Five mistakes to avoid while applying to universities abroad
Four years ago, when I started applying to universities abroad, it was overwhelming and exciting. But now, looking back at my journey, I realise the avoidable mistakes I made at that time. I am sharing them here so you can avoid the same pitfalls
Guru H
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Procrastination
Leaving my homeland and family to study in a different social and cultural landscape was overwhelming. So, I kept putting off starting my applications, as there was always some uncertainty. Finally, as the intake deadline for my shortlisted universities inched closer, I had to rush to prepare all the required documents.
Lesson learned: Procrastinating doesn’t help. If you can manage the final aspects of studying abroad and have the required qualifications, just go for it.
Overlooking test preparation
Being good at English, I felt confident that I could ace the IELTS and GRE with just two weeks of study. But I was wrong. Well, the results weren’t terrible, but they could have been much better if I had prepared well.
Lesson learned: Stay humble. Even if you’re good at English and maths, exams like IELTS and GRE need practice. Do find time for it.
Not researching enough
I was mainly focusing on the famous universities and rankings, but I didn’t pay much attention to the course specifics. I don’t know why, but I just assumed that courses at prestigious universities would naturally fit my preferences. However, much later in my application process, I realised that I could have made better choices.
Lesson learned: Dig deep. Less well-known universities might have programmes that better suit your needs. Always take expert guidance if you can.
Mismanaging the documentation
I misjudged the importance of a letter of recommendation and personal statement or essay. I did a careless job with my documents, only to end up with an essay that didn’t highlight my strengths well enough. In addition, I rushed through getting my letter of recommendation and could only give my recommenders little notice. The result was a vague letter of recommendation.
Lesson learned: Take documentation seriously. Start working on your personal statement early and customise it to each programme. Give your recommenders enough time and clear guidance to make your letter strong and personal.
Ignoring scholarship opportunities
This is something I entirely missed. My thought process was that a scholarship is something too hard to get. But later, I changed my mind when I met enough students who actually got scholarships. I too could have tried, but I didn’t. Remember, scholarships can significantly reduce your financial burden.
Lesson learned: Always research and apply for scholarships early in the process. It does make a huge difference in managing costs.
Applying to universities abroad is a huge step, but with proper planning and attention to detail, it doesn’t have to be as stressful as it was for me. I hope you’ll all learn a thing or two from my mistakes. I wish you a smooth application process and a great time studying abroad.
