Getting into a top global university takes more than good grades—universities seek well-rounded candidates with strong academic and extracurricular profiles. Many students begin working on their profile for studying abroad in their 3rd or 4th year, often too late to make meaningful changes. In this blog, we’ll explore what universities look for and how to start early to build a standout profile for studying abroad.

1. CGPA

Your CGPA is often the first thing universities look at to gauge your academic capability. It provides insight into whether you can handle the rigorous coursework of their program.

Why Start Early?
CGPA isn’t something you can improve in a semester or two. Building a strong academic record requires consistent effort from your first semester. Avoid neglecting subjects or assuming you can make up for poor grades later.

Global GPA Scales:

The US uses a 4-point scale (4 being the highest). Singapore and Germany follow a 5-point scale. In Germany, this scale is reversed—1 is excellent, and 5 is failing.

What’s Considered a Good CGPA?
In India, a CGPA between 8 and 9 is decent. Anything above 9 can give you a competitive edge. However, a lower CGPA doesn’t automatically disqualify you, especially if other aspects of your profile are outstanding.

To understand the conversion, have a look at the table below:

Low CGPA? How to Handle It:
If you’ve had a few semesters with poor performance, explain the reasons in your SOP. Universities value transparency and may consider factors like personal challenges or an upward trend in your grades.

2. Projects

Universities often look for research potential, especially if you’re applying for master’s or PhD programs. Projects are an excellent way to demonstrate this.

How to Make Your Projects Stand Out:

Credibility Matters: Projects completed with renowned faculty or institutions add weight to your application.

Present Your Work: Publishing your research or presenting it at conferences showcases its impact and quality.

How to Highlight Projects:

On Your Resume: Focus on measurable results, like the impact of your work or improvements it led to.

In Your SOP: Share a story that highlights challenges, problem-solving, and the outcomes of your project. This makes your experience relatable and memorable to the admissions committee.

To know more about how to include project experience in your SOP, check out the video below:

3. Internships and Work Experience

Relevant internships and work experience demonstrate your understanding of the field and show that you’ve made an informed decision to pursue higher studies.

Why It’s Important:

Having experience in the same domain as your program indicates that you know what to expect and are committed to the field.

How to Highlight Experience:

On Your Resume: List specific achievements and responsibilities that showcase your skills and contributions.

In Your SOP: Share how your internships or job roles shaped your decision to pursue higher education. For instance, if you realized your technical knowledge was limited, explain how a master’s degree will help you strengthen those skills.

No Relevant Experience?
If your experience is in a different field, don’t worry. Frame your story to highlight how that exposure helped you discover your true interests. For example, transitioning from a tech role to an MBA program can be justified by explaining your desire to understand the business side of things.

4. Achievements and Accomplishments

Achievements help you stand out by showcasing areas where you’ve outperformed others. These could be academic, professional, or personal milestones.

What to Include:

Scholarships or tuition fee waivers.

Awards from competitions like hackathons, quizzes, or Olympiads.

Professional recognitions like employee of the month or certifications.

Where to Highlight Them:

On your resume

List them in a dedicated section.

In Your SOP:

Mention how these accomplishments shaped your journey and contributed to your personal growth.

To learn more about how to mention them in your CV for study abroad applications, check out the video below:

5. Extracurricular Activities

Extracurriculars showcase your personality and help your application stand out from the typical academic profiles.

What to Include:

Volunteering experiences

Hobbies like dance, music, or sports.

Participation in events like debates, public speaking, or cultural competitions.

Why They Matter:
Admissions committees appreciate candidates with diverse interests. Extracurriculars demonstrate your ability to balance academics with other pursuits and highlight your soft skills like teamwork and leadership.

Unique Examples:
A friend of mine, who is a trained classical dancer, wrote about her performances over 10+ years in her SOP. This not only showed her dedication but also made her application memorable.

6. Examination Scores

Standardized test scores are crucial, as many universities have minimum score requirements.

When to Start Preparing:
Take a practice test at least six months before your exam to identify areas for improvement. This gives you enough time to create a solid study plan.

What’s a Good Score?

• A high score, like 335/340 in GRE or 118/120 in TOEFL, strengthens your application.
• A decent score is sufficient if the rest of your profile is strong.

Avoid Missing Deadlines:
Ensure your scores meet the minimum criteria for your target universities to avoid disqualification.

Learn about the latest GRE format in this video:

7. Documents: Resume, SOP, and LORs

These documents tie your profile together and tell your story.

Resume: Create a professional resume that highlights your skills, achievements, and qualifications concisely.

SOP: Write it yourself to reflect your motivations and unique experiences. Use it to address weaknesses like low CGPA or gaps and turn them into strengths.

LORs: Ensure your recommenders know you well and can provide specific examples of your abilities and character.

WISE Tip: Highlight Your Uniqueness

Universities seek candidates who bring something unique to their cohort. Think about what sets you apart—be it a skill, experience, or personal trait—and emphasize it in your application.

Building a profile for studying abroad takes time, but with consistent effort and a clear strategy, you can create a compelling application that stands out. If you want to learn more about writing powerful SOPs and LORs, join our course – Write your Way to Study Abroad

Best of luck with your journey! If you have any questions, drop them in the comments 😊