The Complete Study Abroad Process: A Step-by-Step Guide by ScoreGetter
Going abroad is one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. It can lead to world-class education, world-class career opportunities and life-changing experiences. Meanwhile, the process can be daunting if you don't know where to start.
Which country should you choose?
Which universities are you a match for?
When to take IELTS or GRE?
What is a good Statement of Purpose?
Which documents are needed by universities?
When to apply for your visa?
The great thing about studying abroad is that it doesn't have to be complicated. You can navigate through each step with confidence, if you have the right guidance and a clear plan.
For more than 27 years, ScoreGetter has assisted students in their quest to study abroad. This is a step-by-step process of the entire study abroad experience — and how we support students at each step.
The study abroad experience, one step at a time
The journey is unique for each student, but the steps are similar. This is the process of studying in the USA, Canada, Germany or Australia from start to finish.
Career counselling and goal setting
The first thing you need is clarity of what you want. Which subject are you interested in studying? What is your career goal? Considering a Masters, MBA or Undergrad? A good counsellor can help you relate your academic experiences, interests and career aspirations to the right direction before you even consider countries or universities.
Country and university selection
After setting goals, the next step is to narrow down the choices to the appropriate destination and universities. This will depend on your budget, your desired course, your post-study employment prospects, your PR prospects and your lifestyle. ScoreGetter has assisted students in gaining admission to universities in 20+ countries and can connect you with the best matches.
Test preparation: IELTS, GRE, GMAT or other tests
Most international universities require a language proficiency test (IELTS, TOEFL or PTE) and sometimes a standardised aptitude test such as the GRE or GMAT. The best time to prepare is dependent on your application timeline. You don't need to travel anywhere else for in-house coaching for all major exams with ScoreGetter.
Application preparation: SOP, LOR and resume
The universities read your Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letters of Recommendation (LOR) and resume. These documents tell your story – why you want to study this course, what you have done so far, and why you are a strong candidate. Our team works with students to carefully develop these documents, without clichés.
University application and admission process
The application process to universities includes filling out forms, uploading documents, paying application fees, and keeping track of deadlines for multiple universities at once. Late or incomplete applications will result in a loss of a semester. We take care of all of this for our students, from document verification to application tracking.
Searching for scholarships and planning for financial aid
Going abroad is a big monetary commitment. Scholarships can significantly lower the cost, but they do need research and applications. In addition to scholarships, most students also consider education loans. ScoreGetter also helps you find scholarships you're eligible for and helps with loan paperwork as well.
Preparing for a visa application and interview
A student visa is not a routine procedure. Documentation is very strict and visa denials can cause a lot of delays. We help you navigate through all the paperwork — financial proof, admission letters, health insurance, and more — and practice visa interviews so you walk in prepared.
Pre-departure: accommodation, forex and travel
After obtaining a visa, the next step is to get ready for departure. This involves booking of accommodation, arranging forex, knowing what to bring and attending pre-departure orientation sessions. Students attend pre-departure sessions at ScoreGetter to make sure they are ready to go to their destination, not stressed.
Popular countries to study abroad
Choosing the right country is one of the most important parts of your study abroad plan. Each country has its own education system, cost of living, job prospects and visa rules. Some European countries even offer free or low-cost education for international students — something not many students are aware of.
ScoreGetter has helped students get into universities across all these destinations. Here are the most popular ones.
Prepare for your exam with ScoreGetter
Why end-to-end support is important
The majority of students have more than one agency to work with — one for coaching, one for admissions and one for visa. That creates gaps. Information gets lost. Timelines don't sync. When there is a problem, nobody accepts responsibility.
ScoreGetter was designed differently. Test preparation, admissions and visa support all in one place. Your counsellor has all your test scores, your university history and your visa needs in one place — and can plan accordingly.
We also created our own study abroad platform, Glide, which allows students to monitor all tasks, deadlines, and documents in one place. You always know what is coming next, what is done and what is pending.
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