How to write an interesting SOP that increases chances to get selected?
1) The personal statement as the name suggests is all about you. Information about you, your personality, your experiences that shaped you into the person you are today!
2) There are 4 general questions that have been asked in the section of personal statement - answer those and that's more than enough.
3) Try to divide your personal statement into 4 paragraphs.
1st paragraph can be an intro about you, your personality, and your educational background.
2nd paragraph can be about your current + past community work. Mention any award or ambassadorship you have (related to the community) in this paragraph.
3rd paragraph can be about your short-term and long-term goals (academic + life goals).
4th paragraph can be about your learning outcomes through this program and the reasons why you should be selected for this program.
4) Do not use quotations from famous people, books, movies, etc as they just waste space.
5) Word limits are hard word limits, any word over the word limit won't be seen by the selectors.
6) Amazing English doesn't make a personal statement as much interesting as an incredible story does. Try to create a story and don't worry about the language much.
Read this article to know about how to write a global UGRAD personal statement: https://globalugrad.wordpress.com/2019/09/14/how-to-write-a-global-ugrad-personal-statement/
When and how to apply? Students of which degree/discipline/major can apply? Can MBBS students apply?
The Global UGRAD applications open once every year. To apply you have to fill an online application form which will be available online on their website (https://usefp.org/). The application form asks for your educational background, achievements, community services, and a personal statement. That’s pretty much all that you need to apply for this program.
Students of all the disciplines can apply. There is no segregation regarding that. You may or may not lose a year or semester depending upon your university because of your exchange semester in the USA. You may freeze your semester, go for the exchange program, come back and resume your degree here.
People who are doing their undergraduate [sophomore (second) or junior (third) year] degree can apply to this program.
>> Can I apply if I have a 2 years Bachelor’s and 2 Years Master’s Degree Program? Am I eligible to apply if I am in the second year of 2 years’ Bachelors or first year of 2 years’ Master’s?
Yes, you can apply if you are in the 14th and 15th year of your formal education i.e. second year of Bachelor’s or first year of Master’s.
>> What is the selection criteria for UGRAD? How much GPA is required?
There is no GPA requirement neither any segregation with respect to your field of study. The student should not be in his first or last year of a degree at the time of application. So, in a 4 years degree program, you can apply if you are in the second or third year of your degree at the time of application. Following is the general eligibility criteria:
Pakistani citizens
25 years or younger
Currently enrolled in a college or university and committed to returning to their home universities following the completion of the program.
Strong leadership qualities and potential in their university and community activities
A serious interest in learning about the United States
High level of academic achievement, as indicated in grades, awards, and reference letters
Students from diverse backgrounds, especially those students who have not previously had opportunities to travel internationally are encouraged to apply
>> What are the documents we need to prepare before applying?
You just need your academic transcripts, a personal statement and scanned certificates of your extracurricular and co-curricular activities/achievements.
>> Why should I apply or go to this program?
There are so many benefits and they differ from person to person regarding their own experience in the United States. Some of the most prominent and common benefits include:
It is a fully-funded program. Your travel, stay, fees, food, monthly expenses, etc. are all covered. You will not have to spend a single penny from your pocket to go on this exchange program.
You will study a full semester and get to see the American education system. You can choose your favorite subjects taught by great professors in the universities.
You will get to travel abroad and be able to observe and live in a much-developed country having one of the best multi-cultural environments in their universities. There will be so much automatic learning which will help you throughout your life.
You will be much prepared to continue your studies abroad, later in your life.
There will be an amazing boost in your personality and confidence and that’s gonna help you in your coming years.
You will get to see wonderful places and enjoy the company of great people. You will make amazing friends not only from Pakistan but from all over the world.
>> Do I have to freeze my semester to go to this program?
Yes, you will have to freeze your semester to go to this program.
>> Will I be able to transfer my credit hours from USA university to my Pakistani university?
You might or you might not be able to. In my case, I was able to transfer my credit hours saving my semester. But it totally depends upon your university policy. So, ask your university to get better information.
>> What is the GPA requirements for this program?
While there is no GPA requirement to apply for this program, the general understanding is to have a GPA above 2.5 to compete against other outstanding students in the pool.
>> I am in the 4th semester. Do I have to just submit the DMC of just the 3rd semester or all three semesters?
You need to submit the DMC or transcript of the previous three semesters and not just the 3rd semester.
>> What happens after application submission?
After submitting your application, you will be contacted via call and Email for your interview appointment (after almost three months of your application submission). After the interview, you will get a selection email & call after almost one month.
Applications will be reviewed in four stages:
Round 1: All applications will be screened by USEFP staff for completeness and minimum qualifications.
Round 2: Complete applications that meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated according to a set of established criteria and shortlisted.
Round 3: In-person interviews of short-listed applicants will take place in Islamabad. The interview panels are made up of both U.S. and Pakistani citizens.
Round 4: Final candidates and alternates will be selected. Applicants who have become finalists or alternates will be notified by telephone. Those who have not will be notified by mail.
Final approval is given by the higher authorities in the U.S.
I have previously gone on a student exchange program?
Applicants who have previously been on another exchange program in the past two years are not eligible to apply for this program. Students with no prior foreign experience are preferred.
>> Should I send my original documents with my application form?
No original documents (hard copies) are required to be mailed to USEFP for the application review process but all your documents will need to be scanned and uploaded to the online application by the deadline. Make sure that the scanned documents are attested/verified by your university before you upload them.
>> I have no community work. Can I apply?
While community work strengthens your application, it is not compulsory to apply for this program.
I have tried to answer every question I got in the comments. Let me know if I missed any.
Goodluck with your application
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