Every year, the United States Education Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) announces the most prestigious global undergraduate student exchange program – also known as Global UGRAD Exchange Program Scholarship for Pakistani students to go on a semester study trip and study at various universities in America.
Global UGRAD – a highly competitive one semester exchange program, sponsored by International Research and Exchange Board (IREX) administrated by the Educational and Cultural Affair (ECA) of the U.S. State Department, enables undergraduate students in Pakistan to spend a semester at U.S universities, and return to Pakistan after successfuling accomplishing of the program.
Every year, over 100 students usually embark on the journey as cultural ambassadors, aiming to promote mutual understandings between Pakistani and the U.S. citizens. In addition, students get ample expouser to alot of activities, communication and leadership skills enhancment and community services activities.
The scholarship is very competitive. All shortlisted applicants are going through a rigorous selection process. In this definitive guide, we will walk you through the complete process of how to apply, and potentially get selected for the world’s best exchange program that will elevate your professional growth in the long run.
Global UGRAD Student Exchange Program Online Apply, Essentials Parts of the Application Submission
1. Global UGRAD Announcement Date
The USEFP usually announces the program in August with closing date in September, allowing a one month window for all aspiring applicants to apply. All applicants are hereby advised to keep checking the USEFP official website to get update about the opening and closing dates of apply every year.
The UGRAD 2024 intake is currently open. Clike here to apply now.
2. Online Application Submission
The program does not accept applications in hard, and thus required all aspiring applicants to submit applications forms online through their website.
To begin with filling the online application, you will need to create an account first by keying in your CNIC number, email and password to start the online application. Make sure you use an email that contain your name and avoid using non-professional emails.
The Global UGRAD online application form contains various pages that help the selection committee accumulate various information about the applicants, such as name, contacts, address, education status and the university an applicant is currently enrolled in.
3. Write Down a Compelling Personal Statement
Personal Statement is the only major part of your entire application filling process that can really make or break your way to go to the U.S. and experience the academia life for a semester without paying a dime from your pocket.
As the name suggests, personal statement is your personal narrative, your life story, your struggle and what have you achieved in life so far.
This is a chance to let yourself fully in to the process by letting the panel know more about you as a person. The more you prepare a well-articulated and eloquent statement of just 250 words, the better are the chances of getting shortlisted to the interview.
4. Submit Two Reference Letters
As part of the complete application process, all candidates are required to submit two reference letters. The letters could be from your head of the department or a lecturer whom you have worked with, either in a research or participated in a any coursework.
Reference letters allows the USEFP selection penal to know more about you as a person and professionally through your referees assessment, whom you have worked with in any capacity.
5. Upload Scanned Documents
Applicants are required to submit their academic credentials i.e. transcripts and other certificates online. Thus, uploading good quality scanned images is another essential part of the Global UGRAD exchange program in Pakistan.
Once all fields and pages of the Global UGRAD application are dully filled, click submit. Be mindful that once you have clicked the submit button, you cannot change anything afterwards.
6. Global UGRAD Screening Process
After due date, the screening process begins. Every application goes through a number of screening checks to ensure all required items and data is provided with in the application. Any major missing thing will lead to a straight disqualification from the 2nd round of application evaluation process.
All complete applications then go through another screening round where the committee checks everything – from educational documents to reference letters and personal statements. After a thorough evaluation, the committee then initiates the shortlisting and withdrawal process. All shortlisted candidates are then informed via their emails for interviews and phone calls.
7. Video Presentation Submission
Recently, the USEFP has included another element in the process of Global UGRAD exchange program. All shortlisted applicants are required to submit a brief presentation (1 minute max) that manly comprises introduction, motivation and how the program will have an impact on their personal and professional lives.
8. Prepare for the Interview Day
Final step of the process is to appear for the interview at USEFP office in Islamabad. The interview is pretty straight and easy. All you just need to reflect on what you have provided in the application form, share your future plans, what would you expect in the program, potential learning outcomes and how will you promote mutual understanding between people of Pakistan and America.
Since this is the final and the most crucial step, thus it is highly advised to come well prepared, better suited and have a confident posture.
9. Selection of Principle or Alternate Candidates
Once the interview round is over, candidates are selected either principle or alternate. Principle candidates are the ones who have successfully qualified for the program will leave for a host university in the US.
However, the alternate candidates are still contingent upon further deliberations, like funding availability of if any principle candidate willingly withdraws from the program.
Many alternate candidates are then converted to as principle candidates after the committee approves funds.
10. Pre-Departure Orientation
Successful applicants are then invited to attend 2 days pre-departure orientation in which the entire cohort is oriented to the life in USA, things to do and what to avoid as an exchange student.
The cohort usually then leave for the US in January every year where they are set to attend seven day long orientation in Washington DC.
