LeeElena, our expert on higher education, independently entered a British university. What are the features of studying in Britain, what pitfalls await students during their studies, you will learn from Elena in this article.
About the first attempt
I studied in Russia in my second year, majoring in translation studies and completed a translation internship in Thailand, where I was advised to continue my education at Webster University (USA). Inspired by the opportunity to gain experience studying abroad, I returned home and immediately began preparing for admission to a foreign university.
It was important for me to start studying in January; I had to submit documents in advance, and there was very little time left. In the very near future, I took an academic transcript about the completed courses in my specialty program in translation and translation studies, requested letters of recommendation from teachers, passed IELTS and wrote a motivation letter in which I explained the reasons for changing the university and mentioned my desire to continue my studies at a foreign university. A month later, I received the coveted offer.
About changing priorities
But the cost of studying at Webster University was quite high. Plus, I needed to start studying again, from the first year, due to the difference in subjects. After weighing all the pros and cons, I decided to finish my studies in Russia and then enroll in a master’s program abroad. This left me enough time to work on my profile: take part in volunteer programs and university events, as well as improve my knowledge of English, Chinese and French.
Advice: most universities select students based on a holistic review principle – not only grades and test scores are valued here, but also the personal part of the application. Modern universities want to understand what your character and values are, so they pay special attention to your essays, volunteering experience and interests – think through your profile in advance and spend time on all points, as they are of equal importance. We talked more about extracurricular activities in this article .
The motivation to study abroad grew every day: I studied the advantages of foreign education, compared universities and the content of programs. As a result, I decided to apply for a short-term program in Translation Studies at UCL, University College London, one of the most rated and prestigious universities in the UK.
To apply, I needed a standard package of documents: a transcript from the university, an English test, a resume, several recommendations and a motivation letter.
Advice: if you apply to several universities, then some of the documents will be the same – resume, tests, transcripts and even recommendations. But sending the same motivation letter to all universities is not a good idea. Write individual essays for each university, taking into account its characteristics and the chosen program. Come for a consultation on writing a motivation letter . Our team of experts will study your profile, help you choose a topic and share life hacks on how to make your essay strong.
I carefully worked through the existing motivation letter, focusing on my interest in this particular university and study program. My priority was to gain new experience, as I wanted to expand the boundaries of my capabilities and develop my soft skills as much as possible.
About the education system at a British university
Speaking to UCL students, I was surprised that most programs consisted of only 3-4 study days, usually 2-3 classes per day. Many foreign students were initially sure that they would have a lot of free time, and a small number of classes would not provide a full-fledged education. In fact, this is an illusion and a trap that foreign students often fall into at the very beginning of their studies. The fact is that higher education in the UK is based on independent work, which takes up about 70% of the academic load. Teachers acted as mentors, and lectures and seminars were needed to set a general plan of work.
Students at British universities independently organize the educational process outside of lectures. There is always a lot of work: homework, research before and after a new topic at a lecture, as well as individual and group projects for which you need to carefully prepare. That is why the libraries of many universities operate around the clock as multifunctional cultural and educational centers.
About the desire to help
While interning at international exhibitions in my final years at the university, I discovered the world of a wide variety of foreign programs, which I personally learned about from representatives of universities and schools. It was then that I thought that it would be great to become part of a team and help schoolchildren and students throughout their admission process.
My background in linguistics and translation studies, as well as my own experiences in enrolling and studying abroad, have provided an excellent foundation for my growth as an expert on higher education abroad. Now, every day I help children from different countries go through all stages of preparation for study and change their lives.
About the preparation and admission strategy
In the UK alone there are more than 150 universities, and in the USA there are about 4,000. Choosing a suitable university and preparing a good set of documents is not an easy task, especially when you are applying for the first time and do not know many nuances. In this case, you should trust professionals who will first help you formulate the goals of studying abroad and develop an effective admission strategy. An individual approach and communication are important here – this is why working with experts will bring more benefits than searching for information on the Internet.
Advice: Each university has its own “character”, its own striking features that distinguish it from others. Universities select students not only by grades and achievements, but also by personality type. Come for a consultation with our experts to choose exactly those educational institutions with which you will have a 100% match.
In addition to the educational strategy, I help formulate the goal. Studying abroad is just a means to achieve it. Together with applicants, I find answers to questions about which countries are best suited for studying, which cities and specialties are worth paying attention to in a particular case, and why. Thanks to this approach, studying at a university will not be for the sake of a tick or a diploma, but will become an unforgettable experience and a useful tool for further development.
During her work, Elena helped more than 450 children determine their educational goals and enroll in foreign universities. Every year, her students receive offers from prestigious universities, including the University of York, Northeastern University, Imperial College London and the University of Toronto. Sign up for an individual consultation to analyze your case. Our team will help you set your priorities correctly, define your goals and build a win-win admissions strategy in order to begin the path to your dream career.
