When drawing up this annual schedule, we took into account factors such as deadlines for submitting documents to educational institutions, taking into account the specific educational program, and the speed of the visa department of a particular country. Another important aspect is the possibility of obtaining a scholarship.
JANUARY
In January, those schoolchildren whose parents took care of it in advance go on winter vacation language programs. In the same month, enrollment in secondary schools for the first (September) semester takes place. These are mainly international schools, 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 positions in national rankings.
In January, the deadline for submitting applications to French universities ends.
Before February 1, everyone wishing to study in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and applying for the Huygens scholarship must send documents to the selected university.
In January–February, initial interviews are held at the British Council for the British Chevening Scholarship Programme.
In January, it is still not too late to enroll in Australian academic programs that start in July.
FEBRUARY
In this month, it is still not too late to enroll in universities in the UK and a number of Canadian universities, as well as to go on student holidays to replenish your linguistic knowledge, taking advantage of off-season discounts. Despite the fact that German universities declare the acceptance of applications for the winter semester from foreign students until the summer, those planning to start studying at German universities should send the necessary documents in February-March.
The first responses about student enrollment begin to arrive from business schools and universities. At the French Cultural Center, those who have applied to French universities take a French language test, and at the British Council, applicants for the British Chevening Scholarship take the IELTS language test.
Parents should take February no less seriously than students. Probably, it is time for them to get used to the idea that their child's summer trip needs to be prepared in winter, just like Western parents. And the reasons are very compelling. Firstly, in prestigious schools and summer camps of high demand, for example, the British association of boarding schools BABSco or Canadian sports camps, booking places ends mainly in February. And secondly, there is such a compelling reason as the depreciation of the dollar with an increase in the exchange rate of the national currency. If parents pay for summer courses in February, due to the exchange rate difference, it will cost them less than just before the start of the summer courses.
MARCH
In March, it is best to choose and book a summer language program, both with homestay and residence, because language centers are not yet so busy. Therefore, the host family will be more carefully selected, and in the case of residence, when the brochure states 'accommodation in two-, four-, or six-bed rooms', you will get a place in a twin room rather than a six-bed. In the case of late booking of a summer course, families and places in residences are distributed on a 'first available' basis. Hence - dissatisfaction with living conditions, requests to change family or even study center. Also in March, consular 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 preliminarily so that in case of a poor result, there is time to retake them later.
As for scholarships, March 1 is the last day for accepting applications for scholarships at Canadian universities, and in March the final stage of the British Chevening Scholarship takes place. A few words about Canadian scholarships. As with all other scholarships, you should not delay until the last minute with submitting applications. The later the entire procedure related to enrollment in a university and applying for a scholarship takes place, the less chance you have of receiving it.
APRIL
In mid-April, as a rule, booking of places (if available) 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.
Especially intensive preparation begins for taking the TOEFL and GMAT for those applying to MBA programs and intending to take these exams in August. Potential MBA program students should also finish draft versions of essays and references.
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 preparatory programs in New Zealand for those programs where classes start twice a year - in July and February.
MAY
May in our country is a month extremely rich in holidays, which are also celebrated in many embassies. Therefore, if the departure for a language program is scheduled for June, to avoid unpleasant disruptions, do everything in April.
In May, it is still possible to submit applications via UCAS to UK universities for specialties that did not receive enough students in the main intake. In April-May, Western universities send out confirmations of enrollment in large numbers.
If you submitted documents to several universities, you need to choose one and send polite refusals to the others.
JUNE-JULY
In June, those parents whose plans for their children's summer vacation have radically changed for one reason or another enroll them in August language programs.
June is the final stage of receiving the Dutch Huygens scholarship.
In June-July, students who have received confirmation of enrollment from the university submit application forms for a visa.
At the end of July, enrollment in Foundation programmes ends for those wishing to undergo preliminary preparation before entering foreign universities. This is especially relevant for applicants who have failed to enter a domestic university, have the means to study abroad, and do not want to lose an academic year. As an alternative, one can choose a college. After graduation, it is possible, depending on the program and specialty, to transfer to the second or third year of university. In some cases, this scheme saves money.
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
Deciding which business school suits you and which you suit can be done regardless of the month, but all preparation for admission to leading rated MBA schools, as practice shows, usually takes at least a year. It is in August that you need to complete the collection 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 in the top division by ranking are not easy to get into, and parents should decide on the prospective school 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 sociocultural conditions different from domestic ones. In many prestigious schools, parents register their children from birth to guarantee a place.
In September, applications for MBA programs at top business schools are submitted. And for those planning to go to a foreign university, it is advisable to finalize the choice of country, university, and specialty based on their intentions, ambitions, abilities, and estimated 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 intensive work, as active preparation of documents for admission in the next academic year to foreign higher education institutions in the UK and Canada begins. All rough drafts of resumes, essays (letters of intent), and references from teachers should take on the clear outlines of finished documents.
Until October 31, applications for the E. Muskie American scholarship competition are accepted.
NOVEMBER
Given the upcoming Christmas holidays, during which embassies are closed, it is best to decide on plans for departure to winter language camps and make reservations in November.
In November-December, prepared documents are sent to selected universities.
In November, students intending to study at universities in New Zealand from February can also send their documents.
DECEMBER
In the first week of December, it is still not too late to book a New Year language course in the UK. It must be taken into account that recently the UK embassy only considers visa documents if the original invitation is provided, so the processing time has increased from one to two weeks, and the embassy will be celebrating Christmas in the last week of the month.
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 calm mind. And the calendar wheel continues to turn, meeting representatives of future generations... Well, or those who were late in preparing documents on time.
Andrei SHUISKY,
Parta.org