Application Timeline: 12 months before applying
Applying for admission as an international student can be very time consuming and sometimes overwhelming, but it’s also very exciting. In an effort to keep you calm and organized, this is the first in a series of guidelines for what to do before you apply. Follow these suggested steps twelve months before applying for admission.
1. Find a program
If you know you want to earn your degree abroad, but if you have yet to choose a program, do an initial web-based search for programs of interested based on the criteria that are most important to you. For example, if you have decided on a part-time program and know the city or country where you wish to study, search for educational institutions that offer a part-time program in that particular location. Alter your search based on the factors you already know such as location of the program, the degree type and of course the subject area in which you wish to study.
2. Organize your options
Once you have done a thorough search, make an alphabetical list of all your options, regardless of what you presently know or have heard about them. Be very careful about accepting word of mouth or what you think you know as final at this point in the search process. We are individuals, and as such, have different needs, expectations and experiences. This is your educational experience – not someone else’s. You need to start by gathering a list of options. Do not eliminate any of them at this point. You want to get as much information as possible so you can decide what options are most appealing for you.
3. Research
Conduct some initial research on all the institutions you have on your list. Assess not only the content of material on websites, but look at the way in which it is presented. Is information easy to find? Is the tone friendly and inviting? Are there easy and quick ways to request more information? Speaking of which, this would be a good time to request written information from each of the institutions. This will enable you to review what you receive any time you want. It will also provide you an opportunity to find out just how responsive admissions offices are to you. This can be very telling, and may shed light on the general level of responsiveness of those institutions about which you have made inquiry.
4. Start saving
Twelve months before applying is a great time to start setting aside financial resources for your search and application process. You will be expected to pay for standardized tests and application fees throughout the application process, and you may decide to purchase some test taking preparation materials or visit some of the institutions you end up placing on your list of top options. You can also begin to look into fee waivers. Some programs offer to waive the application fee for students who meet particular qualifications.
Application Timeline: 6 months before applying
In Application Timeline: 12 Months Before Applying, we explored some preliminary steps to take as you begin your research on international schools. As your six-month deadline approaches, consider taking the following steps:
1. Make a few campus visits. There are a number of ways to do this. Check your school’s website for details:
Most institutions provide opportunities to visit during the academic year. Visitors can usually attend classes, take a campus tour, meet current students and speak with someone in the admissions office. If an admissions interview is required as part of the application process, ask to have the interview as part of the visit.
Some institutions also have special campus visit programs which include sessions on the admissions process, financial aid, housing, student life, career services and more. These programs often take place in the fall.
If you’d rather explore the campus on your own, or if your schedule doesn’t accommodate a more formal appointment, you can visit unannounced.
2. If you’re unable to visit campus, find out if admissions information sessions (also called receptions) are held close to where you live. Many institutions recruit in areas they have identified as strong or developing markets. This provides a great way to get to know the institution better.
3. Check out the school’s rankings with a critical eye. Rankings are useful, but make sure you take a close look at the methodology behind the rankings. You will see that some methodologies are sound while others are lacking. If an institution is ranked highly, but the methodology is not credible, you need to interpret that accordingly. Also, be sure to evaluate several rankings by the same organization/publication over time. If there is a sizeable difference between one ranking and the next, is it likely that good methodology is taking a back burner to selling copies of the ranking. It is very unlikely that one institution would move up or down several places in only one or two years.
4. Make sure to create a written evaluation of your visit as soon as possible after it is completed, so that your experiences and impressions will be fresh in your mind. A spreadsheet can be a useful way to record this information. Remember, while rankings and reputation are important to consider, it’s ultimately your personal experience and impressions that are most important. It is your time, energy, and financial resources that are being spent.
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