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Universities review thousands of applications every year to find the most suitable candidates. Some university programmes are more competitive than others and the top-ranked institutions usually receive the highest volume of applications.
There are many things you can do to better your chances of getting your application firmly onto the ‘yes’ pile.
I’ve been accepted onto programmes at prestigious universities including Yale University, the University of Pennsylvania, Brown University and Carnegie Mellon University. While the process of applying to university can be competitive, you can make your application stand out from the crowd with careful planning and guidance.
Here’s everything I’ve learned about making your university application the best it can be.
Start your research early
One of the most important tasks when putting together your university application is researching universities as early as possible.
University rankings can be an excellent place to start. The QS World University Rankings include 1,500 universities around the world and you can filter by location and by nine indicators including employment outcomes, academic reputation, sustainability and faculty to student ratio.
The QS World University Rankings were immensely helpful for me as I could categorise the schools into ambitious, target and safety schools before I started more in-depth research. Once I had an idea of the institutions I was interested in, I headed to the university websites for information about the school and for specific programme details.
I’m interested in computational biology, so I looked for programmes that fit my academic interests and career aspirations. It’s helpful to look at specific modules to see exactly what and how I’d learn. I wanted experience in quantitative coursework because it would train me to become a better computational biologist.
Top tip: Make a note of the admissions requirements, submission dates and any other documentation you need for each university.
Talk to academics and students
Online research is a great starting point, but putting in the effort to reach out to academics and students will make your decision much easier.
Ask questions about the programme you’re interested in, the application process and what it’s really like to study on the course day to day.
As well as giving you a more authentic idea of where you might choose to study, speaking with university staff and students will also demonstrate your proactiveness and genuine interest in the degree, which can make a positive impression on the admissions team.
Universities often host online or in-person open days and information sessions for prospective students. I found attending events one of the best ways to understand what it would be like to study at that university and to find out what the programme directors are looking for in their next cohort of students.
Build your CV
The components of a university application typically include a CV or resume, a statement of purpose (SOP), letters of recommendation (LORs) and official documentation. Each of these elements is critical to establishing yourself as a great candidate.
Your CV should highlight your academic achievements and qualifications, professional experiences, any relevant coursework, and an overview of the skills you can bring to the programme.
I used this template for creating a CV when I was applying to universities in the US. You can make a copy of this template to edit for your own applications.
When applying to European universities, the Europass CV is one of the best-known CV formats. It’s easy to use and familiar to employers and education institutions.
Top tip:Always tailor your CV to the programme you’re applying for and emphasise how your experiences align with the programme requirements and outcomes.
Bring your statement of purpose (SOP) to life
The statement of purpose is a written statement explaining why you are interested in the university, what you can bring to the cohort and what you hope to achieve from studying the programme you’re applying for.
This is your opportunity to show who you are and how passionate you are about studying your chosen subject. Think about what really inspires you to study the programme, what interests you the most, how it relates to the world today, and why you think you’re a great fit. Be real about who you are and what drives you.
In my experience, my statement of purpose has been successful when I’ve been specific about why I’m a good fit for the programme. Instead of writing generic statements, quotes and cliches, being able to provide concrete examples of my experiences and achievements demonstrated my readiness.
Thinking about your statement of purpose early gives you the opportunity to add further experiences to your skillset, and to prepare what you want to say. It’s important to check your statement of purpose with somebody who has experience with university applications, like a university or school tutor, or an education counsellor.
Top tip:Look at the university’s research areas that relate to your subject and talk about how that interests you.
Prepare your letters of recommendation (LORs)
Letters of recommendation are an essential part of the university application, as they provide evidence of your abilities, work ethic and potential as a student.
Some universities ask for one letter of recommendation while others may require two. Check what is needed before you reach out to people who know you well and can speak to your strengths and qualifications.
When applying for a master’s degree, I asked my university professors to write my letters of recommendation. I provided them with ample time to write the letters and gave them my statement of purpose, specific information about the programme and why I was applying. This helped them to gain a broader view of who I am and my career goals.
I followed up with a polite reminder before the deadline to ensure they were able to submit the letters on time. If you’re applying to be an undergraduate student, you can ask your school teachers for a letter of recommendation, or your supervisors at any part-time jobs or volunteering opportunities you’ve had.
Some university programmes require prospective students to interview for a place. If you’re invited for an interview, it’s important to prepare so that you make a positive. From my experience, a good interview feels more like a smooth discussion instead of a monotonous session of questions and answers with awkward silences.
Find out what type of interview you will be having, such as an in-person interview, phone interview, or video interview. Familiarise yourself with the format and prepare accordingly.
I received several interview invitations during my application journey. I prepared by going through my CV and statement of purpose, and looked up trends in the field I want to study in. It can also help to research some of the professors teaching on the programme and what they specialise in. I also prepared some thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers about the programme, faculty, and research opportunities. Lastly, dress appropriately for the interview and be punctual.
Lean on your tutors for guidance
Tutors and professors can be the best people to guide you in your university applications. Professors sometimes sit on admissions committees and review student applications, so they know what to look for in a stand-out application.
When applying for a master’s degree, I made the most of speaking with my undergraduate professors to help with reviewing my statement of purpose and writing recommendation letters, preparing me for interview and even suggesting good programmes to apply to. One of the postdoc researchers at a lab I volunteered at helped me with my applications, too.
All in all, to make your university application the best it can be, start early, be organised and reach out for help. Good luck!
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How to make your university application the best it can be
Zeaan Pithawala
Updated Jul 12, 2023Save
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Table of contents
Universities review thousands of applications every year to find the most suitable candidates. Some university programmes are more competitive than others and the top-ranked institutions usually receive the highest volume of applications.
There are many things you can do to better your chances of getting your application firmly onto the ‘yes’ pile.
I’ve been accepted onto programmes at prestigious universities including Yale University, the University of Pennsylvania, Brown University and Carnegie Mellon University. While the process of applying to university can be competitive, you can make your application stand out from the crowd with careful planning and guidance.
Here’s everything I’ve learned about making your university application the best it can be.
Start your research early
One of the most important tasks when putting together your university application is researching universities as early as possible.
University rankings can be an excellent place to start. The QS World University Rankings include 1,500 universities around the world and you can filter by location and by nine indicators including employment outcomes, academic reputation, sustainability and faculty to student ratio.
The QS World University Rankings were immensely helpful for me as I could categorise the schools into ambitious, target and safety schools before I started more in-depth research. Once I had an idea of the institutions I was interested in, I headed to the university websites for information about the school and for specific programme details.
I’m interested in computational biology, so I looked for programmes that fit my academic interests and career aspirations. It’s helpful to look at specific modules to see exactly what and how I’d learn. I wanted experience in quantitative coursework because it would train me to become a better computational biologist.
Top tip: Make a note of the admissions requirements, submission dates and any other documentation you need for each university.
Talk to academics and students
Online research is a great starting point, but putting in the effort to reach out to academics and students will make your decision much easier.
Ask questions about the programme you’re interested in, the application process and what it’s really like to study on the course day to day.
As well as giving you a more authentic idea of where you might choose to study, speaking with university staff and students will also demonstrate your proactiveness and genuine interest in the degree, which can make a positive impression on the admissions team.
Universities often host online or in-person open days and information sessions for prospective students. I found attending events one of the best ways to understand what it would be like to study at that university and to find out what the programme directors are looking for in their next cohort of students.
Build your CV
The components of a university application typically include a CV or resume, a statement of purpose (SOP), letters of recommendation (LORs) and official documentation. Each of these elements is critical to establishing yourself as a great candidate.
Your CV should highlight your academic achievements and qualifications, professional experiences, any relevant coursework, and an overview of the skills you can bring to the programme.
I used this template for creating a CV when I was applying to universities in the US. You can make a copy of this template to edit for your own applications.
When applying to European universities, the Europass CV is one of the best-known CV formats. It’s easy to use and familiar to employers and education institutions.
Top tip: Always tailor your CV to the programme you’re applying for and emphasise how your experiences align with the programme requirements and outcomes.
Bring your statement of purpose (SOP) to life
The statement of purpose is a written statement explaining why you are interested in the university, what you can bring to the cohort and what you hope to achieve from studying the programme you’re applying for.
This is your opportunity to show who you are and how passionate you are about studying your chosen subject. Think about what really inspires you to study the programme, what interests you the most, how it relates to the world today, and why you think you’re a great fit. Be real about who you are and what drives you.
In my experience, my statement of purpose has been successful when I’ve been specific about why I’m a good fit for the programme. Instead of writing generic statements, quotes and cliches, being able to provide concrete examples of my experiences and achievements demonstrated my readiness.
Thinking about your statement of purpose early gives you the opportunity to add further experiences to your skillset, and to prepare what you want to say. It’s important to check your statement of purpose with somebody who has experience with university applications, like a university or school tutor, or an education counsellor.
Top tip: Look at the university’s research areas that relate to your subject and talk about how that interests you.
Prepare your letters of recommendation (LORs)
Letters of recommendation are an essential part of the university application, as they provide evidence of your abilities, work ethic and potential as a student.
Some universities ask for one letter of recommendation while others may require two. Check what is needed before you reach out to people who know you well and can speak to your strengths and qualifications.
When applying for a master’s degree, I asked my university professors to write my letters of recommendation. I provided them with ample time to write the letters and gave them my statement of purpose, specific information about the programme and why I was applying. This helped them to gain a broader view of who I am and my career goals.
I followed up with a polite reminder before the deadline to ensure they were able to submit the letters on time. If you’re applying to be an undergraduate student, you can ask your school teachers for a letter of recommendation, or your supervisors at any part-time jobs or volunteering opportunities you’ve had.
Testimonials
Prepare for interview
Some university programmes require prospective students to interview for a place. If you’re invited for an interview, it’s important to prepare so that you make a positive. From my experience, a good interview feels more like a smooth discussion instead of a monotonous session of questions and answers with awkward silences.
Find out what type of interview you will be having, such as an in-person interview, phone interview, or video interview. Familiarise yourself with the format and prepare accordingly.
I received several interview invitations during my application journey. I prepared by going through my CV and statement of purpose, and looked up trends in the field I want to study in. It can also help to research some of the professors teaching on the programme and what they specialise in. I also prepared some thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers about the programme, faculty, and research opportunities. Lastly, dress appropriately for the interview and be punctual.
Lean on your tutors for guidance
Tutors and professors can be the best people to guide you in your university applications. Professors sometimes sit on admissions committees and review student applications, so they know what to look for in a stand-out application.
When applying for a master’s degree, I made the most of speaking with my undergraduate professors to help with reviewing my statement of purpose and writing recommendation letters, preparing me for interview and even suggesting good programmes to apply to. One of the postdoc researchers at a lab I volunteered at helped me with my applications, too.
All in all, to make your university application the best it can be, start early, be organised and reach out for help. Good luck!
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