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Applying to international universities may seem
overwhelming at first glance. However attention to details
and meticulous planning can ease your burden. Here are some
vital requirements and important tips.
Applying abroad can be an arduous task. However, if you
pay careful attention to the details of the entire process,
you will have no problem in preparing an effective application.
Below is a list of documents required by most overseas universities:
Application form - Most universities now
prefer online applications. In fact, some universities do
not accept paper forms and students have no choice but to
go online and file the application form. Even if you file
the application form online, you still have to send the
supporting documents by regular mail. If you are applying
to the US as an undergraduate, you can use a common application
form, which can be sent to over 240 universities. Keep in
mind that some universities will additionally require a
supplement to the common application form. Undergraduate
students applying to the UK can use the UCAS (Universities
& Colleges Admissions Service) and apply to six different
courses by using just one form.
Application fee - Applying to colleges
in the US is an expensive ordeal as most US universities
require an application fee along with your application.
Some private liberal art schools and Ivy League universities
in the US waive application fees for undergraduate students.
A fee waiver from your school or college counselor can help
you save application fees to schools. It is best to check
the individual university website for the most accurate
and up-to-date information on the application fee.
Statement of Purpose (SOP) - Writing an
essay can be demanding and stressful. It is your chance
to tell the admission committee who you are. As the name
suggests, the SOP is your personal statement about who you
are, what has influenced your career path so far, your professional
interests and your plans for the future. The SOP usually
ranges from 500 to 750 words. Keep in mind that the Statement
of Purpose is your chance to talk directly to the admission
committee. If you want to stand out from other applicants,
you can use the SOP to convince the admission committee
that you have interests and experiences that are different
from other applicants. Remember that a good Statement of
Purpose will increase your chances of getting admission
and sometimes may even compensate for your weak areas. A
‘not-so-good’ SOP will certainly be used against
you and most likely will get your application rejected.
Resume - Even though most universities
do not require resumes, it is a good idea to send the resume
along with application. A resume outlines all your achievements,
activities, skills etc. Please remember that a resume is
not a curriculum vitae, but is a one-page document highlighting
your strengths.
Recommendation letters - Recommendation
letters can be obtained from school/college teachers. Try
to get recommendation letters from people who know you well
and who have had ample opportunity to interact with you.
Avoid letters of recommendation from people in high positions
who have not taught you. For instance a letter from the
principal of your school/college who has not taught you
has less importance than a letter from a teacher who has
taught you for two years. If the university has its own
recommendation letter format, use it in addition to a general
letter of recommendation.
Financial Aid form - Undergraduate students
applying to private colleges in the US can apply for financial
aid and must fill in a separate financial aid form. Make
sure that you carefully state the amount that you can pay
for your education based on your family income, assets and
savings.
Bank letter and Affidavit of Financial Support
- Universities in the US require international students
to prove that they have enough funding available to cover
their educational costs. Universities in the UK may not
need a bank letter along with your application. The bank
letter should state that your sponsor has sufficient funds
in his or her account. Letters stating “solvent to
the tune of” and “capable of paying” are
usually not accepted by universities. Financial affidavits
can be made on letterheads instead of government stamp papers
and should be attested by a Special Executive Officer (SEO).
Transcripts and Mark sheets - Make sure
that you send official sealed copies of your mark sheets
and transcripts to the universities you are applying to.
If you have graduated, you must also send your degree to
the universities.
Once you have all your documents ready, make sure that you
have checked the application deadline of the schools you
are applying to. If your university requires standardized
test scores, you must use an Additional Score Request form
(ASR) and request ETS (Educational Testing Service) to send
your official test scores directly to your universities.
Many universities require the official standardized test
scores to be in your file by the application deadline date,
so make sure that you do not delay your official score reporting.
When your application is ready add a cover letter and send
your application to the address stated on the application.
Make sure that everything in your application is well explained
and keep a copy of your application for your records. Remember,
your college application should convey who you are and what
things are important to you. Make each university application
with great care and stick to university rules.
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