TOEFL scholarship winners share success tips
10 Indian students received scholarships to realise their dream of studying abroad. They talk to Garima Upadhyay Rawat about TOEFL exam, preparation strategy and tips to crack the exam.
Helping realise dreams of 10 Indian students, ETS (Education testing services) announced scholarships close to US $ 70,000 recently. The beneficiaries will use this scholarship amount to pursue their course of study in their choice of institution abroad. This year’s winners are an interesting mix of students chosen from across India with varied backgrounds. While some have demonstrated exceptional leadership quality, others have had the courage to do what they strongly feel for.
Talking about his experience of getting the scholarship, Abhay Gandhi says, “My mother helped me decide to take the test and it opened a sea of opportunities for me. Smart work rather than hard work will help you get a good score in TOEFL. You should get yourself accustomed to the patterns of the patterns of the examination. I solved the sample test given by ETS and took assistance from some videos on youtube to solve the test.”Abhay intends to attend Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales in Paris.
Ankit Talwar, alumni of Jamia Millia Islamia’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology currently employed with Deloitte Consulting, who has received a grant of US $ 10,000, says, “The scholarship comes at an opportune moment. I am eagerly looking forward to my stint at IE Business School in Spain. The international exposure in a leading business school will help me realise my dream of establishing my own strategy consulting firm pioneering innovative business and technology solutions to promote inclusive growth through channelizing business development at the bottom of the pyramid.”
For almost all the winners, applying for the scholarship was a great learning experience. “I thoroughly enjoyed making my application. Writing down all your achievements of the past along with your key leanings made it extremely interesting. I devoted a lot of time while preparing my application. It required a lot of nudging from my sister, but when I got to doing it, I knew I had to do a good job. My efforts have paid off with getting the award,” says SwathiMeenakshi, winner of US$ 10,000 and an engineering graduate currently working with Deloitte.
“For the third consecutive year, ETS is proud to be able to recognize the talent and academic achievement of TOEFL test takers in India,” remarked Scott Nelson, vice president marketing and public affairs at ETS. “With a strong foundation of the English language, the 2012 TOEFL Scholarship winners will be able to confidently pursue their education and career goals as they enter the global marketplace. ETS wishes them all the best.”
About the test
TOEFL figures in the most widely accepted English-language assessments in the world. Recognised by more than 8,500 colleges, universities, and agencies (in more than 130 countries), the TOEFL test is available at 4,500 testing sites in 165 countries, including India. Get to know your options after clearing TOEFL
Top tips to ace the exam
Reading is the key: Read as much as you can and while you do that, ensure that you strengthen your vocabulary.
Watch English movies: This is your chance to attend marathon movie sessions with friends! Pay attention to how words are being spoken and try to emulate their style of speaking in front of a mirror
Practice tests: Do as many practice test series as you can as it will help build confidence and acquaint you with the pattern of the examination.
Scout the Internet: ETS website has some great learning resources and youtube also has rich material available
Other interesting reads:
- Institutes offering TOEFL coaching
- Hot courses in Germany: Engineering
