FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Need a question answered? See answers below to the most commonly asked questions or contact us.
Need a question answered? See answers below to the most commonly asked questions or contact us.
It is natural for all students and parents to focus on the safety concerns associated with study abroad. International travel, like any other travel, does pose typical challenges about student safety. What is important is that a student’s safety depends on his/her exercising of mature and responsible behaviour and decisions. Few obvious examples include: Travel in a group during late hours; be cautious around strangers; say no to unknown substances offered at gatherings; stay away from illegal activities; keep safe distance from students who may try to influence/pressure you into such activities; report such instances to college authorities; do not hesitate in asking for help from university officials, and above all, be aware of and follow the laws and customs of that country.
The emphasis on an overseas education tends to be on quality of education and diversity in experience. One is exposed to different customs and cultures, thereby making him/her more tolerant, friendly and aware. Students gather rich professional and academic achievements in the duration of their stay there. Centres of learning abroad tend to invest heavily on research facilities, which allow students to enjoy an unparalleled educational journey. Approximately 150,000 students go abroad every year for higher studies. Going abroad for education is a very important decision in a student’s life and it must be taken after considering all the relevant factors. You should be clear and confident about your goals and decision. You should collect as much information from expert sources as possible, much in advance. Do not follow a herd, or succumb to peer pressure. Each student is unique and his/her experience in a foreign country will also be unique. Studying abroad is a very rich and rewarding experience. It will expose you to people from different parts of the globe, with their unique perceptions and cultures.
Following is an important checklist that you could look at while making your decision
At least 6 weeks prior to your application deadline. However, we strongly recommend that you complete your tests 4 months prior to your application deadline. It’s advisable that you take your tests as early as possible, to leave sufficient time for retaking a test, in case you require a higher score.
GRE and GMAT are valid for 5 years, while TOEFL/IELTS is valid for two years. SAT and Act are valid for five years. However, most universities tend to prefer recent scores.
The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) also assesses the candidate’s language ability and covers the same 4 language skills of listening, reading, speaking, and writing. However, IELTS is accepted more in countries like the UK, Canada, and New Zealand. TOEFL is more popular among US universities, although over 2,000 of them accept an IELTS score. IELTS has two formats: General Training and Academic. Visit the official site http://www.ielts.org/ for more information.
The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) assesses the English language proficiency of a person whose native language is not English. TOEFL scores are accepted by more than 7500 colleges and universities in more than 130 countries. This test is often a pre-requisite for eligibility for admissions for higher studies abroad. The test is computer-based, and evaluates your listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills. Visit the official site http://www.ets.org/toefl for more information.
GMAT is a requisite of admission process in graduate “management” programs, such as MBA, while GRE is used for non-business related graduate programs. The GRE test evaluates more or less the same basic cognitive skills as the GMAT. Lately, many MBA programs at business schools worldwide are accepting GRE general test scores.
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is universally recognized by leading business schools for its effectiveness in identifying the best talents in management education. The test, however, does not presuppose any specific knowledge of business, job skills, or your abilities in a particular area. The test measures your verbal, mathematical, and analytical and writing skills and is computer-based. Visit http://www.mba.com/the-gmat.aspx for more information.
GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) revised General Test is the most widely accepted graduate admissions test worldwide. It includes testing in 3 areas: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. Students applying to graduate and business schools would be required to take the GRE test. These scores would supplement your academic records, personal statement, and other qualifications for graduate-level study. GRE Subject Tests may not be a requisite for admission, but a good score will emphasize your knowledge and skill in a particular subject. Subject Tests are available in 8 disciplines:
Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology; Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Literature in English; Mathematics; Physics; and Psychology. GRE tests are available as paper-based and computer-based, while the GRE Subject tests are only paper-based. Visit
http://www.ets.org/gre for more information.
SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) is required for undergraduate admissions abroad. Most universities in the USA and other major countries consider the SAT score as an eligibility prerequisite for undergraduate study. SAT scores help admission officers make fair and informed decisions, as SAT tests you in skills you’ve learned in school: reading, writing, and math. However, every college and university uses a different combination of criteria for admission. Visit the official website http://sat.collegeboard.org/home
for more information.
Some colleges require or recommend that you take the SAT Subject Tests. These tests are designed to measure your knowledge in five general subject areas: English, History, Mathematics, Languages, and Science.
If you’re applying for undergraduate study, some universities require SAT or Act scores. Graduate admissions generally require GMAT/GRE, depending on the program. An English proficiency test such as TOEFL or IELTS is required irrespective of the level of study, for students who are from a non-English speaking country. These are the most common tests required across most international universities. However, it’s best to check test requirements with the school and program to which you’re applying.
Yes, every applicant must write his/her own essay after understanding the instructions and requirements mentioned by the target university. It is necessary to read up on each university’s requirements, as these requisites may vary across institutes, programs, and countries.
Each year, universities and schools abroad receive thousands of applications, many with comparable academic credentials, test scores, and professional experience. To be able to sift through this set of students and to find potential candidates who have more than just merit, students are required to write an admission essay (sometimes more than 1), also known as SOP (Statement of Purpose). This essay should reflect your personality, skills, goals, and passion necessary to pursue a degree abroad.
Most of your time will be spent in gathering all necessary documents that accompany your visa application. Filling out the application form is not time-consuming, but must be done very carefully. Follow all given instructions and double-check every bit of information. Again, you must take into account the interview and the document processing time, which varies across individuals and embassies.
The process depends on the country you’re applying to and the country you’re applying from. Determine which consulate you need to apply for your visa and gather the latest visa instructions from that consulate. Adhere to the consulate guidelines for completing and submitting your visa application form.
Yes, students who are planning to pursue studies in a foreign country are required to have a visa. Generally, student visas are required irrespective of the length of your study program. You need to find out the correct information about whether the country you’re applying to requires you to have a visa. If you’re applying to the United States, you will approach the U.S embassy nearest to you.
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