Arooj Abbas shares USA ivy league and Stanford experience in DAWN morning show told her experience and admission essay story
Studying in the ivy league, and other universities of the USA has been a dream of many Pakistani and Indian students.
It is always helpful to know the admission procedure and experiences of students who got selected and studied in USA ivy and other institutes. Here Arooj Abbas in a recent morning show revealed how she got selected and studied at ivy and Stanford University in the USA. She also revealed what type of admission essay she wrote that admission authorities chose her to be there in the USA. She also told, how to meet the tough competition and what type of uniqueness a student requires to get by an ivy league.
Arooj Abbas is a well-known name in Pakistan as she is hosting a DAWN channel morning show for years. The show is popular among the masses because of its decent and fruitful content.
In a recent morning show, the morning show was about the procedure of getting scholarships in UK, USA, Canadian and Turkish colleges and universities.
The guest who was a career counselor briefly guides the students on how to apply and get scholarships in foreign universities. We here have compiled the key points for getting admission to ivy and other American universities from the show.
The trend of applying to American universities has risen in recent years. The reason behind this is many universities offer luxurious scholarships. Also, numerous prestigious institutes stand out because of their quality education and have seen higher hiring rates in the top-notch business and tech industry.
Let's see how to apply and get selected for scholarships in ivy and other USA universities. Here are a few set key benchmarks where you have a good chance to get to ivy and other universities.
- A competent SAT result is a must
SAT is a must and a high SAT result is very important to study in the USA.
First of all, you should keep in mind that Pakistani students' academics and SAT results are Compared with Indian and Chinese students. If you're looking for a half or full scholarship in any USA university then a SAT score of 1500 and above out of 1600 works here. There is nothing to panic about as you can give SAT exams as many times as you want. In ct, giving an SAT exam twice is beneficial and a scholarship against good results is worth it. Arooj Abbas told that she gave two SAT exams before applying for the USA.
- More and All As in Academics is must
Whether a student has passed matriculation or O and A levels, in both cases the academics with all As can surely make you a competent candidate for scholarships. If not all A* s but all As is a must. Also, Arooj told that while she was applying then she came to know that Chinese and Singaporean kids are ridiculously crazy and smart who apply with 18 to 20 As in O levels and A levels. They keep on giving additional exams with higher grades. This makes them the most selected candidates. So if any Pakistani and Indian student looking for scholarship in USA university then get higher As and try to appear in more subjects with As.
- Co-curricular activities play an important role
The guest who was a career counselor here advised that competing only with academics becomes tough for Pakistani candidates so they can overcome it with their extraordinary performances in CO curriculum activities. Focus on quality extracurricular activities, not on quantity.
Don't try to master so many things in 6 months as many students try to do. The best time to explore your talent is from Grade 6th, 7th, & 8th. If parents and students are looking for admissions in the USA and other universities then focus on Co-curriculum from Grade 6.
By grade 9, a student must know its core interest whether it's gardening, sports, writing poetry, or any other. After grades 9 to 11, master yourself in the field. You should participate in school clubs, society clubs, local competitions, or write a consistent blog about your interest in your show & prove your focus and passion. It will be valid proof of your Co-curriculum uniqueness. It'll help you get a scholarship along with your academics. Be honest, start early, be consistent and focus on quality.
- Uniqueness is preferred
Arooj explained while she was applying to many UK and USA universities, she observed that the USA, admission offices are more want to know who you are and what authenticity you can offer!
Your uniqueness, what makes you... You, are what they search for in you and select you on finding an inch of uniqueness in you.
'Be yourself, focus on nonexaggerating things. Explore your key values and talk about them with pride. They want people who know themselves and want to know themselves better,' the career counselor added.
- Write an eye-catching Admission Essay
A good Admission essay is very important to impress the admission offices in USA universities.
Arooj got ivy & Stanford University admission with a unique and authentic admission essay. Here is her story:
'I wrote my admission essay while my grandmother was making "Churi". I took that incident and described it in my essay. I believe that no one of them even knows what "churi" is. This essay became the turning point in my student life and they accepted my admission application.'
Instead of copying the ideas, take out something different to take yourself in the eyes of admission offices.
- Ivy is not the end of the world
Ivy is good and competent universities of the USA but many American colleges are excellent, prestigious, and worth taking admissions in there.
'Not every student is an ivy league student. Not every student should be an ivy student..., the Career counselor explained.
There are very good colleges and universities in the USA other than ivy where students can study and get prestigious jobs. As "The University of Chicago" has great business programs. Amazon, Google, and other business gains have great hiring rates from here. Houston polytechnic institute is another very option. A student must check technical and polytechnic institutes. Here along with studying, they learn skills that aids them ahead.
- IELTS may or may not needed
Career counselors avoided giving a blanket statement about IELTS requirements at the time of admissions in American universities. Every University had its criteria. One must check it individually while applying. There is the possibility that universities don't ask for IELTS but take their English tests. On the other hand, IELTS is not difficult. All material is available free of cost on the website. So one can prepare and pass the test on a one-week notice even.
- Types of Scholarships in the USA
There are two types of scholarships:
1. Financial need-based
To get need-based scholarships, a student must provide valid documents such as parents' income slips, tax returns, etc. Here again, SAT score, academics, and co-curricular activities play an important role.
2. Merit-based is of two types
One is Matric, O, and A level grades and SAT
Other is sports achievement etc, arts and cultural achievements that aid a student to get merit-based scholarships.
In short, there are set benchmarks where you have to come across to secure your scholarships in the USA.
For example, looking for a 50% and above scholarship in a decent American university, you need to get above 1500 out of 1600 in SAT. Try to get all As. Standout in CO curriculum activities. Explore and maintain your uniqueness. Start at right time, stay consistent and get admission by keeping a focus.
For Ivy leagues Heels, Stanford, Columbia, competition is very tough. It is very stiff as Pakistanis are benchmarked against Indians and Chinese students. In comparison, it becomes tougher for a Pakistani student to get scholarships in USA Universities.
Here is the link to complete the show:
Benchmarks to achieve for studying in ivy league & other USA universities: DAWN Channel morning show