We’ve helped 100s of students apply to their dream universities abroad, so we know how important it is to get your application right. With so much to think about, how can you be sure that you’re submitting an exceptional application?
In this guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know to elevate your application from average to outstanding, and increase your chances of admission.
We'll cover:
What universities look for in an international student
Our top personal statement tips
The application process
To prepare for your university application, it’s important to understand what the process involves.
1. Choose your university and program
You can’t study abroad until you know where you want to study and what program you want to apply to. This might seem like a difficult decision, but answering these questions can help you choose:
- What is your study abroad budget?
- What subjects are you interested in?
- What country do you want to study in?
- What university is right for you?
- What program do you want to study?
If you’re not sure where to begin, we have a number of useful guides on our website to get you started. Alternatively, find the perfect university and programs for you.
2. Research and fulfill the requirements
You’ll need to meet all the requirements and gather the necessary documents before you apply to university. These can vary depending on the university, program, and country, but generally include:
- Application form
- Academic transcripts
- Qualifications and certifications
- Personal statement
- Letter of recommendation
- Portfolio (for creative subjects)
- Visa documents
With the Studee application platform, you can start your application and come back to it anytime to upload your documents. We'll remind you if anything is missing and let you know when to submit it. This way, you stay fully prepared and won't miss any important deadlines.
3. Complete the application and submit your documents
Once you’ve filled out your application form and obtained all the necessary documents, you’re ready to submit your application. Check that all the information you’ve given is correct and that you’ve included everything the university requires.
Submit your application well before the deadline so that you can resolve any problems you might encounter.
4. Wait for a decision
It’s completely normal to feel nervous while waiting to find out if you’ve been accepted into your study abroad program. Remember that the university’s admissions process can take several weeks or even months depending on their timeline and the number of applications they receive.
During this waiting period, be patient and monitor your email or the application platform for any communication from the university. They could send updates about your application status or request additional information.
We support you by contacting the university directly as deadlines approach to follow up on your application. We'll keep you updated on any changes to the university's decision date.
While you wait, take the opportunity to research and prepare for the next steps of your study abroad journey.
5. Receive the decision
Receiving a decision from an international university is a big moment. If you receive an acceptance letter - congratulations! After celebrating, take some time to carefully review the enrollment process and any additional steps or requirements the university may have.
Make sure you understand deadlines for confirming your place, paying fees, and submitting any further documents, such as visa applications.
If you receive a rejection, you might be feeling disappointed. However, this doesn’t mean it’s the end of our study abroad journey. You can ask the university for feedback on your application to understand how you can improve. Use this time to reflect on your next steps.
Consider applying to other universities or programs, or explore different opportunities. We can help you find alternative options that you might not have thought of yet.
What do universities look for in an international student?
Before you apply to study abroad, it’s useful to understand what makes a strong candidate in the eyes of a university.
When deciding which students to enroll, universities favor students who:
- Meet entry requirements
All university programs have specific requirements that students must meet to be considered for admission. These usually include having good grades in subjects related to the program, the necessary qualifications for the level of study, and passing any required entry exams.
If you don’t meet the criteria, you might not be eligible for the program. In that case, you might need to improve your qualifications, or look for alternative programs and universities that you’re better suited for.
- Have the required language skills
Universities need to be confident that you can successfully participate in your program, even if you’re a non-native speaker. This is why you’ll often be asked to take a language proficiency test.
For most universities, you’ll need to take an English Language Test (ELT), with TOEFL and IELTS being the most common test required by international universities.
Each ELT has its own process, format, scoring system, and fees. Make sure to research the right test for your chosen university and program. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare, take the test, and receive your results before applying to universities.
For more information and advice on ELTs, read our essential guide here.
- Have the right personal and academic qualities
Universities consider your interests, strengths, achievements, experiences, goals, and hobbies when reviewing your application.
You can highlight these qualities in your personal statement (see below). This will help the admissions team understand if you’re a good fit for the program, and whether your values align with the university’s.
For more information on how universities decide which students get accepted onto their programs, read our guide here.
Studee’s top personal statement tips
1. Write the essentials
Personal statements usually have a minimum word count between 400 and 1,000 words, depending on where you apply. To ensure you can cover everything important in your personal statement, focus on the following key points:
- Why do you want to apply?
Show the university that you’re passionate and motivated. Explain what inspired you to apply for the program, and what sparked your interest in the subject. Universities want to know why this program is important to you and what makes you excited to study it.
- What do you want to achieve?
Share your goals for both your time at university and after you graduate. Describe what you hope to learn or experience during your studies and how the program will help you achieve your future career or personal goals. This shows the university that you have a clear purpose for studying, and are serious about achieving your ambitions.
- What makes you an ideal student?
This is your chance to show the admissions team who you are beyond your grades and test scores. Highlight your achievements both inside and outside school. Include any work experience, volunteering, or extracurricular activities you’ve been involved in. Discuss hobbies or interests that have helped you develop the skills and qualities you will bring to campus.
2. Communicate concisely and clearly
Every word counts in your personal statement, so it’s important to make sure the university can easily understand your writing. Keep each point clear and concise, and stay within the required word limit.
Avoid using unnecessary or complicated language. If your statement is too wordy or difficult to read, it might confuse the admissions team and make your message less effective.
Instead, focus on being straightforward, using simple language that clearly expresses your ideas. This will help ensure your personal statement makes a strong impression.
3. Relate everything to the program and university
Make sure that your personal statement clearly relates to what you can contribute to the university and program. This will keep it relevant and focused, show that you understand what the university is looking for in an applicant, and allow you to effectively demonstrate why you’re a strong candidate for the program you want to study.
4. Be personal and positive
Your personal statement should be clear, but not overly formal. This is your chance to showcase your personality, so use a personal and positive tone to express how excited you are about studying the program. Let your enthusiasm come through in your writing.
5. Get a second opinion
Ask a teacher, school counselor, academic advisor, friend, or family member to read your personal statement before you submit it. They can give helpful feedback on how easy it is to read, whether it clearly shows your skills and qualities, and where it could be improved.
If your school uses Studee, your counselor may also be able to help you track personal statement drafts, deadlines, and writing requirements through your workspace.
University application FAQs
What is the deadline for submitting my application?
Your application deadline will be clearly displayed on the university’s website or on the application platform that you’re using. We’ll send you regular reminders to help you stay on track and ensure you submit everything on time.
What should I do if I’m missing documents before the deadline?
Find out which documents are missing, how to get them, and if you can do this before the deadline. We help you keep track of what’s needed, and you can contact us for guidance anytime.
How do I know if my application is complete?
Most application forms and portals allow students to keep track of their application progress. Our Studee application platform allows students to receive deadline reminders, alerts to submit missing documents, and status updates so that you know your application is ready to submit and when it has been received by the university.
How do I accept an offer of admission?
When you receive an offer from a university, they will send you an acceptance letter with all the information you need on how to accept, and what steps to take next. Read the letter carefully and contact the university or counselor if you have any questions.
What should I do if I receive multiple offers of admission?
Evaluate each offer carefully and choose the best fit based on your academic and personal preferences. Ask for a second opinion from a friend, family member, teacher, or counselor if you need some extra guidance before deciding.
What should I do if I’m placed on a waitlist?
If you’re still interested in that particular university and program, and you’re willing to wait longer for a decision, go ahead and accept the waitlist offer.
Alternatively, if you want to continue the process immediately, reject the offer and consider exploring alternative options.
What should I do if I’m rejected by a university?
No one wants to receive a rejection but it’s all a part of the process. Take some time to reflect and process your feelings, then decide what you want to do next. We can help you to reapply or explore different universities and programs.
How Studee supports you with your university application
Applying to university abroad can feel complicated, especially if you are comparing different countries, programs, requirements, documents, and deadlines.
Studee helps make the process clearer and easier to manage by giving you one organized workspace for your university research and applications.
If your school uses Studee, your counselor can also support you through the same workspace. This helps you stay aligned, understand what needs to happen next, and keep your applications moving more clearly.
We support you with your application by:
Helping you research and compare universities
Studee helps you explore universities and programs around the world based on the things that matter most to you, such as your subject interests, study goals, budget, location, qualifications, and application timeline.
This can help you move from a broad search to a more focused list of options that may be a good fit.
Supporting a stronger shortlist
A good shortlist is not only about choosing universities you like. It should include options that match your academic profile, goals, budget, and timeline.
Studee helps you compare programs more clearly, so you can understand which options may be worth exploring further. If your school uses Studee, your counselor can also help you review your shortlist and think through which routes may be realistic for your plans.
Helping you understand application requirements
Different universities and countries ask for different documents, qualifications, and deadlines.
Studee helps you organize key application details, so you can see what each application may need and plan your next steps more clearly.
You should always check the university’s official requirements before submitting an application, as requirements can vary by program, qualification type, nationality, and intake.
Keeping your documents, tasks, and deadlines organized
International applications often involve many moving parts. You may need to request transcripts, prepare a personal statement, ask for references, upload documents, check deadlines, and respond to university updates.
Studee helps you keep your application information in one workspace, so it is easier to see what is complete, what is missing, and what needs your attention next.
Helping you work with your counselor
If your school uses Studee, your counselor can support you through the same workspace.
They can help you review your options, understand key requirements, track important tasks, and stay aligned as you prepare your applications.
This helps reduce repeated emails, manual updates, and last-minute confusion, so your counselor can spend more time helping you make informed decisions.
Helping you keep your options open
Study abroad plans can change. You may find that a program is not the right fit, a deadline is too close, or a requirement is difficult to meet.
Studee can help you compare different options and build a more balanced shortlist. If your school uses Studee, your counselor can also help you think through alternative routes that fit your goals, qualifications, budget, and timeline.
Studee does not guarantee admission, scholarships, visas, or enrollment. Universities make their own admissions decisions. Studee helps you stay organized, make more informed choices, and manage your applications with clearer support.
For more information on how we support international students, read our guide here.