Many young individuals today opt for best consultancy for study abroad for various reasons. Some want to gain a global view, learn new skills, discover new techniques, or acquire better knowledge of other cultures. Studying abroad, however, is a tricky path to take. There are multiple things to consider, from picking the right college or university to managing fees, living expenses, culture, and more. Hence, choosing the right education consultants to assist students in their study abroad journey and guide them through the right path is crucial.
7 Factors to Consider While Choosing the “Best Consultancy for Study Abroad”
The demand for overseas education is growing yearly, leading to a booming market for overseas education advisors. However, it is vital to be cautious of deceitful overseas education consultancies and fake agents falsely claiming to be sponsors of specific colleges and universities. Choosing the Best study abroad consultancy includes three vital factors – legitimacy, experience, and friendliness. Let’s look at the seven factors to consider when selecting a consultant for your overseas education journey:
Experience and Area of Expertise
When choosing the best consultancy for study abroad, two crucial factors to consider are their years of experience and area of expertise. The more experience they have, the more verified they are as education consultants, and the greater the likelihood of student satisfaction.
The consultancy team should possess extensive information about courses, colleges, and foreign study laws. Also, they should have exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. It is recommended that an overseas education consultancy has at least four to six years of experience in the foreign education industry. Moreover, the consultancy must have a proven track record of successfully placing students in their desired colleges or colleges abroad.
Accreditation
The second important factor to consider while choosing overseas education consultants is their accreditation. This involves a license to prove that the consultancy is authorized and has the necessary legal affiliations with the colleges/universities they refer to. Accreditation ensures that the consultancy’s services are genuine and that no fraud is happening.
The Advisor That Offers Full-Services
It is vital to choose the best consultancy for study abroad that offers complete services such as:
- Selection of Course and College/University and Counseling
- Preparation for the admissions—includes admission tests like IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT, SAT, etc.
- Financial aid — education loans or scholarships
- Application services include drafting a student’s SOP (statement of purpose) and a letter to the admission panel telling the student’s career path, goals, and interest in picking the precise program.
- Pre-departure services include securing a student visa, insurance, rental space, or hostel stay at the destination.
- Abroad arrival services include the help the advisor offers to the students when they are at the destination.
- Overseas education consultants offer all the above services listed. At the same time, some of the consultancies help the students with the examinations — IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT, etc., and language classes. But, again, having all services under one roof is always a great idea.
Know Your Needs.
Plenty of colleges/universities abroad offer various programs under one roof. However, choosing the right one from a wide-spread list is a huge task. Thus, picking the best consultancy for study abroad knows your needs and assists you in picking the course in a college/university that is best for you and fits your budget.
Consultancy Service Fees VS the Services They Are Offering
Overseas education consultancy is a business like any other. It does cost money to keep the consultancy running with industry expert teams under one roof. The fees may differ from one consultancy to the other. It is essential to know that the consultancy service fees they asked for should be the worth of their services. More importantly, the success rate of the students should be higher.
Some of the best consultancy for study abroad offers free services to attract more students. However, they might have hidden costs that are not noticeable at first; later, they can charge for study material prices, securing student visa service fees, foreign education loans, insurance, etc. Hence, analysing an advisor’s pricing structure is good before seeking aid.
Reviews and Performance Record
Before choosing the best consultancy for study abroad, it is vital to research them and not trust them solely based on their claims in their marketing. You can look into their reviews, contact the previous students, and talk with their parents or guardians. Thorough research about the consultancy is critical before choosing them.
College admission is based on the student’s education performance and test results. Therefore, overseas education advisors who propose a corrupt or unlawful way of securing access to a college should not be trusted and reported instantly.
Transparency of the Consultancy
Transparency is vital for any brand, including the overseas education advisor. The study abroad process takes time, and a lengthy process exists to secure admission. In addition, one must follow specific rules and laws. Throughout the study abroad approach, the best consultancy for study abroad you choose should have clarity about everything, including the entry process, fees, extra service charges, and consultancy services. The consultancy team should not make any promises without having a confirmation.
Final Thoughts
Studying abroad can be tricky, but it is a lifetime knowledge investment. It is very vital to choose the best agency to study abroad. It can be challenging and intensive, but you get a prospect to learn, which will improve your life. Yet, to make it successful, one needs to be mindful and choose the right overseas education consultants to make the entire study abroad process a pleasant experience for students.