One of the most hectic and time-consuming process before one think of pursuing one’s higher education abroad is choosing right universities and colleges abroad. With a presence of renowned institutes across various study abroad destinations with their advantages and disadvantages, which needs to be evaluated before hand. You may have to browse through scores of college websites and look up guidebooks to learn about the facilities and requirements of various universities before you apply. Since you will be spending a large amount of money and investing many years to earn a degree, it is necessary to choose the right university. Here are some tips to help you make your search easier and more focused, and a few other things you may need to consider before you select a university or college. Don’t go with the crowd rather we at vingsabroad suggest our valuable aspirants to be clear and go through self evaluation before jumping to conclusion.

Selection of suitable university or college is vital for the future success in the career. It is a laborious job as it takes time and as it involves cost. You may follow the table below for the selection of a best fit university.
Should evaluate and be clear about:-

• How much you can afford to pay.
• The duration of your study and the course (have two options) you will be taking up.
• Your previous academic record.
• Your expectations from the university.
• Your performance in tests like IELTS (for UK and Australia, TOEFL, GRE and GMAT for USA).
• Before you select a university consider whether –
• It offers scholarships and student loans.
• It offers on-campus residence facilities.
• It has good equipment and a library.
• The average strength of a class or the batch.
• They have extensive health, safety and wellness programs.
• It has supportive services and organizations for international students.
• The programs are career-oriented, and prepare you for the working world.

Several universities in USA, UK and Australia send representatives to India every year where they hold education fare or public meeting with parents and students. You can talk to them to learn more about the programs and courses they offer and also conduct spot registrations, interviews and admissions.

It is not necessary that you select a famous and expensive university, but your criteria for selection should based on

• Your academic requirement (your desired field of study)
• Cost of the study. It must include Tuition fee and living expenses)
• University ranking and repute
• On campus jobs and other financial assistance availability
• Visa availability based on political relations of your home country and the country in which the university is located.

The steps involved in the selection of universities:

Requesting application forms
This is the first stage of your application process. At this stage, you can write to the selected 25-30 universities. You can directly request application materials from the universities. You may visit their websites and email to send the application material or some time downloads directly the required material. So there are two ways to get application forms:

• Requesting Application Forms via email:  You can request application forms from the universities website. Most universities have a form on their website which can be completed online to request application material.
  
  
• Downloading from the university website: Many universities have a downloadable and ready to print versions of their application forms on the net. These can be used for applying just as regular forms.

Self Evaluation

The first step is identifying your goals and needs which can be done by self evaluation.
 A - Identify your reasons for pursuing higher education abroad

• Are you motivated by career goals, job prospects, academic interest, and personal satisfaction?
• What particular specialization are you interested in?

It is important to match your objectives with what the universities offer. If your aim is research in some particular field, you should apply to universities with specialized departments in that field. If you are interested in practical experience, you should apply to universities located close to the commercial centers and important cities.

B - Realistically assess your academic and professional background

• Are you a competitive student?
• Are you dedicated and hardworking?
• How good is your academic record?
• Do you have any work experience or research work related to your field of study?
• Do you have any credentials in extracurricular activities?

Only if you have a good academic background, you should apply to highly ranked universities. If you feel you are moderately placed, you should apply to mid ranked universities.

C - Get an academic focus

• Do you have a relatively clear idea of your field of study?
• Have you spoken to your professors, read journals to know more about your field and other new fields?

Education abroad is very different from education in India. Most universities abroad have a very flexible system where you can select your courses and focus more on your field of interest. There are also many specialized courses which may suit your needs.

D - Realistically assess your financial abilities

• Will you get a financial assistance from the university?
• Can you or your family finance your education and stay?
• Do you have an overseas sponsor?
• Are you eligible for funds from educational trusts?

The application process itself costs about Rs. 25,000 - Rs. 30,000/- towards examination fees, postage, university application fees etc. Tuition and living expenses are also high and depend on the country you wish to study in. For a visa, you must be able to demonstrate your ability to fund your education and stay abroad.