Wouldn't it be great if you could go forward in time and see who you will be 5 years
from now and how you got there? When making the decision to study in another
country, the unknown
is greater than the known. It is hard to know whether this huge financial
investment will pay off and whether you will make an academic or private sector
career that will maximize your potential.
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| "Back to the Future II Delorean rear (5134039427)" by The Conmunity - Pop Culture Geek from Los Angeles, CA, USA |
Since
we can’t take you to the future, we will try to do something close. We are
bringing you a collection of some of the best tips from top graduates of the
best schools in the world, who are serving as mentors for future students on GradTrain.
Take note – and learn from their experience. It is worth it!
26 Tips from great mentors from 13 countries
Argentina
1. Connect
with students from those schools you would like to go, and ask them all the
things you would like to know to enhance your application.
2. Ensure
that those who will write recommendation letters, know you well and like you...
(and will write good things about you).
3. Study,
study, study for the GRE, GMAT, etc.
4. Put
passion into it... (they can tell)
India
5. Define
your future ambitions, shortlist a set of schools, set up a to-do list and
start preparing immediately!
6. Focus
on what you want to achieve from college education and yes, you have to do this
upfront. Get this clarity first because your college is very unlikely to give
that clarity.
7. Once you are clear what you want from the program and college,
then start applying to only a handful of institutions that will provide you the
platform to launch your career.
Turkey
8. Think
well about who you are, what you want from life, what do you want to do, how
much you want to do it, and what are you ready to go through in order to
achieve it.
9. Make
sure to research the schools you are applying for closely. What are their
acceptance rates, what are the main areas of study in your field, what types of
facilities and career development programs does the school offer? And use
answers to these questions in guiding your decisions in terms of which schools
to apply to.
10. Try
to find a place where you can find nobody to speak in your mother language. It
will push you to learn English faster.
The
best reference for you is previous graduates from your department who are
currently enrolled in your target graduate program.
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Costa
Rica
11. If
you are applying for a PhD program, review carefully all your potential
advisors' profiles. Try to find a perfect match before applying.
Israel
12. The
right university and program of study is an investment of time and money which
will bear bountiful returns in career, networking and satisfaction.
13. You
are more than just your grades - whenever possible, on your essay and statement
for example, try to tell an interesting story. Let the admission commitee know
why you're unlike the rest. With that being said, stay humble and simple.
Macedonia
14. Find
an academic advisor/mentor for your PhD that you really really like; find a
program you are passionate about; and choose a town/city that best suits your
lifestyle, where you would enjoy every second of your stay while pursuing your
grad degree. It's easier to get funded for PhD, than MSc.
15.Follow
your dream. Be persistent and believe in yourself and in the future in front of
you.
Colombia
16. Before
applying to grad school abroad, I recommend to work for as many years as you
need to be sure about what is the job that will make you happy for the rest of
your life.
Bangladesh
17. Before
applying, understand what you will be able to accomplish after completing the
program.
18. Focus
on what you want to achieve from college education and yes, you have to do this
upfront. Get this clarity first because your college is very unlikely to give
that clarity. Once you are clear what you want from the program and college,
then start applying to only a handful of institutions that will provide you the
platform to launch your career.
19. Take
to GRE while you are in fourth year of your undergrad, and prepare a good
research report/article.
United
States
20. First
Step: Find scholarship money
Second
Step: Pick a University
Brazil
21. Do
extensive research about the school, the requirements for application, find an
advisor from the school who can help you with the process and be aware of the
grant opportunities available in your home country.
Pakistan
22. Be
clear on what your end life objective is before you start applying
Italy
23. Show why they should pick you telling your story through your achievements,
and not through a checklist of experiences.
24. Chose
the right place. Do not be fooled by College rankings.
Germany
25. Talk
to alumni from your target school to really understand if this is the right
school for you.
26. Do
the best you can. That's just enough.
Want
to hear some more great tips and learn from the experience of people who are
where you would like to be? You can find the people who provided the above tips
on GradTrain. Check it out and be sure
to add your tips in the comments below!
