Applying to study abroad by yourself is also called DIY (Do It Yourself), which means doing it yourself. DIY study abroad can not only save a considerable amount of intermediary costs but also exercise your abilities. In a sense, from the moment you prepare for your application, your study abroad career has already begun. In this process, you will use English skills, time management skills, and business planning skills. These will be the things you have to deal with every day after you step out of the country, and also the necessary ability requirements. I believe this DIY study abroad process is a very challenging life experience that will make you proud!
Choose school
Source: theconversation.com
Chinese-speaking students generally prefer to study in developed countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and Germany. These countries have advanced education levels and have more development opportunities, but the cost of studying abroad is relatively high. With the development of the global economy, countries with rapid economic development such as Malaysia and Singapore have gradually attracted the attention of many students. The cost of studying in these countries is low, and they can also study professional courses in Western countries and obtain corresponding degrees. International integration is a good choice for many students who do not want to overburden their financial burden.
When choosing a school, be careful not to “hang on a tree”. You can apply to multiple schools and majors that you are interested in. The better the school, the sooner you need to apply, which will increase the chance of successful application. If you have any questions about the school, you can check on the official website of the foreign university, or you can write an email directly to the admissions officer of the foreign university. Don’t worry about your English proficiency or whether your problems are stupid or whether you are causing trouble to teachers in foreign universities… You must know that this is a very good opportunity to practice English; the same for foreign students. Education likes students who are independent and daring to think. I believe that actively contacting foreign universities is the first step towards your dream of a foreign country.
Study Abroad Examination
Source: indiatoday.in
Examinations are always the first prelude to applying for studying abroad. There is almost no school that does not value school performance. It should be noted that schools in different countries may prefer different types of English tests. For example, it is best to take the TOEFL test in the United States, and the IELTS test is the main test in Australia and Europe. Different majors also have different requirements for examination subjects. In order to save your time and energy, it is recommended to check the entry requirements of the corresponding subjects on the official websites of foreign universities.
Once you understand the English proficiency requirements and other test subject requirements, targeted preparation will be more effective. Some students will take the IELTS or TOEFL test more than twice, and choose the highest score to send to the applying school. This method is not a good method for students who are full of energy and time, and financial conditions permit. After many test experiences, you can not only be familiar with the test questions but also understand the test-taking skills. Click here to download university brochures made by foreign universities and learn more about admission requirements, major settings, and other information.
Application materials for studying abroad
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Many foreign universities accept online applications. Students who are going to submit application materials online must ensure a good Internet speed to avoid losing all application records due to network problems during the application process and wasting all previous efforts. Therefore, when applying, if there are questions that are filled in manually, it is best to save the following answers in the Word document at the same time to avoid this situation. Be careful to sail the Wannian Ship.
At present, universities in popular study destinations also provide the option of submitting application materials online, and powerlessness is more convenient for everyone. However, some old-school schools still require paper materials to be sent. At this time, it is best to use a more luxurious mailing method, which is relatively more secure. For example, UPS can perform location tracking at any time.
Application materials generally include:
1. Academic qualification certificate and its notarization (if you have not graduated, the certificate of enrollment and its notarization will be provided)
2. Transcript and notarization (GAMT results)
3. TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, or other proof of English proficiency
4. English resume
5. Recommendation letter from professor or teacher
6. Application form
7. Proof of internship or work (if any)
8. Copy of passport
9. Two recent 2-inch photos (same passport format) without a hat
10. Security deposit and proof of funds (this requirement is currently relatively rare)
In addition, NESO certification is required when applying for study in the Netherlands.
Of course, some schools may have special material requirements, and the specific material list can be checked on the school website or directly emailed to the admissions officer to avoid omissions. For more information, please refer to what kind of information is the most credible when applying for study abroad.
Apply for visa
Source: ec.europa.eu
After you get the admission notice and archive it in the International Student Service Center, you can start applying for a visa, which is also a very critical step. Many students think that everything is going well after receiving the notice, but they have to apply for a passport and a student visa from the host institution to be successful. The application for a student visa is not as easy as imagined. It has to be checked by the visa officers to pass.
However, as long as it is for the purpose of studying abroad and the application conditions are sufficient, there should be no problem. In addition, it is recommended that after receiving the admission notice, contact the admissions officer of foreign universities as soon as possible to consult with them and obtain the materials required for visa application, so as not to delay your visa application time. Click here to view the eight points for attention when applying for a student visa.
Submit documents to receive the visa
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If the visa application is successful, some places will send you a visa approval letter, which will list the materials you need to submit when applying for the visa. If not, you will be notified in other ways. Generally, the materials you need to bring are:
1. The original (if any) and copy of the admission notice
2. Original and photocopy of degree and graduation certificate (students provide the original and photocopy of the certificate of enrollment)
3. Original and photocopy of TOEFL, IELTS, or GRE transcripts
4. Original and photocopy of passport
5. Visa application form
6. Health certificate
7. Two 2-inch recent color photos without a hat
Finally, according to different schools in different countries, the entire DIY study abroad process takes about 4 months to 1 year from the beginning of finding a school to completing the procedures. The ability and luck of students are also one of the factors. Some students have not succeeded in DIY because they have no experience and are unfamiliar with the process, or copy other people’s experiences and ignore their personal characteristics. Preparation, I believe that all will be able to succeed.
