Crafting Winning Study Abroad Applications: Career Width Hosts Impactful On-Campus Session at VIPS

On 24 February 2026, Career Width successfully conducted an informative on-campus career guidance session at Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies (VIPS) in collaboration with VINC 2026. The session, titled “Crafting a Winning Study Abroad Application: SOPs, LORs & Resume Mastery,” was designed to help students understand the key elements required to build a strong and competitive study abroad application.

As the number of Indian students aspiring to study overseas continues to grow, the need for structured and reliable guidance has become increasingly important. Recognizing this, Career Width organized this session to provide clarity on the most critical components of international university applications. The event aimed to simplify the process and help students avoid common mistakes that often weaken otherwise strong profiles.

The session witnessed active participation from students across various courses at VIPS. The interactive format created an open environment where students felt comfortable asking questions and discussing their individual concerns about studying abroad.

Understanding the Importance of a Strong SOP

The session began with a focused discussion on the Statement of Purpose (SOP), one of the most decisive elements of any study abroad application. Students were guided on how universities evaluate SOPs and why authenticity and clarity matter more than overly complex language.

The Career Width team explained that a well-written SOP should clearly connect a student’s academic background, career goals, and motivation for choosing a specific program and country. Practical tips were shared on structuring the SOP, maintaining a logical flow, and avoiding common errors such as copying templates or using generic statements.

Students also learned how storytelling can make their SOP more impactful. Real examples helped them understand how admissions committees look for clarity of purpose, consistency, and genuine intent.

Making Letters of Recommendation Count

The next segment addressed Letters of Recommendation (LORs), an area where many students often lack clarity. The session emphasized that strong LORs can significantly strengthen an application when written by the right recommender and supported with specific examples.

Students were advised on how to choose recommenders who know their academic or professional work closely. Guidance was also provided on how to brief professors or managers properly so that the recommendation letter reflects meaningful insights rather than generic praise.

The Career Width experts highlighted common mistakes such as last-minute requests, poorly aligned recommenders, and overly formal but vague letters. This practical clarity helped students understand how to approach the LOR process strategically.

Building a Globally Competitive Resume

Another key highlight of the session was resume building for international universities. Many students assume that academic resumes are similar worldwide, but the session clarified important differences between Indian CV formats and globally preferred academic resumes.

Students were guided on presenting internships, academic projects, research work, certifications, and extracurricular achievements in a concise and results-oriented manner. The importance of quantifying achievements and maintaining clean formatting was strongly emphasized.

The experts also explained how a well-structured resume complements the SOP and LORs to present a consistent and compelling overall profile.

Keynote Insights by Manvee Bansal

A major highlight of the event was the keynote address by Manvee Bansal, IVY Leagues & Profile Building Expert. Her session added practical depth to the discussion and resonated strongly with the students present.

She emphasized that successful study abroad applications are built through early planning and profile development rather than last-minute preparation. Students were encouraged to focus not only on academics but also on leadership activities, internships, and meaningful extracurricular involvement.

Her straightforward approach and real-world examples helped students understand how admissions committees evaluate applications holistically. The interactive Q&A session that followed allowed students to clarify personal doubts related to their study abroad plans.

Strong Engagement from VIPS Students

One of the most positive outcomes of the event was the high level of student engagement at VIPS. Many participants stayed back after the session to seek personalized guidance and discuss their individual goals.

The on-campus counselling support provided by the Career Width team helped students gain clarity on next steps, timelines, and preparation strategies. The comfortable campus setting made it easier for students to openly discuss their concerns and aspirations.

Career Width’s Ongoing Mission

At Career Width, the focus has always been on empowering students with accurate information and practical guidance for studying abroad. This session at VIPS reflects the organization’s continued commitment to bringing expert support directly to students through campus initiatives.

In today’s competitive global admissions environment, informed preparation can make a significant difference. Through such knowledge-driven sessions, Career Width aims to ensure that students approach their study abroad journey with confidence and clarity.

Conclusion

The positive response from VIPS students reinforces the importance of early awareness and structured preparation for international education. Career Width plans to continue organizing similar sessions across institutions to help more students make informed decisions about their global academic future.

With the right guidance, strategic planning, and timely action, the dream of studying at leading international universities becomes far more achievable. Career Width remains dedicated to supporting students at every step of this journey and shaping confident global achievers for the future.