The Passion and Precision of Postgraduate Admission Counsellors

Being an educational counsellor involves much more than just offering guidance. It requires wearing multiple hats and playing various roles throughout the day and year. From being a mentor and confidante to a knowledge expert, career coach and planner, an educational counsellor significantly contributes to an applicant’s academic and professional journey. 

In this blog, Sonu Joshi, one of our most experienced postgraduate admissions counsellors, discusses her responsibilities and the challenges she meets through the admissions cycle while shedding light on the rewarding aspects of being an educational counsellor. 

April to June: The early days of the postgraduate admissions cycle

The buzz starts in early April when applicants sign up with The Red Pen. I step in once the team has onboarded our applicants and introduced them to the portals that will help us work efficiently. While I’ve mentored several applicants, I am always apprehensive before my first meeting, unsure of the candidate’s personalities, receptiveness and expectations. It feels like I’m standing before a blank canvas, holding a box of paints. 

So, my first meeting is a casual, get-to-know-you session and a profile overview, where I break the ice. I show more patience and empathy if the applicant is confused and nervous. I can sense this need early and adjust my approach to suit the applicant’s personality. The dynamics here fuel my enthusiasm to win the applicant’s trust, which is crucial for effective mentoring. 

Since I have the luxury of time, I give myself a month to impress upon the applicant that I have their best interests in mind. From here on, the journey is exciting, with many highs and a few turbulences arising from the demands of the application process. Thankfully, more often than not, my experience allows me to foresee hurdles and develop solutions long before they become a problem. 

From May onwards, I urge students to get language proficiency tests and standardised tests out of the way. Though the GRE and GMAT are optional for many programmes, a good score could improve their chances of admission. By June, I provide strategies to secure Letters of Recommendation. Typically, universities can ask for up to three recommendation letters to get insights into whether they are a suitable candidate for a particular master’s programme. Therefore, strategically choosing recommenders (employers, mentors, professors) who will write these letters is crucial.

July to October: The key period of the postgraduate admissions cycle

By July, I have settled into my role for the cycle. My responsibility now is to provide comprehensive career guidance. During this phase, I connect weekly with applicants and offer recommendations from my organic realisations. I also help them list universities that align with their personalities. On several occasions, I have successfully guided students to apply to unconventional but stellar universities where they thrive and find their life’s purpose. 

One of my success stories includes helping someone who wanted to pursue a Master’s in Real Estate to take over his family business. After weeks of brainstorming, we prepared a comprehensive list of possible master’s programmes for him. While his GPA was low, he had a good GRE score and a dynamic professional profile, so we encouraged him to apply for competitive Master’s in Management (MIM) programmes. The strategy paid off, and he secured a spot at Carnegie Mellon University’s Master of Science in Management, a course with a broader industry scope that empowered him to lead his business with a holistic perspective. 

I push my students to complete their Statement of Purpose during this phase. I introduce them to our content specialists, who help them with skill mapping, goal formation, and highlighting life-changing experiences. Our content specialists also guide students to build their LinkedIn profiles and resumes. I also send timely reminders to apply for transcripts, as international applicants must get their transcripts evaluated by a third party. 

Those who come after the application cycle has started have a stricter pathway to follow. While I give my best to these applicants, I know I have not always touched their core or left an indelible impression on their minds. Interactions with mid-cycle joiners are sometimes overshadowed by the need to be professional and the objective of achieving desired outcomes. Personally, I look forward to working with those who sign up well in advance, sometimes as early as two years before the fall intake. Such applicants let me get into their heads (professionally) and allow me to deliver my best.

October: The action of the postgraduate admissions cycle

By October, I shortlist university options and curate a well-balanced college list customised to my applicants’ needs. However, this is also the time when things can go wrong. Common obstacles include the unavailability of recommenders at the last minute, delayed WES evaluations, and extra essay questions in the application forms. Seven years in the business have taught me well, and I have learned to overcome these unexpected challenges with resilience and strategic thinking.

Though I send out Hail Marys on behalf of the applicants, I trust that the education sector’s encompassing inclusivity and progressiveness will ensure we break through. I leverage my experience to anticipate and address our challenges, ensuring every applicant remains on track. This period’s high stakes and fiery nature fuel my determination to provide the best possible support, knowing that overcoming these hurdles can make a significant difference in the applicants’ futures.

November to mid-December: Challenging phase of the postgraduate admissions cycle

While the application deadlines fall between the last week of November and mid-December, we begin submissions in late October. The early bird syndrome is real, and I prefer certainty over uncertainty, so I encourage my applicants to submit well before the deadline. 

Applicants are highly strung around this time of the year. I often find myself dealing with children (yes, at this stage, I call them my children) who are on the verge of emotional breakdowns. They have poured in their best already and don’t know what else they can do to improve their chances, so I bring out my most empathetic side and make myself available to them around the clock. I have had applicants crying for hours on the phone with me, some ghosting me, and others giving up entirely due to a lack of confidence. 

This phase is most challenging, even for someone as experienced as me. The reality of being an educational counsellor weighs heavily at this point, and maintaining a balance while dealing with anxiety, depression, and self-doubt is crucial. 

While I cannot say I look forward to it, I appreciate it for helping me better understand the world. We take baby steps to come out of this phase. Of course, many navigate the submission process with determination, and I am happy for them.

December: Unforeseen glitches of the postgraduate admissions cycle

December brings unexpected problems that are responsible for the increasing grey crop hair. Last cycle, I encountered a straightforward but unconventional issue. An applicant wanted to take the GRE test at home. Since several applicants have done this before, I let them proceed. They took the test and were happy with the score, so we set aside the task and focused on others. However, the application portal invalidated home test scores a few days before the submission deadline. We therefore advised the applicant to write to the university and ask them to make an exception. Thankfully, the university responded, saying the GRE was optional for that particular programme. 

Apart from managing glitches and successfully submitting the forms, I spend most of December bringing those with later deadlines up to speed on trends and content development strategies. I like to beat the Christmas break and get the bulk of the work out before students take a breather. A week of rejuvenation does wonders for them. However, the team at the office uses the Christmas break to regroup, share stories on issues and solutions, and finalise material for those working through the holidays. Don’t feel sorry for us. We are high on adrenaline and happy to work it off in the office. It is a choice we make for the love of our profession. 

January: Meeting UK deadlines for the postgraduate admissions cycle

The change in the calendar impacts young minds. Applicants reconnect with us around the 3rd or the 4th of January to meet deadlines for universities like Duke and Columbia that are around this time. They return with renewed enthusiasm and a willingness to take on more work. I’ve never understood why this happens, but it’s a good thing that I will not question. Even though there are critical deadlines in January, the pressure seems bearable. The applicants and I see the light at the end of the tunnel, which adds to our vigour. Of course, getting MIT, USC and Berkeley out of the way helps. By the end of this month, we submit our UK applications and resort to our unique “clustered application technique” to maximise our success with Imperial, LSE, and LBS.

February: Interview preparation for the postgraduate admissions cycle

The interview phase is my favourite part of the application cycle. The applicants and I meet a couple of times online for mock interviews. I take the hot seat to grill my wards on every aspect of their application material. During this process, applicants realise the critical value of well-defined goals and their reasons for pursuing a master’s degree. They now know how important it is for the different parts of their applications to connect and for the stories to come together to make a strong and unique impact. 

March: The victories and losses of the postgraduate admissions cycle

Here, I will let my multi-faceted culturalism take over, by saying, man mein laddoo phutte hain. It’s when applicants start hearing back from the universities, and every email, text, or phone call brings exciting news. However, there are a few disappointments from the 150-odd applications I send out in a cycle. While I expect some, I face surprises in every cycle that offer new learnings and realisations. The unexpected waitlist or rejection that dampens the spirits reminds me that life has its way, too. Usually, I am left with one of two students at the end of every cycle of about 40+ applicants who need my compassion and guidance to find alternative options. I willingly comply because I understand the value of a lost year and broken dreams.

Once the application cycle is over, the bustle is replaced by a sense of emptiness. After a year of constantly being there for my students, the time has come for them to leave my nest. While I am always there to help my students transition to a new academic phase, the phone calls are few and far between. I fill this void by doing something meaningful, like spending quality time with family. This year, I went to Bali and returned rejuvenated to take on the next cohort of students for yet another admissions cycle. 

I’ll sign off by saying that being an educational counsellor is fulfilling. From offering career guidance and curating college lists to supporting applicants emotionally, I play a vital role in shaping the future of my clients. So, if you’re looking for holistic support for your master’s or PhD application, do get in touch. Mentors like me at The Red Pen look forward to being part of your journey in the next postgraduate admissions cycle. Meanwhile, read our latest blogs: The Ultimate Checklist to Craft a Stellar Master’s Application Five Months Before the Deadline and Addressing India’s Obsession with Finance Masters: Insights, Pros and Cons.