After deciding to study abroad, the next crucial step is figuring out how to choose universities. With advice from consultants, online resources, and peers often conflicting, making a choice can be challenging. This guide simplifies the process by focusing on essential factors like university rankings, job prospects, living costs, tuition fees, scholarships, and cut-off scores to help you make an informed decision 🙂

Steps involved in choosing the right university

Step 1 – Choose your country for studying abroad

When choosing your universities, the first step is to determine which country best suits your needs. Consider the following factors.

• Job opportunities – First, consider job opportunities. For instance, if you’re studying computer science or data science, the USA, with its Silicon Valley, offers great prospects. However, if you’re in mechanical or chemical engineering, Germany might be a better choice due to its strong automotive and chemical industries. Each country has unique job markets that align with different fields.
• Tuition fees and scholarship availability – Studying in the US can be expensive, with average master’s tuition costs ranging from 30-50 lakhs and few scholarships available. In contrast, many German and European universities offer numerous scholarships, with some students studying almost for free. Singapore provides a service obligation scheme that reduces tuition by 50% and generally has lower fees compared to the US. Choose your country based on your budget and financial options.
• Living expenses – Also is an important factor to consider when choosing a country.

Step 2 – Look at university rankings

• Check Top Universities: Focus on universities in the top 100 or 200 for better credibility.
• Use Reliable Sources: Refer to QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education and US News Ranking (for the US).

• Consider Subject-Specific Rankings: Evaluate the strength of departments in your field of study. Example: UCB for Chemical Engineering is ranked #3, but its Arts department is #12.
• Make Your Choice: Base your decision on the strength of the specific department relevant to your field.

Step 3 – Research to choose broadly 15-20 universities

• Check University Websites: Review GRE, TOEFL, and CGPA cutoffs to estimate your eligibility and make a preliminary list of universities. Example – for NUS Singapore’s M.Sc. in Biotechnology – the cutoffs are mentioned below.

• Consult Alumni and Seniors: Reach out to college alumni and seniors for their insights, including their GRE, TOEFL, and CGPA scores. This will give you a clearer picture of which universities are a good fit.
• LinkedIn Research: View LinkedIn profiles of alumni to see where they are studying. This helps you understand the universities that have accepted students from your college.
• Understand Similar Profiles: Since your profile is similar to that of your alumni, focus on universities familiar with your college’s reputation, as they may be more likely to admit you.
• Take Initiative: Conduct this research yourself—no consultant or advisor can do this for you. Your personal effort will enhance the quality of your university selection.
• Build and Refine Your List: Create a list of 15-20 potential universities and use this list to refine your choices further.

Step 4 – Narrow down further to find the best universitites for you to apply to

• Examine Program Types: Understand the degree formats. Avoid short, professional master’s programs if they offer limited value. Opt for 1.5 to 2-year programs for a thorough education and more time to settle and seek internships. Example given for NUS MSc Biotechnology Program.

• Review Course Content: Check if the courses align with your interests. For research programs, review research areas, faculty profiles, and their publications.

• Evaluate Job Prospects: Research industrial partners and job opportunities linked with the university. Companies associated with the university are likely to offer internships and jobs.

• Check Alumni Success: Use LinkedIn to see where alumni work. This helps gauge potential job prospects and employer preferences.
• Further Refine Your List: Narrow down to 6-10 universities that best fit your goals and interests.

Step 5 – Categorise universities as safe, moderate and ambitious

• Safe Universities: Choose ones where you’re confident of acceptance but ensure you’d still be willing to study there if they were your only option.
• Moderate Universities: Select schools where your profile matches the average admitted student, providing a balanced chance of acceptance.
• Ambitious Universities: Apply to top-tier schools that are a stretch but within reach if your profile is strong. Avoid applying to elite schools like MIT or Stanford if your profile doesn’t meet their typical standards. You should choose ambitious universities which are really good universities but your chances to get in might be slim e.g. it could be Georgia Tech or Columbia or Cornell university.
• Final List: Aim for a mix of 3 safe, 3 moderate, and 3 ambitious universities to create a well-rounded list.

With these steps, you’re well-equipped to make an informed decision about your study abroad journey. Take your time to research and refine your choices, and remember that the right university can open doors to exciting opportunities. Best of luck in finding the perfect fit for your academic and professional goals 🙂 To help you in your study abroad journey – you can sign up for our course – Write your Way to Study Abroad. For all any queries, feel free to leave a comment and we will get back to you as soon as possible!