HOW IBS WON $33,000 FOR KELVIN ARTHUR TO STUDY ABROAD IN USA

Throughout our 4 years of service, we have recorded a huge number of student success stories at IBS Consulting. This article tells one of such remarkable stories — why not let’s discover how we did it together?

For most people, studying abroad is a dream, but for Kelvin Arthur, we made it a reality. In this article, we give the details of Kelvin’s “study abroad” journey and how IBS won $33K for Kelvin Arthur to Study Abroad and how our unique three-phase strategy made it a walk-in-the-park for him.

Read Also: From Ghana to a full ride scholarship from MIT with IBS

Overview

Kelvin Arthur was an average Ghanaian student — he did not earn all distinctions in his WASSCE subjects. One thing that however set him apart was his strong will. He was ambitious. From his academic goals, we could tell that he had long harbored a dream of furthering his education in the dynamic field of Landscape Architecture in the US.

He no longer saw himself in his hometown in Ghana. Kelvin envisioned himself studying in a renowned university in the United States, surrounded by bright intellectuals in a culturally-diverse environment.

However, going through the process of writing application essays or applying for VISA seemed too daunting a task for Kelvin. That’s where we stepped in, providing Kelvin with the right guidance and support he needed to turn his dream into a reality.

Phase 1 – Analyzing Kelvin’s Position and Most Suitable Options

From years of experience, we recognise how crucial research and analysis of the client’s specific position is. When preparing to study abroad, that’s the first step. Since there are hundreds of possibilities to consider in choosing a degree, destination or university, we ensured that no single mistake was made.

In analyzing Kelvin’s position, we had our team of researchers look at the information we got from our one-to-one consultation with Kelvin. He had expressed a keen interest in Landscape Architecture.

• Through our program exploration, we identified several universities in the United States that aligned perfectly with his interests. We looked at their program curriculum, faculty expertise, and reputation.
• We meticulously assessed Kelvin’s academic transcripts, test scores and other qualifications to ensure he meets the entry requirements for his desired program.
• Upon reviewing his transcripts, we discovered a missing document required by one university. We promptly guided Kelvin on obtaining this necessary document to ensure a complete application.
• We became a student, which is a great way to see first-hand the good and not-so-good aspects of our analysis.
• Once this was done, we prepared Kelvin a personalized list of potential schools, their eligibility requirements, and the documents needed to proceed.

Read Also: Universities In Canada for masters with low GPA

Using our chance calculator software, we ran a test to see his chances of getting into each school (provided his CV and application essays are well-crafted). Scoring no less than 85%, we were ready to proceed with Kelvin to Phase 2, where we provided him with comprehensive application support.

Phase 2 – Crafting a Winning Application Package

With a clear roadmap of universities already established in the first phase, it was now time for us to be brave. Submitting a winning application demands bravery, which is why we don’t recommend self-application.

At IBS Consulting, our team put all hands on deck to ensure we send forth an irresistible application that showcased Kelvin’s academic strengths and extra-curricular activities to his potential universities.

Here’s how we did it:

1. We guided him through university-specific application portals

Our specialised advisors offered Kelvin ongoing support throughout his application process. We ensured only the appropriate documents were submitted. We also made navigation through the application portal a walk-in-the-park for Kelvin.

A particular school (name withheld) required us to submit his LinkedIn profile. So, we helped optimize his LinkedIn to look more professional and student-standard.

2. We took track of all applications and their deadlines

We knew it was easy to forget important dates and deadlines, so we kept track of everything using long Excel spreadsheets and reminders. This way, Kelvin was able to meet up with tight deadlines and scale through his visa and university application processes without any last-minute rush.

Throughout the process, we also managed his transcripts, test scores, and any other supporting documents required by the universities. We ensured it was all organized.

3. We Gathered the Facts and Crafted a Compelling Essay

As Kelvin’s advisors, we took charge of the writing of his essays and statements. Strong essays are a crucial element of any successful application. In the case of Kelvin, it would account for 25% out of the admission-determining factors.

Inspired by the 15th Sustainable Development UN Goal, Kelvin is passionate about effecting climate change and playing an instrumental role in global emissions reduction. We brought these motivations to life in each of his essays, impressing upon the admissions board his genuine interest in a green and sustainability-conscious architectural practice incorporating flora and biophilia.

We also incorporated personal anecdotes that highlighted his problem-solving skills, leadership experience, motivation for pursuing an Architecture degree and passion for making a real-world impact.

We ensured that his essays were clear, concise, and effectively conveyed his passion for his chosen field.This multi-pronged approach is what we’ve been following in writing compelling essays that resonated with the admissions committees.

4. We Sourced for and Prepared a Strong Recommendation Letter

Most of the Top competitive US schools Kelvin applied to required recommendation letters from professors or professional contacts. We assisted Kelvin in contacting the right individuals within our company’s network. We emailed them recommendation request emails.

After we got a strong enough letter, we edited it to match the university’s specific formatting style requirements.

5. We Secured a Visa for Kelvin

Since Kelvin had made payments for our comprehensive package, as an exclusive bonus, we assisted him throughout his Visa application process.

United States student visa applications have specific criteria and documentation needs. Without the guidance of an expert, it can be a complex and often stressful experience. We ensured that Kelvin had ready all the necessary documents including his financial statements, proof of health insurance, academic transcripts and the like.

Also, to prepare him for the Visa interview, we conducted a mock session. This was to help alleviate his anxieties and ensure he was well-prepared for the actual interview.

Thanks to IBS’s comprehensive support, Kelvin’s visa application was successful. He received his student visa within 2 weeks.

6. We Assisted him in Applying for Scholarships to Cut Down Costs

We recognise that choosing to study abroad does not mean one should break the bank. For Kelvin, we went the extra mile in searching for schools that offered scholarships, whether fully or partially-funded.

This proved fruitful as Kelvin received offers from both Boston Architectural College (BAC)  and The University of New Mexico (UNM) to study a Master’s program in Landscape Architecture. BAC awarded Kelvin a Dean’s Scholarship while UNM offered him an Amigo Scholarship worth $30,000 over two years. This scholarship also meant that Kelvin would be assessed as a resident for tuition purposes therefore significantly reducing the fee international students are charged. This was how IBS won $33K for Kelvin Arthur to Study Abroad

By the end of the second phase, Kelvin had submitted complete and well-crafted application documents to his prospective universities. He had also paid for his application fees where required. He was confident that his applications effectively conveyed his academic strengths and suitability for the programs.

Read Also: ⁠Universities that accept low GPA for masters in USA

Phase 3 – Application Follow-up and Immigration Support

We did not just stop at that, we stayed with Kelvin through the process. We also followed up on all sent applications.

For us, one of the benefits of doing a follow-up was that when Kelvin finally got accepted into the Boston Architectural College for a Master’s program in Landscape Architecture, we were able to celebrate with him!

What more could make us happy than seeing a happy client? Kelvin was on his way to grabbing his Master’s in Landscape Architecture in one of the United States’ top 15 schools.

Again, we provided Kelvin a checklist to guide him on the tasks ahead — securing housing, opening a bank account, and arranging airport transportation. Because schooling abroad demands students to blend culturally, we enlightened Kelvin through workshops and provided PDF resources on adjusting to a new culture and environment.

“IBS’s support throughout my application process was invaluable. When I faced challenges, they knew exactly how to get over it. Their expertise and personalized approach made a real difference in helping me achieve my long-held dream of studying abroad.”

~ Kelvin Arthur.

Student, Boston Architectural College.

Our Gift to You: a Free Consultation with IBS Advisors

If you’ve read Kelvin’s story up to this point, we’d like to offer you a huge token: you can hop on a 30-minute call with our experts today. Note that we received calls ONLY by booking (you can do that here for free).

We understand that you have a myriad of questions, and are ready to give answers to them one after the other. We reckon it’s going to be an eye-opening consultation experience for you, laying down the personalized 3-phase strategy we’ll follow to get you studying your dream course abroad.

Read Also: Fully funded MBA programs for Ghanaian students

Over to You…

From Kumasi to Boston, Kelvin’s journey to studying abroad is a testament to the top-notch services we offer at IBS Consulting. At IBS, we are passionate about helping ambitious students navigate through the complex process of applying to international universities.

What’s more? We can adjust our packages to fit your pocket and demand. If you prefer, you can order individually for any of these: school CV, Statement of Purpose, referral letter and scholarship essay.

Don’t let your dream of studying abroad remain just a dream. Contact us today and let our team of experts guide you to success!