Russia remains a popular destination for Indian students wanting to pursue MBBS abroad. Affordable fees at Russian universities and the quality of instruction attract Indian students.
Focus on practical learning and a welcoming environment keep Russian universities popular among students wanting to become doctors.
However, selecting the right university, applying for the programs, and the VISA process can be difficult. This is where consultancies become important. They help students to get admission to the right university. Dedicated education consultancies guide and support students throughout their MBBS journey.
There are many consultancies attracting students and parents. They claim to help get admission to a Russian university. Therefore, choosing the right consultancy for MBBS admissions in Russia becomes important.
What are the key factors to consider while selecting the consultancy for admission to Russian universities for MBBS?
Experience and Background
Choose an education consultancy with good experience in guiding students and helping them get admission to Russian universities. Try to find out the consultancy’s success rate in securing admissions to MBBS in Russia.
Check the consultancy’s website. Look for the testimonials of students who approached the consultancy in the past. Ask the consultancy about their experience in guiding students. How long has the consultancy been operating? Since when are they counseling students to study MBBS in Russia? Also, ask the consultancy about their experience of guiding Indian students for MBBS in Russia.
As a general rule of thumb, consultancies with long-standing presence are better connected to Russian universities. The greater the experience in the number of years, the more reliable the consultancy.
Communication
Clear and open communication between you and the consultancy is very important. Avoid any consultancy that does not answer all your questions about admission. You should ask them about the admission process and eligibility criteria.
A reliable consultancy will clearly state the timeline for admission. Avoid a consultancy that does not clearly state the duration of the admission process. Try to sense if the consultancy is dodging questions about the university, living expenses, hostel accommodation, etc. Never forget to ask questions about student life in Russia.
It is always better to choose a consultancy that promises to help throughout the MBBS program. Consultancies that conduct seminars and webinars, provide brochures, explain the admission process, and offer university options are reliable.
Services
Admission assistance is a common service that all consultancies offer. However, a reliable education consultancy offers a whole range of services to make the admission process smooth. Besides the guidance for selecting the right university, the consultancy should also offer assistance with document verification and VISA support.
Some consultancies also provide pre-departure briefing and airport pickup on arrival in Russia.
A good consultancy will always provide contact numbers of past students for you to understand the process. Reliable education consultants provide additional support services. They will help you with hostel accommodation and organize cultural programs for adaptation and community building.
Transparency
Avoid consultancies that cannot present a clear fee structure. A reliable consultancy service clearly explains the fee structure. They break down all the costs before initiating the application process.
Ask the consultancy about their service fee. Please see that the tuition fee and the application fee are two different things. Be clear about all the additional charges that you have to pay.
A trustworthy consultancy will help you understand the accommodation fee and the living expenses. You are in good hands if your consultancy helps in securing hostel accommodation. Don’t forget to ask the charges for the same.
While initiating the application process, ask the consultancy about flexible payment options. Ensure that the cost of MBBS does not become a financial burden for you.
Reviews
It would be unwise to believe everything that the consultancy says. Don’t rely merely on the information provided by the consultancy. Find reviews of the consultancy posted by parents or students online. Try to search for their social media profiles to know their activities.
Ask the consultancy to connect you with some of their current students who are studying in Russia. Try to learn from the experiences of these students. Ask questions about the quality of service, range of services, and the level of satisfaction.
Partnerships
Many consultancies have partnerships with Russian universities. Always prefer a consultancy that partners with Russian universities. Ask the consultant about the partnerships.
Which universities do they partner with? How long has been their partnership? How will the partnership help them secure an admission?
Partnerships with Russian medical universities streamline the admission process and increase the chances of getting an admission. You should ask the consultant about the additional benefits you can get.
Warning signs
While selecting a consultancy for MBBS in Russia, look for these warning signs.
The education consultancy can not guarantee admission. They can merely facilitate and streamline the process of admission. The right to admission lies with the university. Avoid the consultancy that guarantees admission. It’s an unrealistic promise.
You may also come across consultancies that offer limited-time discounts. Don’t fall for their sales tactics! If they pressure you for admission, simply avoid them.
Genuine consultancies take communication seriously. If you experience vague responses, unresponsive calls and emails, and unprofessional communication, don’t go ahead with such consultancies.
These warnings can help you avoid stepping in the wrong direction while seeking admission to MBBS in Russia. Here are a couple of tips to help you select the right consultancy.
Tips to select the right consultancy
Talking to multiple consultancies will help you select the right consultancy for MBBS in Russia. By scheduling multiple consultation sessions with different consultancies, you can compare their fees and services. This will also provide you the time to do background checks on consultancies and make the right decision.
Negotiations around the consultancy fees are not wrong. Don’t get overwhelmed by the services of the consultancy and always ask them for some discount on their consultancy fees. Explore the options and check if they can negotiate their service charges.
Summing up
Choosing the right consultancy for admission to MBBS in Russia is a crucial decision. You should check the consultancy’s background and experience before setting up a meeting. Make sure they are transparent in communication, especially regarding fees.
Find out their range of services and how much they intend to charge for the services. Never believe in everything they say and verify their claims online. Don’t forget that consultancies streamline the admission process and don’t guarantee admissions by themselves.
Consultancies that have partnerships with Russian universities can be good options, but always compare such consultancies and look for possibilities to negotiate the service charges.
