How Study Abroad Consultants Help Students
The majority of students begin by researching online, watching some YouTube videos, and asking a relative (who studied in Canada 5 years back) a couple of questions, before beginning their applications. While this helps them have a basic understanding, a lot of them have more specific questions like, does this university accept my test score? Will the application deadline be before the scholarship deadline? Why does the visa checklist differ from what my friend filled out last year? and many more. This is where consultants make their money (or should ideally make their money)
Ways a Study Abroad Consultant Can Help Students
The following are the ways a study abroad consultant can help a student, assuming that they’re a reliable and genuine consultancy:
They offer a realistic profile assessment.
The best consultants do not immediately give you a list of colleges to apply to. Instead, they assess you and your requirements, and give you a realistic picture of where you stand, instead of giving you false hope for universities that you might not have a chance to get into. This part is mostly skipped (as most students skip the consultancy part entirely), leading to a lot of wasted time and money.
They help with a shortlisted list of universities.
A good consultant has a lot of experience and knows the intricacies of the application process, including red flags that their website might try to hide from you. Most students have a vague idea of their dream university, but a good consultant knows the pros and cons of every university and helps you apply to colleges that best fit your requirements.
They help edit your application and fill in your details.
Consultants might not write your SOP (Statement of Purpose), recommendation letters, and other important documents, but they can help you edit them and ensure that all your details are correct. This includes making sure that you don’t have any discrepancies in your application that might raise suspicion, ensuring that the documents you claim to have are indeed present.
They help with test preparation schedules.
Most consultants cannot teach you for the IELTS/TOEFL, but they can advise you on what test dates to pick based on your requirements. They can also point out if there are any issues with your test preparation timeline.
They assist with scholarships and financial aid.
Most consultants can help you find scholarships fitting your requirements, including information about the necessary documents and requirements that you’ll need to fulfil to apply for them. They may also warn you about the requirements for a study loan and the necessary documents that you would need to submit for your visa, which the embassy might ask for at any step.
They help with visa consultations and interviews.
Visa consultations are among the most stressful parts of the study abroad process, and the slightest mistake can lead to a visa rejection. Consultants are aware of visa interview guidelines for almost all countries and may conduct mock interviews for you. Moreover, they know about policy changes that might affect your visa and are aware of the common mistakes that students make.
They help even after your visa has been approved.
The best consultancies offer visa aftercare and pre-departure assistance, including advice about hostel admissions, checklists, and more. Moreover, they may also help you connect with people at the university that you’re applying to, and help answer any questions that you might have.
What Study Abroad Consultants Cannot Do
A genuine consultancy will not mislead you or give you false information. They will never promise you a visa, or scholarship, or admission to a university. The fact that they can make such a promise should raise several red flags
Most consultants earn their money from the universities, so they have no reason to jeopardise their connection with them by lying to you. However, it’s a good idea to clarify the payment method before contacting them.
FAQs
Are study abroad consultants free?
For most students, yes, but some charge extra for SOP editing and test preparation. This might vary based on the consultancy that you choose.
Can they promise me admission, scholarships, or a visa?
No, genuine consultants won’t do that. If a consultancy promises you admission, run away from it as far as you can
Do I need to write my SOP myself or can the consultancy do it for me?
While most consultancies won’t write it for you, make sure that it reflects your personality and what the college is looking for, as admission committees can tell when an SOP has been falsified.
When is the earliest I can contact a consultancy?
Most consultancies recommend at least a year and a half before
What’s the main difference between contacting a consultancy and doing the process on my own?
If you know what you’re doing, there’s not much reason to contact a consultancy. However, they are best at pointing out mistakes, getting you the necessary documents, dealing with the ever-changing guidelines, and keeping track of all the deadlines, which is a lot for a student to handle.
About Cambridge English Academy
Cambridge English Academy provides students with the guidance that they require while preparing for their tests, filling out their applications, and settling in at their host colleges.
Final Thoughts
While there’s no doubt that a consultancy can’t do everything for you – the crucial exams, applications, and personal statements still have to be done by you- they can help with most things on your checklist that involve a lot of guesswork, ensure that you minimise your mistakes, and help you avoid the ever-so-dreaded last-minute chaos.
If you’re a student trying to decide whether to go with a consultancy or not for your 2027 plans, why not book a free consultation with Cambridge English Academy and discover how much help you could be missing out on?
