Paid vs Free Overseas Education Consultants

It is one of the toughest decisions to go and study abroad. Further, it is even tougher to choose the correct country and the university where you should apply and then go there to pursue higher studies. While going to study abroad it is always wise to go for a reputed professional agency that holds immense experience in this domain. They will provide you with correct guidance, which holds maximum importance.

Selecting the right college and country that suits your profile and your goals is a daunting task. Your friends and family members can help you out with it, but they might not be able to help you with the complete application process, as they might not have the expertise for it. Maybe any of your relative who is studying overseas or your college senior can help you out but that does not necessarily mean you will get professional guidance!

In this article, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Paid and Free Overseas Education Consultants, so that you can make a prudent decision while selecting an overseas education consultant.

Must Read: Benefits of Studying Abroad

Paid vs. Free Abroad Consultants

Prospective students wanting to study abroad usually get confused about the fact that they should self-apply or apply via outside agent. Those who wish to apply to universities abroad on their own can do so if they are confident enough. While those who require help while applying to universities abroad seek help from agents. In the market, there are two types of agents - one who offer free counselling for students willing to go abroad and the other are those who charge students for counselling. 

Deciding Factors for Choosing Study Abroad Agents

For those who are yet to make a decision between choosing a study abroad agent for admission-related help can consider the following pointers:

• Search for the study abroad counselling offering agents online and check for their ratings.
• Sortlist 2-3 agents and then chalk out your queries and check if they are paid or unpaid.
• Finally, before settling for one, go through reviews and testimonials and then go for the best possible option.
• There is no such thing as free is better or unpaid is not or vice versa, its all about the reputation in the end.

This can be a life-changing decision for you, so, it is always advisable to opt for a consulting agency that is not only established but also has a positive image in the industry. This decision is going to have a huge impact on your career.

Free Consultants for Studying Abroad

There are various free consultants who help aspiring students study abroad with their free services. These free consultants offer free services to help students in drafting their application essays and statement of purpose or SOP.  There are also services which help students in drafting their resumes and preparing for student visa interviews. While there is a full focus on students which can be a boon, there can be certain disadvantages also. The following section throws more light on the same:

Advantages of Free Consultants

Applicants who wish to settle for an agent who is a free agent and can provide free-of-cost services can be advantageous because of the following reasons:

• With free consultants, the chances of getting admission are always higher. In most of the cases, the admission is almost guaranteed.
• As free consultants have tied up with the universities, admission can come sooner, so, you do not have to wait longer to receive the good news.
• Although they provide application services for free, they don’t cater to too many students, therefore, consultants themselves take regular follow-ups from students.
• While applying through free consultants, if you are applying to the universities that have a tie-up with the consultants your application gets prioritized.
• By applying through free consultants, students can get application fee waivers if they apply to the universities which have a tie-up with the consultants.

Disadvantages of Free Consultants

While there are a few advantages, there are also a couple of disadvantages of going ahead with a free consultant, check them out in the section below: 

• Majorly top-ranked universities are missing, so, students have the option of applying to relatively average or at times average universities.
• Generally, free consultants offer only a limited number of universities, so, students apply only to a targeted set of universities.
• University shortlisting on the basis of profile might not be very accurate or apt.

Top Study Abroad Education Consultants in India

Check out the list of overseas education consultants in India located in different cities/states:

Paid Consultants to Study Abroad

Along with free consultants, there are also paid consultants in the market who similarly aim to help students study abroad in their universities of choice. These agents charge a fee based on the kind of application they design - like the efforts they have to put in. In some cases, the charges would be fixed based on the country and the level of degree being applied to in other cases it may depend on the effort that would be required from the agent's end. While applicants can take a sure shot at applying to the top-ranking universities in the world, there can be some disadvantages along with it. The following section throws light on the advantages and disadvantages of choosing a paid agent for study abroad consultation: 

Advantages of Paid Consultants

• Although admission is not guaranteed, the applicant gets the chance to apply to Tier One and Tier Two universities.
• If you are not satisfied with the services, you can terminate the contract whenever you want.
• Services such as essay writing, SoP writing, etc. are taken very seriously and as per the requirement of the university. This provides an extra edge to your application.

• Those students who have a strong profile should go for paid consultants as profile plays a significant role while applying through paid consultants.   

Disadvantages of Paid Consultants

• Generally, paid consultants are not able to have regular follow-ups with students because of the high number of students they are serving. As the number of applicants is, paid consultants get less time to interact with the students individually, thus they are not able to dedicate an ample amount of time to each student.
• As with paid consultants, one can apply to a wide number of universities, thus admissions are not guaranteed.

After analyzing all these factors, one thing is clear whether free or paid, with consultants you are going to get professional guidance, which will prove to be fruitful when you decide to apply to various universities abroad. So, now you have a clear idea of whom to consult while going to apply for studying abroad.

To consult with our study abroad experts, sign up for free counselling from our Shiksha Abroad Counsellors.