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Journalism of Courage
(In this series, indianexpress.com will talk to Indian students who have secured admission to some of the top colleges in the world or the Ivy League colleges. They will share their journey of admission — from deciding which course and college, to the importance of SoPs, LoRs, documents and more)
— Shradha Chakravorty
After completing my masters in Media Management, I worked as a communication consultant for nearly six years in multiple sectors where I had clients including a few think tanks and government offices. It is then I realised that this sector attracts me.
I wanted to get into policy communication and while I could have survived in that sector by learning on the job, I thought it would be better to learn the nuances in a specialised programme. This is why I decided to pursue an MSc Public Policy at University College London (UCL).
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I have been working on this since 2019 but the pandemic happened and I had to put my plans on hold, following that, I had some medical emergencies because of which I had to postpone my studies. It was finally in 2022 when I was able to complete my admission process and travel to UCL.
I was aware of Ivy League colleges and the Russell Group right from my graduation days. Established in 1994 with headquarters in Cambridge, The Russell Group represents 24 leading UK universities. My initial decision was to pursue my studies in the United States (US), given its renowned educational institutions and opportunities. However, as I meticulously considered various factors, including the duration of the programme and financial considerations, I made the deliberate decision to explore alternatives. This led me to focus on the United Kingdom.
One of the aspects that particularly excited me about studying in the UK was its historical significance in the realm of education. Knowing that luminaries like Mahatma Gandhi were alumni of institutions in the UK (University College London) added a unique appeal to the idea.
This was my second masters, so I delved deeper to understand more about the potential of esteemed institutions since my major focus was to hone my skills further that can add value to my existing professional journey.
After evaluating the pros and cons of applying to the US and the UK universities, I decided to apply to UCL and the University of Edinburgh. I finalised these two universities based on their strong reputations, especially in the fields of social science and political science. While both institutions were excellent options, I ultimately decided to pursue my studies at UCL. This decision was influenced by a combination of factors, including UCL’s global ranking, its esteemed faculty, and the fact that it is situated in London.
It is important to make a clear plan when applying to study abroad; if you do not map out the main universities and the pros and cons, it can turn out to be a nightmare.
Aspirants should remember that the application fee is a hefty amount for the majority of foreign institutes and it’s not feasible to randomly apply to several universities. It is, therefore, important to ensure you have a list of universities you wish to apply to, and weigh the pros and cons for each university according to the programmes you are applying to, respective departments, resources, placements and more.
In addition to the MSc Public Policy course, I also applied to the global governance course at UCL itself. I applied for the courses in December and got a deferred offer letter for the global governance programme, but I didn’t hear about the Public Policy course for a few months. I had to keep following up with the institute since I had to answer to the other departments and to the University of Edinburgh too. At the beginning of April, I heard back from the department saying that my spot was confirmed but they needed a little more time to have the offer letter uploaded on the official portal.
After this experience, I always recommend students to apply as soon as possible and not wait for the deadline as this process takes time, and if students apply late then they will constantly have the anxiety of missing the timeline.
Another thing that students should keep in mind is that writing a statement of purpose (SoP) takes time and should not be left till the last minute. SoPs are an essential part of the study abroad application process and it is something that cannot (and should not be) rushed as this is what the university official judges you on foremost. Students should write an SoP before they start applying anywhere, and once the application forms are released by universities, students can visit the official website to check the prompts released by the universities and then tailor-fit their SoPs for the specific programmes and institutes. Finalising a good SoP usually takes two to three months.
Since my programme at UCL was heavily research-based, I decided to include details about an independent paper that I had published. I had written a paper on ‘Public education for rural areas in the era of digital education’. I decided to work on the paper during the onset of Covid-19 in 2020 — sometime in April — and got it self-published by the end of that year.
The paper was about the challenges faced by underprivileged children during lockdown. Having this research paper helped my application at UCL.
Also, I would suggest that students gain some work experience before applying to these top-ranked universities as Western institutes prefer those who come with some experience and learnings related to their chosen field. In these universities and Ivy League colleges, students are expected to put in effort and nothing is served on a plate.
— Academic transcripts: This is a standard requirement for admission to any university. I had to provide transcripts from my previous educational institutions to demonstrate my academic history and qualifications.
— Letters of Reference (LoR): I was required to submit two letters of reference. These letters were written by individuals who could speak to my academic abilities, character, and potential. I had submitted one by my immediate manager from one of the previous organisations and the other one I had requested from my professors who taught me during one of my degree programmes. I chose these two people since I had worked closely with both of them and they knew my strengths and weaknesses.
— Statement of Purpose (SOP): The SoP is a crucial document that allows applicants to explain their academic and career goals, why they are interested in the specific programme, and how it aligns with their aspirations. It provides insight into one’s motivations and ambitions.
— IELTS score: Since I was applying to study in the UK, an English proficiency test score was required. I provided my IELTS score as proof of my English language proficiency. I chose to take my IELTS through IDP.
— Passport copy: A soft copy of my passport was necessary for identification and administrative purposes. This document is used to verify my identity and citizenship status.
It’s important to note that specific requirements may vary depending on the university and the programme applied to, so it’s essential to carefully review and adhere to the university’s application guidelines.
Conducting research for your dream college is a crucial step in the application process, and it involves various approaches and resources:
— Google: This search engine is indeed a valuable tool for gathering information about universities. You can find official university websites, academic programmes, admission requirements, and faculty profiles through online searches. One needs to spend a huge amount of time on this to have a preliminary understanding.
— University websites: Once you shortlist some universities based on the preliminary research, visit the official websites of the universities you are interested in. These sites provide comprehensive information about programmes, faculty, research opportunities, admission criteria, and campus life.
— LinkedIn: It is an excellent platform for connecting with current students and alumni from your target universities. You can ask them questions about their experiences, research opportunities, campus culture, and more. Many universities have official social media groups or forums where prospective students, current students, and alumni interact. These platforms can be useful for networking and gaining insights.
— If your chosen field of study has industry associations, conferences, or events, attending these and networking with professionals can provide valuable information about which universities are respected in your industry and what specific skills or qualifications are sought after.
— Seeking guidance from professional educational counsellors or consultants can be highly beneficial. They can help you identify universities that align with your academic history, career goals, and personal preferences. They often have extensive knowledge of various universities and programmes.
— Utilise online resources such as academic forums, review websites, and educational publications. Websites like QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education can provide rankings and insights into universities worldwide.
— If feasible, visiting the campuses of your target universities can offer a firsthand experience of the environment, facilities, and culture. This can help you make an informed decision.
— The programme director’s details are usually mentioned on university websites, so one can always reach out to them as well through email with their particular queries.
Remember that conducting thorough research is essential because it not only helps you choose the right university but also strengthens your application by demonstrating your genuine interest and preparedness for the programme.
