Here are some common mistakes that students make in the university application process. Take steps to ensure that you don’t make similar errors:
Ensure that you invest time to check all relevant details regarding the country and institution to which you are applying. Pay particular attention to course entry requirements as these relate to prerequisite subjects, minimum grades, additional tests needed and language proficiency requirements. Your research should also involve a thorough exploration of the course to which the application is being made. This includes content coverage, method of instruction and style of assessment. See the University Research, as well as the University Options by Country for additional tips.
A key element of the preparation for applying to institutions should involve checking with care the key dates and times for submitting a completed application. Ensure that if any relevant tests must be taken the registration deadlines are also noted and adhered to. Some institutions also have separate deadlines for submitting documents. Ensure that you are aware of these and aim to have your complete application sent in ahead of the due date.
It is advisable for students to plan ahead and begin working on applications well in advance. In many cases, this might be during the summer prior to the final year of high school. Applications that are rushed might not be as accurately and effectively completed as they would be if completed over time.
Be clear on what documents need to be submitted as part of your application file asn ensure that these are sent following the specifications outlined by each institution.
Review each completed application form with care to check that all the required sections are accurately filled out. Also check written responses and admission essays to ensure that they are free to grammatical/spelling errors and that ideas are well organised and clearly expressed. When writing in response to a specific prompt, ensure that this is addressed in a direct and obvious way.
If there is an option for you to provide an additional piece of writing or participate in an interview, capitalising on this can help you to stand out in the admissions process. This could showcase your industrious nature and might provide an opportunity for you to share information that could supplement your application.
The most foolproof measure for avoiding disappointment in the university application process is to ensure that applications are made to a range of institutions. Each student should take into consideration the stated entry requirements of profiles of previously admitted students and ensure that their list of schools include not just aspirational but also likely (target) and safety (insurance) choices. See the Building a Balanced University List section for further information.
Following the submission of a completed application, there are typically a number of follow-up steps required. This could include particular dates for replying to offers, making arrangements for accommodation and applying for visas (where required).
At all times in the admissions process, remember that the pathway into higher education varies from student to student and the journey is a personal one. Finding the right fit and securing the best outcomes require students to assess all options with care and make choices based on their own personal interests, aspirations and priorities.