| Since it is your future at stake, adopt a meticulous | | | | accreditation status * Percentage of international |
| approach when selecting a university abroad. If you | | | | students and their work experience * Other facilities |
| follow the step-by-step plan mentioned below, | | | | and extra curricular * On the basis of these criteria |
| selecting the most suitable university for your study | | | | short list roughly 25 to 30 universities. |
| abroad will not be all that difficult. First, remember | | | | Step 3 - Application |
| that the best college for you may not be the most | | | | Next comes the application stage. On receiving |
| popular/highly ranked, but one that offers your field | | | | application forms look into requirements such as |
| of study and meets criteria important to you (such | | | | minimum score of standardized exams, application |
| as financial aid, duration, etc.). | | | | deadlines, recommendation letters and other such |
| Step 1 - Self Evaluation | | | | relevant details. Compare this information with your |
| Do a thorough self-evaluation and short list around 50 | | | | criteria and segregate the universities in three |
| universities. | | | | categories |
| This involves- | | | | * Those that meet your requirements * Those that |
| Motivation behind pursuing education abroad- is it | | | | do not meet your requirements and * Those that do |
| academic inclination/job possibilities/personal interest | | | | not fall completely into either categories. |
| specialization etc. | | | | By logic, eliminate the universities in the second |
| Realistic evaluation of professional and academic | | | | category. Further review the universities in the third |
| background- academic record (important in shortlisting | | | | category on the basis of ranking, research facilities, |
| universities by rank)/dedication/handling peer pressure | | | | financial aid availability, admission requirements, |
| research or work experience in your field/certificates | | | | program objectives and the approach adopted, |
| for extra-curricular activities. | | | | location and student profile. By the end of this stage, |
| Clear perspective of academic inclination- absolute | | | | you should have short-listed 7-10 (maximum 15) |
| surety of courses you want to follow | | | | universities, in which you intend to apply. |
| Clear picture about funding- Education abroad is | | | | Universities generally inform well in advance (from the |
| expensive. Apart from the tuition fees various costs | | | | commencement of the term) about their admission |
| such as living, transportation, health insurance etc. are | | | | decisions. In case you have received more than one |
| involved. In your case is it sponsorship/self-finance/ | | | | acceptance, prioritize on the basis of program |
| university funding etc. | | | | (curriculum, duration, research facility etc.), reputation, |
| Step 2 - Details of universities | | | | costs and financial aid, best suited to your personal |
| Once through with self-evaluation, your focus must | | | | and professional requirements. |
| shift to acquiring hard-core details about the | | | | In case of a wait list in your first choice university |
| short-listed universities for your higher education. The | | | | and admission in second/other- pay the deposit and |
| broad areas you should get details on are | | | | accept the offer to be on the safe side. At the |
| * Specialization or programs offered and their | | | | same time accept to stay on the waiting list of the |
| duration * Ranking and faculty of the university * | | | | first choice university. |
| Approximate cost - tuition and other fees, | | | | Exhaustive research on each university is essential to |
| accommodation, commuting, insurance* etc. * | | | | make the correct choice. It is time consuming, but |
| Entrance and academic eligibilities, tests required, | | | | never compromise on that. |