Led by Doyens Institute of International Studies
Our study-abroad team is headed by the Doyens Institute of International Studies (DIIS).
UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING · MYP 4 → DP 2
The application is won
years before it is written.
Subject choices in MYP 5. CAS in DP 1. Essays in DP 2. Every one of them widens or narrows what a university can say yes to — and most families find out which, only after the deadline has passed.
End-to-end study solutions — from IB syllabus training to overseas education services, from test prep to campus landing.
WHO YOU WILL BE WORKING WITH
Rahul Dutt
SENIOR CONSULTANT · INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
SINCE 1999
With over twenty-five years of experience in international education, Rahul Dutt brings a rare depth of insight into the global university admissions landscape.
In 1999, Rahul established Kolkata's first SAT, GRE, GMAT and TOEFL centre, at a time when international education in India was still an emerging space. Over the years, Rahul has worked across the education ecosystem, representing leading American and British institutions, leading admissions for an international medical school, and building study-abroad verticals for national education companies.
This breadth of experience gives Rahul a distinctive understanding of both the student and university perspective. Rahul understands how institutions assess applications, what makes a student profile stand out, and how thoughtful decisions around universities, courses and admissions strategy can shape long-term outcomes.
At Ekkhum, Rahul works closely with students and families to bring clarity, perspective and strategic direction to their international university journey, helping them approach every decision with greater confidence and purpose.
- UNIVERSITIES REPRESENTED
- University of Central FloridaUniversity of KansasPurdue University NorthwestUniversity of SussexUniversity of Southampton
- LEADERSHIP
- Head — FIITJEE USA UNIquestGlobal Admissions Head — American University of BarbadosBusiness Head — CollegeDekho Study Abroad
- BEFORE EDUCATION
- Ten years across IBM, XEROX and Philips
Mentor, strategist, and the person your shortlist will be argued with.
WHY EKKHUM
From the first class to the first day on campus.
IB syllabus training, test prep, applications, visas and landing — one team, with senior people at every step.
Former admissions officials. Senior visa experts.
Ex-admissions officials of renowned foreign universities, working alongside application and senior visa experts for over 20 countries worldwide.
Senior faculty for every entrance test
IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, GRE and GMAT taught by some of India's most senior faculty in the field.
Built around the destination
Fully customised test prep and admission guidance for over 20 destination countries, from some of the most senior people in the industry.
Writers who know what a strong file looks like
Veteran creative writers and SOP experts help shape essays and application content pitched at Ivy-League level.
At your home, at your timings
Services come to you, at the times that suit your family, delivered by a team of industry veterans.
THE WINDOW
Two years move faster than they look.
The difference between these two columns is rarely ability. It is whether anyone was mapping the route while the terms went by.
LEFT TO DRIFT
- Subjects chosen for comfort, then found to be prerequisites the target course required
- CAS treated as hours to be logged, not a story worth reading
- A shortlist assembled in DP 2 out of whichever names sound familiar
- Essays written in the same weeks as mocks, because nobody scheduled them earlier
- Scholarship deadlines noticed the week after they close
DESIGNED FROM THE START
- Subjects mapped backwards from the courses the student actually wants
- CAS planned as evidence of a real interest, documented as it happens
- A shortlist built on fit, finances and geography — reach, match and safety, all deliberate
- Essays drafted on a calendar that respects exam season
- Scholarships identified while there is still time to qualify for them
ELEVEN INCLUSIONS · ONE SYSTEM
Everything the programme covers.
Twelve months of one-to-one mentorship, structured into four phases that run from profile to enrolment.
PHASE 01
Foundation
Who the student is, on paper.
Dedicated University Counsellor
One counsellor for twelve months, with monthly one-to-one sessions to review progress, set goals and shape a personalised application strategy.
Profile Building & Strategic Planning
Academics, leadership, extracurriculars, internships, competitions, research and community work — developed as one coherent profile, not a scattered list.
CAS Planning & Documentation
Structured planning, monitoring and reflection support, so Creativity, Activity and Service becomes a portfolio worth reading.
PHASE 02
Direction
Where the application is aimed.
University Research & Shortlisting
Curated recommendations weighed against academic profile, career aspiration, financial reality and geographical preference.
Scholarship & Financial Aid Guidance
Merit awards, need-based aid and scholarship routes identified early, with guidance through each application where it applies.
Application Strategy & Timeline Management
Deadlines, document preparation, university-specific requirements and submission schedules on one managed calendar.
PHASE 03
Craft
How the case is made.
Personal Statement & Supplemental Essay Guidance
Detailed mentoring on statements, college essays and supplemental responses — until the writing sounds like the student and not a template.
Application Review & Submission Support
Every application, essay and supporting document reviewed for accuracy, consistency and quality before anything is submitted.
Interview Preparation
Mock interviews, personalised feedback and communication coaching, so the interview becomes a conversation rather than a test.
PHASE 04
Alongside, always
The part families feel most.
Parent Reflection & Progress Meetings
Quarterly meetings covering academic progress, profile development, application timelines and next steps. Complete transparency, by design.
Continuous Mentorship & End-to-End Handholding
From the first plan through university selection to offer evaluation, acceptance and the final enrolment decision — the same people, the whole way.
HOW IT WORKS
It starts with four fields.
01
You send four fields
Name, email, current grade, and where you are hoping to study. That is the entire form.
02
A counsellor reads the profile
We look at where the student is now against where they want to end up, and find the gap.
03
You get a written pathway
A summarised subject and university pathway in your inbox within two working days. Free, and yours to keep.
04
You decide what happens next
If the pathway is useful, we talk about the full programme. If it is not, you have lost nothing.
Where you are right now
Every stage has a different highest-value move.
MYP 4–5
Subject selection is the decision with the longest shadow. Start here and the Diploma is chosen, not inherited.
DP 1
The profile year. CAS, research, competitions and the first honest shortlist all belong in these twelve months.
DP 2
Applications, essays, interviews, offers. Late is not too late — but from here the calendar runs the show.
FREE · NO OBLIGATION
Your first pathway, on us.
Four fields, one tap. A counsellor-written summary of the subject and university options that fit your child right now — in your inbox within two working days.
QUESTIONS
Before you ask us.
Our school already has a counsellor. Why this?
A school counsellor carries an entire cohort, and that ratio decides how much attention any one file gets. This is one counsellor, one student, twelve months — monthly sessions, quarterly parent meetings, and the time to build a profile rather than only process paperwork. It runs alongside the school process, not instead of it.
When should we start?
MYP 4–5 is ideal, because subject selection is still open. DP 1 is the most common entry point. DP 2 still works for applications, essays and interviews — there is simply less profile left to build.
Do we have to be an Ekkhum tuition student?
No. University counselling is a standalone programme. Families who also tutor with us get the academic and admissions plans built together, but it is not a condition.
Which countries do you cover?
Over 20 destination countries, with test prep and admission guidance customised to each. Shortlisting is built around where the student actually wants to go, weighed against entry requirements and budget. Tell us your target countries on the form and the pathway summary will reflect them.
What does the programme cost?
It depends on the stage the student joins at and how much of the cycle is left to run. The free pathway summary comes first — pricing is discussed only once you have seen what the programme would actually do.
What happens after the free pathway summary?
You read it. If it is useful, we set up a call to walk through it and discuss the full twelve-month programme. If it is not, that is the end of it — there is no follow-up sequence.