Here is a list of things every undergraduate candidate should know before they think about whether study abroad is the right choice.
CONSISTENT MARKS Different academic criteria count in different places
UK- If you want to study in the UK, your Class 10 board marks and your predicted Class 12 board score will be taken into account for admission
USA- Those who wish to study in the USA should know that every school report card and mark sheet must be sent to the college with the application from Class 9 onward. No report card can be omitted. Board scores are also taken into consideration, but continuous assessments from Class 9 to Class 12 are important criteria for USA universities.
APPLICATION TIMING Applications must be submitted eight to ten months before the college year starts (between August and September)
UK- For most students this means that around November of the Class 12 application deadlines begin and continue through February for some colleges.
USA- The majority of deadlines are December 31 of Class 12. Being prepared for application submission takes at least six months, taking into account standardized testing (example, SAT or ACT) and essay writing. So this means in and around May of Class 11 (or 1.5 years before you will attend college), you need to be engaged in the application process, preferably with your testing completed.
NON-ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS While experience is more important for UK colleges, extra- curricular activities are important for the USA
UK- UK colleges are most interested in whether an applicant is prepared to commit to his or her chosen course of study.
USA- USA colleges are seeking well-rounded class of students - they want the incoming batch of students to fit together like a puzzle of people with different strengths and interests who can add diverse perspectives to the campus. For this reason the application process prioritizes strong extra-curricular interests including sports, arts, music, student leadership or social service.
TESTING
UK- Depending on the course of interest, applications to the UK can require testing. You will only come to know the required tests and their timings once you have decided on your course.
USA- Only USA colleges require the SAT. Imperial College has specific testing requirements for engineering applicants, whereas another college may not require any engineering test. Also, check English proficiency testing requirements carefully - visa processing may require it. And keep in mind that some colleges in the USA do not accept IELTS, though UK accepts only IELTS and not TOEFL.
COURSE SELECTION
UK- UK colleges are like India, students select a course and they are committed to study that subject for three years. There is no option to switch, nor are there cross-disciplinary, add-on subjects.
USA- In the USA, however, students are allowed to change their major course of study within the four years of their college education and/or add on minor subjects of study. In fact, statistics suggest that at least 80% of USA college students change their major at least once. This is allowed because often students discover course options that are more enriching than what they had originally chosen.
These points reflect the basic knowledge students and their families should have if they want to pursue undergraduate studies abroad. Beyond this, there are innumerable nitty-gritty details that need to be attended to before an application is ready. Planning ahead is t he best strategy for success.
For further assistance or queries students can contact us, Edwise International and avail our wide range of services for students on destinations like study in UK, study in USA, study in Canada, study in Australia, study in New-Zealand, study in Singapore, study in Ireland, study in France, study in Germany and many other countries.
