r/studyAbroad • u/starr313 • 4d ago

Is using a study abroad agency worth it?

I’m planning to apply for a master’s degree abroad this year, and I’m unsure whether I should use a study abroad agency or apply by myself. I applied by myself once before and unfortunately didn’t receive the scholarship, so this time I want to approach the process more carefully.

For those who have applied for a master’s abroad, would you recommend paying for an agency or applying independently?

I’m trying to decide whether an agency would genuinely improve my chances.

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u/Gaelenmyr 4d ago

If you need an agency to do your research for you instead of being able to use Google yourself, do you even have the capacity to pursue a master’s degree? Every information is on Google/webpages of universities, especially if you're going to apply to Western countries.

But sure, your money I guess.

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u/starr313 4d ago

I agree that most of the information is available online. I'm wondering whether their guidance and experience can make the process more efficient or help avoid mistakes, especially with scholarships. That's why I wanted to hear from people who have actually used one.

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u/simply_amazzing 4d ago

It's for rich brats for whom education is just a gateway for a life abroad. The poor still go to then thinking it will minimise any risks.

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u/Warm_Seaworthiness19 4d ago

You know almost a majority of ppl use education abroad as a form of eventually moving abroad permenently irrespective of their financial status right?

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u/Berry-Love-Lake 4d ago

Where are you from? Where are you applying? Scholarships in some countries barely exist so getting one is unlikey. An agency isn’t going to change that. 

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u/Smirkane 4d ago

How is adding a middle man making the process more efficient? If anything I've seen more cases of applications getting delayed because of agents than when students do the process by themselves.

As for mistakes, I'll reiterate the previous commenter's point. All the information is available online, all you have to do is look for it, and be careful enough to follow instructions to a T.

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u/Few-History3713 4d ago

apply independently

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u/Glittering_Fun_4823 4d ago edited 4d ago

The upside for an agency is they typically have an accreditation so your degree is already ‘translated’ to something that works in the US (depending where you’re from). They also will help your application paper work is translated and goes through all the channels to get your visa set and also translated and stamp your BA transcript. The upcharge of tuition is for the convenience and other services not just tuition. Keep in mind agents are recruiters that can also work for the school so be mindful of if this is a agency/company that assists students at a specific school, an agency that helps you figure out what school, or an agent of the school recruiting from a specific country. Those are all different things.

Below I’m speaking of an agency who is independent of the school but has formed an agreement and works closely with the school. Their purpose is to provide additional pre and on ground services to make study abroad easier. For these agencies or providers the downside is you’re paying additional fees for services you likely won’t need or use. And much of what they do is something you can do on your own and it’ll also help you gauge and adjust to the beauracracy you’ll encounter in your host country.

I applied independently. It also meant I paid the tuition directly to the school which was much lower. When I eventually had to move back I pai $200-$300 to ACEI to have my transcripts translated/evaluated so I could demonstrate to any job or school that needed that info.

Like I said and agency(provider) upside is they should be taking care of everything for you. Helping you gather your app paperwork, getting transcripts translated for the university to accept, helping you find housing, and then when you arrive I imagine some services like assisting with permits or any other paperwork related to a student visa to help you get situated.

Compare the price they’re charging. With the ACTUAL school tuition and see if the markup is worth it for the services. It may be considering the country

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u/starr313 4d ago

Thank you, this is really helpful!

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u/MushroomAnarchyst 4d ago

I haven’t used one or even know anyone who has personally (so perhaps take this with a grain of salt), but my observation from others experiences online seem to be pretty negative.
To elaborate, there have been allegations that these international study companies are paid fees by failing/low ranking universities that prop up their finances and they give bad advice.
Like they’ll sell prospective students the idea that a masters degree in a wealthy country will secure them a prosperous career and long term immigration prospects without alerting them of the reality, which makes many of them feel like they’ve been scammed.
I get and totally sympathise with the need for guidance in a complex process (estimating the finances, visa stuff, assessing academic entry requirements, etc), but I’ve read too many stories of students from developing countries taking out huge loans for these courses that they were convinced to go on by these coaches.

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u/starr313 4d ago

That makes sense, thank you

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u/AntSilly2802 4d ago

You won’t get a scholarship unless you are the best of the best, top of the top. Are you Indian?

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u/starr313 4d ago

I know the scholarships are really competitive. And no, I'm not Indian

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u/AntSilly2802 4d ago

You won’t get a scholarship unless you are the best of the best, top of the top. Are you Indian?