5 Steps to Choosing the Right College

Enrolling into a college and studying for a degree abroad can take anything between one to four years, depending on the university and duration of the entire course and it is sure going to be an expensive affair. Hence, it is extremely important for students and parents alike to choose the right college to make the investment worthwhile and the experience life-changing. With the vast number of universities offering multiple course options to choose from, this is often perceived as a tedious and exhaustive task to perform. To make this simple and effort worthwhile, we have enlisted a set of parameters, which would help candidates weed out the unnecessary and choose from the most worthwhile of institutions for higher education.

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How to choose the right college to study abroad?

The points given below should be remembered while choosing the right college to study abroad.

Shortlist the college

While shortlisting the college, consider the location, majors and programs offered, people on campus, and the opportunities available outside your classroom. Then, take time to make your own rankings and weigh the pros and cons of a particular college. Make sure your educational needs are being met while taking the decision to study in a particular college. All colleges require candidates to appear for an eligibility test, such as SAT/ IELTS/ TOEFL/ GMAT/ GRE to be considered for admission. Hence, it is extremely important for the student to have his / her goal in mind and know what he / she really wants from studying abroad. It is a one-way ticket and there is no coming back halfway. It is important for the candidate to understand that studying abroad for a degree is a huge commitment and he would have to go through the entire process. There is no quitting half way.

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Course Curriculum

This is another important area that determines the college of study for candidates looking to travel abroad for higher education. Candidates should be clear about the course that he would like to pursue and choose the colleges offering the same. Candidates should go through the available programmes on the official website of the university to be doubly sure. He should also verify the language of study and should be an expert in the field. Other important information to keep in mind would be the admission procedure; application start and end dates; campus life; extracurricular activities; accommodation options; the size of the college and above all the ranking of the institute and the course on a global platform. Candidates should always refer to unbiased college and course rankings to see where their choice of college is placed. Candidates should also join internet forums and get in touch with student counselors who could provide them with more information on the same.

Also Read: How should students shortlist colleges & look beyond rankings

Budget

Another important aspect of zeroing in on the right college would be knowing the amount of money required as tuition fee for the particular course in a particular college. Most official websites of colleges provide a detailed breakup of the tuition fee required for admission on a yearly basis. Students are advised to select colleges that fit their budget. Students can apply for an Education Loan through various banking and non-banking financial institutions that would help them with the tuition fee for higher education. Students who excel in education could also opt for the numerous scholarships and grants that are available on the official website of colleges to ease their financial pressure. It is always important for a candidate to choose the college that provides the maximum return on investment.

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Location

This is another important deciding factor, as a part of your budget would also be allocated to the living expenses that are directly affected by the location of choice. It is important for students to keep the location, security, climate, and ease of transportation in mind before deciding on the location as these elements would affect them on a daily basis. While the living costs of some countries are higher than others, however, how much you actually spend every month depends on the lifestyle of every student. For example, a student staying in the metropolitan part of the country would pay a higher rent than a student staying in the suburban areas. The weather is another important factor as extremely cold countries could make living very difficult for Indians traveling for the first time as major parts of India enjoy tropical climate all-round the year. Safety and security, easy visa facilitation and duration of stay after the course are over are major factors that should be carefully weighed before finally choosing the location of study.

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Preference and Social Ties

Past work experiences and extracurricular knowledge also shape one's preferences for deciding on the right college. A lot of times, personal preferences of having family or relatives residing in a particular country take precedence in choosing the right college for an education. This is misleading and should be avoided. Course preferences, college ranking, tuition and living expenses should be the determining factors in choosing the right college for a candidate wanting to travel abroad for higher education.

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