How to Apply to University

One of the most challenging things in life can be figuring out how to apply to university. This process can be really stressful for students if you do not know the right method. So, here is a guide on how to apply to university to help make this process stress-free for you.

How to Apply to University

The application process for a university plays a crucial role in deciding whether you will be able to study at that university or not. A good university gives you a boost in your career and provides you with a greater chance of succeeding in life.

To make the process of how to apply to university easier we have come up with some of the key factors that you need to keep in mind while applying to a university to help you stay focused and craft the perfect application for your dream university.

Choosing the University to Apply to

The first step in applying to a university is researching and choosing the universities you would like to study at. Look online at university websites and consider campus tours to help you create a shortlist.

Make sure the universities you are shortlisting all provide the subject that you are going to study. It is important you choose the universities based on your preferred subject or major.

It is easier to study a subject that you are passionate about as you will be spending 4 to 6 years of your life studying in that field and working even longer in that field later on.

Find out the Admission Requirements

It is very important to find out the admission requirements for the universities you are applying to.

You would not believe how common it is for students to complete the full application process and then find out they do not even meet the admission requirements for that specific university.

To find out the admission requirements for a university, go to the university’s homepage and see if you meet the requirements for the desired program you want to study in.

If you are unable to find the requirements for a university, try finding the contact information for the admissions department and ask them for the requirements for the university as well as your specific program of study. Be patient as it may take a few days for you to get a reply email back from the university.

It is important for you to find out the requirements of the universities you are applying to and then get ready for the application process. If you see that you do not meet requirements after all the hard work you have put in to create the perfect application, it is very easy to get demotivated and lose focus. So let’s find out those requirements!

Find out Education Cost

It is important to find out the cost of graduating from a university before you start the application process. It will help you know beforehand how much money you need to graduate from that university and whether you will be able to afford it.

Finding out the cost will help you understand whether you need financial aid to complete your degree. If you need financial aid, then you can also start weighing your options to see the types of financial aid programs offered.

Here at GrantMe, we can help find the best scholarships for you. All you need to do is go complete our scholarship assessment.

Consider the Distance from your Home

Before you start applying to universities, it is important for you to understand whether you want to study at a local school or study at a school that is in a different province.

Studying at a university near your hometown is cheaper because you might not need to move out of your parents’ home, which will reduce your expenses on rent. Expenses for traveling home for the holidays will also be much cheaper. 

Sort out the Application Process

It is important for you to understand the full application process after you have shortlisted the specific universities that you are interested in.

How do you sort out the application process? Here is a simple guideline that you can follow:

Ask for recommendation letters from some of your teachers within a period of two weeks. Create some sample drafts of essays for your shortlisted universities within the next two weeks. These two first steps usually take the most time, so it’s a good idea to start them first. This should give you a jump start for your application process and will help make the rest of the application process go much smoother.

Letters of Recommendations

It is important that you start getting the letters of recommendation from your teachers at an early stage of the application process.

Go to the teachers that know you well and ask them to write the letter of recommendation for you. It is better if you get a letter of recommendation from three teachers because most universities ask for two or three recommendation letters to be included in the application process.

To help your teachers write the recommendation letters, provide them with a copy of your achievements including both your academic credentials and extra-curricular activities.

Application Essays

Many universities require students to submit an essay with their application. This is a vital part of the application process and will help you greatly in the process of how to apply to university.

Common essay prompts may include your educational and career aspirations, your extracurricular involvement, or key qualities and skills you will bring to the university community. Some programs may even require a creative response to a prompt. Find out the specific topic for your program’s application.

Try writing the essay from a different perspective that highlights your positive traits and accomplishments that make you a valuable student for the university.

Collect the Required Documents

Be sure that you have all the documents that need to be included in the university application process.

Be proactive in this step so that on the final day of the application deadline you aren’t scurrying trying to collect your documents.

Some of the important documents that are required are letters of recommendation from teachers. Your high school transcripts or other certificates are also needed for you to apply to a specific university.

Talk with your Teachers and School Guidance Counsellor

It is important for you to get advice from your teachers and guidance counselor before submitting the final applications for your universities.

Your teachers and counselors are more experienced with the post-secondary application process than you, so they will have precious advice on how to increase the chances of you getting in your preferred university.

Show them the drafts of your essays and ask them about the approach you should take. They may have advice about what type of information you should include and what the essay should focus on. Always maximize the resources available to you; your teachers are one of them. 

Submit the Application

The final stage of your application process is submitting the application for the universities you are applying to.

Make sure you have all the necessary documents, letters of recommendation, essays and a completed application form (this could be an online form). Follow the application guide provided for each university.

All of these factors will make the process of how to apply to university much easier and stress-free for you!