One app for all your study abroad needs
Studying abroad is the dream of almost all students. Studying abroad today is not as difficult as it used to be. If we get the right guidance and top universities then it becomes easy to pursue our favourite courses abroad. If you are also looking for the same for your children, then this blog Parents Guide to University Applications will provide you with all that information.
Why is Studying Abroad Good for your Child?
By opting to study abroad, your child can explore the world. There they will get the opportunity to experience completely new activities and customs from new countries. As they explore the world, travelling allows them to interact with all kinds of people, giving them a wide range of perspectives. This is one of the top benefits of studying abroad. Also, they can also choose better career options abroad. There are many universities abroad which offer better courses as well as scholarships. The universities abroad focus on the best education.
How is the Application Process of Indian Universities Different from Foreign Universities?
As the courses are different in Indian and Foreign universities, so is the application process. Let us see the difference in the application process of both types of universities.
The Application Process of Indian Universities
One of the important step for parents guide to university applications is the application process. Mentioned below is the application process for Indian universities-
- Take a look at your child’s qualifications for the preferred program
- Finish up and send the course application form
- Take the expected institute-specific or Common Entrance Test
- Seek help for stream and campus decisions
- Keep all endorsed records checked and prepared
- Get ready for fee payment before the due date
Application Process of Foreign Universities
One of the important step for parents guide to university applications is the application process. Mentioned below is the application process for foreign universities-
- Take a look at your child’s qualifications for the preferred program.
- Finish up and send the course application form.
- You must send the child’s profile – This is an inside-out image of the child with a portrayal of their intellectual and extracurricular work.
- Keep a good Letter of Recommendation ready.
- Your child needs to take the test recommended by the university or college, for example, TOEFL or IELTS or ACT or SAT or MCAT or LSAT or GMAT or GRE.
- Keep all endorsed documents verified and ready.
- Get ready with sources for fee payment, and to also meet living costs, like taking an education loan.
- Check the requirements and your child’s eligibility for the student visa.
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Top Intakes for Applying for Foreign Universities
Each year, there is an enormous convergence of students in universities situated abroad. Accordingly, universities offer more than one admission so more students can join every semester. Another motivation behind why universities have various admissions is to give students greater adaptability in choosing when they wish to take affirmation and start their studies.
Most universities around the world offer 2 intakes i.e. Spring and Fall. Certain universities also offer Summer intakes. The following table provides a brief overview of the intakes to study abroad and their period –
| Intakes | Commencement Period |
| Spring | Starts – January Ends – Early May |
| Fall | Starts – Late August Ends – Late December |
| Summer | May |
Let’s have a look at these intakes in detail –
Fall intake
Fall intake begins in late August or September and ends in late December. Almost all universities, including the best ones like MIT, Harvard, Stanford, etc., offer Fall intake.
It receives the most applications because the academic year for many high school or undergraduate students ends in April, making fall admission the preferred choice for many students.
In the Fall, more students apply for admission, so there is more competition and the chances of being accepted are slim. The acceptance rate is comparatively lower than the Spring intake.
Institutional scholarships are primarily awarded on a first come, first served basis. Additional scholarship funding is available at the university for students applying for Fall intake.
Spring intake
Spring intake begins in January and ends in early May. There are some universities that may not offer Spring intake, so you may need to contact your university of choice.
Competition in Spring is less as there aren’t many students who prefer to choose it. Fewer students apply in Spring, so the admission rate tends to be higher than in Autumn.
Most students who choose Spring intake are those who will seek an internship or job after graduation and need more time to gain relevant experience and become well established.
Universities may have fewer funds to administer Spring grants. As students begin their studies in the middle of the academic year, there are fewer opportunities on campus for Spring or Winter students.
Summer intake
Summer intake is a special case offered by a handful of universities for limited students for selected courses, mainly Diplomas or other Summer Courses.
Universities that admit in the Summer have fewer students applying, which means there is a higher chance of being offered.
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Application Process in Detail
With countless various decisions to make, and with every choice you make straightforwardly affecting your future, applying to universities can be difficult, particularly in the event that you’re considering studying abroad.
But, with cautious preparation and research, applying to university can be an interesting and compensating experience, which will assist you with getting into the university of your fantasies!
Step 1: Shortlist Courses and Universities
The first step in the application process is to select the courses and colleges based on your educational background. For this, you can use AI-Course Finder.
Step 2: Know the Application Deadline
The next step is to know the important dates for applying to universities and institutes. As an Indian student, you should start your application process at least one year to six months in advance so that you have time to take the entrance exam, and English test and submit your application on time.
Step 3: Entrance Exam
Students in foreign universities may need to submit IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE exam scores for admission. So appear in the required test exam as per the requirements of your course and get proper marks.
Step 4: Submit your Documents
The next step is to collect all the required documents and test scores for the application process. You should start writing your SOPs now, get LORs from teachers and supervisors and organise your financial statements along with other documents such as test scorecards.
Step 5: Apply
After collecting all the documents, you can start applying by using the online application form provided by visiting the official website of the university. In this, first, you have to create a user ID with your details. Then one has to select the courses, pay the application fee and start the online application process. You can also take the help of Leverage Edu experts if you have any issues with the application process.
Step 6: Track Application
Once you have completed and submitted the application form, you can track the status of your application to assess the deadline.
Step 7: Accept the Offer
Once all the formalities are completed, the university will assess your application and provide you with a position in the department and course of your choice. You can accept or reject the application. If you choose to accept the offer you will be required to pay the fee and secure your position.
Step 8: Visa Application
Now finally apply for a visa. It is necessary to secure accommodation, flight tickets, medical and health insurance, and travel insurance before starting visa registration. The processing time for a New Zealand student visa is around 3-4 weeks. So start your preparation like this.
With the help of AI Course Finder, you can choose the courses of your choice and the top universities related to them.
Documents Required
One of the important steps for parents guide to university applications is to make note of the required documents-
- All official academic transcripts and grade cards
- Passport size photo
- Photocopy of a valid passport
- Student visa
- Updated CV or Resume
- Portfolio (if needed)
- English Language Proficiency Test Marks
- GRE Score
- Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Our Leverage Edu experts will do everything possible to help you get a student visa as well.
Tips for Parents
Below are some key points for parents guide to university applications. You can make the admission process easier for your children by following these steps and tips –
- Do Proper Research on the University and its Courses
Picking the right course and the right university for you might be one of the main choices of your life. Besides the fact that it can influence which profession choices are available to you after graduation, you’ll need to spend no less than three years at this university, so it’s vital to find one that you’ll be cheerful at. You can compare different universities using the latest QS World University Rankings and see how universities are performing for your chosen subject using the QS World University Rankings by Subject.
- Choose a Place According to their Choice
Some people may have a choice that they wish to go to a particular place to complete their degree. This may be the step for them to decide where they want to study abroad.
- It’s Good to Directly Contact the University
If you would like more information about a specific course, you can speak to the international admissions staff and alumni so you can get an idea of what is expected of you when you apply. There you can also ask questions about the university and get specific advice on how to apply for this course. To find contact information for a university, use a search engine to find their admissions page and you have the option to call or email them.
- Plan a Backup
In spite of the fact that you may be eager to go to your best option university, it’s really smart to also have a backup choice. Try applying to different universities with different entry requirements to have a better chance of getting accepted into a university regardless of your grades. Of course, make sure you enjoy going to one of these universities before applying.
- Read the Application Process Carefully
The process of applying may vary according to Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree. So go through the entire application process carefully. We have briefly explained the application process in this blog.
- Prepare Documents
The process of studying abroad requires you to prepare well in advance. Start the process before the end of the application date and read the updates given by the university carefully.
- Prepare for Tests
If you have admissions tests as part of your university application, it’s important to prepare ahead of time to have the best possible chance of success. Familiarise yourself with the style of the questions and look online for practice tests. However, practising the tests beforehand will familiarise you with their design and get used to the time constraints of the tests, making you less nervous about taking them.
- Know about Scholarships
Different scholarships can be availed by each university, college, course and location. So know the policy and scholarship details of the university in which you have decided to study.
- After Registration
Even after the application process, a parent’s work is not over. Many universities do not take admission on the basis of entrance tests only. Maybe he or she will take your child’s interview or group discussion test. Only after that their admission process can be considered complete. Therefore it is also considered an important step.
- Remember the Deadlines
An incomplete university application can delay a decision and reduce your chances of admission. Make sure you are aware of any deadlines and are prepared ahead of time to ensure all aspects of your application are complete. A good way to do this is to jot down all your upcoming appointments on either a calendar or notebook and check them regularly.
Use the Cost of Living Calculator to easily figure out more about the cost of living abroad based on your choices and lifestyle.
FAQs
As a rule, you can apply directly via the university’s website and submit all the necessary documents or send them by post. In some countries, you can apply through a special online platform that is easier to use and also gives you the opportunity to apply to multiple universities at the same time.
There can be many reasons why your application was not successful this time – competition from other applicants, qualification requirements, your personal statement, or maybe the qualifications you are aiming for do not match up to your preferred combination of topics.
You can also get an education loan according to your course and university to study abroad with the help of Leverage Finance.
We hope that our blog Parents Guide to University Applications has given you all the information. But if you have any other study abroad queries, call on 1800 572 000 and book a free 30-minute session with our Leverage Edu experts today. They will also help you in the application process with proper guidance.
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