Paid vs Free Overseas Education Consultants

Going to study abroad is really hard decision. It is more tough too to choose right country and university where you want apply and go for higher studies. When you plan study abroad it better pick good overseas education consultant with much experience. They give you right guidance which very important.

Picking the right college and country for your goals and profile is not easy. Friends and family can help little, but they may not know whole application process. Maybe your relative studying abroad or your college senior can help, but that not always mean you get professional guidance.

Now many students see many study abroad consultants and wonder if they should pay for help or use free resources. Some consultants charge from INR 10,000 to INR 50,000, some offer free help for certain universities.

Many students ask which study abroad consultancy in India is best. Shiksha Study Abroad Consultancy is one of the best. Many students achieve their dream to study abroad with help from Shiksha consultants. Shiksha gives free counselling for students planning to study abroad. So if you want free study abroad consultancy, you can connect with Shiksha experts.

Must Read: Benefits of Studying Abroad

Best study abroad consultants in India: Overview

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 requirements of the university. This provides an extra edge to your application.
• Those students who have a strong profile should go for paid consultants, as their 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 high, 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 analysing all these factors, one thing is clear: whether free or paid, with a consultant, 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 applying to apply for studying abroad.

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