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How to Build Your Vocabulary for the GRE

“Anita was the most popular girl in school and a coterie of girls invariably vied for her attention and friendship. Anita's approach to studying however, was preposterous: she didn’t enjoy her classes, so she refused to study – yet she was bent on scoring high grades in her final exams!”

Given above is an example of a convenient context to help learn new words in an effective way. Most non-native English speakers find the Verbal section very challenging, not only because of the long passages and complex sentences, but also because of the high vocabulary. As a result, aspirants allocate most of their time for learning and memorising words.

There are a lot of word lists available in the market today, exclusively for the GRE. Resources are plenty, but how could one learn and remember 1000+ words which we hardly encounter in day-to-day conversations?! Do traditional methods of vocabulary-building still hold good? The answer is, No!

The real challenge lies not in knowing a lot of words, but in remembering their meanings and understanding the subtle differences in the meanings of two seemingly similar words.

That’s why it’s important to pick up the right techniques to learn words in a way that ensures they “stick” in the memory forever!

Find out how to learn and remember words the effective way by watching the video recording of our LIVE webinar on ‘How to Build Your Vocabulary for the GRE’ by Ram Sharma, Verbal Expert at Galvanize Test Prep.

Some of the questions answered during the webinar include:

How to learn identify the ‘roots’ of new words?

How to remember words?

How to guess the contextual meaning of an unknown word in a passage?

Read answers to other questions raised during the webinar ‘here’.

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How to Build your Vocabulary for the GRE - FAQs

1. On the scale of 1000 how good is Galvanise app closure to actual GRE exam words ? Can you take this question so that I can use Galvanize app ? - Ajay Katkar

Gavanize Vocab App is a top-rated app on the play store. Install and use the app to reap the benefits.

2. What app is very effective for GRE (Most used)? - Apoorva Patil

Please do try both our GRE Prep and Vocab Prep apps on the play store.

3. Shouldn't we concentrate on GRE prose rather than the number of words. The new GRE has complex prose rather than words, doesn’t it? - Bala Murali komanduri 

Yes, the revised GRE tests the test-taker's Verbal reasoning ability and the ability to understand complex, academic prose rather than simply testing them on words and their meanings. However, it is still necessary that we possess a decent vocabulary and an understanding of word nuances. An average non-native speaker of the English language would, therefore, have to take the extra effort required to learn words to get to the expected level.

4. If I don't know the meaning of a word, is there a way to figure out a closer meaning from sentence/context? - Chirag Gaitonde

Not all sentences or contexts would lend the meaning of a word easily. But it is usually possible at least to guess, if not clearly arrive at, the meaning of words from a context. You could use the prefixes, root words, the tone that the word carries etc., to figure out the meaning of some words. 

For example, see if you can figure out the meaning of the highlighted words in the following sentences (make use of the tips provided above): 

While the song wasn't so remarkable in itself, the singer's mellifluous voice managed to win the hearts of the audience. 

Pandemonium broke out as soon as the minister resigned. 

He came up with a sinister scheme to get back at his brother.

5. How/where can I take up mock exams before the GRE test? Any website/software? Please suggest. - Dheeraj Prakaash

You can take the sample test offered by Galvanize Test Prep here.

6. Which newspaper should I read to improve my vocab? - Harish kumaran D

You can read the Editorial column of 'The Hindu'.

7. How many words should one learn before taking the GRE? - Sani, Nigeria

The revised GRE tests the test-taker's Verbal reasoning ability and the ability to understand complex, academic prose rather than simply testing them on words and their meanings. However, it is still necessary that we possess a decent vocabulary and an understanding of word nuances. But it is not the number of words you know that matters as much as your ability to use and understand those words in context.

8. I am following vocabulary.com. I am able to select the correct meaning when options are there. But I am not able remember meanings of words without options. what should I do? - Sourabh Karmakar

Vocabulary.com gives you a small, relatable context with which to remember the word, in addition to the sample sentences. But it is important that you try to use the word in your own sentence/context for good retention of the word.

9. How to make the best use of use flash cards ? - Yasomitra Sampat Kota

Flash cards are handy, especially to learn words on the go. They can help you learn as well as revise and recall words. Use the details on the back of the card to learn the words; when you want to revise them, pick a random word card from the pack and try to recall the meaning of the word by looking at the front side that contains only the word. You could segregate the words you are having difficulty with recalling and refer those cards more frequently to master those words.

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Converting Word Problems into Mathematical Statements

19 July 2017

INSTRUCTOR: Sowmya Subramaniam, Quant Expert at Galvanize Test Prep

M.Sc Mathematics  IIT Madras, M.S. Mathematics, San Jose State University

Word problems are one of the most common types of questions in the GRE Quant section. Hence, they certainly demand the attention of the GRE aspirants. Solving word problems requires effective time management skills and mastery of various topics in math, including (though not limited to) percentages, ratios and algebra.

The image below shows the proportion of word problems in the GRE Quant section compared to the other question types.)

While they present the greatest opportunity to score points in the GRE Quants, word problems are also a challenge to the test takers.

Test takers face several problems while dealing with the Quant section: Difficulty in framing the mathematical equations, proceeding without knowing whether the equations are right, not understanding the required value and, of course, the inevitable careless mistake or two.

To pick up some helpful tips on how to solve word problems confidently, watch the following recording of our webinar on ‘Converting Word Problems into Mathematical Statements’.

In this webinar, Mrs. Sowmya Subramaniam (M.Sc Mathematics, San Jose State University) explained the methodology to deal with word problems and also addressed various problems faced by GRE aspirants with respect to word problems.

Below is the transcript of the Q& A session handled during the webinar.

Q1: How can I ensure that the mathematical equations that I have framed are correct?

A1:  It would be effective if you can retrace the steps, i.e., take the  answer that you got and fit into the question, ideally working backwards .Look at the following example to understand this. Problem Statement: The ratio of the mother and son’s age is 3:1. 10 years ago, the ratio was 5:1 .What is the present age of the mother? Solution: In this question, the two equations are x=3y and x-10 = 5y-50 and solving this gives the values of x and y as 60 and 20 respectively. There are two things that need to be checked here: the solution and the equations.

To check the solution alone (assuming the equations are correct and that you might have made a calculation error), substitute these values back into the two equations and verify if LHS=RHS (i.e., the equation is balanced)

To check if the equations are correct: Mother’s age = 60, Son’s age = 20.

Check the following i) Logic: Logically the answer is correct since mother's age is more than the son's age and you have not got a negative result.

ii) Analytics: The ratio should be 3:1. 60:20 = 3:1, so the first part of the question is satisfied by these values of x and y > The ratio 10 years ago should be 5:1 10 years ago --Mother would have been 60-10=50 years old and the son would have been 20-10 = 10 years old. So the ratio of their ages = 50 : 10=5:1. So the second statement is also satisfied by these values .

Satisfying both checks would imply that your equations are correct.

Q2: What are the topics that have to be covered to make solving word problems easier? E.g., Percentages and Ratios.

A2: Apart from percentages and ratios, there are several other topics like rates, mixtures & allegations, distance & time and profit & loss that are tested in word problems in the GRE Quant section. Practising problems extensively in these topics while applying the correct strategies can ease the task of word problem solving.

Q3: How to solve questions in a shorter period of time?

A3: Drawing a table or a diagram and converting the data given into visual representation is the best way to save time while solving word problems. Merely reading and rereading the question will not help much in understanding or solving the problem. You need to read with an eye for detail, collect information, connect the data and represent them in the form of a table or diagram. Follow the mnemonic “PIES” (P-Picture or diagram , I-Information , E-Equation and S-Solve) to remember the steps to solve any word problem.

Like our Facebook Page for the upcoming webinar updates.

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Webinar: Work & Career Opportunities in Canada

Galvanize Test prep in association with Prodigy Finance hosted a webinar on Work & Career Opportunities in Canada. The session was hosted by Nikhil Lasrado , IE Business School Alumni & Ex IBM-Canada and Pavithra Srinivasan - Stanford Alumni & Founder-Galvanize Test Prep.

The entire session was divided into two sections: the first was handled by Nikhil where he spoke about Work fortunes in Canada. The latter session was handled by Pavithra where she spoke about admissions scope in Canada. The entire Webinar can be summarised with the following bullets

Working in Canada - Nikhil Lasrado

Prodigy Finance Introduction & Brief

Major Work Hubs for Canada

Top Companies Hiring

Work Permit & life at Canada

Admissions & University Information in Canada - Pavithra Srinivasan

Key Prospects of Canadian Higher Education

Admission Deadlines, GRE/GMAT/TOEFL/IELTS Requirement Analysis

Profile Analysis & Galvanize Service Offerings.

The session was followed by a Q & A and few important questions were addressed by Nikhil.

Part 1 - by Nikhil Lasrado, IE Business School Alumni

Major Work Hubs & Top Companies hiring in Canada

Canada being a vast country it is very difficult to decipher the prospective work location. Since choosing the right ecosystem is very important to kick-start your career, Nikhil took one extra step forward in identifying the key hubs where maximum number of companies are present. After looking at the geographical overview Nikhil identified the Key companies that hire in Canada. The whole purpose of Abroad Education is to get a challenging and promising career, whilst it is also important to understand the top companies, it's also important to residency status there.

Work Permit & Life at Canada

So once you have graduated out of a Top university and placed in a reputed company with a good package and you are ready to kick-start your career, next comes an important barricade about VISA/Residency status. Nikhil has extensively worked at Canada and is well aware of the Canadian work culture, Residency status, Work permit etc., He did touch upon critical information those are very crucial for one to know before hand if his/her plan is to work in Canada.

Part 2 - by Pavithra Srinivasan, Stanford Alumni

Admission Deadlines, Standardized Tests Requirement Analysis

Soon as Nikhil covered about Work fortunes in Canada, Pavithra took over the session and deep dived into the key prospects of Higher education in Canada. She then moved on to Standardized tests requirement analysis. Detailed test score requirements for top universities, alternate test requirements etc., Also the admission cycle for universities and ROI in terms of opportunity costs, time etc., were also touched upon.

Profile Analysis

Pavithra introduced Shahnaz, a Galvanize Employee who has successfully got an admit from Queen's university which is a top university in Canada. Shahnaz explained in details about her admit cycle in Queens and provided crucial tips to bag a scholarship, not to forget Shahnaz got a 100 % scholarship in Queens.

Part 3 - Q & A

The session then culminated with Q & A where very critical question where taken by Nikhil. The session took students in a overall tour to Canada right from exploring universities to exploring Work destinations. We got personal feedback that it was very informative on the work part as well as Shahnaz profile discussion was very inspiring.

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Webinar: Profile building on Scholarship & Funding

Galvanize Test prep hosted a webinar on Profile building for scholarship & funding. The session started with a crisp introduction from Pavithra-Stanford Alumni.

The entire session can be summarised with following bullets

Introduction to Scholarship & Funding

Types of Scholarship

Profile Analysis

Finance Options

Admissions Counselling

Introductions to Scholarship

The Webinar content begun where Pavithra briefly introduced about different types of scholarship viz. Fellowship, Teaching Assistant-ship (TA-Ship), Research Assistant-ship (RA-Ship). The unique aspect of briefing about this is that each and every type of scholarship was explained with a profile analysis, meaning a student who has actually bagged an TA-ship was introduced with her detailed profile and all necessary steps she adhered to bag a scholarship.

Profile Analysis

This was the key takeaway from this webinar , nothing stands like a inspiration to watch and understand a profile and what that person carries for the University to grant a 100% scholarship.There was one more very informative and interactive session. We had Shahnaz Shariff a current Galvanize Test Prep Employee and she had applied for Queen's University for a M.S in CSC and she bagged a 100% scholarship.

So Shahnaz joined us for the webinar and began explaining about her profile and its suitability for the course she applied for.Second, she mentioned the critical & crucial steps she followed to bag a 100% scholarship from Queen's University. Want to understand what is it please watch the Webinar recording.

Finance Options

This was a quick session where Pavithra introduced about some of the leading loan providers. Also the key aspects of each loan providers was discussed.

Admissions Counselling

There is a old saying goes like, behind every successful man there is a woman, so is the case with students, behind every successful student is Galvanize Test Prep. All of these profiles who were analysed were none other than students who have availed Galvanize Test Prep services viz. Galvanize GRE & Galvanize Admissions Counselling. We at Galvanize ensure that quality pedagogy and motivation is delivered to students which are the crucial fundamentals to score high in exams & get into top universities.

So if you are inspired by this and also wish to pursue your career like these peers please start off your journey by watching the Webinar recording below and keep in touch with us.

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Webinar: M.S. Recruitment in the U.S. 2017

Galvanize Test prep in association with Prodigy Finance hosted a webinar on M.S. Recruitment in the U.S 2017. This was one of its kind of Webinar rather than one person lecturing on the topic, this was completely a 1-on-1 conversational flow. So we had Rishabh Goel, alumni of London Business School posting the questions to Sampath Chanda-current student from Carnegie Mellon University. Every question revolved around how to position yourself for the recruitment drive in the U.S. and Sampath ensured he made it available all possible resources & insights he is undergoing to get himself placed.

A bird's eye view of the entire session is described below

Which company/Profile to apply ?

How to find Job Opportunities ?

Does an internship or RA help ?

How is recruitment different from India ?

Which company/Profile to apply ?

Here Sampath stressed on three crucial factors viz. Degree/Interests/Job opportunities. So it was mainly about aligning the above 3 factors as per your profile and then preparing yourself for the recruitment.So before even applying for masters it is essential to position yourself with these 3 strong fundamentals so that you don't misguide your self from recruitment. This was the gyan and information shared in this section.

How to find Job Opportunities ?

So once you are through the profile building process and inside the university , next comes the crucial part to build your network and resources. These primarily includes internships during the course and other university resources which would enable your profile. Here Sampath stressed the need of strong network in terms of professors/Alumni/Seniors/Clubs etc. It is this network which increases your visibility to recruitment and also here Sampath provided one important information about how recruitment is different from India which opened a whole new thought process behind recruitment in the U.S.

How is recruitment different from India ?

As mentioned in the previous line this was the eye opener part in the entire webinar, as most students in India are used to placement sitting inside their college or university. Which means students on before had know what are the types of company are going to visit their campus, so in a very short time they cookie cut their profile, trim & tailor their profile as per the last minute need. But for your blatant surprise this isn’t the case in the U.S. To know what it is all about please find below the recording of the Webinar where Sampath demystifies the recruitment process in the U.S and how it is dynamically different from India.

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Event Highlights: Meet Alumni from Top Universities in the U.S., UK & Europe - 2017

On Saturday, 29th April, 2017, Bhagini suites was filled to its full-capacity with a crowd of study-abroad aspirants attending Galvanize’s flagship event- Meet Alumni 2017.

Speaking to the audience, Ms. Pavithra, the Founder of Galvanize Test Prep, who completed her Masters in Engineering from Stanford University on full Scholarship, gave valuable insights to students on building their profile for studying abroad and reviewing their approach to getting into top universities. She emphasised Galvanize’s focus on helping students through a very personalised approach which combines the expertise of world-class faculty with high-end analytics and an adaptive learning model.

Mr. Rishabh Goel, an Alumnus of London Business School, who is also the national Head for Prodigy Finance, addressed the gathering as well. His presentation covered various aspects of studying abroad and the Prodigy Finance approach to student loan financing for top universities.

In addition, the event also had alumni from noteworthy institutions, such as University of Washington, The University of Chicago, IE Business School, interact with students and parents. The event also hosted University representatives such as Mr. Sivakumar, Indian Representative for Illinois Institute of Technology. The event provided participants a broader understanding of study-abroad options as well as the impact of self-paced learning, recommending Galvanize’s platform as a viable option for aspirants.

To receive more updates on future events, follow Galvanize Test Prep on social media.

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/galvanizetestprepchennai

Facebook : www.facebook.com/galvanizetestprep

Twitter Page: www.twitter.com/galvanizeprep

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Blog Page: http://blog.galvanizetestprep.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/galvanizetestprep/

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9 Common mistakes that students make while planning to study abroad

Studying abroad is definitely an amazing experience. Every year a large number of students pursue their dream of studying in an international university. However a good number of these applications face rejections either at the admission stage or the visa interview.

From incomplete application forms to ending up choosing wrong universities, this blog focuses on nine such mistakes students planning to go abroad make and intends to give a clearer understanding to the readers on how to and what next.

I have most of the documents ready

Over 70% of students face rejection from universities abroad because of incomplete application. Students presume that “say, I meet 9 of 10 criteria, I am good to go and can submit my application”. You have to submit all the documents listed on the university website while sending your admission application. No matter how trivial it may seem to you, treat every document as mandatory and double check the list against the university website and other official sources.

Failure to attach even one single document could lead to rejection. The same applies for visa interviews too.

Mark sheet and Transcript mixups

Most students mistake transcripts for marksheets. Transcripts are a mandatory requirement for applying to universities abroad. Unlike mark sheets which carry only marks scored per subject and overall percentage, a transcript is a detailed statement of semester-wise marks of a student that is acknowledged by the institute. Also the mark sheets do not carry the number of hours and semester-wise performance of the candidate.

Application fees after the confirmation of admission

This obviously sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? Always remember that application fees have to be paid (mostly online) along with the submission of the filled application form. Even though you may have submitted all the necessary documents to the university, if you do not pay this fee, your application will be rejected. Application fee is different from admission fee, which is paid after confirmation of admission.

No need for bank statements or solvency letters if I am going on a scholarship

Universities abroad ask for a bank solvency letter. Most students mistake solvency letter for bank statement. They do not understand the purpose behind submitting a bank solvency letter. This letter is mostly issued by the bank and validates the sufficiency of the liquid funds in your name. Declaration of liquid funds is to ensure the concerned authorities that you can afford the living cost and allied expenses during your stay abroad. Bank solvency letter is equally important for students who travel abroad on a 100 percent scholarship. Insufficient liquidity is a good enough reason for the university to reject your application.

It is okay if there is a delay in the visa.

It is very obvious that you can not travel to a foreign nation without a valid visa. Most universities conditionally confirm your admission in advance so that you can use the conditional offer letter to apply for a visa. One must also keep in mind, this does not guarantee admission. Your offer letter would mention a deadline to confirm your application.  In case your visa had arrived after a week of your course commencement, not only will you have to intimate the university but you will also have to request for a conditional admission letter that states that the university is aware of your pending visa status and yet is willing to admit you. Failure to produce the conditional admission letter would result in a visa reject.

My relatives are citizens of that country, so I can take it for granted that my application will get through

Although it is good to have relatives in the host country, it doesn’t merit your qualification of admission.  Such details might be relevant but do not add value while applying for visas. The fact that admissions to universities is purely based on fulfilling the criteria should not be ignored.

It is quite essential to know the visa norms of your host country.  Secondly, you are expected to take care of yourself rather than depending too much on your relatives where this also helps shape yourself into a better person.

If it is good for one stream, it has to be good for my field of study too

Many at times we come across big names like Oxford, Cambridge and so on. Students tend to miss out on a thorough study of the programmes the university offers and the quality of the programmes. It is more likely that the college would have launched a new program and is throwing away scholarships to attract a lot of students. It is wise to understand “What’s in it for me?” before falling into such traps.

My loan will take care of all my expenses

Most aspirants heavily rely on education loan to fund their masters abroad. While there are additional costs that one might incur like accommodation, travel etc., it is always advisable to do a thorough research on the country you are going to travel keeping in mind the affordability factor.

I can do it all by myself

Students love to believe that they can find all the information on the internet.However, you may face ambiguity and miss the deadlines due to incomplete or outdated information being a some reasons. There are online counsellors and experts who will guide you at all stages of the application process. By seeking help, you not only do things the right way, you also don't have to worry about missing deadlines.Most of the times besides helping you with the application process, counselors also help you make an informed career decision.

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Facts that prove that America is still welcoming

The trend of pursuing higher studies in the US has been steadily increasing over the past decade. As many as 1,65,918 students from India chose to study in America in the academic year 2015-16 which makes up to 16% of the total students registering in all the american university sites. 

[Source: The Hindu April 2017]

As mentioned earlier, India and China are the top two nations that send their students to America. This very progression is being shaken by the rise Donald Trump to the white house.

We had already discussed this in our previous blog. As said earlier, a lot of students have turned hesitant in choosing the country as their destination for higher studies.

This blog focuses on giving valid data as to why America is still a prospective destination for opportunities to study and work. At the very outset, American universities are still among the best in the world. The atmosphere of the universities brings out the best in students. Being among the few handpicked brains from their native countries, the students have a chance of measuring themselves against international standards.

Secondly, No major university in the US encourages discrimination of any sort, rather they welcome students with open arms. One reason why students may find it tough is that the colleges usually have a cap on the intake of number of international students. With the increase in the number of applicants, the competition gets tougher.

Next, considering the employment scenario, the students can be categorised into two. Students who study to work and the ones who study to study in the US. The scale has always been tipping in the direction of the former. Majority of the students pursue masters in the US to find employment there while the others are required to find employment somewhere at some point of time for their education. Students have a one-year period under OPT(Optional Practical Training) during when they can work in the United States of America. They can also apply for the H1B visa during this time.

Now the students who pursue STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) are granted two year extension to the OPT, in this case students get to work for a minimum of three years. H1B also works  under the same lottery based system as earlier with the exception of six month premium processing. This suspension has been termed as a step to manage the huge number of applications.

American education still holds its head high in Trump’s America. Trump has not yet proposed any change that affects international student community. While trump may spew a rhetoric of Anti-immigration sentiments, if you have ambitions in line with higher education in the US, you will certainly find great opportunities.

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5 Reasons to consider online mode of study for test prep

Learning/studying online could have different advantages for different people, and while each study mode has its takeaways, preparing online for tests has certainly proven to be very effective. The following findings from Massachusetts Institute of Technology[David Chandler| MIT News office, Sep-2014] show us the impact that online study mode has created.

The first finding is that students can be taught as effectively as they’re being taught in a physical classroom.

The second and more surprising finding is that the students who were least prepared, as shown by their scores on pretests, learnt with the same amount of involvement as the ones who did better in the pretests. That is, the amount of improvement seen is no different from skilful people in the class.

The following blog focuses on how online learning helps you on your test prep. With the advancement of technological elements, ed-tech has certainly tightened up the perceived shortcomings of e-Learning. Here are a five reasons you why you should prefer online study module.

1.Flexibility in Schedule:

Participants can access their course anytime, anywhere. Often the courses designed for self study are personalised to fit the needs of the participants. This means, irrespective of your occupation, you only need internet access and a smart device to log in.

2. Easily accessible:

The courseware can be accessed by the participants whenever they need it. The content can also be accessed multiple times until the validity of the course. Besides, the lessons, discussions, explanations and comments can also be reviewed. This helps facilitate community learning too.

3. Control over study time:

Physical classroom study involves rigid time format where students are made to sit for longer durations, which makes it a little uneasy for them. Whereas while learning online, lessons can be paused and resumed as per the participant’s convenience.

4. Support:

Studying online does not mean you are left alone in your self-study environment. Most online programmes are designed in such a way that you receive great support from university tutors and individual feedback to keep you focused on your studies.

5. Communication:

Adapting to online study mode allows everyone to have a voice and share diverse ideas as well. Students can also think longer about what they want to say and add their comments when ready. In a traditional classroom, the conversation could have moved past the point where the student may be willing to comment.

Instructors are more approachable in the online setting. Students may feel more comfortable talking openly with their teachers through online chats, emails, and newsgroup discussions rather than face-to-face. Online correspondence also cuts out having to wait for the time when the faculty can be met to clarify doubts thus saving a lot of time.

Despite all the benefits there are causes of concern like lack of face-to-face interaction leading  to disconnect with the rest of the classroom and the online study program being viewed as less optimal ones.

The adoption of video conferencing technologies and the use of group chats have played a vital role in interfacing the batch with its instructor(s). Also it is a good Idea to research before you choose any online course.

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4 Ways studying abroad helps you prepare for a great future

Studying abroad is an experience that students can capitalize on, making them more marketable and is a great resume builder. It also helps you to enhance your education and have experiences outside your comfort zone. Such experiences will help you gain clarity and ultimately make key decisions about your career.

This post focuses on how studying abroad and international internships prepare you for a great future.

1. Develop language skills and understand other cultures

While studying abroad differs from the idea of learning a foreign language, being bilingual is a valuable skill for an individual. Depending on the language of your host country, you might resort to using a hybrid form of the English language, hand gestures, or a completely new language in your day-to-day interactions.

You will learn to decipher facial expressions, body language, and gestures, in order to successfully understand others and communicate your own opinions, needs, and questions. You will also learn how to interact with people from different backgrounds. Not to mention, gaining fluency in another foreign language will improve your employability!

Whatever method you use to communicate while studying abroad, you will develop important cross-cultural communication skills that will undoubtedly help you in your future career

2. Learn to manage multiple responsibilities

While studying abroad, you will be thrown into potentially awkward situations and you will be forced out of your comfort zone. You will be confronted with many doubts: “How long am I going to go through this?”, “Is this going to cost me a lot of money?” or “Have I made the right choice?” Such planning, prioritising and organising of one’s workflow can be applied to project management too!

The personal and professional growth you experience while on a stint abroad, whether you’re studying, interning, or both, will not only help your résumé stand out, you’ll also be able to nail interviews with all the experiences and soft skills you can apply to your future career. It lends to an air of maturity, independence and responsibility--all character traits that are essential to finding an internship or post-graduate career.

3. Learn to live away from home

It’s almost impossible to avoid getting bit by the travel bug once you’ve been abroad. The aesthetically pleasing architecture, unfamiliar culture, and distinct mentality will leave you wanting more. Studying abroad opens your eyes to new ways of living, both for others and for yourself. Maybe you like the liberating freedom that comes with living abroad!

You should also be willing to explore newer opportunities. For example, if your focus is on foreign language, there is a huge demand for translators and interpreters. From corporate roles to government careers, you can potentially work from any location in the world. Besides, you will also learn to network with people in the process.

4. Become independent and make refined decisions

You will gain self-sufficiency and learn how to think on your feet. On the other hand, if you’re traveling as a group, you will learn how to listen to others and work as a team. Both of these social intelligences can be transferred to a career in many industries, and strengthen your capabilities to be a reliable, productive new employee.

The action of working through the minute details of a trip is remarkably similar to organising the details that go into research reports. If you’re more of a “wing it” traveler, this can prepare you for the “go with the flow” personality needed in rapidly-changing and high-pressure corporate environments.

In various situations, you may find yourself evaluating the scope of the situation, financial cost involved, and any time-sensitivities. Eventually, you’ll try to make a decision that minimizes the risk and optimizes the gain. These circumstances are remarkably similar to the situations and decisions that you will have to deal with in regularly in the workplace.

Upcoming posts will provide insights on picking up new skills that help you improve all-round!

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Webinar: Higher Education in Canada,UK,Europe & Asia- Pros & Cons

Galvanize Test prep in association with Prodigy Finance hosted a webinar on the Pros and Cons of pursuing higher education in Canada, UK, Europe and Asia. The session started with a quick brief from Ms. Pavithra Srinivasan on why study abroad, checklist to consider while applying to masters and so on

The session was then taken over by Rishabh Goel and Magalie Duque. Speaking to active participants in the session, the presenters said that masters is a stepping stone towards the a successful professional career.  The participants were also briefed about the equation on current skill set, school & program and Goals linked with them.

The cost and benefit factor while choosing Masters was also discussed where in costs for preparation, attendance and opportunities were looked at comparing the benefits like expected salary after the program, the skills gained during the course of study, some personal growth and a few intangible benefits that make you a well rounded person.

The following recording will throw more light on the pros and cons of pursuing Higher education in Canada, UK, Europe & Asia.

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The ups and downs of transitioning into a new study life abroad

Studying abroad is an amazing yet challenging opportunity. It is easier to prepare for the fun and adventure than the obstacles. However, it’s important for students to be aware of the trials that come with studying abroad. Here are some general facts and information on what to expect when transitioning to life abroad. The “W-effect” (as discussed in Twenty in Paris by Andrea Bouchaud) gives a clearer analysis of the transition, looking at five predicted stages of the transition:

1. The first stage is a peak stage. You have just landed in a new, exotic place and you are supposed to immediately fall in love with it. You think everything around you is fascinating and your camera never leaves your hand. This is the first elevated point of the letter W.

2. The second stage is homesickness. The tourist high has worn off, leaving you longing for home and familiarity. This stage is characterized by the first low point of the letter W.

3. The third stage is when you become familiar with the environment around you. You begin to appreciate your situation for what it really is by finding a sense of belonging and comprehension of the culture in which you are immersed. This stage is characterized by the second elevated point in the letter W.

4. The fourth stage is the return home. You are supposed to have become so accustomed to your host country that upon your return, your home country, whose culture you had been enmeshed in for the past twenty-some years, might begin to feel foreign to you. This stage is the second low point of the letter W.

5. The fifth and final stage involves becoming reacquainted with your native culture, and you once more have a sense of belonging with your friends and family. This stage is the final elevated point on the letter W.

It is important to understand there is no time frame for any of the stages. One might not know how long one stage would last or if she/he could experience multiple stages at once. Trying to understand personal experience with studying abroad, I observed from a few people that they experienced stages two, three and five.

After a very long second stage the first semester, they learned that the W-effect should only be used as a mere guide and not an actual outline of the transitional process to life abroad and the return home. The transition into a foreign country with a new culture, language and collegiate system is incredibly difficult. It can take anywhere from weeks to months to become fully adapted depending upon how accepting and open you are to change.

No matter what your personal transition speed, there are ways to help you transition faster and easier into your new life abroad. Some of them are discussed here:

Becoming familiar with the political and social landscape of the host country:

Following news stories about your host country at least six months in advance is a great way to gain a realistic picture. When you have realistic expectations of how another society and culture works, your transitional process will be quicker and easier as you are not basing your experience on dreams and hopes.

Researching the college experience the host country:

You will be surprised at how different it can be, from the classroom environment to the grading system. Seek out resources such as former study-abroad students and study-abroad websites specific to your host country to obtain first-hand accounts of the college experience. It is important to understand that even with prior knowledge, the transitional phase of studying abroad can affect on your grades.

Your academic abilities may not be accurately reflected at your host university the first few weeks or first semester. This is natural. Try your best, reach out to classmates for help, and take notes in the language in which the class is taught, if it is not English. Familiarizing yourself with this information prior to your departure will prove a great advantage and will prevent cultural misunderstandings and ease academic frustrations.

Going  with no expectations of study abroad experience:

Expecting to have fun times and plenty of travel will cause disappointment as you get stuck in the daily grind of school and life. It is better to go without expectations and a realistic understanding of how your host country works. Remember, if you are dreaming of travelling, it needs to be budgeted for in advance.

Bringing a comfort object with you:

There will be days during your transition to life abroad when you’ll need a break and a sense of home. This is completely normal. The “comfort object’ comes in handy for these situations and lets you carry a piece of home with you wherever you go.

Transitioning to a new life abroad is very rewarding but very difficult. Studying the current cultural climate and college atmosphere will help you to avoid and/or move quickly past the pitfalls described in the W-effect. The more open to change and accepting of your new environment you are, the quicker you will adapt and succeed.

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Common scholarship search mistakes that applicants make

The cost of higher education continues to grow leaving students and families to turn to scholarships and grants from the college they apply to. Winning a scholarship sounds exciting ain’t it? It is not as easy as you think it would be. There are a lot of criteria you will be needing to clear if a university grants you a scholarship. The following blog focuses on some of the common mistakes that applicants make while looking for scholarships.

Do not fly aloft every award in sight:

One big mistake people make is apply to every award in sight. It is advisable to go into the process with strategy. The reason being someone with a better profile than yours might apply only for one or two which could narrow down your chances of getting one. Besides, there is something called the scholarship fatigue that will kick in when you stick to one big scholarship grant that you think will take care of all the costs.

Don’t let others do your work:

You know better about yourself than anyone else. It might be tempting to approach consultants who can write essays and fill applications for you. This would be the biggest of mistakes you would be committing. Some scholarships also require interviews. If someone else fills your application, there is a high possibility of you getting blindsided when asked about information that you weren’t aware was there in the application. 

Avoid reusing essays:

One essay would definitely not suffice for every scholarship you want. The professors who evaluate your essay would easily recognise templates where dates and achievements are changed amongst genuine ones. Your essays need to reflect you and your goals in every scholarship you apply to. Also note not to misuse unfamiliar jargon terms.

Don’t forget to check the details before submitting your application:

For may scholarships, you can apply online where you can’t make changes once you hit the send button. Make sure that your email address is appropriate with no novelty or nickname address. This may also be a good time to edit anything from your social media accounts that could be construed as offensive or distasteful.

* Illustrative image

Don’t spend money to get scholarships:

If any scholarship requires an application fee or any other form of payment, it is most certainly a scam. If you are guaranteed a scholarship for money, it should ring a warning bell saying scam alert.

Don’t wait until the last minute:

You might be working well under pressure, but waiting until the last minute for scholarship will mess things up for you. Allow time to pull in elements of application like transcripts and letters of recommendation. It is wise to give time to your recommenders to write LORs.  Also applying for scholarship on the day of the deadline sends a bad message.

Are there other mistakes that people do? Yes of course, we shall focus on overcoming them in future blogs. It is best to avoid these for sure and focusing on giving our best shot.

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Event Highlights: Global Education and Alumni Connect

On Sunday, 12th March, 2017, the C. P. Ramaswami Convention Center was filled to its full-capacity with a crowd of study-abroad aspirants attending Galvanize’s flagship event- Global Education & Alumni Connect.

Speaking to the audience, Ms. Pavithra, the Founder of Galvanize Test Prep, who completed her Masters in Engineering from Stanford University on full Scholarship, gave valuable insights to students on building their profile for studying abroad and reviewing their approach to getting into top universities. She emphasised Galvanize’s focus on helping students through a very personalised approach which combines the expertise of world-class faculty with high-end analytics and an adaptive learning model.

Mr. Rishabh Goel, an Alumnus of London Business School, who is also the national Head for Prodigy Finance, addressed the gathering as well. His presentation covered various aspects of studying abroad and the Prodigy Finance approach to student loan financing for top universities.

In addition, the event also had alumni from noteworthy institutions, such as University of North Texas, Duke University, University of Wisconsin Madison and Thunderbird School of Global Management, interact with students and parents. The event also hosted University representatives such as Mr. Krushnakumar, Indian Representative for Illinois Institute of Technology. The event provided participants a broader understanding of study-abroad options as well as the impact of self-paced learning, recommending Galvanize’s platform as a viable option for aspirants.

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8 things you should do before you go ahead with your masters

Further study at a post graduate level is one of the many options available for students. Specialised postgraduate training helps link their undergraduate experience to specific career goals. Also for some students, masters’ is the next step towards a PhD programme and eventually an academic career. There are many reasons for one to consider a post graduate study program. Here are eight things you should be taking very seriously before you go ahead with your Masters.

1.Talk to students who have studied abroad

Talk to alumni of the schools you plan to apply for. You will understand their struggles and successes. Besides you will also have a chance to ask specific questions and clear all uncertainties.

2. Find ways to finance trips

Prior to even committing to any program, estimate the time you will be spending abroad. Some students might qualify for federal loans or grants. There are a multiple financing options to your Masters Abroad. To know more on financing options through our partner network, reach out to www.galvanizetestprep.com

3. Make sure that you have all the required documents

It goes without saying to make sure, you have your current passport. You need it to go to your preferred study destination and return back home. Check for the visa formalities too.

4. Get a medical/physical certificate

Before leaving to study abroad, visit a doctor and make sure you are in good health. Tell your doctor where you're going and see if he or she has specific recommendations. It is important that you are up to date with your vaccines.

5. Get an insurance

Travel  and medical insurance is an investment one ought to have. If you already have health insurance, check to see if it includes coverage for overseas care. If it doesn't, you can get a policy specific for overseas travel.

6. Search for local connections and make sure that you are aware of social customs.

Let people know about your study abroad plans. They might have friends or family in your desired study destination which may turnout to be invaluable. It may be perfectly OK for men and women to be platonic friends in the U.S., but it might not be acceptable elsewhere. To avoid awkward situations, find out as much as you can about local customs before heading overseas. Remember to consider language barriers too.

7. Find a bank

Sometimes you might not be able to use your ATM or debit card like you do at home. The best thing to do is to set up a bank account once you arrive there. Check with your advisor on what you would need to open an account.

8. Know what to do in case of emergency

Prior to leaving on your trip, find out how to contact the police or any other service available in your host country and also know where the embassy of your country is. Keep the phone numbers handy. Consular services are available 24/7.  You may also write down a list of emergency numbers including your parents, trusted local contacts and school’s in case you need it.

It's a good idea to prepare yourself with as much knowledge as you can prior to your departure, but there is no way to prepare for everything. Keep an open mind about your upcoming adventure. Any planning you do ahead of time will serve you well, but not knowing what will happen is part of the fun of travel.

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Permanent Residence or returning to native country after Masters.

The significance of higher education in global arena has increased considerably in the past few decades and cross-border education gained momentum with a large number of students travelling to foreign land to gain degrees. Asians constitute a major portion of the international population in many countries and thus help in increasing enrollment diversity and revenue for educational institutions overseas.

The higher education trends in the last decade clearly favours the first world English speaking countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. However, the recent years has witnessed a change in the study abroad trends among students, which catalysed the emergence of Canada, New Zealand, Germany and France as major destinations. One major reason that fuelled this trend is the immigration opportunities that these countries provide to the international students. While some countries paid heavily for their stringent policies and employment after graduation,  others gained ‘hot study abroad destination’ statuses and thereby increased revenue by opening doors to immigrants.

Permanent residency refers to a person's visa status. The person is allowed to reside indefinitely within a country of which he or she is not a citizen. A person with such status is known as a permanent resident.[wikipedia]

Canada- Preferred destination because of its visa rules and PR (permanent residency) system and being close to USA and one of the multicultural countries and voted as one of the best countries to live  in students are flocking Canada, no matter whether they get their choice of  course and university or not.

Australia- With a high standard of living and better job prospects and easy PR rules, Australia is third most famous study abroad destination among students in Asia. You can get your PR in Australia within two years as well.

New Zealand- The government wants young students to come and contribute to their country’s economy. Hence the PR rules in the country has been relaxed and by 2015 they had increased their education sector by 25%. There is a visa extension for 2 years, similar to Australia

USA- It takes minimum 10 years to get your visa processed. Even though after completing your education you get a two year visa extension, mostly students return back to their home country after that. But USA is still a country well known for its university reputation , technology prowess  and one everyone dreams of going

These were a few insights to PR in English speaking nations. The next blog would cover the insights in European countries.

There are pros and cons to choosing between PR and returning to the native country.  When you are a PR, you don’t quite enjoy the benefits that a native citizen of that country enjoys yet you pay taxes there. The money factor always seems convincing as the the value of the currency would be X times in your country.

There has been a steep drop in the number of people staying back in certain countries because of the stringent Visa policies. Reports say students who went overseas for education, are facing a tough time finding a job. Many have returned home. And some are now casting the net wider — looking for jobs from the US to Hong Kong and Singapore — or settling for sub-optimal options. Rupa Chanda, professor, IIM-Bangalore, who has worked on reports on international student mobility, says visa and immigration is the biggest factor affecting Indian students' decisions.

The US, UK and Australia are the three most popular destinations where global education is sought. Many students take hefty education loans to finance their studies abroad. While many would find decent jobs back in their home country that would not help much as these students need dollar salaries to comfortably service their loan. This is taking its toll. "Overseas education is costly. Many Indian students are doing a cost-benefit analysis to figure how to recoup their investments overseas and putting off their plans [to study there]," explains New York-based Rahul Choudaha, chief knowledge officer, World Education Services (WES), a non-profit organisation that provides credential evaluations for international students planning to study or work in the US and Canada.

All of these align well with the trend of rising international mobility of students. What is more interesting is the share of students from the developing countries is rising year on year.

Source: Economic Times