#10 - Where to Actually Begin Your International Postgraduate Application Journey

[Music] Do you want to become a researcher in your field? Are you doing this for global job opportunities and you just want to penetrate the market easily via the student route? And you need to be clear on that why? Because this why kind of determines everything. Determines your choice of program, your choice of universities. It helps you answer the question of whether or not you even need a push-guided degree. And if you do what type of push-guided degree do you need? There is MSC taught, there is MSC research, there is the PhD, there is M-FU, like there are different type of push-guided degree. And most of the time people just go for master of science taught. Probably maybe that's not what they need. Hello everyone. Thanks for tuning into another episode of "Dedirea of Becoming with HOR" where I share actiony with tips to help you to achieve an academic excellence, career clarity and the IS level of personal development. Today I will be addressing one of the questions I get most from final yesterday's and recent graduate. And I attended a speaking engagement recently where I was a speaker and someone asked the same question again. So I thought why not address it? And that question is how do I begin my push-guided degree? I know I want to do my masters or PhD and I want to do it outside of Nigeria. I want to do it abroad. But I don't know where to actually begin this journey. I am confused. This has to be one of the phrases that I've had the most in my life. And since we are at that period when new application windows start opening up, I thought why not record an episode to break down that supposedly daunting process for you guys. So at the end of this episode you know exactly what to do next or the first thing you need to do if you haven't done anything yet. For the purpose of this episode I will be focusing majority on just admissions and I will create a whole different episode about scholarship because for most scholarships you will still need to apply for admission. You need the admission letter to submit for your scholarship application not for all scholarships for majority of scholarships. So I thought this comes first in the process. So if you do not have admission into its school, there's nothing for them to sponsor. So I thought to address this first before talking about scholarships. And for the scholarship episode I need to invite someone else as well to talk on this topic together. But yeah, let's get right into this particular episode. Now there are a lot of steps involved in international presgraded application which makes it an overwhelming endeavor a bit rewarding. But there is a preliminary step although it will be a bit time consuming. But if you get it right, if you get that first step right, the rest of the application journey will be smooth. And that step is the research phase. And I call this the clarity step in my own way. I call it the clarity step. However, this is the stage where a lot of people give up or just look for an agent to pay because it can be so confusing. There are too many information out there. You do not even know what to do with it. The problem is not lack of information. The problem is there are so many information out there that you don't even know which direction to go. There is also the fear of making the wrong choice or even consuming the wrong information and acting on that wrong information. So it's like a scary face, but it's very crucial. I think I spent my own NYSEA on the stage. I really took my time with it. That really made all the difference. And this is not to say you need your own year to do this. But the earlier you start, the more time you give yourself to take your time to do it without so many pressure, the better for you. And yeah, that's the first tip. Start as early as possible. If you want to apply, if you want to resume September 2025, this is the best time for you to start your application. Take it one step at a time. Don't wait until it mones to deadline. Before you start deciding what school you want to choose, what program you want to go for. It just brings a lot of pressure. Eventually you might sign up for something that ordinarily you would not want to or you might make the mistake of even going to the wrong school or the wrong program. So as the best tip is to start as early as possible. And this is the right time to start the application process. And so what I want is to help you break down the old process. That first step, that research phase, which can be so confusing for a lot of people, I'll break it down into different sub steps that you can take to start to get that preliminary phase, to get it right. And the first thing I would say is understanding your why. Why do you want to pursue a master's degree? The key is to be as honest as possible with yourself because this why kind of defines every other thing that you do. Do you want to become a researcher in your field? Do you want to become a scholar? Are you doing this for global job opportunities? And you just want to penetrate the market easily. That is student route. Do you just love learning? And you want to become one of the top scholars in your field. And you just want to learn more about your field, especially from a global perspective. Do you want to just leave your country or origin and travel abroad? Are you switching careers? So you need to understand, you need to be clear on that why. And because this why kind of determines everything. This is the stage where you have a clarity session with yourself or with a trusted friend and held up, brother or sister, or preferably a mentor, or even sit down with yourself and write down your why. So that you can visualize it. Because your why, like I said, determines everything. Determines your choice of program, your choice of university. It helps you answer the question of whether or not you even need a post-graded degree. And if you do what type of post-graded degree do you need? There is MSC taught, there is MSC research, there is the PhD, there is MFU, like there are different type of post-graded degree. So you need to understand why to know which post-graded study is actually right for you. Or maybe it's even an MBA you need, not a master of science. Or even choosing between an MSC or a PhD. Because if you want to become, for example, a researcher, it's better for you to just start your PhD straight away. Instead of going through the master's routes, then go for your PhD. Also need to, when you understand your why, it's when you're in friends who are kind of modules, you take when you eventually resume. Because there are different modules you can take within a program. So that will also influence you. Don't just go there and flex and pick whatever you like or whatever fuse are peeling to you. When you have an end-go in mind, you know which to tell you. One module you need to take in order to achieve that goal. I'm going to share my own story later in the episode. But yeah, understanding that why is a very crucial step. Spend the time. Take your time. Sit down with yourself. Maybe you said nest on the sun. I'm going to sit down with myself from money until I write down my why. I'm not standing up from my table. You need to give yourself that challenge. And when you eventually write it down, tell yourself, I'm going to discuss this with my friend or with my editor brother or with my elder sister or with my mentor by this social deadline and talk to them. Another thing is you can talk to a mentor. You can sign up on it for them. I'm going to talk more about it for the later in the episode. So you can try to get a mentor that you can talk to. You can even reach out to somebody on LinkedIn. That is in your field and tell them you need just a minute of their time to get clarity on some things. You just need somebody to help you get better clarity on what you want to do. So that clarity phase is very, very crucial. You cannot afford to get it wrong. Now let's bring it on by talking about the different possible whites that are not really your why might not be included. Yeah, but I think generally everyone's why we're falling to these various categories. And how that influences your decision. So if your goal is to become a researcher recently, I concluded my first S.O.P. Masterclass, which I've been getting amazing feedback. And that Masterclass is coming back next month. I'm trying to perfect some things. So you might be on the watch out for that. I will definitely announce when I start taking application for that S.O.P. Masterclass. One of my participants was Ulua Dara. She wants to be a researcher in the bow research space, taking a bow cancer, all of those things. And now, instead of applying for a Master's degree, she's going for a PhD directly because she understands our why. Our why is to become a researcher, to become a scholar in that field. So for that, she knows exactly what she has to do. She does not need a Master's degree. So the right choice for why is to go for a PhD. So if just somebody that you want to become a researcher, you already know that the best thing for you to do is to go for a PhD, not a Master's degree. Because at the end of the day, what you want to be is a researcher. If you go for a Master's degree, you still be attending classes rather than doing research. And you will pick universities that are very renowned in research in that area of specialization. So when you are doing your school research, you'll be researching based on their research repetition, their research ranking. How are they ranked when it comes to research in that field? Then do they have faculties in their departments, in that particular university that are interested in your area of research? Do they have staffs? Do they have a research lab in your area of specialization or a research lab where you can still conduct this kind of research that you want to do? So those are the kind of things you keep in mind, when you are doing your research. But without that clarity of what you really want, you might end up picking a university that does not align with what you want to become after your study. So that's that only if you want to be every such a, if you want, if you are going Hanna gara o'erbira. Y'all want to be a psychological type of thing. And when I regained, I took modules that are very specific to this kind of job I'm looking for. I took modules in public economics. Because I know I want to apply for your role in public administration. So the point is if you're coming here for job, that job that you want to get at the end of your studies. Go to platforms like Indeed, like Glassdoor, all of those things, research that particular job, brew, see what is required. What kind of degree are they looking for? What else are they looking for? So when you know that, you know that you need to look, take a master's degree or something in that field. Maybe some of them even require a PhD. So you know that it's PhD you need to do, not a master's degree. If they are requesting for a particular work experience, as soon as you resume, you start looking for ways to get that work experience. If there's something you can get, why you're still studying. You start looking for ways to get that work experience. So for this one, I think people miss out on this important step. You know that you're coming here for job opportunities. Go on platforms like Indeed, like I mentioned, search that job, brew, see what is required. And that should influence the kind of master's degree you take. The kind of university you apply for. There are some universities that are not very well recognized. You don't want to go to those kind of universities when you're applying. So pick yourself group universities. Not just not to say non-recept group universities are not good. They are, but there are some universities that don't want to mention name yet that are not very reputable. You don't want to go to those kind of schools because it will end your employee ability. So do the reverse psychology. Know what is required for that job. And that should influence what kind of program you do. What kind of course you do. What kind of modules you take when you resume. And what kind of university you even attend. So that's that if you are coming here for job opportunity. If why your ear is to become like a scholar in your field, then you know that you want to go to top schools. If you're doing your research, you want to search top five universities in your discipline. Top five universities that are offering the kind of program that you want. And what kind of scholar do you want to become. Do you want to become a specialist in education policy. Do you want to become a specialist in education technology. That way, influence the kind of program that you do in education. It will influence the kind of university you want to go to. If you want to become a top scholar, then you have to take modules that are very, very advanced for that area that you want to be a specialist in. So you also know whether you need a PhD or you need a master's degree. So you know, become a scholar maybe when you get here, you want to start by working as a policy consultant in that area. For that kind of rule, do you need a master's degree or a PhD degree. So that way, influence what you eventually do. And so you want to start your research by looking for top five universities in this discipline. Because those will be like your selling point when you start applying for opportunities. In that area, where you start looking for opportunities in that area. Do you want to just change location. If you're just looking to change your location, you're not, you know, you just want to live in Nigeria. You just want to leave Ghana or you just want to leave America. Wherever your origin is, you just want to go somewhere else. So your main aim is to leave your country. And some people actually fall into this category, but they are not always honest with themselves. You're ready to take anything that comes your way. For this kind of people, I'm not judging anyone. It's cool if that's what you want to do. I just want to take advantage of the student route. So what you're trying to tell me is I just want to leave your location. You are not, you don't really care what you do eventually. If that's the case, then you want to look at your CV, look at the things that you've done your experience. Given this experience, what program can you apply for that this experience is will give you a competitive edge of getting that program. That should be how you do your own research. Look at your CV. Okay, I've worked my entire life in finance. A lot of people in finance would give you a competitive edge, a competitive advantage of you, even getting the admission and probably scholarship. Do you have a bachelor's degree in economics? Then it might be easier for you to just apply for a master's degree in economics. So for you, I think looking for the easy way out, might be the best option for you. But at the end of the day, I don't advise anyone to just pack their bag and say, I just want to leave my location, not knowing what to expect at the other side. Without proper planning, I don't think it's the best thing to do. But if that is what you want to do to be honest, that's what you want to do. It's okay. You can just look at your experience, your academic experience, so far all of this and see what program you can apply for. So that's that. If you are switching career, maybe you were in sciences before, but now you want to shift into social sciences or you want to shift into finance or anything. Then what you want to do is to look for that career, that new career adventure that you want to go into. And what is required of you? What kind of knowledge do you need? Now, which program will give you that knowledge? Say you have your bachelor's degree in civil engineering. And now you want to shift into finance. You might want to look at what role I want to start with financial analysis or I want to go into investment banking for this kind of to get into this kind of rule. What knowledge is required of me? And what program will give me this kind of knowledge? So you have to first, you can start with also looking at job description. See what kind of knowledge they need. What kind of program or educational background they are asking for? And then look for a degree in master's degree for career. For career change, not PhD. A master's taught degree in a program that will give you all the snowlake that you need to function in this new career adventure. So that would be my advice if you're trying to switch career. What does the new career adventure require? What program will give you that required knowledge? And now you see how your why influences everything. So gaining that clarity is the first step and the most important step. And as I said earlier, you have to be as honest as possible with yourself. Meanwhile, if you gain value from this so far and we love to support me and help the community grow, then click that follow button. Share this episode on your showshows and tag me and more importantly, read the show a 5-star. It really helps with this Spotify algorithm. It helps the community grow. And especially now, I'll start bringing in guests to talk to you guys. So they need to see that I have the right audience. They need to see that people are actually listening to these partners. And you know, to determine that their time will be worth it. So please, please, please support this community and God bless you as you do so. Thank you. So now, I will assume that you've taken some time off to get that clarity. I mean, in genuine clarity session, like I mentioned earlier, I recommend that getting a whole day and starting early in the morning where your brain is too fresh as much as possible. We'll be trying to avoid social media so that you can really speak from your heart, from your mind, rather than being influenced by what you're seeing on social media and all of that. So I have that clear clarity session. And I also share something that can help during this phase somewhere else in the episode. So stay tuned. So for each why I've already mentioned the specific university research and program research questions to ask yourself. And that brings me to the next point choosing your university of choice. So I got an amazing, presguided application meant the last month. And of course, we had a clarity session and I give us some research assignment. And she came back the next week with list of about three schools and two scholarships that we believe she meets the eligibility criteria. Then she said, I have just this five. I think I should do more research before we start. No, you do not need more research to start once you found something that takes all your boxes. Don't waste your time. Like don't waste your time, drowning in the pool of information you find on Google. Of course, they're always more university. So you definitely miss out on something like the body does not make your choice any less important or any less valid. You always miss out on something. If I go to Oxford, I've missed out on going to LSE. So you have to get to Valarfea of missing out. So as soon as you find the schools, you've set it good for yourself that you're looking for five schools that you're eligible for. As soon as you find those five schools, during your first few searches, just focus on that. Do you start thinking, I think I need to do more to see if they are the option. There will definitely be other options, but it does not mean that they are better than the one you already have. So when you are in that research phase of choosing your university, go on Google with this simple goal in mind. I just need five schools that offer my program of choice based on your wife. And once you have those five schools, those are such results. Go to this specific university website and get a detailed list of the requirement and the eligibility criteria for those five schools. If you meet the requirement, your research is done. Your research is done. You don't need to do more. Like I said, fear of missing out is a thing that will push you to procrastinate on your application. You don't need more information. You just need to take action. That's one thing that you need. You need to take action. And one important tip, like time I mentioned, Senna giroñ 在之前 etztually be recheٹ nd you don't need more information as soon as you get what you need and you don't even need more than 5 school applications. There is no award for what I applied for 15 before I got one. If you can apply for 3 and you submit a quality application and you get those 3 is better for you than wasting your time and energy and mental strength. But one important tip I also have to give is don't trust your brain when you are in this research phase. Don't trust your brain. This is the first thing I did. My one-on-one first guided application meant whatever research asked you to do. Whatever tip I give you during the session please note them down. Write them down somewhere not just anywhere. Either you create an Excel workbook with a column for investing name, application dates, eligibility criteria, entry requirements and any other column you need. Or you get a dedicated notebook if you are old school like me. During my research phase I got a notebook where I wrote down everything about a school. So if you are old school like me get a dedicated notebook. Not just maybe you are to do list of notebooks because no no no. Get a dedicated notebook to write everything that you find out during your research. And because some of you waste time by doing the same research a million times because you do not keep proper record of the things that you've you know that you found out during the previous research. Your brain is meant for generating ideas not for storing information. So I definitely do not recommend you to trust your brain. Write down everything. Every single thing. Make sure you write it down. Meanwhile once you have all the information on the documents that you need to submit you know the entry requirements of those things that's when the real work actually starts. That's the real that's when the real work that separates the boys from the main actually start starts and that is taking action. You know now what you need to submit an application are you willing to start taking action. Apply for your transcript and certificates. Get an English language proficiency certification from your school that state that you were taught and assessed in English. I mean from your undergraduate university. Some schools require you to take all these English tests like I ought to do muskows and now accepting you know your English language proficiency certificates from your undergraduate university. Some top schools that was to insist that you get an English language test like I ought to do full all of those things. I got my I ought to certificate before I even started my application. I thought it was a standard requirement and it really helps me because when I was submitting my application that was not scheduled. Okay. What if the actual I ought to state of it. You don't accept my English language proficiency certificate. I had all my documents ready before I even started submitting any application. Everything was ready. So and for that I ought to attend tutorial for two months and that is the beauty of starting early. So I added I took my time with everything I attended to do it for two months. I took my test and I passed. So yeah. Some schools might require I ought to question is how you willing to start working on taking that exam. You know if you need to save up you you save up to take that test. If you need to attend tutorials you know that okay you start working on which tutorial you want to attend. So start early and start taking action. Some universities depending on your program also require test scores like GRE, GMAT. This one is especially for like MBA applicants but there's also some schools like Oxford and LSEDA to apply for their programs in like economics and all of that. You still need to submit a GRE. But yeah if you don't know what they need you never know what to prepare for. So some schools require those kind of tests and you need to start working on it. If you need to take it really for GRE you might I will definitely not recommend starting at least so that you can take your time to prepare for it. It is a very tricky exam. So start early so that you can take your time to prepare for it. Create a study system. You could be something as simple as 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Saturday or every Sunday if you are the kind that you have a 9 to 5 job and you can't commit to like studying every day. You may just create a system around it. When you do head to 12 every Saturday or Sunday and you still have like 9 months before you submit your application. You can start do that for about 3 months and take your exam and you'll be fine. So try as much as possible to start early. Start the research early and start taking action early. Optimize your academic CV. Start writing your SOP small small. Like time you write online today you write online tomorrow by the application deadline. You already have something good to submit and you can even pay to get your SOP reviewed. You can pay for my class. I have people that paid for that class that they are actually applying for next year 2025 admission like those that will resume next year 2025. But now they have an SOP and once admission hoping they can start like submitting up the application is up. So you can pay for a class and it does not have to be my class any other class that you find that you know choose your fancy before a class. Try to invest in your presguided application journey. You guys you like three things to watch you just want to take three three things for three things. You shouldn't be like that when you need to pay for something. Pay for it so that you can get the best. There is only so little you can get from three things. Pay for it. I'm not saying people don't do three things and get scared through it. But that's for minority. For some of you that you don't really have the time and not of that said and on YouTube for this. It might be tough for you to pay for you pay somebody to review your CV or pay for your master class on how to write your SOP's where they've contest everything for you and bring it to you in a very related one they give you personalized advice. So yeah action action action action and once you have what is ready submitting an application would take you less than four hours like the opposite of actually submitting an application is very simple and straightforward once you once you have what you're documents you just you know start an application or you need to read the necessary documents you spoke into your referee another thing is you need recommendation letter so when you start early you can start if you are the kind that you know have a good relationship with your lecturer you can start building a relationship with them you're sending them up in your month messages all of that so that eventually when you ask them for a recommendation and you need to ask them early as well because they are busy people and want just them like three months in advance they start you know having you in mind and one day hopefully we need those three months they would help you write that recommendation letter so yeah to submit the actual application like I was saying earlier in my take you later and four hours and four hours is even too much maybe your files are too big or small something you need to reduce it I might be the only that might be the main thing that causes the delay body actual application is just filling in the blank or putting documents and you don't even take your hour if everything works fine so it's that simple and easy but without spending those months in advance to do that research and you know start acting on your research out to start working on your document that the patient process will look like you'll be like about a bracket that brought to you but once you have this document ready and you've done that earlier you know clarity and all of that you are good to go now understand that you might still need some guidance along the way and you might not have people around you who have been through the process not to worry you can sign up on it for them it appears to be a mentorship platform that we are building where you have people who have been through the or applications process and are willing to have like 30 minutes for five minutes session with you to answer your questions and offer guidance so there's a sign up link in the show notes so go there create an account and book a session with our mentors our amazing amazing mentors so but wait wait wait wait wait before you go to that link before you run you way I'm sure you gain value from this episode and all I'm asking is that you follow you read the show a five star you share with your network so that more people can discover this podcast remember to share your reviews with me or LinkedIn and Instagram all links in the show note and I will see you in the next episode.