In the previous episode, we explored Spranjal Kulkarni’s academic background so far, university, course and motivation to pursue higher education. In this episode, we will cover her research mechanism, other study abroad destinations on her mind, entrance exams & English proficiency tests, and how she geared up for the aptitude test & personal interview.
Key highlights:
- Research Mechanism
- Other Study Abroad Destinations On Her Mind
- Entrance Exams and English Proficiency Tests
- How Did She Gear Up for the Aptitude Test and Personal Interview
Research Mechanism
Spranjal utilised a research strategy that combined digital tools with personal networking. She initially sought the guidance of an education consultant for her International English Language Testing System (IELTS) preparation. That’s when she realised that information related to the US and UK was readily available, but not much was known about studying in Germany. This led her to rely on the DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst), a German Academic Exchange Service website, which is an invaluable resource related to universities, English-taught courses, fee structures, curricula, university websites and more.
So, Spranjal used the DAAD database to filter and shortlist programmes that aligned with her goals. Later, she reached out to her peers already living in Germany who had completed their master’s degrees to gain deeper insights into her shortlisted courses. This combination of sourcing information from the DAAD website and approaching her acquaintances allowed her to move forward with her final choice.
Other Study Abroad Destinations On Her Mind
Driven by a strong personal instinct to study in Europe, Spranjal explored a variety of prestigious institutions across the continent. For instance, she had shortlisted Trinity College Dublin and the University of Limerick in Ireland, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) and the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and Politecnico di Milano in Italy.
However, after evaluating these options and comparing them with her specific academic needs, her extensive research led her to choose Germany because it offered the ideal alignment between her career goals and the curriculum she aspired to study.
Entrance Exams and English Proficiency Tests
According to Spranjal, the IELTS is a mandatory prerequisite for nearly all European institutions. The requirements for German public universities, particularly the prestigious Technical Universities, differ significantly from the US model. A Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) was not required for the ten German public universities she applied to, as these institutions often prefer their own specialised evaluation methods.
For instance, Spranjal’s admission process at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) involved a multi-stage approach - starting with language proficiency (IELTS), followed by a university-specific aptitude test and a personal interview. However, some universities may admit students based solely on bachelor’s scores, IELTS scores, a strong CV, and a compelling Letter of Motivation. Top-tier programmes often implement these additional rigorous layers to ensure a perfect fit for their academic standards. Some private universities might require you to take the GRE, so you have to plan accordingly.
How Did She Gear Up for the Aptitude Test and Personal Interview
Spranjal turned to LinkedIn to connect with seniors and alumni at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). This networking helped her understand the university’s specific procedures, particularly the aptitude tests and interviews. She learned that the aptitude tests didn’t require “out of the box” preparation, but rather focused on the foundational skills similar to those required in standardised exams like the GRE.
For the interview, she noted that the university panel’s primary goal was to gauge her motivation, confidence, and long-term career vision. By preparing for core questions related to her five-year career plan and her specific reasons for choosing the programme, she was able to demonstrate that she was the perfect fit for the course’s rigorous academic environment. It is recommended that study abroad aspirants must be absolutely clear about their reasons to choose a course, university & destination, their academic and career goals.
So, this is all about Spranjal’s research mechanism, other study abroad destinations on her mind, entrance exams & English proficiency tests, and how she geared up for the aptitude test & personal interview. In the next episode, we will cover the difference between the academic systems in India and Germany, her preparedness for a new language and how she embraced the German lifestyle. Meanwhile, if you have any queries, please feel free to connect with us.
