How CBSE students can balance boards and building their international profile

For many students of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), aspiring to study overseas appears a far-fetched dream. In the midst of an already overcharged academic season with incoming board examinations, the pressure in the room is palpable. 

However, the truth about studying overseas in 2025 is also imperative: international universities today want more than just high grade points. The centums in Math and Science mean little if you fail to present yourself as a well-rounded individual with interpersonal, technical as well as academic capabilities. But here's what most students don't realize: this isn't an either-or situation. You can outperform your peers in your board examinations and rightfully earn yourself a spot on your school’s roll of honor all while building the kind of profile that makes international admissions officers take notice of. All you need is a proactive attitude, the right strategy and the ability to manage your time.

How do you build a profile that speaks to international universities?

Thousands of CBSE students with ambitions to cut through the crowd and into some of the most reputed universities around the world, ask themselves this very question as their public exams draw to an end. The good news is that at UniNxt Study Overseas, we staunchly believe that it is absolutely doable. We've helped countless students along the way and no, you do not need to sacrifice your sanity or sleep to make it happen.

The early bird catches the worm, even in international universities 

The single biggest mistake that more than half of all students make is treating their class 12 as the starting line for building their profile. By then, you're already in the final sprint and scurrying to get your academics straight. On top of this, committing to any one let alone multiple extracurricular activities is biting off more than you can chew. Instead, we encourage our students to think of classes 9 and 10 as their foundation years. Start small but start smart. The key here is to just start. 

During your summer and winter break of your 10th and 11th grades, plan an internship in your area of interest, work on projects that you associate your values with, work alongside underprivileged communities and attempt to learn something new. 

Whilst your peers fritter away their time binge-watching Netflix and doomscrolling during holidays, you can outpace them with clever steps to building your future. Your summer and winter breaks are incredible pockets of time to go out in pursuit of meaningful interpersonal and community experiences without the pressure of assignments and tests dangling above your head. Intern with a local startup, volunteer for a community initiative or read about a topic that genuinely excites you. Never attempt everything all at once or you risk exhausting yourself till burnout. Pick one thing and challenge yourself to pursue it meaningfully and consistently.

Fabrication lets you cut through the crowd, however only temporarily

Exaggerating and fabricating your experiences is the oldest trick in the book. Admissions officers have a radar for fake passion. Although such profiles may seem appealing from the outset, for these experienced professionals sifting through hundreds of thousands of profiles, authenticity is what stands out.  They've seen thousands of applications listing random clubs and one-off volunteer hours. Ultimately it is depth, reflection and a vision for impact that makes them stop and take notice. Instead of joining ten clubs for your resume, pick one or two causes you actually care about and go all in. A student who spends a year mentoring underprivileged children and can articulate how it has changed their own values and goals for the future will always outshine someone with a laundry list of superficial activities.

Your board exams are still important 

The marks you score in your board examinations still remain your ticket to the game. Everything else you do outside of it is what helps you win it. To effectively balance both, create a realistic study schedule that treats academics as your primary job and incorporates profile-building activities as important but secondary pursuits. Think 70-30 and not 50-50. You certainly do not need to enrol for expensive international programs beyond your fiscal capacity. If you manage to spearhead and create traction for a campaign in your hometown and connect it to larger international sustainability goals, you showcase the kind of global thinking universities seek. Universities want students who understand they're part of something bigger than themselves.

The bottom line

Don't go through this journey alone. Seek out seniors who've walked this path, counselors who understand international admissions and alumni from your dream universities. Their inputs can save you from going down a common slippery slope and help you make better choices than the rest of the applicant pool. As a CBSE student, your international ambition and your topper dreams don't have to be at odds. The lives of students who study overseas and away from their comfort zones are forever changed. And these graduates go on to make impactful change that reverberates through the rest of the world.  Do you dream of getting into a top institute abroad? Then book a session with us today and crack the code. Let's get you into your dream university.

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📧 Email: info@uninxt.com