How I got into the University of Texas, Dallas | Venkateshwar’s Student Success Story

A bright future awaits

Venkateshwar Reddy, a working professional-cum-student, plans to attend the University of Texas, Dallas (UTD) next year to pursue a Master’s in Business Analytics. UTD provides the State of Texas and the nation with excellent, innovative education and research and is among the world’s most elite universities.

The university is committed to graduating well-rounded citizens whose education has prepared them for rewarding lives and productive careers in a constantly changing world. UTD is known for continually improving educational and research programs in the arts and sciences, engineering, and management and assisting the commercialization of the intellectual capital generated by students, staff, and faculty.

However, the institute is quite challenging to get into. Learn more about Venkateshwar’s student success story, how he handled his application process, finances, and more!

Let’s get to know a little bit about Venkateshwar Reddy

Venkateshwar pursued his Bachelor’s in Technology and Civil Engineering. He then went on to earn his Diploma Degree in Banking and Finance. Post-graduation, he kickstarted his career as a Deputy Manager at ICICI Bank. After working for one and a half years as a Capital Manager, he joined Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) as a Business Analyst. He worked there for five and a half years! 

At this point, Venkateshwar felt dissatisfied with his career. He knew he had to do something more, something different, to get on a path he had always dreamt of–studying at a top institute abroad. That’s when he decided to pursue his Master’s Degree in the USA. But while students get on with their master’s immediately after completing their bachelor’s, the case was a bit different for Venkateshwar. 

Experience with iSchoolConnect

Venkateshwar was sure of moving abroad and the course he wanted to pursue, but with the amount of information available online, he felt confused and overwhelmed. He found iSchoolConnect while looking for study abroad consultants online. 

Venkateshwar recalls, “While browsing various YouTube videos and study abroad articles, I came across iSchoolConnect. I liked their content because it was genuine and helpful. So I gave them a call. This was perhaps the best decision I made.” He added that the mentors at iSchoolConnect were exceptionally helpful and guided him throughout the process. They responded to all his queries without any delay. 

One of the primary reasons why he chose iSchoolConnect was because of virtual counseling sessions. The other consultancy services insisted on in-person meetings, but it was not possible for Venkateshwar since he was a working professional and had little to no time to travel. 

Choosing universities and taking the final call

Venkateshwar applied to about seven universities, five colleges in the USA, and two in Canada. Though he applied to some excellent colleges, including the University of Rochester, Temple University, Simon School of Business, and many more, his final choice was the University of Texas, Dallas.

The application process and its challenges 

“Every college and university needs different SOPs. But in the end, the purpose remains the same.” 

Venkateshwar Reddy, University of Texas, Dallas

The application process was quite overwhelming for Venkateshwar. Colleges across the United States require different documents and essays. The most time-consuming and tedious task for Venkateshwar was writing his SOPs and personal essays–a challenge that many students face.

Everyone who knows a thing or two about studying abroad is aware that LORs and SOPs are an integral part of any college application. They help admissions officers learn more about your personality by showcasing who you are outside of school/work. Venkateshwar took four days to write one SOP. His mentor at iSchoolConnect helped him edit the SOP and add certain things that would highlight his skills and purpose, which he found very helpful.

Managing Finances

Finances are a big concern when it comes to studying abroad. When we asked Venkatesh how he was planning to manage his finances, he said, “I got into the University of Texas, Dallas with a 50% scholarship for the first two semesters. I got some excellent scholarships from other colleges that I had applied to, like Temple University, which was offering me 7,500 dollars. Still, I felt that UTD gave me one of the most lucrative offers.” 

Generally, students think of colleges that have lower fees. Still, Venkateshwar advises that one should consider applying to good colleges and then focus on getting scholarships to ease the financial burden. This way, neither the quality of education nor the finances would be compromised. 

Future plans and advice for fellow students

“Students should look out for good colleges that have a brand name. By the time you’ve completed your Master’s Degree, you’ll have a renowned college to showcase in your career profile.”

Venkateshwar Reddy, University of Texas, Dallas

Venkateshwar plans on establishing a fintech startup after he returns to India post-graduation. This is the very reason he decided to study both business and finance while pursuing his master’s. He also hopes to get more involved with startups and apply everything he learns while studying at the University of Texas, Dallas. 

One of the most valuable success tips Venkateshwar shares is that students should start preparing for their applications as early as possible because the process can be quite complicated and overwhelming. 

He also advises that students should not choose colleges because most of their friends will be applying there. Instead, they should focus on getting admission to the best possible college for their choice of program.

We congratulate Venkateshwar, thank him for sharing his insights, and wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors.