The Evening Before the Application Deadline: A Delhi Student’s Reality Check
A student’s study abroad plan can change dramatically when the right questions are asked at the right time. This story follows a Delhi student through the decisions behind university selection, GMAT, SAT and IELTS preparation—and the lessons that can make the process more practical. It Started With One University Name At 7:45 p.m. on a Tuesday, Aarav had already opened twelve browser tabs. The three were related to the universities. Two were related to the ranking sites. One was about a YouTube video regarding studying in the US. The others were to check test scores, deadlines and tuition costs. This looked like an easy strategy – to go abroad, enter a good university and create an international career. Until his father asked him one question that appeared too simple. "Why this university?" Aarav couldn't reply. Yes, he had heard about it many times. Yes, it was a reputable university. But he had not researched its courses and requirements and whether they corresponded to...