How to Prepare for Kellogg’s Video Essay

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Video essays are becoming increasingly popular in MBA admissions. They offer a unique opportunity to show admissions committees the real you and your ability to think on your feet.

One school that is really looking to see how you think on your feet is Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. In the first prompt, Kellogg asks you to introduce yourself by telling admissions something they wouldn’t already know from your resume. Prompts 2 and 3 seem to be randomly assigned.

Here are some prompts that you should be prepared to answer:

  • A time when you experienced a team conflict
  • An innovation you made in the past year
  • A misconception people have about you
  • An important relationship in your life
  • A time you created value
  • A problem you faced and the creative solution you came up with

While the video essay is optional, I strongly recommend utilizing the opportunity to show admission officers something about yourself that they can’t gauge from the other application materials.

Do you need guidance on creating a standout video essay? Contact us! We can help you brainstorm ideas and practice your answers.

 

How to Transfer to Columbia: Hear from a Student Who Made It!

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Columbia University is one of the most selective schools in the world, and transferring in is even more competitive. They typically admit fewer than 10 per cent of the applicants for transfer admission each year.  But it’s not impossible!

We’ve helped students transfer to Columbia, and we know what it takes to stand out in the applicant pool.

Here’s what one of our students had to say:

“Futureworks helped me to transfer by helping me build a really strong resume in college. They helped me craft a unique narrative, carefully weaving together my personal experiences, school activities, college research, and leadership achievements. Having worked with another counsellor for my freshman applications, I can confidently say that the difference they make is tremendous.”

What makes transfer applications different?

Transfer applications are different from first-year applications in a few critical ways:

  • You need to have a strong college GPA. While Columbia’s website states that it typically admits transfer students with a minimum GPA of 3.5, your GPA should be closer to 4.
  • You need to have a clear and compelling reason for transferring. Why do you want to transfer to Columbia specifically? What can you offer that other transfer applicants can’t?
  • Your letters of recommendation need to be from college professors, not high school teachers.

How can Futureworks help you transfer to Columbia?

We can help you with every aspect of the transfer application process, from building your resume and writing your personal statement to choosing the right schools and preparing for your interviews.

We understand the unique challenges of transfer applications, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Contact us to understand how you can boost your chances of transferring to Columbia!

Transferring to UCLA

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Did you know that last year alone 3,647 students transferred to UCLA?

Here are some of the academic requirements for transfer applicants:

  • Junior-level standing (60 semester or 90 quarter transferable units completed) by the end of the spring term before you transfer
  • Most transfer students have an average GPA of 3.5. However, in our experience, international students should aim to have a GPA of 4.
  • Completion of major preparation requirements by the end of spring prior to transfer
  • Completion of the following course requirements by spring prior to transfer:
    • Two transferable courses in English composition, critical thinking, and writing
    • One transferable math course with a prerequisite of intermediate algebra or higher
    • Four transferable college courses in at least two of the following subject areas: arts and humanities, social and behavioural sciences, physical and biological sciences

UCLA gives preference to students in community colleges in California, but that doesn’t mean that out-of-state or international students don’t have a chance. UCLA also considers personal factors such as employment while attending school, involvement in campus organizations and community service, family responsibilities, significant improvement in academic performance over time, and other opportunities or challenges that may have shaped your educational experience.

UCLA is a competitive school, but with hard work and dedication, anything is possible! If you’re interested in transferring to UCLA, contact us

How to Tackle this Common App Prompt: “Reflect on a time when they challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to do so and what was the outcome?”

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College admissions officers are looking for students who can critically engage with their surroundings.

This is why the Common App prompt “Reflect on a time when they challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to do so and what was the outcome?” is so important. It shows college admissions officers that you are an independent thinker who can meaningfully interact with and critique abstract ideas.

Many students misinterpret this prompt. They think they need to write about a time when they changed their mind about something. But that’s not what the prompt is asking.

What the prompt really asks of you is to critically engage with someone else’s ideology and take specific steps to challenge it. In asking this question, college admission officers want to see your maturity of thought and your passion for your beliefs.

Essentially, you need to show them that you can not only engage with your environment but also drive change.

By writing an essay about a time when you challenged a belief or idea, you can show college admissions officers that you are an independent thinker who is not afraid to question the status quo and stand up for what you believe in.

Contact us to learn more about how you can reflect your critical thinking through your application.

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship Program

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Do you want to know how you could pursue your postgraduate degree at no cost?

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship program offers scholarships to outstanding international students to pursue a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge. The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition, fees, and living expenses.

To be eligible for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, you must:

  • Be a citizen of a country outside the UK
  • Be admitted to a full-time postgraduate degree program at the University of Cambridge
  • Demonstrate outstanding intellectual ability
  • Demonstrate a commitment to improving the lives of others
  • Demonstrate leadership potential

If you are an outstanding international student with a passion for making a difference in the world, I encourage you to apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship.

How to apply

To apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, you must first submit an application to the University of Cambridge. Once you have submitted your application to Cambridge, you can then apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship.

They require candidates to answer a 500-word prompt about why they’re applying for the scholarship and how they meet the criteria. Applicants also need to provide references. Further, applicants pursuing their PhD must provide a research proposal as well.

The application process for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship is competitive, but it is important to note that all eligible students are encouraged to apply. To submit a strong application, be sure to highlight your academic achievements, your research interests, your commitment to public service, and your leadership potential.

Should You Work On Your Application While Preparing for the GMAT/ GRE?

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We see a lot of applicants focusing on preparing for the GMAT/ GRE, without having started even thinking about their applications. While the test is an important component, it won’t compensate for a weak application.

We typically recommend that students take 1.5 months to complete their first application. This ensures that you have plenty of time to brainstorm and develop a differentiated positioning and narrative.

And so, start thinking about the prompts below, if you haven’t already:

Top graduate programs see many highly qualified candidates with similar experiences. What makes you stand out is a unique perspective reflected in your application.

Here are some things you can do now to start thinking about your application.

  1. What makes you different from other candidates?

Top graduate programs see many highly qualified candidates who have taken part in similar activities applying at the same time. How can you stand out?

When our counsellors begin working with students, we typically spend the first few sessions talking to them about experiences that make them unique. Based on the strengths reflected in these experiences, we create a document detailing your differentiated positioning.

  1. What is your story? What do you want admissions committees to know about you?

Based on this positioning, we help you decide how to portray your unique candidature and reflect what you’d bring to the table.

  1. Reach out to potential recommenders and let them know you will be applying to graduate school. Ask them to think about specific examples of your skills and abilities that they can highlight in their letters.
  2. Draft your resume and start to update it with any new experiences or accomplishments.

Contact us if you need help polishing your application materials and highlighting your differentiated positioning!

Preparing for Oxbridge Interviews

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What most people don’t realise about Oxbridge applications is that when you get called for an interview, it gets scheduled within a week. This means that you have one week to prepare for the most crucial part of the application process.

This is often not enough. In fact, we recommend that students start preparing for the interview while completing their applications. This way, they have enough time to develop their critical thinking skills and their ability to respond to unfamiliar problems with creativity and rationale.

Based on my experience, as well as the experience of my students, multiple rounds of practice is what see students through these interviews. Here is what one of my students had to say about their preparation experience.

“With multiple mock interviews every week, each crafted based on previous interviews conducted by Oxford, Kavita ensured that I was confident about facing any type of problem.

The assessment of the mock interviews helped me identify areas of improvement, as well as come up with creative solutions to overcome them. Without this well-rounded guidance, I don’t know if I would’ve gotten into my dream university…”

Without adequate practice, even the best candidate may fall short due to the abstract nature of the interview.

Contact us to learn more about Oxbridge interviews.

India-Canada Rift: What Students and Parents Should Consider

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With the India-Canada rift escalating, students and parents are understandably growing concerned. One of the biggest concerns is the impact on student visas. India has temporarily halted visa processing at its consulates in Canada, which could make it more difficult and time-consuming for Indian students to obtain or renew their visas. Many worry that students will find it more difficult to get student visas, or that they may face some sort of scrutiny in Canada.

York University has made an open statement about how its campus fosters diversity and inclusion and that Indian students will always be supported on campus.

Here are some things to consider before deciding to remove Canadian schools from your school list:

  1. Political climates are dynamic, and many times, issues can be resolved quickly. We have seen this happen multiple times over the last 20 years, and it has not typically impacted students applying the next year.
  2. We have spoken to students studying in Canada, and they report that the political climate is fairly stable on the ground. While they have not mentioned any significant changes in their environment, we’ll continue to monitor the situation.
  3. One major reason why people apply to Canada is that work permits are easier to obtain than in other countries. This hasn’t changed and is unlikely to change anytime soon.

We know that it’s an uncertain time but consider these factors and continue to monitor the situation before you make a decision.

Savitribai Phule Graduate Scholarship

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Did you know that there is a scholarship that makes pursuing your postgraduate degree at the University of Oxford more accessible?

The Savitribai Phule Graduate Scholarship is a scholarship for Indian students from Dalit, Bahujan, and Adivasi (SC/ST/OBC) backgrounds and/or first-generation students.

It covers course fees and offers a grant for living costs.

The scholarship is offered by the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development at Somerville College, University of Oxford.

Scholarships will be awarded based on the following criteria:
• Academic merit
• Relevance of studies to the Centre’s interdisciplinary aims
• Understanding of the development challenges faced by India.
• Leadership and entrepreneurial potential
• Financial need

Application Process
With only one seat available for the scholarship, it is incredibly competitive.
The application process will open in September 2023. For more information, please visit the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development website.

This scholarship is a great opportunity for students from marginalized communities to pursue their graduate studies at the University of Oxford.

Reimagining Data into Creative Solutions

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The high school students enrolled in the Emerging India Research Program can access data spanning across 6.6 lacs villages in a matter of seconds… Can you?

Learning about Mission Antyodaya and how to access it with Sandeep Ghosh and Manmeet Kaur during the Emerging India Research Program session was extremely valuable.

Mission Antyodaya is a convergence and accountability framework that comprises the largest rural survey in the world. Its database helps determine the best use of resources for rural development in the country.

This session exemplified one of the key components of the Emerging India Research Program- the benefits of working with industry experts. Their session gave us a deep understanding of what kind of data can be found and used. Most importantly, this session demonstrated how data can be used to develop extremely relevant and creative solutions such as the Rural Quality of Life Index.

Can you think of any creative solutions?