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Hi,

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Found an article on “Education Abroad After Graduation in India”. Copying it down in here; hope it’ll be of much use to many.

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Applying Abroad: Things to Think About

Courtesy: http://technofirstonline.com/?p=2049

(All rights reserved by the Original Author at TechnoFirstOnline.com)

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If you are enjoying your final days of college life and planning to study abroad, its time you start preparing for your trip. Since you wish to join some university in another country, it is important that you understand the importance of the application formalities. Jaykay points out a few musts before you defy gravity to pursue your future.
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Planning to study abroad is an easy task, because all you have to do is plan but applying for some university can be a painful job, but if done efficiently and on time then it surely will save you a lot f trouble. These are the few things that you need to be thoughtful about when you are thinking of applying to a foreign university.
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Application form – Most universities now prefer online applications. Even if you file the application form online, you still have to send the supporting documents by regular mail. If you are applying to the US as student, you can use a common application form, which can be sent to over 240 universities. Keep in mind that some universities will additionally require a supplement to the common application form. Students applying to the UK can apply for the UCAS (Universities & Colleges Admissions Service) and apply to different courses by using just one form. And when your applying online make sure that you have the right details taken into account.
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Application fee – Applying to US universities would be hard on your pocket as most of these universities ask you to pay along with the application submission. The application fee would surely look big when converted into our comparatively cheaper Indian rupee. Make sure you know the exact amount for the application fee, because sometimes students tend to overpay or sometimes pay less. It is best to check the individual university website for the most accurate and up-to-date information on the application fee.

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Statement of Purpose (SOP) – As the name would suggest, the SOP is your opinion about yourself, about who are and what you think about your future, what has influenced your career path so far and also about the factors that influenced your career decision. The SOP usually ranges from 500 to 750 words. If you want to stand out from other applicants, you need to realize that this is your only point of contact with the selection committee. You can use the SOP to convince the admission committee that you have interests and experiences that puts you in a better league than the other applicants. Keep in mind that your language would also be judged with this, so you can always seek some professional help rather than being honest and kill your chances of being selected.
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Resume – I believe most of the foreign Universities won’t ask for your resume but then sending across your resume would be a good idea, and a better one of you have some work or project experience. A resume outlines all your achievements, activities, skills etc. Please remember that a resume is not curriculum vitae, but is a one-page document highlighting your strengths and skills.
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Recommendation letters – Recommendation letters can be obtained from school/college teachers. Try to get recommendation letters from people who know you well and who have had ample opportunity to interact with you. Avoid letters of recommendation from people in high positions who have not taught you. For instance a letter from the principal of your school/college who has not taught you has less importance than a letter from a teacher who has taught you for two years. (One model of the recommendation letter can be downloaded from the download section of CEC Blog)
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Bank letter and Affidavit of Financial Support – Universities in the US require international students to prove that they have enough funding available to cover their educational costs. Universities in the UK may not need a bank letter along with your application. The bank letter should state that your sponsor has sufficient funds in his or her account.
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Transcripts and Mark sheets – Make sure that you send official sealed copies of your mark sheets and transcripts to the universities you are applying to. If you have graduated, you must also send your degree to the universities.

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Once you have all your documents ready, make sure that you have checked the application deadline of the schools you are applying to. Many universities require the official standardized test scores to be in your file by the application deadline date, so make sure that you do not delay your official score reporting.
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If you are through this you can be assured that you have half a battle won. Along with this application forms make sure you do have an interesting cover letter. All said and done, it’s indeed a matter of luck and opportunity.

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Regards,

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Arunanand T A,

CEC 2010 CS.

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