Help regarding the Global UGrad

Hi, I'm Sabeen. I'm studying Architectural Design from a well-reputed university in Pakistan. I wanted some information regarding the 2012-2013 session of the Global UGrad scholarship. When does the application process begin? What are the courses offered? etc. Help would be highly appreciated.

And if there is any alumni, especially from the same field of study as mine, your comments and thoughts would really help me soar through this process successfully as well.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Talal Raza on September 25, 2011 at 8:46am

Hi Sabeen! The application forms are usually available after mid December. You can download them from www.usefpakistan.org. As such there is no particular criteria to select people studying particular course work, rather the condition is that you must be an undergraduate studying in your 1st, 2nd or 3rd year. I went through the same program this year in Winter. My field of study is journalism. If u need more help, write me back:)

Permalink Reply by Sabeen A on September 25, 2011 at 11:12am

=) Thanks a lot. Can you please tell me what courses are offered - i.e. as much as you remember?

Permalink Reply by Talal Raza on September 25, 2011 at 1:43pm

Well it depends on the university in which yo u will be placed but I think, they are quite specialized. Obviously America's education system is way better than what we have in Pakistan. Once you are selected and come to know about your host institution (university in US in which you would study a semester), you will be in a better position to select courses related to your field. But as part of Global Ugrad, no matter what courses you take, you are supposed to take at least one course on American History or American Government. That's pretty much all what I would say about courses.:)

Permalink Reply by Sabeen A on September 28, 2011 at 2:33pm

Thanks a lot Talal. I hope I succeed for the next set of scholarships. I've been waiting for months now for the day the forms will be available online.
One last thing, what did you focus on in your personal statement? Achievements or goals? Because 250 words is hardly a word limit that you can fit everything you've done in the past in. Any thoughts on that?

Permalink Reply by Talal Raza on September 29, 2011 at 11:47am

I think, the criteria is given in the guidelines (available on the website) to follow while writing the personal statement. Personal statement is an introduction of what you think of yourself and why you want to go to USA? what goal you want to achieve by participating in one of their exchange programs...that's pretty much what they are looking for when you write down your personal statement. But I will be in a better position to talk more on that once the forms are out and we have the latest guidelines they give you this year for personal statement..Do write me back or drop a private msg once you have the forms and guidelines. I ll assist you wherever you need it.. There is no doubt, 250 words might not be enough but keep in mind, you are not going to write everything about yourself on the piece of paper. Let them "taste" your personality through your personal statement :p don't offer them a lunch:D

Permalink Reply by Sabeen A on September 29, 2011 at 1:31pm

Well I guess that will require a lot of practice =p

I definitely will let you know as soon as the applications are up. =)
And in case you find out from somewhere that the applications are up could you just drop in a message so that I know too in case I have no prior knowledge of that?

Permalink Reply by fatima javed on September 30, 2011 at 2:32am

Thanx both of u..

Both of yr discussion helps me a lot...i also want to participate in one of these scholarship programs. at first i know nothing abt all this...

Now plz do remember in case of any new details / APPs

Permalink Reply by Talal Raza on September 30, 2011 at 10:30am

Sure I ll post it here

Permalink Reply by fatima javed on September 30, 2011 at 11:42am

thanx!!!

Permalink Reply by Sabeen A on October 2, 2011 at 3:10am

Thanks a lot. And another thing Talal, do we end up wasting a year when we get back? Or is the scholarship counted as part of our Undergrad?

And Fatima, you can ask me for information prior to applying (because i've been researching a bit) but I think Talal has experienced it so he would know and guide us better.

Permalink Reply by Talal Raza on October 2, 2011 at 4:33am

Sabeen, its upto your university whether they accept your credits or not. My university (University of Punjab) has accepted my courses I studied in US. But I know a friend from University of Central Punjab whose university refused to accept credits. So it totally depends on the university administration. But frankly, when I made the decision to go, I was told that most likely I wd have to repeat one year and I still went to US. but later on they accepted the credits. If you get selected, you will learn the things you might not be able to learn during the four years in Pakistan. So I wd suggest no to miss the opportunity even if you have to sacrifice a year. The experience and exposure you get is worth graduating a year earlier. However u shud check from your institution as well.

BTW where do u study? there might be someone who would have gone with us on this scholarship too.He/She must be able to guide you in the process of transferring your credits back in Pakistan.

Permalink Reply by fatima javed on October 2, 2011 at 7:14am

Thanx SAbeeN

i will definitely ask u.