What questions should you ask your overseas education consultant?

There are many reasons why people look for advisors to guide them with their overseas education search. But when you meet a study abroad counsellor, what’s the first thing that you ask? Do you keep all your questions ready before you meet an overseas education counsellor? Or, do you wait to frame questions till you meet them?

Hotcourses India being a virtual [online] overseas education consultancy makes it possible for students to connect to dedicated counsellors, regardless of where the student is from.

Students can get their queries answered over calls and chats, and get counselled from their own comfort zone. They can shortlist and apply to universities, prepare and appear for the IELTS and get their study visas granted – all with the right guidance and in lesser time. With changing times, you even have the option to take the IELTS test from the comforts of your home by opting for the IELTS indicator test. Be sure to check whether it is accepted by the university of your choice.

When you come prepared with questions, knowing what exactly to ask your education counsellor, it helps to not only speed up the process but also shows the clarity that you have about your future plans.

There are a few key questions that you must ask your study abroad advisor when you speak to them to discuss your study options overseas.

We learn from our counsellors that a lot of questions are surrounding the cost and expenses, and the application process. Students who have just begun considering studying abroad will have several questions at the planning stage too. Our counsellors support students with these queries and concerns and also help them understand what happens after the applications are submitted.

Questions to ask at the planning stage

• When should I start planning to apply to universities abroad?
• How do I decide on a country to study?
• What kind of colleges and universities can I apply through the counsellor?
• What qualifications are required to study abroad?
• What type of candidates are universities abroad looking for?
• What types of challenges should I be ready to face?

Questions to ask about the application process

• What documents do I need to study abroad?
• What type of tests should I take to study abroad?
• What’s the importance of SOP and LOR?
• Which's the best intake to study abroad?
• What’s the reputation of the university?
• What type of accommodation can I look for?
• Can you put me in touch with some of the students who have already been counselled and sent abroad?

Questions on cost and expenses

• Can studying abroad be expensive?
• How much should I save to study abroad?
• What’s the cheapest way to study abroad?
• How should I manage my finances?

‘What next?’ Questions

• What should I do next after sending over the applications?
• What if I get rejected?
• Will I get a job after completing my studies?

Questions to ask at the planning stage

You are sure to have a lot of questions before you decide on your destination and university. Understandably, you might not have much clarity on the whole process. Here are some questions that you can ask your overseas education consultant about gearing up for studying abroad.

When should I start planning to apply to universities abroad?

If you want to study in the next fall at a university or college abroad, then it’s always advisable that you start planning one year in advance. Though there are institutes that have rolling admissions on offer, it’s better to plan well ahead of any deadlines. Starting early will help you manage your finances, organise your time better and also prepare for the standardised tests.

Make sure when you speak to a counsellor and ask about the application deadlines of different institutes abroad so that you can make your plans more easily.

How do I decide on a country to study?

You may have a dream to study in Australia, but while assessing your profile the counsellor might feel you are more suited to study in any of the European countries.

There is no ideal country per se for you to study, which also means that your academic requirements and financial circumstances might open up other opportunities that you might not have thought about.

Say, you are looking for engineering courses with research work in the UK. But when you explore all options, you find that the course is expensive, and that there aren’t much job opportunities in the country after your studies. The same course could have better opportunities in Canada or USA. Talking to study abroad experts will help you make informed decisions.

What kind of colleges and universities can I apply through the counsellor?

There are hundreds of institutions around the globe that you can apply to, for the subject of your choice. The kind of colleges and universities you can apply to depends on which course you are looking for, and what prospect it holds. To know what kind of colleges or universities will suit your academic profile, you must download prospectus’ from multiple universities and read through them. Prospectus holds detailed information about academics and student life in a country abroad.

What qualifications are required to study abroad?

The minimum qualification required to study at universities abroad is clearing 12^th grade. Institutions will have academic requirements. Before you make the application, you can check with our counsellors to see if you meet the requirements. GPA matters for studying abroad. Students with GPA ranging between 2.5 and 4 can apply at certain institutions, while some others may require higher scores.

Other requirements include writing an effective essay, holding a work experience (varies from programme to programme) and getting through the student visa interview.

What type of candidates are universities abroad looking for?

The admissions team often looks for an applicant who has a genuine interest in receiving education from a university abroad, and who is not just looking for options to settle in the country. They want students who are passionate and dedicated towards their academics, and who can also articulate themselves clearly.

Universities select candidates based on not only their academic merits, but also on their all-round quality and achievements.

What types of challenges should I be ready to face?

Students going abroad might find it difficult to adjust to new surroundings. Initially, almost everyone struggles to get accustomed to the new environment, but with time it gets easier.

Some students might consider the following as struggles: culture shock, loneliness and homesickness. Some students might say these aren’t struggles because these are all part of growing up.  

Questions to ask your counsellor about the application process

Applying to universities abroad is not just about filling a form and submitting it along with your higher secondary results. You need to get an idea about the other mandatory documents to be submitted, the exams you need to clear and the essays you have to write. Here are some of the questions you can ask your study abroad advisor to have better clarity on this aspect.

What documents do I need to study abroad?

When you speak to your counsellors, you must ask what documents are required from you to apply at your chosen university or college abroad. If you can get all important documents ready well ahead of time, it will fasten your admissions process and also prevent any last-minute hassles.

Usually, documents that are required from students include transcripts, recommendation letters, essays, financial documents and visa application forms.

Which's the best intake to study abroad?

The admission time is not uniform across all colleges as it is in India. Also, intakes might happen twice in a year. Before submitting the application, you should know about the intake periods so that you can let the counsellor know your preference. Some universities and colleges might have more courses available for the fall intake whereas some might have an equal number of courses available for both fall and spring intake. Though there is no such thing called 'best' intake, you can always speak to the counsellor and explain what your priorities are and likes. 

What’s the reputation of the university?

Have you checked the rankings of the university or college you have applied at? Rankings do matter to many students. It will help choose between institutions. When looking up for more information on a university website or prospectus, you can check for the academic rankings held by your chosen institution.

What type of tests should I take to study abroad?

There are two types of tests that you have to appear for, when looking to study abroad - language tests and standardised tests. Some universities might ask for IELTS scores whereas others might ask for both IELTS and TOEFL scores. GRE is basic eligibility for admissions at some universities, while at some others, GRE is not a mandate.  

What’s the importance of SOP and LOR?

A statement of purpose (SOP) reflects your purpose of getting a degree abroad and your chance to explain why you want to study in a foreign country. An SOP is carefully studied by most university admission teams since it serves as a gateway to knowing your personality. Hence, it’s quite important you write your SOP in the best way possible. The admissions team will evaluate you based on how you showcase yourself in your writing.

Similarly, a letter of recommendation (LOR) is highly important when applying to study abroad because certain universities need someone else to validate your academic merits and professional skills, which helps them in two ways: identify genuine students with a strong passion towards academics or research and select well-deserved candidates. 

What type of accommodation can I look for?

Every university abroad has a team to support its international students. You can write to them and check for suitable stay options, either on or off-campus. Besides these, there are plenty of housing and apartment options available for you to find accommodation in. Students can choose to stay in residence halls and dorms or stay with a family at a homestay-type accommodation.

Can you put me in touch with some of the students who have already been counselled and sent abroad?

No matter however assuring the process is, you would want to speak to students who had already made it abroad and learn about their experience. Our counsellors can put you in touch with Indian students who have earlier studied abroad or are further ahead in the study abroad journey. If connecting with those students will help you gain a better perspective about education abroad, then go ahead and ask this question to your study abroad consultant!

Questions for your study abroad advisor about cost and expenses

Can studying abroad be expensive?

Studying abroad is expensive if you are looking for a destination that doesn’t fit your budget. However, studying abroad could be affordable if planned well. If you apply for scholarships or education loans at the right time, you can save yourself from the financial burden of studying abroad.

How much should I save to study abroad?

The minimum budget required for studying abroad will vary from destination to destination. When you plan your tuition and living cost, you must also include additional costs that will help you deal with emergencies during your stay abroad.

The current inflation rate all over the world is 2.99%; you can plan your savings and expenses keeping this in mind.

What’s the cheapest way to study abroad?

To make your education overseas affordable, you must find ways to sponsor or fund your education. Some of the options available are: university scholarships, government scholarships, grants, fellowships, education loan and part-time work options.

How should I manage my finances?

There is no rule book to teach you how to manage your finances well. You eventually learn how to! You can avail scholarships and fellowships to manage your tuition and living costs.

Besides, you can make a checklist of things you really need and things you can do away with. For example, while making a choice between buying your groceries and going out on a weekend trip with your friends, which one would you prioritise (considering you have less budget)?

"What next?" Ask your study abroad advisor

Successfully submitting an application might not mean the end of worries for some. Your concerns would be multi-fold. Students worry about whether they’ll be accepted to their dream university or whether they’ll manage to find a job. Feel free to discuss these with our counsellors.

What should I do next after sending over the applications?

We won’t ask you to relax! You can keep following up with your counsellor till you get a response from the university admissions team. But if you have received a notification asking you to wait till the admissions team confirms you an offer, then you must wait. Meanwhile, you can use the time in hand and do some more work – reading about the accommodation options, student life, cultural and social life, on-campus work opportunities and more.

What if I get rejected?

Facing a rejection shouldn’t make you feel dejected. If you get rejected by the university that you have chosen for your studies, you can apply to some other university, which offers programmes that are a close match to your choices. Who knows, that might turn out to be the best one for you!

Will I get a job after completing my studies?

What happens after your studies depend on what you do during your studies. If you start networking early with potential employers outside the campus or if you intern somewhere to gain added skills, it might help you in finding a job easily.

This isn’t a comprehensive list – we just picked a few questions that students should ask a study abroad counsellor. Let us know if you have more. You can speak to a counsellor and directly ask your questions and clear your doubts.

Editor's note: This article was originally published in May 2018. We have included up-to-date information and made it comprehensive.