Top tips to remember when applying to university

09 May 2019

The world can seem a lot smaller with the infinite knowledge of the internet at our fingertips – something that becomes particularly obvious when making international applications, especially for university courses.

If you’re applying for an overseas course and are doing it all via the world wide web, you should find it a reasonably stress-free experience so long as you keep the following advice in mind.

Remember – it can be all too easy to miss an online application deadline – constant vigilance is key! So, it’s time to switch off your Twitter feed, put the dog outside and concentrate on completing an online application that’ll get them falling at your feet!

UCAS is still open for university applications for 2019. Here’s all you need to know: https://t.co/S6Mw1dNBZ6

— UoP Computing (@UoPComputing) 8 May 2019

1. Sounds simple, but…remember your logins!

The first step is ensuring you keep any login information you might need in a very safe – and, of course, memorable – place. If you lose any of those details, it could leave you cold, alone and locked out of your university application – not ideal, especially when you’re close to a deadline!

The best thing to do is to write them all down and keep them somewhere secure, or, alternatively, email them to yourself. This way, you don’t waste any time (or worse) by losing vital information.

⏰ Application deadline fast approaching! Apply by Sunday 12th May, join our May intake and take advantage of our 2018/2019 fees: https://t.co/YnHHEH6W83 pic.twitter.com/QEOUcoMoDB

— Coventry University Online (@CovOnline) 8 May 2019

2. Ditch the distractions

Turn off Netflix. No amount of binge-watching can save you now. Where the internet is concerned, your computer screen should only be filled with material relevant to your university application. That means no Instagram and no adorable cat videos.

As innocuous as these might seem, and as much as you may feel you’re in control, there will always be distractions trying to tempt you away. So ditch all those diversions and focus on completing your application!

Source: Giphy

3. Get a second opinion

It’s always good to ask loved ones and friends to read through your application once it’s finished. Like most people, you’ll probably feel a little uneasy having to ‘toot your own horn’ while completing such a complex document, and you can never be sure whether you’ve missed out some really important details, so it’s vital that your application is seen by fresh eyes before you send it.

For the application itself, ensure all the data and information relating to you and your background is entered carefully and read by someone else who can provide an objective view. This will ensure you have every chance to pick up errors. Think about it – it doesn’t look good if you miss out crucial details!

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— Amref International University (AMIU) (@AmrefUniversity) 7 May 2019

4. Save it or lose it!

Always, always, always save your work. ALWAYS. Every ten minutes. Or, better still, save it via the Cloud or a similar online storage space. When you’re faced with an online application for a course that could well dictate the rest of your life, it’s absolutely essential that you save your work on a regular, almost obsessive, basis. Computers can freeze. There could a power cut. Don’t risk it!

After a long stressful 6 months of applying & waiting for colleges, receiving over $22,000 in BAND scholarships alone, with all the tears & joy, I’m proudly choosing thee Florida A&M University! 💚🧡🐍 #NationalCollegeDecisionDay #FAMU23 pic.twitter.com/S2GbG1xmdI

— ɪsᴀʙᴇʟʟᴀ (@epicfailbug_) 1 May 2019

5. Draft, draft and draft again!

Finally, it’s important to write drafts of your application. Whether this means on paper (a little old-fashioned, perhaps) on a word processing platform like Word, drafting up your application will help you improve your work and put you in a position where you can spot errors before they become cold-blooded application killers.

Spend time drafting what you want to say in a personal statement, for example, and you’ll be guaranteed a much more professional and effective response overall.

Essentially, applying online for a course is mostly about preparation and concentration. It may seem ridiculously quick and easy, but if you don’t prepare carefully for the process you could find that karma comes back to bite.