“Am I Already Too Late to Study Abroad?” How Late is Too Late…

As career counsellors, we are often asked these questions by eager parents and students. In India, parents often play the guiding role to help their children go abroad. In most cases, parents even support their children’s foreign studies financially. It is therefore in the best interest of everyone to know what is the ideal time to start planning for higher studies abroad.

What is a Good Time to Plan?

To build a robust profile that will get you into your desired list of colleges, you need to start planning as early as 3 to 4 years prior to the year of application. So, for instance, if you plan to apply in the fall of 2018, you should ideally have started building your profile as early as 2014, when you are probably still in high school.

Most universities abroad look for not just academic excellence in your profile, but also other qualities that demonstrate experience, leadership potential, all-rounder personality, community service, and financial stability. To be able to construct a profile that shows all these attributes would require time and multiple experiences.

1. Profile Building:
Most universities abroad look for not just academic excellence in your profile, but also other qualities that demonstrate experience, leadership potential, all-rounder personality, community service, and financial stability. To be able to construct a profile that shows all these attributes would require time and multiple experiences.

In addition to building a strong profile, any student planning to go abroad needs to be well acquainted with the academic model, the teaching methodology, and the pedagogy. It would be a rude shock to a student who does not find himself suitable for the academic rigor of international education.

2. Identification and Selection of Your Chosen Area of Study
Do you want to pursue the sciences? Or are you interested in arts? Does computer science engage you? To be able to identify your area of interest, you can either visit for a career counsellor or take some career identification tests that will help you narrow down your choices. Choose a course that best suits your personality.

To do your research, it is a good idea to attend college fairs. You can also talk to your seniors, friends and family who’ve been through the experience before.

3. Preparing Your Documents and Credentials.
The actual process of preparing for your study abroad application can take place a couple of years prior to your application. The process will begin with taking standardised tests such as the SAT for graduate program, the GRE, or GMAT for the masters’ program.

Sign Up for Internship or Apprenticeship with a Good Mentor.
Enrol in a suitable internship program to widen your experience. An internship adds an edge to your resume, as it shows that you are focused and serious about your aspiration. Furthermore, education in foreign universities relies heavily on hands on approach to learning, and your internships will be viewed favourably, especially if you have maximised your impact during your time there.

This article was published on reachivy.com