How do I evaluate my chances of studying abroad?

Often people think that only particularly talented or rich students can get into a top university abroad. In fact, there are other criteria that help objectively assess your chances of studying at the cherished university.

1. Academic progress. Grades in the credit card or diary is not the most important selection criterion, but you cannot get into Oxford or Harvard with C's, so the better the grades, the better for you. Academic papers and conference attendance are also in this category.
2. Knowledge of foreign languages. The minimum required for admission to a program or scholarship – a B2-C1 level language of that country. Usually the required level is listed on the program or scholarship website. A language above that level is not likely to improve your chances, but knowing one or two other languages is.
3. Activism. If you were the leader of the group, participated in university or even city events, excelled in sports or arts, it can also help in admission. The main thing is to present their achievements correctly!
4. Volunteering. Perhaps the most interesting point. Volunteering – this is an opportunity to travel for free or for a small amount of money, make new and interesting acquaintances, learn about the culture of a new country, help those who really need it and, of course, increase your chances of getting accepted abroad!
5. International Experience. This category includes your international networking and travel abroad. Assess how well you get along with people of other nationalities and races, for universities with students from all over the world this is very important.
6. Professional experience. For some scholarships, work experience is a requirement. However, even if this item is not among the prerequisites, work experience in your field will make you a more attractive candidate.
7. Application documents. This includes a resume, motivation letter, and references. These documents – your face. No matter how outstanding your accomplishments are, if you can't present yourself properly, the result may not be what you expect. That's why it's a good idea to practice writing applications for conferences or volunteer programs before you apply. It's also advisable to consult with those who have already gone this route and give them a proofreading.
8. Financial opportunities. Even if you're counting on a full-coverage scholarship, it's worth remembering that scholarship applications often cost money. You also need to prepare and take a language test, and perhaps also translate and notarize some documents. Take it into account before you apply, but even if your finances are still a little tight, you can still make up for it by finding a part-time job or postponing your application for a year (just in case you can prepare better).

Now rank each category from 1 to 5, and you can objectively assess your chances of getting in, and see which categories you need to work on more.