Students nowadays are very optimistic about studying abroad. Every year, the number of students applying for international programs abroad is increasing. However, there are some basic and strange mistakes they make, while applying abroad, that can be easily avoidable. Here are some common mistakes aspiring students make in their study abroad application.
1. Applying for a Course not meant for you
The first thing to know for aspiring international students is what they want when looking for courses and universities abroad. The students are always advised to choose the right course to study abroad first, and then pick the best universities offering the course and shortlist them. Also, it is important to have a fair idea of what you want from the future, and also the academic background you have. You cannot apply for a completely unrelated Master’s Program, which does not align with what you have studied in the Bachelor’s Degree. There is a very big chance of an application getting rejected because of that. Do thorough research on the study abroad courses you want to apply to, and apply to only the ones that suit you best. If you haven’t decided on a course yet, here are the options: Top Courses to Study Abroad
2. Estimation of Costs and Finances
Another mistake students make is not managing their finances beforehand. There are two important factors affecting your study abroad costs Tuition Fees and Living Expenses. Tuition Fees are paid to the universities, and living expenses are for your day-to-day expenses, living abroad. Students often look at low tuition fees and do not estimate the correct budget for living expenses. Countries like Norway, have low to free tuition fees, however, there are high costs of living. Accommodation in places like France might be high, where the tuition fees are very affordable. There are also minimum requirements set by the Visa and Immigration departments, excluding the tuition fees. Here is all you need to know: Cost of Studying Abroad for International Students
3. Research on the Scholarships Available
Talking about the costs, neglecting the scholarships you might be eligible for, is one of the biggest mistakes students make. There is a large number of scholarships available to international students from many countries. They might be need-based, which is financial aid to the students who are not very strong financially but fulfill the admission requirements otherwise. Another one is Merit-Based scholarships, which are for academically bright students. Many students do not even try to apply for one, and that is a mistake. Here are the scholarships to study abroad: Study Abroad Scholarships for International Students
4. Valuable Information from Other Students Abroad
Many universities have programs to make the students familiar with the University and Country they are coming to. There are orientation programs, and for some universities, there are alumni networks and forums where you can get in touch with prior students of the university. Some Universities have country-specific representatives to make students comfortable. They will help you get familiar with the university and country's cultural ways. That makes students feel more welcomed and less intimidated, coming to a new country.
5. Insufficient Research on Visa Application Process
One of the most important processes in studying abroad is the visa application. Many students tend to take it lightly, and there are serious consequences of that. The right process starts with the right research on the requirements to acquire a student visa. Make sure you are on the right timeline (not applying too late), have the right documents to submit. For example, some documents require to be translated into English. Make sure you are well aware of the requirements before you apply for the visa. The visa processing times are long, and the reappearance might result in you being late for the intake you want to attend.
6. Giving Up after a Single Failure
Rejection is always heart-breaking, and it can be dampening to one’s confidence. However, giving up is not the way. First of all, you should always have a Plan B by your side. As they say, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. One University rejecting your application does not mean it is the end of your journey. There are other options available, always. If you are planning for a Master’s degree abroad, there is no time boundary to apply. You will be given other chances to apply. Apply at other universities, always be ready for all the possibilities, and never stop trying! Read More: What to do if Your student Visa is Rejected
Here are some tips to apply to study abroad, and avoid basic mistakes:
Study Abroad Application Tips
There are some basics to follow while studying abroad. Research in the right direction is always the key to a successful application. Universities always put their requirements for specific courses on their websites, along with other requirements. The same goes for the Visa application process. Apply after you have done thorough research on the course requirements, you have all the documents ready, and you think you are the right candidate for the university and the course. Here is some more useful information on the application process, if you have any more questions regarding that: Study Abroad Application Process - Frequently Asked Questions
Read Also:
Study Abroad Without IELTS
Top 9 Reasons to Study Abroad in Europe
Categories: Study Abroad
Tags: Study Abroad