Before You Go to a Study Abroad Counselling Service

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Basics for Study Abroad



I sometimes do IELTS coaching in my friends’ office (Manoj Patki of Edurussia; his wife Smita is my dear old school pal) for students who are going to Canada, New Zealand etc. Here I have seen are all kinds of people, old and young, who don't have much spare time, with all kinds of queries. Some are very naïve and just put themselves in the counselor’s hands, which is fine if
1) you have someone as experienced as Manoj Patki  looking out for your interests first rather than their own,
2) you have built up trust and
3) know what you want.

Here's a couple of suggestions as you start out on your Study Abroad/Higher Studies search. Please don’t be lazy- no-one else can think for you or choose for you! You definitely need to talk with some reputable study counselors for study abroad, however there are things you can do to prepare yourself which will ensure that your search goes off successfully. 

1) Do some research on the nature of the program you are interested in, and the career options you can go for with that degree. Although you are 2 to 4 years away from the degree, at least you will have some positive pictures of the future in your mind. The more knowledge you have, the more control you can take over your future and destiny. 

2) Before setting out to even visit any study abroad counselor, do some research on your preferred countries and colleges. You cannot just ask which is the best college for Hospitality, or Medicine or Animation or…etc.? What do you mean by “best”? There is "Best" in terms of budget, or course reputation, or college reputation, living facilities, cultural adjustment time,  or language learning time (For example, if you go to Germany or Russia, even if your course is taught in English, it would help you to take some basic course in the local language).

There are many factors that make up “best”. “What is best for me in my given situation, with my needs, and preferences?” is a better way of looking at the overall picture. In broad terms all the countries offer your courses, more or less.
Research the colleges about which you have heard good reports from others but don’t think “OK, I've decided which college, now I’ll go and tell the counselor where I want to go; he will do the needful.” It doesn't work that way.  As my friend Manoj says, "The college has to choose you also". Don’t be too arrogant; yes they welcome you and your tuition fee but you have to offer more than that to the college. You have to demonstrate some ability. 

3) Have some of your papers ready. These things are so obvious that you should not have to waste any time preparing yourself for paperwork at least. Remember the saying, the early bird gets the worm? I'm not talking about eating worms, but going for the goal- be early, be prepared.
I have made a list of some things you should keep ready for application to study aborad so that your application procedure goes smoothly right from the beginning. All the best, and call me if you need IELTS or TOEFL coaching. This is a general list; you will get specific details from the counselor, but these are the essentials needed. 

         
            Admission To A Post secondary Diploma or Certificate Program
  • · International Application Form (International Application Form) 
  • · Application fee of $75 and up (This is very general- budget for that amount per   application more or less, in US$, CAN$, AUD) 
  • · One of the following certificates with a grade of 55 or above in required program subjects: 
  • · All India Senior School Certificated awarded by CBSE/ Indian School Certificate (awarded by CISCE) 
  • · Year 12 State Board Exams 
  • · English Proficiency requirements are as follows for consideration: 
  • · A 1st division English grade in the 12th standard would be considered for exemption from TOEFL, IELTS or CAEL for most postsecondary programs, OR 
  • · A minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper based) or 213 (computer based) or 80 (internet based) -  OR 
  • · IELTS with an overall minimum score of 6.0 (with no single test score below 5.0), OR 
  • · CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment) with an overall band score of 60. 


            Admission To A Bachelor’s Degree Program

  • · International Application Form (International Application Form) 
  • · Application fee $75 and up 
  • · One of the following certificates with a grade of 60 or above in required program subjects: 
  • · All India Senior School Certificated awarded by CBSE/ Indian School Certificate (awarded by CISCE) 
  • · Year 12 State Board Exams 
  • · Include transcripts for any post-secondary courses or programs completed 
  • · English Proficiency requirements are as follows for consideration: 
  • · Minimum TOEFL score of 560 (paper based) or 220 (computer based) or 84 (internet based), OR 
  • · IELTS with an overall minimum score of 6.5 (with no single test score below 6.0), OR (Better to aim for 7) 
  • · CAEL with an overall band score of 60 and Writing 60. 
  • · Bachelor of Nursing Degree: a minimum score of TOEFL score of 600 (paper based) or 250 (computer based) with 4.0 on the essay component. 

           Admission To A Graduate Certificate Program
  • · International Application Form (International Application Form) 
  • · Application fee $75 CAD 
  • · University degree and transcripts 
  • · English Proficiency requirements are as follows for consideration: 
  • · Minimum TOEFL score of 580 (paper based) or 237 (computer based) or 88 (internet based), OR 
  • · IELTS with an overall minimum score of 6.5 (no single test score below 6.0), OR 
  • · CAEL with an overall band score of 70.

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