Travelogs: Arjun Goes to London!

Follow Arjun on his exciting journey across college campuses in the UK

King’s College:

Set in the heart of London, King’s College campuses are scattered across the picturesque streets (seen in movies, read in books) making history and culture come alive. Some of the older buildings are around River Thames allowing one to cross bridges on a daily basis. The nearly 200-year-old institution boasts of an impeccable and diverse alumni having produced academic prodigies as well as Nobel prize winners. The institution is best known for its Medicine and Law courses . They emphasise on tailored teaching, training and internship programmes, through innovative research collaborations to generate new approaches and insights. The location permits access to London’s museums, collections and libraries making it a holistic learning experience for the student.

Famous Alumni: Florence Nightingale, John Keats, Virginia Woolf, Desmond Tutu

Fees: Home: £9,250

Imperial College London:

Sitting cosily amidst London’s famous tourist locations like Hyde Park and Royal Albert Hall, Imperial’s main campus is located in South Kensington. Having been founded in 1907, the original college exists within Central London, enabling exposure to its vibrant London life. South Kensington, being a prime sightseeing land, contains educational and cultural sites which can be accessed at discounted rates by the students of Imperial College.

The University is renowned for having UK’s most diverse student body where the international community amounts to almost 50% of the student body. Within this space, cultures collide and collaborate ensuring that Imperial thinks and acts internationally. Popularly known for its Science and Technology courses, it is a perfect segue into the competitive job market. Highly regarded for its employability, Imperial lets its students access London’s business and financial sector for future prospects.

Famous alumni: Alexander Fleming, H.G. Wells, Cyrus Mistry.

Fees: Home: £9,250

London School of Economics:

Unlike most UK campuses which are scattered across the landscape of London, all 0f LSE’s campuses are located around River Thames, Covent Garden and Theatreland, and other London sights. LSE occupies a prime location in London’s Central Zone. Since all the buildings are located a few streets from each other, the campus has a real community feel to it.

The University is the world’s foremost social science institution with courses like Government, International Relations, Sociology and Economics being popularly sought after. At the undergraduate level, their Accounting and Finance is arguably one of the best in the UK. One of the buildings is next door to the Royal Courts of Justice, while the financial district, Westminster and the Houses of Parliament are all within walking distance of each other. This makes for an exciting place to study, especially for students hoping to pursue finance, politics or law.

Famous people: Mick Jagger, David Attenborough. B.R. Ambedkar.

Cost of attendance - £18,408 pa

Queen Mary University:

Queen Mary University of London is set in the east of London. Famed for its rich history, community spirit and cultural scene, East London houses some of the quirkiest art galleries, vintage shops, and world food markets. This section of the town adds to London’s already vibrant and culturally rich variegated landscape. Other than this, Queen Mary has 4 other campuses across London.

Queen Mary is a place for anyone who wishes to build on their extracurricular skills. Whether it's the Quidditch Society, the Jewish Society or the Labour Society, there's something for everybody.

Queen Mary is a place for anyone who wishes to build on their extracurricular skills. Whether it's the Quidditch Society, the Jewish Society or the Labour Society, there's something for everybody. Ranked 5th in the UK, this member of the Russell Group is regarded as one of the best for Medicine, Law, Dentistry and Film.

Famous alumni – Peter Mansfield (Nobel Prize in Medicine, 2003), Prannoy Roy (Journalist).

Fees: Click here

SOAS:

Founded in 1916, SOAS desired to move away from the all-to-familiar Euro-Centric approach to education. SOAS, a leading institute in the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, offers its students over 350 course combinations to choose from. Due to the limited research conducted in Asia and Africa, all tutors are masters of their respective fields. The environment makes for a lively, intimate sphere of discourse between students and tutors. The SOAS library is one of the best libraries covering Asia and Africa in the world. Added to this, the British Library that is only a short walk away creates an academic’s dreamscape. Having a focus on the international, SOAS considers itself to be a global community. Students are encouraged to study a language along with their degree programme. Focusing on the social sciences, SOAS is well known for IR, Politics, Development and Economics.

Famous Alumni: Aung San Suu Kyi, Bernard Lewis (British-American historian of oriental studies)

Fees- £16,907pa

University College London:

Founded in 1826 in the heart of London, University College London was the first university in England to welcome students of any religion and the first to welcome women on equal terms with men.

Balancing academic rigour alongside entertainment, UCL promises a range of facilities for both ends. Their multiple specialist libraries along with online subscriptions aids research on campus. UCL is home to three museums besides having special collections of archaeology, geology, ethnography, science and engineering. The university also gives credence to a students’ wholesome development by letting them indulge in theatre and sports. The Bloomsbury Theatre hosts student events while their full-size football, rugby and lacrosse stadiums encourage sports and fitness.

UCL Institute of Education holds its position as the world number 1 in Education, with Archaeology, Architecture/Built Environment and Anatomy & Physiology all ranking in the top 5 globally. Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Psychology, Geography and Anthropology follow closely in the top 10.

Famous Alumni: Mahatma Gandhi, Alexander Graham Bell, Christopher Nolan.

Fees : Click here

University of Arts London:

With a desire to create and enrich the cultural sphere of London, six colleges that had been set up during the 19th and 20th centuries came together in 2004 to create the University of Arts London. It is a collegiate university specialising in art, design, fashion, media, communication and performing arts. Being the largest college in Europe specialising in arts and design, the following 6 are a part of these collegiate structure each having its own vibrant culture, philosophy and focus.

• Camberwell College of Arts
• Central Saint Martins
• Chelsea College of Arts
• London College of Communication
• London College of Fashion
• Wimbledon College of Arts

UAL graduates go on to work in and shape creative industries worldwide, and the university has launched the careers of many creative and cultural leaders, including over half of all Turner Prize nominees.

Fees: £19,350 p.a.

Regent’s University, London:

Regent’s University main campus enjoys beautiful, tranquil surroundings while being just minutes away from all that Central London has to offer. A short walk away, the Marylebone campus, home to the fashion and design school, sits in a lively historic area, known for its up-market boutiques, cafés and design shops, which retains the artisan feel of the Georgian village it once was. At Regent’s, London is your classroom.

Regent’s offers a personalised experience for students by conducting a high number of contact hours and small tutorial sizes, along with personalised career services. With around 4,500 students, it is small enough for personal mentorship, and yet large enough to get a diverse range of student interaction.

Regent’s offers both British and American degree programmes in a wide range of fields:

a.       Business and Management

b.      Psychology

c.       Drama

d.      Film and Media

e.       Arts and Social Sciences

f.        Fashion and Design

Language learning is also key; for some students this is a mandatory part of the programme, while for others it is an option. Most courses place a strong emphasis on experiential learning. Their practically -focused courses and study abroad opportunities develop students’ skills and employability in and outside of the classroom.

Famous Alumni: Ruby Wax (American actress), Lucy Beresford (British author)

Fees: £17,000

London Business school:

Located in Marylebone, London Business School is surrounded by a chic residential area with a village feel, centred on the independent boutiques and smart restaurants of Marylebone High Street. LBS is in proximity to several museums and tourist sites. The famous Madame Tussauds and Sherlock Holmes museums could make for a weekend visit while events at the adjacent Regent’s Park could keep one entertained throughout the year.

As a student of London Business School, you won't just be stretched intellectually. Students become a part of a diverse and ever-expanding international community where the concepts of business and international intermingle to create global impact.

Having an extreme focus in business, London Business School has collaborated with other universities in London to enable directional training in the chosen course. They offer two types of core courses: Business Fundamentals Core and Tailored Core. The Tailored Core enables students to design their MBA in a manner that suits them best.

Famous alumni: Cyrus Mistry, Kumar Mangalam Birla (Aditya Birla Group), Tony Wheeler (Lonely Planet)

Fees: £78,500

University of Chicago Booth School of Business:

London is home to one of Chicago Booth’s three global locations for its Executive MBA Program. The city provides a central location for opportunities where Chicago Booth can partner with many corporate supporters as well connect with the over 1,700 alumni living in Europe.

London’s Woolgate Exchange is located a block away from the Bank of England. Being a prime location for hands-on experience, Chicago Booth’s European campus lies in a city of central importance to the global economy.

Students of the Executive MBA Program will experience what makes Chicago Booth unique: its long-standing commitment to empowering bold thinkers and inquisitive minds to challenge, innovate, and create lasting impact in the world. The satellite campus also offers non-degree Executive Education programmes.

Fees: £125,815.20

New York University, London:

NYU London is an academic centre of New York University located in London. Students at NYU London take advantage of a wide range of academic programs complemented by the rich cultural experience of living in one of Europe’s most storied cities. Students who spend a semester at NYU London live and learn in the heart of Bloomsbury, a neighbourhood that is home to several museums and academic institutes.

Each semester, NYU staff plan day trips to places such as the historic cities of Bath, Cambridge, and Oxford. In addition to exploring London’s myriad cultural sites, students often participate in short-term or semester-long community service projects.

Students receive a broad liberal arts-based curriculum. The satellite campus offers several courses in the following disciplines:

a.       Science

b.      Business

c.       Fine Arts

d.      Theatre

e.       History

f.        Politics

g.       Africana Studies

h.      Economics

i.        Journalism

j.        Math

k.      Psychology

l.        Literature

While the curriculum draws from the city’s vibrant culture, students are also taken for field work and site visits into London’s cosmopolitan centre.

Fees: £5214.12 - £7624.26

University of Notre Dame:

The London Undergraduate Program (LUP) offers Notre Dame undergraduates the chance to broaden their intellectual and cultural horizons by living and studying abroad in London for one semester. Both campuses of Fischer Hall and Conway Hall are located close to River Thames and are surrounded by leading London universities. The city’s cultural SouthBank Centre as well as Waterloo Gardens and Embankment Gardens are close by.  

Students take part in a variety of academic and extracurricular activities, including field trips, plays and theatre tours, museum visits, and weekend outings across the U.K.

The core course Inside London provides students with an immersive experience into the political and cultural history of the city. Through other courses, students are also allowed to perform on the stage of Shakespeare's Globe under the leadership of specialist practitioners. LUP’s collaboration with King’s College London, enables students to access courses at the local university. Majority of classes are taught in Fischer Hall by faculty from a wide range of British universities and colleges and even, visiting faculty from the home campus.

Fees: £38,426.85

Richmond, the American University in London:

Study Abroad students are based in Kensington Campus, which is in the heart of the city. The space is in proximity to Kensington Palace, Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A), Natural History Museum and many more amazing sites.

Home to King Arthur, Shakespeare, the Beatles and Harry Potter, England has an enduring record as one of the world's most influential centres of cultural development. It would take more than a quick trip to even begin to explore its many historic and contemporary treasures, from Stonehenge to Stratford-on-Avon, to London with its magnificent museums, historic churches and towers, lively theatre scene, bustling markets and cosy pubs. Students are encouraged to spend a summer, a semester or an academic year studying in England.

Richmond offers a wide range of programmes in the Humanities, Social Sciences, Business and the Arts. So, whether or not it is classes in International Business, an Internship with a London-based fashion PR agency, or a summer drawing class in historic Italy, there are plenty of opportunities for students to experience. Study Abroad students are encouraged to participate in the life of the University, from trips, clubs & societies to International Night.

Fees: £7854.46 (9 weeks)
 

Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts:

The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art is situated in a theatre venue towards the east of Tottenham Court Road. Seen as a shopping street, this road had featured in several creative works from My Fair Lady to the Harry Potter series. Established in 1904, RADA has built an outstanding reputation for its shared passion for theatre-making as well as its strong links to the arts industries.

RADA offers vocational training for actors, stage managers, designers and technical stage craft specialists. Specialising in film, television and theatre, RADA owns 5 theatres and a cinema adding to a hand-on experience for its students. Their exceptional standard of facilities, teaching and productions, and the personalisation of training tailored to the needs of each student enables personal growth.

Fees: £18,640 p.a.

Courtauld Institute of Art:

Courtauld Institute of Art is situated along the banks of River Thames and is very close to Somerset House. Surrounded by a large community of creative businesses, artists and makers, the Institute specialises in history of art and conservation.

Students become a part of a vibrant intellectual community united by a passion for knowledge about visual culture. Courses aim to give students access to the best available research-led teaching, and to world-class learning resources, starting with their own specialist libraries and the treasures of The Courtauld Gallery.

The only undergraduate course offered by the Courtauld is a BA in the History of Art. This is a full-time course designed to introduce students to all aspects of the study of western art. The course equips students with a critical understanding of art from antiquity to the present, thus giving them an ideal foundation for further academic study. Undergraduates are usually taught in small groups, and as often as possible directly in front of original works of art and architecture.  

Alumni: Several members of its alumni are directors of famous museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the National Gallery, London; the National Portrait Gallery, London; the British Museum, London, and the Museo del Prado, Madrid.

Fees: £18,180

From the Horse's Mouth

Why Admissions Officers' Blogs Provide Some of the Most Helpful Insight into the College Application Process

There is no shortage of reading material about the US college-admissions process—and sometimes, this poses its own challenge. Whether you're wading through huge books about application strategies, articles about the latest college news, or comments on message forums claiming to have the exact formula for Harvard admission, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and, at times, to get misled by inaccurate information. In all this, blogs published by admissions offices are a breath of fresh air and useful knowledge.

Most of these blogs are run off of colleges' official websites, which means that some of their posts are geared towards answering specific questions about that college or university. (For example, see this post on the University of Southern California's blog about different ways that prospective students can learn about the campus without having to visit.) You should use this to your advantage and pay special attention to the blogs of colleges to which you will be applying. But take note: a lot of posts on admissions blogs will be more generally beneficial for students applying to any colleges. For example, on the same USC blog, check out this post that gives advice on how to give an effective admissions interview, and this post, from USC’s senior assistant director of undergraduate admissions, on Making the College Admission Process About You.

Here are some links to some good admissions blogs, with excerpts of posts that you may find especially useful:

1. Planning Your Profile. The University of Illinois keeps a blog with lots of short posts, many of which are also useful for students who are preparing to attend college and wondering what academic and social life will be like in a US university. There are also plenty of basic admissions posts as well, such as this one, which gives a four-year breakdown of what students should be doing in each year of high school, to maximize the competitiveness of their applications. Here’s a snippet from the list of what students should start thinking about in their sophomore year of high school:

“If you already participate in some extracurricular activities, try to become more involved with them. Look for ways to take on leadership roles. You should also begin looking for great opportunities like a part-time job or a summer internship to help you further explore your interests.”

2. Managing Social Media During Applications. On the USC blog, see this post that addresses an issue that is especially relevant today: how applicants should manage their social media profiles around the time of college admissions.

“Make. It. Private.  Facebook allows you to “view profile as” so you can see what the public can see of your profile.  Adjust those setting so it isn’t a lot.  If you share things that you don’t want to be asked about in an admission interview, make it private.  It is far more likely that I will see your tweets than whatever celebrity you’re tweeting at, so just lock it down.”

3. Choosing Senior-Year Courses. The Tufts Admissions blog is an especially good one, providing a lot of insight into how admissions officers think and evaluate applications. Juniors, don’t miss this post, which provides guidance on how to choose the right courses for your senior year in order to impress colleges:

“Now is the time to pull out all the stops and make the most of your abilities.  If you’ve just had a solid three years, try to take it up a notch.  We often see students who we wax and wane about but, if that file has a REALLY challenging senior year, it can be enough to make us pause and say, “Ok, the heat’s on.  Let’s see how they’re doing at the midyear.”  A very strong first semester performance can make you a real contender in this process.”

This post from the Tufts blog, which breaks down various successful supplemental essays and explains what was effective about them, is also a must-read, especially if you’re thinking of applying to Tufts. Even if you’re not, this post provides really useful insight into what makes an effective “Why X college?” essay.

4. Advice for Parents. Tulane’s admissions blog is also well done, and quite up to date in its postings. Like many other admissions blogs, it contains posts that are geared specifically towards parents. This post provides some useful advice that they’ve generally found a lot of parents can benefit from.

“More selective doesn't mean better. It just means more selective. This one's a great Deb Shaver quote. Rates of admission are not related to how "good" of a school it is or the experience your son or daughter will have there. Avoid looking at admission rates as a gauge of the school's strength.”

5. Anxiety Management and Perspective. Some of the most valuable insights provided on these blogs are not insider secrets about admissions, but a really valuable sense of perspective that it is often easy to lose sight of in the applications process. See this post, written on MIT’s admissions blog, by an MIT student reflecting on her high-school self, and providing advice to current applicants:

“On the blogs, we often talk about applying, and choosing, and submitting, and preparing. But if you’re a senior right now, that’s not what ought to matter. Do not apply to MIT because your life goal is to go to MIT. Apply because you enjoy something, even if that something is ephemeral and vague, and MIT is on a path to it. Not the only path. Not even the definitive path.”

15 Surprising Career Opportunities for Potential Humanities Majors

While most humanities majors don’t offer a direct career path as some majors in other fields do, they are still important degrees. The skills you learn in these majors are very beneficial and can often be applied to numerous professions. Because of the breadth of the curricula, humanities majors often learn skills that employers value, such as critical thinking, communication, complex problem-solving, research, and time management. In fact, many employers seek out humanities majors for this very reason, so your major may make you an even more attractive candidate.

Some non-humanities programs require humanities credits because they teach such desirable skills. For instance, some business programs are beginning to require these types of courses, so their students have skills that courses within the business fields won’t necessarily teach.

Many degrees in the humanities fields can be applied to a wide variety of professions. Additionally, your major allows you to leave your options open, since you aren’t in a program that’s limited to a specific profession.

Professions That Usually Don’t Require Advanced Degrees

• Writing: Writing is relevant—and often central—to many careers, including content or copywriting, journalism, screenwriting, editing, and grant writing. Because writing is integral to so many majors and professions, your humanities degree will be very useful in a numerous fields.
• Marketing/Advertising/Public Relations: Marketing, advertising, and PR are different fields, and there are a number of job possibilities within them. They have many overlapping features, including the need for strong communication skills and the ability to relay your client’s message in creative ways that inspire action.
• Sales: As with marketing, communication and interpersonal skills need to be strong in sales, because you’ll be working with clients directly. You’ll also need critical thinking skills to persuade customers to buy your product. One benefit of sales is that it’s often a high-paying field.
• Language: If you have a strong background in a foreign language, there are many possibilities for employment as a linguist through foreign service, airlines, travel agencies, and other businesses that require translators.
• Human Resources: Working in human resources requires strong interpersonal skills, and you’ll need to be able to work well with people. in an HR position, you may be recruiting job candidates, as well as planning programs and benefits for current employees at a particular organization.
• Museum Curation: An art history degree will provide you with a strong background and foundation to be a museum curator, but you can apply many other humanities degrees to this field as well. In this role, you are essentially a content specialist who acquires and manages your museum’s collection, as well as helps display and exhibit the works.
• Film and Media Production: Producing films, short works, and other forms of media requires plenty of creative skills.
• Publishing: When you think about the publishing field, editor is probably the first role that comes to mind. But there are many different roles in the book and magazine world, and they often go to people with humanities degrees—marketing, publicity, sales, copyright, and design, to name a few. Most of these roles also require strong reading skills.
• Graphic Design: Most companies require graphic designers. Your art major will be useful in branding and helping convey organizations’ messages.

Professions Requiring Advanced Degrees

• Teaching: Nearly any major you can think of can prepare you to be a teacher. You’ll also need to get teaching certified after you finish college. Some positions will also require you to receive a master’s degree, but it can usually be in your specialty.
• Postsecondary Education: In most cases, you’ll need at least a master’s degree to teach at the college level, though there may be some research and administrative positions at colleges that don’t require one. To be on tenure track, you usually need a doctorate.
• Law: While many lawyers major in history or political science as undergraduates, there are generally no specific requirements or courses you need to be admitted to law school. Public speaking and communication skills are key to this field.
• Public Policy and Administration: Strong people and critical thinking skills can give you a big boost in the public policy field, where you’ll help communities and societies plan and function better.
• Librarianship/Archival Studies: There are many different possibilities for working in libraries or archives. You must have good communication and research skills, and your ability to process and understand information is necessary. Being well-read also comes in handy when you’re a librarian.
• Government: Many humanities majors, such as history and political science, provide a solid foundation for working as a government officer.

Use Your Humanities Degree

There are many career options for nearly any degree. Just because your major doesn’t offer you a clearly defined path doesn’t mean you can’t start planning and taking steps towards your future. If you have a career in mind, start thinking about what you can do to help you get there, such as internships, jobs, and clubs. For instance, if you think you’d like to become a journalist, look into internships at a local newspaper, or join your school’s newspaper staff. If your prospective career requires graduate school, research the programs available and the requirements you’ll need for admission.

While your initial salary may be lower compared with those of your peers in high-paying fields like computer science, it will increase significantly as you gain more experience in your industry, so don’t be discouraged. The skills you learn as a humanities major will be invaluable throughout your life—inside and outside your career.

Still have questions? Come have a chat with us!

ACT Launches a New Testing Interface for International Students

This month ACT released updates on its transition to computer-based testing (CBT) for all international students. ACT announced last year that all students taking the exam abroad (including Canada) would take the ACT on computer starting in September 2018. Since that announcement, ACT has not released much information on the transition.

ACT has now launched a site where students, parents, and educators can try the new computer interface. The site also features a new FAQs sheet and a place to sign up for email alerts on the transition.

Thoughts on the Interface

Navigation: Now, students always see all of the questions in the section at the bottom of the screen, with indicators of which questions they flagged to revisit or those they left blank. This feature used to be hidden in a separate dropdown menu.

Highlighter: ACT added a highlighting function so students can now highlight words in the passages or questions. But this function is far from perfect. Students can’t highlight diagrams or pictures in Math and Science. And the highlights don’t carry over when a student moves to the next question. Why is this a problem? If you take the time to read an entire Reading passage, highlight all the important parts and then start the questions, the highlights you made only stay on the screen for the first question. When you move to the remaining nine questions for that passage, the highlights are gone. There are strategies to address this tool’s shortcomings, which students will need to learn and practice.

Timer: Students can now hide the onscreen timer that counts down for the section; it used to be a prominent and permanent part of the screen. This hiding feature is valuable for students with anxiety who might be intimidated by watching the seconds tick down.

Answer Eliminator: One of the best tools that has always been part of the interface is the Answer Eliminator, a tool that allows students to quickly cross off an answer they know is wrong. Now the eliminator tool is more convenient. Students can turn the tool on and leave it on for the entire section, and easily use it on any question at any time. In the old interface, students had to activate the eliminator on each question individually.

What We Know and What We Still Don’t Know

The FAQ sheet is not particularly groundbreaking for those of us who have been carefully tracking the transition, though it will be helpful for anyone new to the process. Some of the answers are particularly wishy-washy still and demonstrate that ACT doesn’t have the entire process nailed down. For example, the FAQ states ACT will do something to ensure students with accommodations have “a fair testing experience” but doesn’t provide details on what that actually means.

As information slowly trickles out, there are a few things we do know for sure. But there are still a number of questions. Many of these questions—test site changes, number of seats, cost, etc.—won’t likely be answered until registration opens in June

Done with High School?What 12th Graders Need to Do Now

After May 1st, graduating college-bound seniors don’t have a whole lot to worry about. May 1st is the deadline for most accepted students to make a final decision about which college they are planning to attend and submit their Intent To Register with one college. After that, college application season is officially over along with exams— which means your officially done. 

That being said, most of you have until August or September to do something and while relaxing and applying for an education visa are both vital and necessary, here are some other things you might want to do:

Set New Personal & Academic Goals

Once you’ve accepted a college offer, it’s pretty safe to say that a lot of your academic and college admissions goals have been achieved. While this is a great achievement and definitely a cause for celebration, you should still keep striving towards some achievable goals until you graduate. If you don’t set new goals for yourself after college application season has ended, your risk catching a severe case of Senioritis and possibly slacking off so much that you don’t pass your classes.

These new goals that you set for yourself don’t have to be ambitious or elaborate. All you need to make sure to include is keeping your grades up, leaving your extracurricular activities on a good note, and making sure that you are in good academic standing as you graduate. While these goals are very broad, they are the very minimum things that you should be striving for as a second-semester senior. Feel free to be more ambitious and maybe even take on one last project in high school if you are so motivated.

Plan a Productive Summer

This is just a continuation of what you have probably been doing with all of your high school summers. The common misconception that many graduating seniors have is that the summer before college is a time to relax before they start college. While a certain amount of relaxation time is nice, you should still try to do something productive and resume-building with your last summer before college.

Why would you want to do this? For starters, once you graduate, you will suddenly be qualified for college-level internships and other jobs that require a high school diploma. This could open doors for you in terms of work experience and even in terms of payment.

Secondly, once you enter college, you’re going to need to leverage every resume-worthy achievement or work experience that you have in order to land your first internship. That freshman year internship is often the hardest one to get, but it’ll be infinitely easier to earn if you have some productive summer achievement under your belt.

Study for AP Exams

Once you’ve accepted a college, you’re not quite through with your preparation for college. If the college you’re attending accepts AP, your big goal for the next few weeks should be to focus on studying for the AP exams you have coming up. The better you do on those exams, the more college credit you will earn.

You really want to try and get as much AP or IB credit as possible during high school because it could really set you ahead in college. In fact, it is possible to earn so much college credit through AP exams that you can enter college with sophomore standing. Also, you can also use AP exam scores to test-out of certain pre-requisite courses in college so that you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars re-taking those classes in college. Note: registration for AP exams in India have ended for this year, but you have registered, know that it can be worth a lot so don’t take it lightly

We hope this helps you! Best of luck <3 

Making Connections to Get and Keep a Great Internship

Securing an internship can be one of the most stressful parts of college life. Each step along the way – the career fairs, the networking events, and the interviews – can overwhelm students. The work doesn’t end there though. Performance in the internship is just as important. Here are some things we tell students as they begin the college, search for internships, and throughout the internship process. 

Learn to open doors

Learn how to make connections in the areas in which you’re interested. Further, learn how to use those connections appropriately to network for available internships. This could be from meeting them for coffee during the day, giving them a call, or even simply connecting with them on LinkedIn and being involved. 

If you haven’t made a LinkedIn account, now is the perfect time to set one up. Click here to learn all about LinkedIn

Once you crack an internship

1. Come prepared on the first day. Know about the company and what your role will be.
2. Meet as many people in the organization as possible. Linking names and faces will allow you to share experiences with more people, while creating a positive association with your coworkers and superiors.
3. Try new things. Just because you don’t know how something is done doesn’t mean you can’t try! Putting yourself in new situations will allow you to learn new things and become more useful to the organization.
4. Build relationships and connections. Just meeting people won’t be enough to be a good intern. It is important to continue conversations and build relationships with the people around you. This makes the workplace more fun, plus you can receive great recommendations from coworkers.
5. Ask for advice and tips. The people around you would love to give you feedback on your experiences – good and bad. Never hesitate to ask for tips for your future or how to improve. Nobody’s perfect, but learning will make your next internship even better!
6. Stay connected after you leave. Just because the internship is over doesn’t mean the communication has to stop. Some companies would love to have you back for another internship, or stay connected for job opportunities after college. Any connection you make during an internship is an important one, so make sure to keep the connection going forward.`

Remember to be confident and honest throughout the interview and internship process, and you won’t go wrong!

If you have any more questions, come have a chat with us!

4 Prestigious Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad

Studying in top international universities is a dream for many Indian students, but financial constraints can sometimes be a hindrance to such dreams. This is why many national and international bodies try to ensure that our talented students are not denied quality education due to lack of funds. 

Tata Scholarship

Undergraduate

This scholarship makes it possible for Indian students to study at Cornell University in the United States for their undergraduate courses.

Scholarship Eligibility – Candidates applying for this scholarship should be Indian Citizens who have secured an admission to Cornell University, and require a need-based financial aid.

Expenses Covered – The Tata Education and Development Trust covers the tuition fee for undergraduate programs up to eight semesters. For programs exceeding that duration (such as Architecture), the student will need to bear the additional cost. Living expenses, food, medical, and travel expenses are also covered under the aid.

Areas of Study – Students accepted to the College of Architecture and Planning, the College of Engineering, the Applied Economics and Management major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and majors across Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, “Hard” (such as Biology, Physics, Chemistry, etc.) Sciences, and Social Sciences are preferred.

Application Time – Applications for this scholarship open around the time of college applications, generally in October/November each year, and awards are given out in December.

No. of Seats – The trust supports 20 students in total studying at Cornell at once.

Country of Study – The aid is limited to students going to study in the United States of America at Cornell University.

Check it out – https://admissions.cornell.edu/apply/international-students/tata-scholarship

Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarships

Undergraduate/Postgraduate

These scholarships are offered by Newcastle University to students who have been offered a place to study at the university. It encourages international applicants and considers every applicant who applies to the university based on merit and diversity priorities.

Scholarship Eligibility – Candidates who have been extended an offer to study at the university, for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses, are eligible for this scholarship.

Expenses Covered – It covers a partial aid of £3,000 towards college tuition for one year.

Areas of Study – The scholarship covers undergraduate, postgraduate, as well as integrated master’s programs.

Application Time – The University allocates the scholarships in February, there is no need to apply separately for it. The University automatically considers international students who are accepted to the university for the aid.

No. of Seats – There are 255 awards up for gras every year.

Country of Study – The Scholarships are only offered to students admitted to Newcastle University, United Kingdom.

Check it Out – http://www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/finance/scholarships/vcis/

Chinese Government Scholarships

Undergraduate/Postgraduate

These scholarships are offered under the India-China Cultural Exchange Program to students applying to Universities in China for undergraduate, postgraduate, as well as doctoral programs.

Scholarship Eligibility – The candidates applying for the aid should have at least 60% marks or above in their last academic qualification, and should have adequate knowledge about the geography, culture and heritage of China. Since the medium of instruction for the courses is Chinese, candidates are required to undergo one-year training in the Chinese language prior to admission.

Expenses Covered – The scholarship covers tuition fee and living/travel expenses, based on the financial needs of the candidate. The Indian Government takes care of the airfare expenses to China and back.

Areas of Study – Students applying to 16 different disciplines of Science, Literature & Language, and Humanities & Social Sciences are preferred.

Application Time – Applications for the grant begins in March for the same year.

No. of Seats – There is no specified number of seats for the scholarship. Each offers a different number of scholarships to candidates.

Country of Study – The scheme covers study in China.

Check it out – http://www.csc.edu.cn/laihua/

UBC International Leader of Tomorrow Award

Undergraduate

The Award is offered by the University of British Columbia for international students applying to their undergraduate courses. Students who hold an outstanding academic record, and have achievements in the field of Sports, Performing Arts, Debating, etc. are encouraged to apply.

Scholarship Eligibility – A student (only non-Canadian students are eligible) needs to be nominated by the school which s/he currently attends. It should be the student’s first undergraduate degree, and the student should meet all requirements for English Language as well as the program applied for. The student should also demonstrate financial need that would prevent them from pursuing a program of their choice.

Expenses Covered – The scholarship is given based on financial need, and an assessment is made by the university about the financial situation of the candidate. The scholarship can cover tuition fee, as well as living expenses. The Award can be renewed for all three years of undergraduate study provided the student display satisfactory academic performance and financial need.

Areas of Study – The scholarship can be availed by any student who has been admitted to UBC in any undergraduate program.

Application Time – The deadline to complete applications is November for sessions starting the next year.

No. of Seats – There is no specified no. of scholarships mentioned by the university.

Country of Study – The Award is only given to students accepted to the University of British Columbia, Canada.

Check it Out – http://you.ubc.ca/financial-planning/scholarships-awards-international-students/international-scholars/

If you need more help with scholarships, come join us for coffee!

Succeeding at Online Classes

Whether you’re trying to a learn a new skill or gain college credits during the summer, online classes are on a definite rise. However, unlike an offline class, online learning is quite different.  Here are 4 of the best methods to succeed in online classes!

Create a schedule

Once you know your assignments, creating a schedule for the entire semester can help you prioritize what to work on. Mark big projects that will be due by the end of the semester in red. Get started on them from the beginning of the term as you learn content related to the projects.

Avoid procrastination

Don’t wait till the due date to start working on your assignments. Most that fail at distance education do so because they have put off working on what needs to get done until it’s too late. This is easy to do when you don’t regularly have a class to go to, with a teacher reminding you of upcoming deadlines. Learn what motivates you and use it to keep yourself moving at an appropriate pace to complete your courses.

Find an organized quiet place for learning

Treat learning like a job. Minimize distractions. Organize your space so you have all your textbooks, notebooks, and writing tools at hand. Just because you are home and can listen to lectures in your pajamas doesn’t mean you should treat your studies like leisure. Turn off the TV, sit at a desk, and treat yourself like you were sitting in a classroom among your peers.

Get help

You are not in a classroom where you can turn to classmate to ask a question, or raise your hand for clarification. You will need to make an extra effort to get your answers. If you can’t find the answer to a question in the text, don’t be afraid to email your professor and ask. Follow the instructor’s guidelines for communicating with him/her. Usually this is found in the instructor’s syllabus. Understand that it may take time to hear back from the instructor. Use Google to your advantage to find supplemental information for the subject you are learning. There is a host of research information at your fingertips. Utilize it. Ask for a tutor at the first sign of trouble, so you get one assigned before it’s too late.

Online classes are very a convenient however, it’s important to know there are different ways to succeed in online classes. Remember to make a schedule for yourself, have a designated spot for studying, and don’t hesitate to reach out when you have a question.

Comment below with any questions or concerns you might have of online classes.

How to Search for Scholarships for International Students

When considering higher studies abroad, financing your education may be one of the first concerns that come to your mind.  The cost of an education at a top institute abroad can be a deterrent for students.  However, with proper planning and information, hopefully no aspirant will face this predicament and have to compromise on their plans to study aboard. There are multiple types of scholarships available for international students based on different eligibility criteria. They can also be sponsored by a broad range of institutions from universities, the government and private organizations. Here’s a few tips to guide you about scholarships for studying abroad:

• Start early: Applying for a scholarship needs a great deal of groundwork starting with researching the broad range of options, identifying the most appropriate choices, preparing a convincing application and much more! The sooner you start, the better you’ll manage the work load and avoid any last-minute panic situations. We recommend you start at least 3-4 years prior to applying.
• Do your research: Every institution will have its own set of norms and conditions regarding grants and awards. They could be merit-based, need based, subject based, nationality based etc. Consider where you realistically fit in before finalizing your options. One of the best sources of financial aid can be the college you attend, so make sure you thoroughly explore the options they have available and how you can sign up for it.
• Read the fine print: Have a clear understanding of what the scholarship guidelines entail. For example, if I win the scholarship do I need to maintain a minimum GPA. Or does the scholarship only fund tuition or will it cover all expenses associated with study abroad. Are you expected to return back to India after completing the program?  Make sure you read the fine print!
• Polish your writing skills: An exceptionally well written essay will convey the calibre of the writer. Aim to make your write-up near perfect so that you become a natural choice of the scholarship committee. Practice writing every day, focus on your content, argument, organization of ideas, structure and above all grammatical accuracy.

Merit-based Scholarships 

 Are you exceptionally meritorious in studies or blessed with the voice of a nightingale? In either case, you are a strong competitor for the scholarship of excellence that recognizes students with rare talent in academics as well as non-scholastic areas like music, sports, painting, leadership skills etc. A merit based scholarship not only helps you finance your education but also adds an incredible amount of value to your academic and career profile. Some distinguished scholarships under this category are:  Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA): It’s one of the most prestigious scholarships in the field of higher education and research. Only superlative candidates are eligible to apply and enjoy the benefits. The scholarship is awarded to international applicants from various walks of life; you can be a graduate student, a working professional or an artist. The allowance would cover expenses related to tuition, books, travel etc. for the entire tenure of your study. The Fullbright-Nehru Awards are conferred to accomplished academics, professionals and talented students in India to study, research and teach in the US. If you are applying for this award, brace yourself for a rigorous application and interview process. Once you qualify the rounds and get selected, the organization helps you through and through with visa application, obtaining health insurance and a pre-departure orientation. 

The Rhodes Scholarship (UK): Under the program of the Rhodes Scholarship of India, the Rhodes authority offer 5 scholarships to high-calibre students from India chosen on the basis of “exceptional intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service” who would be eligible to pursue further education at the eminent University of Oxford. The grant includes tuition, personal stipend and airfare to Oxford at the beginning of the term and back to your home country at the end of the term.

Need based scholarships

It’s a boon for those in need of financial aid and there are a host of top universities that offer financial help to students, in the league are Harvard, Yale, MIT, Princeton to list a few. There are also several private organizations in collaboration with multinational companies that are providing financial support to students of any nationality aspiring for international education. To illustrate: Harvard has its financial aid program named the ‘Harvard Financial Aid Initiative’ which caters to the financial deficiency of low and middle income group of students. International students receive the same amount of aid as a US students. You have to apply for financial aid with your demonstrated need and family income details for the committee to review. Harvard assures students of a need blind admission procedure and financial support throughout the year. 

Davis United World Colleges Scholars Program: All graduates of United World Colleges (UWC) schools who gain admission on their own merits to selected U.S. colleges or universities qualify for need-based scholarship support through the program. The program currently supports over 2,700 scholars at 94 partner colleges and universities throughout the United States. 

Government of India facilitated International scholarship

Did you know many countries invite Indian students to study in their institutions by offering scholarships? Invitations are sent through the Indian government under Cultural/Educational Exchange programs. The Government advertises the scholarship offers through newspapers, the website of the department of higher education as well as notifies colleges, universities, UGC through circulars. So, keep a tab of the latest updates about the scholarships by checking out the relevant sources.

• The Commonwealth Scholarship (UK): You’ll be excited to learn that it is fully government funded. The grant covers tuition, travel, living cost including spouse and children allowances. The scholarship is awarded in the fields of Engineering and Technology, Science, Agriculture, Humanities and Social Science. That covers almost every field!
• Other countries that offer scholarships on this platform are Commonwealth scholarship by New Zealand, China, Japan, Italy, Mexico and the Presidential Scholarship offered by Sri Lanka.
• Program/Subject specific scholarships: Students can also probe into options for their specific subject or degree of interest.  For instance, if you are eying international law for study abroad, good news for you. The AVVO Scholarship program offers scholarships for JD Law students as well as pre-Law and undergraduate students. Science students be amped up about participating in the Global Science Course (GSC) Undergraduate Transfer Program. The School of Science Scholarship sponsored by Tokyo University is an attempt to bring young science lovers on one platform to harbor great interactions and exchange of ideas.  Likewise, many more subject/program specific scholarships are available that help students to advance their education in the subject field.

The number of scholarships today for international students is baffling. Approach your selection process keeping in mind what your strengths are, which subject is your forte, and what goals you want to achieve. Review every detail from eligibility to the fund amount, and only after you’ve done your due diligence, apply for the scholarship.

5 Tips to Improve Public Speaking

Did you know that, according to Forbes’ magazine, only 10% of the population is highly confident in public speaking? Nearly 80% experience some form of anxiety when they deliver their speech and 10% report being extremely terrified. How can we overcome the fear of public speaking? Here are five common reasons for the lack of confidence. 

Self–consciousness in front of groups

Indeed, many people say “I can speak in front of 4 or 5 people, but a group of 300? Forget it!” The number is too big to handle. One way to improve is to remember that a large audience is made up of individuals. Focus on communicating with your listeners by dividing your audience in groups and talk to the groups. This helps you have better eye contact and improves the quality of your conversation.

Fear of appearing nervous

This can be improved by using the “fake it till you become it” method by Harvard professor Dr. Amy Cuddy. In a TED Talk, Dr. Cuddy noted that body languages affect physiology and have priming effects on behavior. To practice, relax yourself 5-7 minutes, focus on controlling your breathing, and visualize the positive outcome. Tell yourself you can do it! The easiest way to “fake” your emotion when you’re not in a good mood is to practice smiling. A bright and full smile makes it much easier to deal with emotions in almost any situation!

Past failures generate fear

Instead of seeing a past failure as a fear, see it as a trial and learn to improve from it. After delivering any speech, sit down and evaluate yourself. Ask someone who watched your presentation for feedback. Find out what you did well and what needs to be improved. Focus on improvement for future presentations.

Fear that others are judging

Whenever you deliver a presentation, your purpose is to tell others your opinion about an issue. Because it’s an opinion, there will be people who agree or disagree. Listen to those people who give you constructive criticism. You can learn from it and improve.

Poor preparation

Being unprepared practically guarantees a speaker will stumble, forgetting the structure of their speech or the message they want to convey. Good preparation gives you an outline to follow when delivering your speech. It also means practicing thoroughly. You can use note cards for preparation of the speech, but work towards using as few as possible during your actual presentation. Your note cards should have your outline with points and sub–points. They’ll keep you organized during your presentation but won’t be a word-for-word script.

Good luck with public speaking and remember- it’s nothing to fret about!

How do you prepare for public speaking? Please write them in the comments below!