you a more ambitious candidate. One hobby apart from your academics and some contribution to society through social work, teaching, volunteering activities is enough to prove that you are a focused and determined individual. 

 

If you have any queries regarding this, please contact our counselors by booking an appointment online