Decide what specialties you are interested in and choose universities for which they are major. Choose public institutions, if possible. Assess the prospects of each institution. Find out what students and graduates think, and look at employment statistics. Find out the admission algorithm, the list of documents, and the features of the educational process. Assess your strengths, figure out what you want to do, and take into account the advice of teachers and employers. Now for the details.
Key selection criteria
A word of warning at once: do not make a choice in favor of the educational institution only because it is within walking distance from your home, your close friends, or acquaintances work there. This approach often leads to the fact that the student studies subjects that are not interesting for him or her and then thinks who will write my essay for money. Be sure to use useful criteria such as:
• Prospects for education;
• Quality of education;
• Student comfort;
• State accreditation;
• Budget form.
Prospectivity of education is measured in the objectives you set for education. Most often, it is the ability to get a quick job in the specialty and the level of salary at the beginning of the career. It is no secret that employers take students from some institutions as early as 2-3 years, and for some, they do not want to take them at all. Find out about the fate of most graduates – assess the prospects.
Again, the quality of education can be measured by the popularity of the students of a particular university and a particular specialty with employers. In addition, it is worth looking at their academic achievements.
The level of comfort of students. It consists of the developed university infrastructure, the convenience of education, the multifaceted support, and the opportunity not only to study but also to develop as a person. Ideally, the university should have a dormitory with a sufficient number of beds for all first-year students. Conveniently located classrooms; opportunities for scholarships and grants; scholarly, creative, and sporting activities; and trips to conferences and competitions are important indicators of academic comfort.
State accreditation. Ideally, a university should be state-accredited. But when we talk about accreditation, we also consider non-state educational institutions. Find out if they are accredited before you apply. Also, look for information on any scandals and incidents related to attempts to deprive the chosen institution of accreditation. If there have been precedents, there is a high chance that they will happen again.
Budget form. It is not only free education but also a lot of other bonuses – the right to scholarships, dormitory, and additional benefits. Moreover, budget students always have a special status for some professors and sometimes employers. And even though it is not spelled out anywhere, it is a fact.
How to choose a university abroad
The easiest way is to find the university rankings for your chosen country and go through the admission conditions for foreign citizens. This information is almost always available on the official websites of universities.
What should interest you first of all:
• Whether scholarships are available
• Is accommodation provided.
• Does the university assist with obtaining a visa.
• What tests and examinations are required.
• What documents are required.
The results of examinations in your country are unlikely to be useful for admission to foreign institutions – only some of them seriously consider the achievements of applicants in their home country.
You will have to take internal examinations in the prescribed form – they need to prepare for them. Also, be prepared to take a language test (usually IELTS or TOEFL) and provide an impressive package of documents. Preparation for admission should begin 1-1.5 years in advance.
Top tips from educators and employers
1. Don’t limit yourself
State exams, for all their disadvantages, have many benefits. The key advantage is that you can apply to any university in the country without having to take any internal exams. Choose a maximum of educational institutions and send your documents to each of them. Don’t limit yourself to just one institute. Don’t be afraid to apply to elite universities – nothing is impossible for a person of intelligence.
2. Take as many state examinations as possible
Take as many subjects as you can. Be sure to concentrate on the key subjects and give yourself a break before the main exams – you cannot take them non-stop. But if you have the opportunity to take some extra subjects – take them even without preparation.
3. Check the information
Websites of many institutions of higher education contain incorrect information, especially on the list of admission tests. Do not hesitate to call the admissions office and clarify the information. Otherwise, their mistake can become your problem.
4. Find out the fate of graduates
Find information on what percentage of students at your chosen university are working in their major. Talk to alumni on social networks, find their groups and communities. First-hand information is always the most useful.
