These words hold profound significance, especially when it comes to applying to universities as an international student. Preparation plays a pivotal role in shaping a solid application, ultimately determining the path you embark upon for the next four years of your life. Through my experience, I have learned from mistakes and would like to guide future applicants, highlighting crucial pitfalls to avoid.
LESSONS LEARNT:
No one’s going to do it for you
First and foremost, it is essential to recognize that no one is going to do the work for you. Whether it is waiting for teachers to forward recommendation letters, counting on your parents to deal with the administrative staff, or expecting your agent to handle visa requirements, remember that no one owes you anything. Take full ownership of the application process and eliminate dependence on others as much as you possibly can. Develop a habit of following up regularly, taking charge of your own destiny will help you during this process and beyond it.
See through your own limitations
It is essential to remain self-aware and see through your own limitations. While pushing yourself is necessary, an overly ambitious and poorly planned schedule can lead to procrastination which leads to complete paralysis. I remember giving myself a week to complete eight 400-word essays for three colleges, planning out all-nighters, internet detoxes and whatnot. Eventually I ended up completing only half of the workload. Instances like this can jeopardize your carefully crafted timeline in a major way. Strike a balance between challenging yourself and being realistic.
Explore, explore, explore
While university websites are undoubtedly crucial, it is worth exploring other platforms as well. Personally, I regret not fully utilizing these resources in a timely manner. Only after submitting my applications did I realize their untapped potential and how they could have transformed my approach. Extensively using LinkedIn, post-admission, for guidance from alumni and current students proved to be a gamechanger. Additionally, Reddit provided valuable insights into real-life experiences, such as housing. The upcoming AI based tools can also help students immensely if used wisely (for instance, I used ChatGPT to find a quote relevant to the passage).
It is crucial to remember that college applications, particularly for universities abroad, are highly subjective. Each applicant, from the vast pool of 2.8 million candidates, possesses a distinct background, goals, and perspective on life. As previously mentioned, I began my application process in 12th grade, which is the end of the tunnel for most applicants, but still was able to bag a globally top 50 ranked institution, which serves as a testament to the fact that it's never too late.
The timeline below, abbreviated TICA, is only meant to serve as a guideline for applicants wondering about what's next in their application process and not a rule of thumb.
9th Grade: Traverse
While it may seem like a stretch to begin rigorous planning for college applications in the 9th grade, it is indeed a crucial period as colleges start evaluating your progress from this point forward. For incoming high schoolers, I highly recommend exploring different fields of interest and taking part in activities and events related to those fields, while having a strong academic focus. This helps in building a diverse extracurricular profile, showcasing your passion and commitment to specific areas.
10th Grade: Investigate
As a 10th grader, it's important to have a clear idea of which stream to follow during your senior secondary years and have a broad idea about career trajectories moving forward. Based on this information, start researching colleges suitable for your respective ambitions. Look into admission requirements, course offerings, campus culture, and attend virtual information sessions whenever possible. Additionally, continue to engage in extracurricular activities while maintaining academic standards.
11th Grade: Connect
By 11th grade, you would have chosen your stream, created a broad college list, completed relevant courses, and accumulated a decent academic and extracurricular record. Now it's time to reach out and connect.
Go out of your way to connect with people who are relevant to your interests. Whether they are college students at your dream university or individuals in your community who can offer guidance and practical experience, build those connections. Also build a strong support network with your counselors, teachers, and, if possible, vice-principal and principal, as they will prove to be instrumental in your journey ahead.
Research internship opportunities, summer programs, volunteering roles, and any awards or certifications relevant to your field. Start preparing for standardized tests (SAT, ACT, IELTS, TOEFL, etc.) in early 11th grade (May-June) and aim to take the first attempt towards the end of the year (October-November). Also, focus on developing your writing skills throughout the year and strive for leadership roles within your school or community, whether it's becoming head boy/girl or president of a club or founding your own organization.
12th Grade: Actualize
It's the home stretch. Just one more year, and you will transition from a high schooler to a college freshman. Essays- the kryptonite of high schoolers- are due this year, and it's essential to have everything ready before the deadlines approach.
First and foremost, finalize your college list and classify the colleges based on target, reach, and dream schools. Familiarize yourself with their admission requirements, scholarship opportunities, dates and deadlines, course structures, locations, etc. Then, based on the requirements, reach out to teachers for letters of recommendation early in the year.
If your first attempt at standardized tests didn't go well, consider giving another one during the summer while also focusing on skill-building courses or internships. Keep in touch with your connections and perhaps even expand your network. It's often overlooked, but for the love of god ensure that you have necessary documents such as PAN card, Aadhar card, passport, etc. readily available when the time comes for committing to universities.
When colleges release their application forms, immediately note the list of essays and spread them out in a timeline according to your convenience and the order of the colleges you plan to apply to first. Highlight your qualities, narrate your life experiences in a compelling way, and tailor each essay to fit the specific college's requirements.
Remember, this timeline is not set in stone, and individual circumstances may vary. It's important to stay adaptable and seek guidance from your school counsellor, teachers, and mentors throughout the process. Good luck with your college applications!
