The Formula
Our Formula is split into 4 Modules
Securing the foundation of your application journey
3 units
i. Mentoring and Goal Setting
Most candidates are unsure about their aspirations and whether the pursuit of a master’s program overseas would add value to their career trajectory or personal development. This unit entails thought-partnering, brainstorming, and soul-searching, along with an assessment of the subjective pros and cons of applying for higher education, to help you identify and solidify your goals. This unit also addresses your inhibitions and misconceptions associated with master’s applications, while inculcating a balanced mindset of cautious optimism and realism.
ii. School Selection
In this unit, based on your goals, we work with you to finalize your list of target programs, schools/universities and scholarships. Typically, this list goes through a few rounds of alteration and consists of a mix of top-tier, middle-tier and back-up options.
iii. Profile Evaluation
Once our destination is clear, this unit focuses on ensuring we have enough fuel for the journey. Here, we help you identify and address gaps in current academic attainments or work experience, to make sure your profile best aligns with what admissions committees are looking for.
Module 2
Crafting your story into a stellar submission
6 units
Application Documents
i. Statements of Purpose and Allied Essays
Based on our experience, a winning application doesn’t necessarily come from the most meritorious candidate but rather comes from well-articulated, clear and compelling statements where the candidate is able to effectively engross the reader and differentiate their story from the rest. Here, we help you draft a strong narrative for your essays, improve its structure and refine its wording over multiple iterations.
ii. Letters of Recommendation
As part of the application process, candidates may face some indecision about who to approach for a Letter of Recommendation from the set of possible recommenders. Additionally, in most cases, recommenders either ask the candidate to draft the letter themselves or at least provide a few guiding points to highlight strengths/achievements. Through this unit, we have you covered on these fronts.
iii. Writing Samples / Policy Brief
As part of some applications, you may be required to submit a writing sample or policy brief, through which the committee assesses your prowess in analytical writing and academic English. The required length of the piece may vary between 4-20 pages. In this unit, we help you draft, format and refine this important document.
iv. Resumé / CV
It is essential for candidates to effectively condense, articulate and present their academic and professional experiences within 1-2 pages. Here, we also work with you to draft/refine the content of your CV in accordance with the expectations of each university, making adjustments to the format and enhancements to its aesthetics, if required.
v. Internal Scholarship Essays
Most universities acknowledge the financial burden borne by candidates to attain a master’s degree and offer (full or partial) financial aid - which may be based on a candidate’s merit or need. In this unit, we work with you to prepare your statements for such funding opportunities and to maximize your chances of getting funded by the university.
vi. External Scholarship Essays
These are essays submitted to philanthropic organizations and trusts that offer scholarships for master’s students. These essays differ only slightly from the essays we submit to universities and in most cases, only require minor tweaks. However, given the extremely competitive nature of the scholarship selection process and how a scholarship can drastically augment one’s student experience, most candidates prefer to leave no stone unturned and opt to use our support for these essays too.
Personalizing support-structures to keep you on task
2 units
i. Strategy and Timeline
Keeping track of multiple deadlines and constantly staying up to task while also catering to your ongoing work/study commitments can become incredibly daunting and consuming. Through this unit, we prepare a weekly timeline for your tasks which is tailored to suit your specific work routine and preferences. Additionally, we help you identify the difference in approach between applications to different programs/universities, which enables us to align your submissions with the divergent expectations of each admission committee.
ii. Hand-holding and Accountability
It is also common for candidates to encounter laxity, self-doubt or pessimism through the ups and downs of this journey. This unit entails establishing accountability, instilling confidence, addressing anxieties and regular follow-ups on progress - all of which are crucial to ascertain that you submit your best work.
Strategy & Hand-holding
Module 4
Ascertaining outcomes best-aligned with your goals
2 units
Post-Application Support
i. Preparation for Interviews
In this unit, we help you prepare for program and scholarship interviews by collating anticipated questions, preparing germane answers, suggesting credibility-building techniques, and conducting mock interviews, if required.
ii. Assessment of Admission Offers
Once a candidate hears back from universities, it is essential that they weigh their offers in terms of funding, goals-alignment, career prospects and other subjective factors. In this unit, we help you to assess your options, negotiate/appeal for higher financial aid and ensure you make a well-informed decision. Wherever possible, we also try to connect you with alumni from the universities or programs in consideration.
