When choosing the right study abroad consultant, prioritise factors such as legacy, specialisation, transparency, success rate, admission statistics, proven strategic frameworks, the quality of consultants, and the extent of support. The best study abroad consultants in India offer comprehensive support throughout the student journey, from profile building to post-admission support.
As an Indian student, studying abroad opens up a flurry of opportunities for both professional and personal growth. Pursuing education abroad enhances your career prospects, improves language fluency, broadens cultural awareness, and provides real-world experience and problem-solving skills.
However, for a first-time student, figuring out the right program, zeroing in on the right university, and settling in the correct country can be a daunting task. If you place your trust in the wrong study abroad organisation, it can cost you your time, your money and even your future.
You may end up in the wrong career after having wasted your time and money with little ROI to justify your choice.
Whether you are a parent who wants to find the best study abroad consultancy for your child, or you are a student who is seeking admissions experts, you need someone who will guide you through every step of the study abroad journey.
When you zero in on a consultant, ask them some hard questions about how they plan to make your study abroad ambitions a reality: “How will you customise university shortlisting, SOP crafting, and visa prep to my profile and goals?“
If they don’t have a specific strategy and talk about the process in generic terms, they are not the right study abroad consultant for you.
Any study abroad consultant can make big promises, but can they tell you how they will help you get to your dream university? A good consultant goes beyond just filling forms. They should follow a structured approach to your application that will get the results you want.
No two students are the same. A blanket approach by the study abroad consultancy spells disaster for the student’s application. Many services in India use a templatised method, using the same strategy for every student without any nuance.
In reality, every application must be tailored to the candidate, taking into account their academic strengths, interests, ambitions, and dreams. Using a template for essays and resumes is a surefire way to end up in the rejection pile.
If your study abroad consultant doesn’t offer a bespoke approach, they are probably not worth your time.
Read Also: Questions You Should Ask Your Study Abroad Consultant
Whom will you trust with your study abroad journey: someone who claims to know the system or someone who has been part of the system? The best advice will naturally come from the latter. If you are aiming for the Ivy League or the M7, you should be guided by someone who already knows first-hand what it is to apply and get admitted to top universities.
If your study abroad consultancy doesn’t offer elite experts who themselves were part of top universities, it casts doubts on the effectiveness of their services.
Dubious study abroad consultants can bungle your application with silly errors that can cost you time and money. So always check their credibility before you trust them with your journey.
Testimonials from happy customers are the most decisive factor when it comes to picking a study abroad consultant. Check for client testimonials, alumni accounts, success stories on their web page, and reviews on Google to gauge their reputation and track record.
Check forums such as Reddit for information about their services, including any instances of malpractice or transparency issues. Ask for a sample invoice during the free consultation and ask for feedback on it on student forums.
One of the biggest nightmares for students and parents is managing the logistics of a study abroad journey. There has to be synergy between every step of the process. The student’s profile building must be in tandem with their test preparation and interview coaching. And more importantly, the journey doesn’t end with admissions; beyond that, students may need help with visas, financial aid, accommodation, and Foreign Exchange assistance.
A good study abroad consultant will ensure that they are with the student at every step, giving end-to-end service.
The best study abroad consultants in India are entirely transparent about the extent of their services and their prices. They shouldn’t include hidden costs or other unwanted surprises that were not part of the initial discussion. Reliable study abroad companies provide written agreements that outline the fees for the services they offer.
Request the whole breakdown of costs, including service charges, third-party expenses, and university commissions. Watch out for any vague mention of “additional expenses.” Ask them to explain the entire process and where costs will be involved in simple terms. Check with previous clients and customers for any instances of undisclosed expenses.
At the end of the day, every study abroad consultant is running a business and wants more customers. Some unethical consultants may overpromise, prioritise hype over substance and even inflate their numbers to get you to sign up. Be wary of such companies that promise “100% admission guarantee.” Ethically, no company can make such promises, irrespective of its track record. The admission process is complicated and often there are too many variables.
At Onwardo, we approach each admission with integrity and transparency, while ensuring the best possible outcome for the student.
Onward’s 5D Framework (Discover, Direct, Develop, Deliver and Decide) is the philosophy on which we base all our application strategies. It’s an all-encompassing approach that understands what the student wants and how to help them get there.
Personalisation is at the heart of Onwardo’s study abroad services. We approach each application as a stand-alone project, gauging the student’s interests, passions, and strengths, and mapping them to a suitable program that aligns with their goals.
Onwardo’s squad of consultants comprises Ivy League-educated experts who are well-versed in the admissions committee’s mindset. They are individuals who have experience guiding students to top universities and helping them achieve their career dreams.
Backed by a 30-year legacy with brands like IMS Manya and The Princeton Review, we provide the expertise needed to navigate the world’s most elite institutions.
Ready to start your journey? Submit your profile details here to generate your unique profile score and see how we can help you reach your dream university.
Any study abroad consultancy that offers end-to-end services from profile building, to test prep, to admit support and post-admit services is the best. Some of the best study abroad consultancies in India include Onwardo, Yocket, Athena, and Rostrum. They offer comprehensive support, including profile building, test preparation guidance, admissions assistance, visa assistance, and post-arrival services such as loan and housing support.
Study abroad consultants in India charge anywhere between Rs 20,000 to Rs 5 lakh or more, depending on the extent of their services, with many offering a free counselling initially.
The best countries for Indian students to study abroad include the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Ireland and New Zealand. These countries offer great educational programs, strong job opportunities, post-study work opportunities and multicultural environments.
Yes, you can get a 100% scholarship to study abroad, but it is very competitive. To secure a place, you need to have strong academics, compelling essays, strong recommendations, and a strong extracurricular record. Indian students are highly ambitious and very competent, which makes them eligible for prestigious scholarships such as DAAD, Chevening, and Fulbright. A full-ride scholarship or a 100% scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance and even airfare.
Germany is among the most affordable countries for Indian students, thanks to its low or no tuition fees and public universities that offer world-class education and strong job prospects. Other cheap countries to study abroad for Indian students include Norway, Malaysia, Poland and Mexico.
Yes, you can study abroad without a consultant, but the process itself can be very confusing if you’re a first timer. Without an expert to guide you through the right programs, right study destinations and application strategies, you may end up doing the wrong course, ending up in the wrong career and even wasting your money. So while study abroad consultants are not a prerequisite, having one helps you reduce the stress of doing all the research and the chances of going wrong with your decision.
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