This year, amid intense competition leading to numerous deferrals and rejections, University Connection (UC) stands out with a remarkable achievement: securing a total of 150k USD in early scholarship offers.
And here, you’ve got your transcripts polished, aced those standardized tests, and drafted an essay that rivals Shakespeare. But hold on, you are actually missing the pièce de résistance! On the exciting rollercoaster ride of the college application process, are you wondering how to make your application stand out for scholarships and acceptance?
Spoiler alert: It might just be those amazing internships!
Statistically, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), a whopping 91% of employers prefer to hire candidates with work experience. Imagine you, equipped with a killer internship with big names like SPROS, Maker’s Asylum Enterns, UNGCNI internship, and many more UC partners, waltzing into that college interview as if you own it. Confidence level: through the roof! Just like what happened with our students Stuti Bhattacharya, who received offers from UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, and Penn State, and Kriti Gunakesharan, who received multiple offers from the University of Lancaster, University of Bristol, University of Exeter, University of Edinburgh, Ashoka University, and KREA. And that’s just to name a few. But hold on, there’s more!
Charushilla, Founder Director & Key Mentor at University Connection and an advocate for strength-focussed profile-building for students adds, “A couple of years back, Internships for high-school students were unheard of. Today, the reason they have become important within the application-admission-assessment journey is that it’s real-world exploration that students need before they commit to their higher education. Moreover, it’s the best way to apply yourself and self-assess the skills you may need to become a biotechnologist, designer, architect, psychologist, or more.”
The Princeton Review reports that a survey of top-ranked colleges revealed that “demonstrated interest” in a field through internships is a significant factor in the admissions process. So, not only are you gaining hands-on experience, but you’re also showing colleges that you’re not just here for the degree – you’re here for the experience.
Wondering about the significance of internships? Internships go beyond mere coffee runs and photocopying; they allow you to dip your toes into the real-world experience. It’s not just reading about marketing strategies; it’s crafting them for a company. The advantages are vast, including skill development in communication, problem-solving, and time management – learning beyond what textbooks offer. You also cultivate your own network because, as they say, “Network is Net worth!” It aids in establishing a professional identity, helping you stand out in a competitive landscape and navigate your career path.
Sirjan Kaur Bawa, a UC Alumni currently studying Psychology at King’s College London, mentions, “Through various internships, I was able to get additional insights regarding the course I am pursuing and also improved my social skills. I changed a lot as a person over the past year which has definitely worked in my favour.”
A study by the NACE found that 75% of employers look for evidence of leadership skills on resumes. Internships provide the perfect stage for you to showcase your leadership prowess. Sai Wankhede, pursuing an MSc in Economics, Finance, and Management at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom emphasizes the significance of internships in boosting her self-assurance, refining her leadership skills, and opening herself up to new opportunities and a more holistic approach to achieving her goals.
In essence, internships aren’t just checkboxes on your application, it shapes your identity, skills, and readiness for the exciting journey that lies ahead in both college and the professional world.
Like all other UC Alumni and UC students, you can elevate your narrative from “just another application” to “future game-changer. UC is always there to guide you, and to learn more on how to build an Internship Resume and how to get your dream internship(s), you can reach out to an Orange Counselor today.
Remember, a college application is like a blockbuster movie, and your internships are the thrilling trailers so, seize the opportunity, embark on those internships, and let your Orange Counselor at UC assist in making your college application stand out!
