12 91´óÉñ 2018
Choosing where to apply and which offers to accept can be a difficult and confusing process at times. Here is my experience of applying to universities, and what made me choose to accept a place at the University of Edinburgh Business School.
I still remember submitting applications to universities in the UK and waiting for a response. I received several offers before being admitted by my dream school—the University of Edinburgh. Studying abroad is not uncommon among Chinese students. Some of my friends had also applied to study abroad and began to share their offers on WeChat, a popular messaging app among Chinese people. I could feel their excitement and joy, but this, unexpectedly, made me nervous as I compared the offers they had received with my own offers. Sometimes a sense of depression would strike me on noticing that their universities were better ranked than some of the Universities I had applied to.
Reviewing my criteria and the importance of rankings
What was worse, was that for some time I had been making decisions about where to study based solely on the ranking of a university. I was busy preparing my application documents for different universities, some of which I did not even know much about, other than their position in a league table. As tired and uncertain as I was, I forced myself to do what I did not feel like doing.
Luckily, before continuing too far in this direction, I paused and took some time to reflect on my decision to study abroad. A certificate from a high-ranking university was important, I have to admit, but it was also crucial that I explore my interests deeply and satisfy the study-abroad experience I was looking for.
Learning to think independently
Such an experience showed me how torturous it can be to do things that do not really appeal to me. By thinking independently and reflecting on myself, however, I was able to choose the right path for me. The road to happiness is strewn with setbacks, but I learnt an important lesson—to take my time and do what feels right.
After an anxious wait, I finally received an offer from the University of Edinburgh. I was sitting in the library when I received the confirmation email and was so excited that I almost shouted out! I suddenly felt so confident in myself again. Yes, I can achieve an offer from an elite university, just as my friends did. I am better than I thought and should not have felt so much doubt.
Very quickly, I began to wonder what my life would be like in the coming year. The people I would meet, the city I would be living in, things I would be experiencing. I just could not wait to start my new life.
Having confidence in your decisions
If I had the opportunity to offer advice to prospective students who are choosing where to study as postgraduates, I would say take your time, and be confident in yourself and the decisions you are making. Firstly, I have to admit that the ranking of a university is important, whether it is abroad or in your home country. By looking at rankings you can get a rough sense of a university’s academic quality. It is definitely worth spending a year with talented students and faculty from all over the world in a high-ranking university.
Cultural experience
In addition, when Chinese companies are recruiting, they place a lot of value on the ranking of your university. And it will not only impact your offer of a place in the company, but also your salary. If you are considering entering the workplace directly after graduation, it would be wise to go for a high-ranking university. But again, keep in mind that they do not take ranking as the sole factor in their recruitment decisions. The location of a university is also important. It is true that the top priority here in UK is to study hard. It is also important to experience local life and culture. Staying in a beautiful city like Edinburgh will definitely make your overseas experience more colourful and memorable. For me, talking to local people and appreciating local customs are also important ways of acquiring knowledge.
Coming to Edinburgh is one of the best decisions I have made in my life (although I am still quite young!) Acquiring cutting edge knowledge is one thing, but for me it has been equally important to gain an international perspective, through communicating with people from various cultural backgrounds. I really appreciate the global setting in the university, which has helped me to become more open-minded.
If you are a person looking for cutting edge knowledge and the space to develop an international mindset, the University of Edinburgh would definitely be for you!
Hardy, MSc Marketing (2018)