Don't say you did not know (Requirement to study abroad)

 In my previous letter to you where I discussed some terms used in scholarships. I promise to share how you can apply to schools in the UK with your HND and OND for those who graduated from Polytechnic. I'm sorry because I will be sharing another topic with you.

I am still getting more information on the HND application, to give you a smooth application when you begin your application. But don't worry, "the food will be done very soon" lol!

So, I was discussing with a friend and he mentioned the recent graduate Nigerian students who are currently having their NYSC. He was like, "another generation is out to the labor market while another would be in a few months, and yet there's no JOB". Maybe a few of them have rich parents, Aunt, Uncle or Brother, or even a friend who would link them up or probably travel out for their master, but a large chunk of them have no one except God. 

I said to him, on the job, I may not be able to help but one thing I always tell my sisters is not to have the mindset of searching for a job after graduation but to have an entrepreneur kind of mindset.

This way, they can start thinking of creating something for themselves.

Although, today the rate of unemployment is getting reduced bit by bit with the booming of startups into our economy.

However, on the other one "travel abroad for a master, BSc or other degrees" I can assist with the right information.

So if you are a FINAL YEAR student or currently having your NYSC, here is a list of what you need to have your master abroad. Get this immediately after you graduate from school.

Once you have these, your dream to study abroad is 80% done.

• Transcript - This one ehn, is the most important document needed in your application. You need to request this immediately after you finish school and your final result is released. Meanwhile, I will advise you to keep the student copy of your result with you, this can be used in the interim when submitting your application.

• Reference Letter - This is another important document in your application. This will be written by your lecturers. You will need two reference letters. The two could be from your school/lecturers or one from your school and another from your professional workplace. If you have been fighting with all your lecturers, I think this is the time for you to reconcile with them if you want to study abroad.

• Certificate - You see this one? It is not that really important but then it is compulsory. Why I said it is not really important is that it won't be used to evaluate your academic performance when you submit your application. However, you still need to upload it.

• Mentor - Now for this, if you can have it fine, but if you cannot it is still fine. You can make your lecturer your mentor. Discuss with them about your dreams of studying abroad, and ask how they can assist you. Yea! I know Nigerian lecturers can be this and that, but we have a lot of them who are and will be willing to help when you talk to them. They will even help you throughout the application process. Also, you can make scholars your mentor. I mean the previous and current scholarships holder/winner. A better way to go!

Now, above are what you need from your school. Let us see other things you need which are a major part of your application.

• Statement of Purpose(SOP), Personal statement, motivational letter, Essay - The list is long. It is called a different name but it all means the same. This is another major document needed for your application. When writing this, you need to explain why you want to study your chosen course, its relationship with your undergraduate degree, and how it will help your future. You also need to state why you chose to study in the school and the country. 

• IELTS & TOEFL - Also called English Proficiency certificate. Most schools abroad always require this. However, the UK doesn't. A1 - C6 in WAEC is enough. If you are going to the USA, CANADA, or some other European or Asian countries, they may ask for it. This is depending on the school. Some schools will wave it. Some scholarships also require you to have a certificate. So I will advise you to do it when you can. UK schools would accept your WAEC/NECO and/or a Letter of English Proficiency from your school. This is applicable if you are going for Master/PhD. Some schools in Canada, the USA and Europe would wave it if your undergraduate studies was conducted in English. Besides some schools recognize Nigeria as an English speaking Country.

• GMAT & GRE - This is needed for people who want to study business, MBA. Some schools don't ask for this while some wave it. Most schools in the USA don't wave this while schools in the UK don't ask for this, except schools like Oxford, Cambridge, and others in this category.

• SAT - This is mostly required in the USA and CANADA for undergraduate studies. So you do not need this only if you want to go for another Undergraduate studies abroad.

• Time - See ehn, applying to school is one thing but applying for a scholarship is another thing entirely. You will need to commit enough time to it. You need time to search for your chosen school, course, and country. You need to dedicate time if you really want a scholarship.

• Money - In everything money is needed. If you aspire for a scholarship, you need money and if not you need more money. There are some schools who give scholarships, but yet you will need to pay an application fee for the course/programme you are going for. Not the scholarship oo. You don't pay to apply for a scholarship but you pay to apply for the course in SOME schools or Countries.

Once you have all these, you are good to go. I will advise if you plan to travel next year to start your applications now!

Till I write you again, Stay Safe.

Sammy.