The Journey From School to University

Isn’t it true that when you’re in high school, a few questions always seem to look at the back of your mind:

Which course do I really want to pursue?
Which college am I going to end up in?
What is my future going to be like?
And many more…

We know exactly how you feel.

That’s why we want to make your decision-making process as simple as can be. Take a ride through our ‘School to University Roadmap’ which helps you picture your transition from school to college, telling you what to keep in mind at every stage. So, think carefully, make the right choices, and prepare for the future you deserve!

1) Set the target

The first step towards a successful career is getting the foundation right. And your foundation lies in the right course and college. Before you narrow down to your top priority colleges, be clear about these:

Understand your interests and your aptitude. Ask yourself – “Is my personality suited to be a business manager?” or “Am I more interested in biotechnology or genetics?” or “Do I have the aptitude required to be a chartered accountant?
Select appropriately between Indian and International universities.
Choose a destination for your college education after factoring in elements like the scope of the chosen industry, structure and exposure of the course offered, financial implications, visa requirements, entrance tests, etc.
Understand the admission process and application procedure of your shortlisted colleges. Keep track of all the important dates and submission deadlines.

Once you freeze on your dream college and course, or a shortlist of them, you can plan appropriately and well in advance. Since you clearly know your destination (a.k.a your ‘target college’), your preparation will be even more effective.

2) Mock tests are the best

There’s no such thing as ‘too early’ when it comes to preparing for these exams. Figure out which exam is applicable to you based on the course you’re applying for and the college you’re applying to. Understand the test pattern, take as many mock tests as you can and be prepared!

Some of the most popular ones are JEE Main (for engineering courses in IITs and NITs), JEE Advanced – conducted by IITs (Applicants must first qualify JEE Mains before writing this exam), NEET-UG (for MBBS and BDS courses), BITSAT (conducted by Birla Institute of Technology and Science), CLAT (conducted for admission to a number of National Law Universities) and Design Aptitude Test (conducted by National Institute of Design)

If you’re looking to go overseas for your higher education, some of the common entrance exams to take note of are SAT, TOEFL, IELTS, MCAT (for medicine), and LSAT (for law).

3) Don’t ignore your passion

If you want to pursue international studies, then most college admission in-charges and recruiters will carefully examine your CV to see the extra-curricular activities that you have taken up in your days at school.

If you’re dreaming to make a career in design, fashion, architecture or other related courses, you need a crackling portfolio to get an edge over others. So, get to it right away.

If you’re aspiring to be an entrepreneur, then being the captain of the football team is a great idea. It sharpens your skills in team management, problem-solving, and leadership. If you’ve always loved music, explore your passion even further because the more you perform, the more you build your confidence, memory power, and ability to patiently practice.

So, find a way to tag your passion to your course of study. That works like a charm.

4) Research beyond prestigious universities

Research beyond the prestigious universities — Image Source: www.morganmckinley.co.uk

Your future does not lie in the prestige of the college you went to. It lies in how you make the most of the opportunities. Not getting into your first-choice college is absolutely fine because admission isn’t a one-way ticket to a successful profession anyway. Keep back up options ready and start focusing on your Plan B colleges. Evaluate your options with the help of a guidance counsellor and stay focused on your goal.

5) Reach out to your alumni

Your seniors have sort of ‘been there and done that’. Hit them with all your course-related doubts and questions about college admissions. They’re great sources of information and can reveal the lesser-known secrets of the college they’re studying in.

They’re especially helpful when you’re looking for specific information like what are the myths about studying fashion designing, What can be the right choice of subjects for a career in journalism, what are the hacks to crack JEE Mains or SAT, how to get a scholarship from a certain university, or how can one fulfill his/her dream of becoming a commercial pilot.

6) SOPs assess the candidate

Your Statement Of Purpose is one of the most important documents in your admission kit, and it can create a unique impression about you to those who read it. It can contain pieces of your past experiences, aspects that motivate you to be your best, reasons why you believe you’re a perfect match for your chosen field, and even your future prospects after your college education. And what’s significant is that writing an SOP will help you define these things for yourself in mind, before putting them down on paper – a great way to understand yourself and introspect. This also gives a direction to your course of action during school.

Monika Bakshi

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