When drawing up this annual plan, we must take into account such factors as the deadlines for submitting documents to educational institutions (taking into account the specific educational program) and the speed of work of the visa department of a particular country. An equally important aspect is the possibility of receiving a scholarship.
January
In January, those schoolchildren whose parents took care of this in advance go on winter holiday language programs. In the same month, enrollment takes place in secondary schools for the first (September) semester. In most cases, these are international schools (International School), the main difference of which from other private boarding schools is the national composition of students (in international schools the percentage of foreign students can reach 50, while in traditional schools their number does not exceed 10), as well as their position in national rankings.
Attention: in January the deadline for submitting applications for study at French universities ends.
All those wishing to study in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and applying for the Huygens scholarship must send documents to the chosen university before February 1.
In January-February, primary interviews are held at the British Council for the British Chevening Scholarship Programme.
Also in January, it is possible to enroll in those Australian academic educational programs that begin in July.
February
In this month, it is still possible to enroll in UK universities and a number of Canadian universities.
Despite the fact that German universities declare the acceptance of applications for the winter semester from foreign students until summer, those planning to start studying in Germany should send the necessary documents in February-March.
Also in February, the first responses about student enrollment begin to arrive from business schools and universities.
At the French Cultural Center, those who submitted applications to French universities take a test of knowledge of the corresponding language, and at the British Council, candidates for the British Chevening Scholarship take the IELTS language test.
During the winter student holidays, some have the opportunity to add to their linguistic knowledge, taking advantage of off-season discounts in Europe.
Parents must approach February no less responsibly than students. Perhaps it is time for them to get used to the idea that a child's summer trip must be prepared in winter, just as Western parents do. And the reasons here are quite compelling. Firstly, in prestigious schools and summer camps in high demand, for example the British Association of Boarding Schools (BABSSCo) or Canadian sports camps, booking of places ends mainly in February. Secondly, there is such a compelling reason as the depreciation of the dollar against the euro. If parents pay for summer courses now, then due to the exchange rate difference it will cost them less than immediately before they start.
March
In March, it is best to choose and book a summer language program both with a family stay and in a residence – for the reason that language centers are not yet so loaded with work. Therefore, the family will be selected more carefully, and in the case of living in a residence, when the brochure indicates "accommodation in two-, four- or six-bed rooms", you will get a twin room. Moreover, in March, the consular and visa departments of embassies are not yet as overwhelmed with work as in summer, which is important in terms of saving time and nerves.
In March, those planning to enter business schools should take the TOEFL and GMAT tests in advance, so that if the result is poor, there is time to retake them.
As for scholarships, March 1 is the last day for accepting applications for scholarships at Canadian universities. By the way, a few words about Canadian scholarships. As with all others, you should not delay submitting your application until the last minute. The later the entire procedure related to enrolling in a university and applying for a scholarship takes place, the less chance you have of receiving it.
Also in March, the final stage of the British Chevening Scholarship takes place.
April
In mid-April, as a rule, booking of places for summer programs taking place in Canada, Ireland and Spain in July ends. This is due to the necessary formalities for obtaining a visa and the duration of visa procedures.
Particularly intensive preparation for the TOEFL and GMAT begins for those entering MBA programs and intending to take these exams in August. Potential MBA students must also finish draft versions of their essays (letter of intent) and recommendation letters.
It is also time for students who have decided to go to Scandinavian universities for the next academic year to prepare documents. In April, it is necessary to send documents to universities or to those preparatory programs in New Zealand where classes begin twice a year - in July and February.
May
May is a month extremely rich in holidays, which are also celebrated in many embassies. Therefore, if departure for a language program is planned for June, complete everything in April to avoid unpleasant disruptions.
In May, it is still possible to submit applications through UCAS to UK universities for specialties that did not receive enough students from the main intake.
In April-May, Western universities send out confirmations of enrollment in large numbers. If documents were submitted to a number of universities, then it is necessary to choose one, and send polite refusals to the rest.
June-July
In June, those parents whose plans for their children's summer holidays have radically changed for one reason or another enroll them in August language programs.
June is the final stage for receiving the Dutch Huygens scholarship.
In June-July, students who have received confirmation of enrollment from a university submit application forms for a visa.
At the end of July, enrollment ends for preparatory programs (Foundation programmes) for those wishing to undergo preliminary training before entering a foreign university. This is especially relevant for applicants who have failed to gain admission to a domestic university, have the means to study abroad, and do not want to lose an academic year. As an alternative, one can choose to study at a college. After graduation, depending on the program of study and specialty, there is the opportunity to transfer to the second or third year of a university. In some cases, such a scheme of study is very economical.
Despite the fact that the academic year in the Southern Hemisphere begins in February, based on the visa situation, it is best to send documents to higher education institutions in Australia again in July.
August
You can decide which business school suits you and which you suit regardless of the month of the year, but, as practice shows, all preparation for admission to leading rated MBA schools usually takes at least a year. It is in August that you need to complete the preparation of documents for an MBA.
In August-September (before October 1), documents are collected and submitted for the British Chevening Scholarship.
September
This month, children are enrolled in prestigious secondary schools for the next academic year. I would like to emphasize that schools ranked in the first division cannot be entered casually, and parents must decide on the intended institution for their child's education at least one and a half to two years in advance. After that, the child must be systematically prepared for studying in a foreign language and in other sociocultural conditions. In many prestigious schools, parents enroll their children from birth to guarantee a place.
In September, applications are submitted for MBA programs at top business schools. And those planning to study at a foreign university should finalize their choice of country, institution, and specialty, based on their intentions, ambitions, abilities, and expected costs.
Enrollment in universities in the Netherlands and Scandinavian countries for the next academic year also takes place in September.
October
This is a month of very intense work, because active preparation of documents begins for admission in the next academic year to higher education institutions in the UK and Canada. All draft outlines of resumes, essays, and references from teachers must take on the clear shape of finished documents.
Until October 31, applications are accepted for the competition for the American E. Muskie scholarship.
November
Given the upcoming Christmas holidays, during which embassies are closed, it is best this month to decide on plans for departing to winter language camps and make reservations.
In November-December, prepared documents are sent out to the selected universities.
In November, students intending to begin studies at universities in New Zealand in February can also send their documents.
December
In the first week of December, it is not too late to book a New Year's language course in the UK.
It should be noted that recently the Embassy of the United Kingdom considers visa documents only with the original invitation, so the processing time has increased from one to two weeks, and the last week of the month the embassy will be celebrating Christmas.
Also in December, enrollment of applicants to universities in the Canadian province of Quebec for the next academic year ends.
On December 31, those who have planned everything correctly greet the New Year with a peaceful soul. And the calendar wheel continues to turn, welcoming representatives of future generations... Well, or those who did not prepare their documents on time.
Andrei SHUISKY,
specialist at the TsMK "PARTA"