Have you ever wondered what it takes to get into top universities abroad like Georgia Tech, Columbia, or Cambridge? Why are only a few students admitted out of so many applicants? Neha, the founder of WiseUp, surveyed over 100 students admitted to these top universities to find the answer. In this blog, we share the 5 secrets top study abroad applicants use to stand out and secure their spots.
Five secret strategies to get into top universities abroad
If you like to learn about this directly from the interviewer Neha, check out the video below.
1. Meticulous Planning – key to get into top universities abroad
- Most students start their study abroad preparation 3-4 months before the deadline. However, top applicants use a ‘reverse preparation hack,’ beginning up to a year in advance.
- They carefully shortlist universities, prepare for tests like GRE and TOEFL, craft strong admission essays, and submit applications well before deadlines.
- This strategic planning allows them to submit polished applications, unlike others who rush last minute.
Learn about the ideal timeline for getting into top universities abroad in the video below.
2. Extensive Research – university rankings, countries, jobs, alumni
- What sets these applicants apart is their clear goals and dedication to research.
- While others struggle, top applicants spend weeks shortlisting universities by exploring countries, research opportunities, curricula, and job prospects.
- They also attend university fairs, webinars, and connect with alumni and admission officers.
- This thorough research and networking help them gain valuable insights and submit strong applications.
Learn about how to choose univeristies abroad in our previous blog – (adding link here)
3. Excellent Academic & Professional Track Record
- Top applicants may claim their profiles are similar to yours, but they often secretly invest time in building a strong profile.
- They excel in tests like the GRE and TOEFL, engage in multiple research projects, internships, and extracurriculars, creating a well-rounded profile.
- These efforts set them apart and enhance their chances of getting into top universities abroad.
4. Emailing Professors
- While emailing professors isn’t mandatory or part of the official application process, top applicants for research-based master’s or PhD programs often reach out to professors in advance.
- If a professor is interested in a student’s profile and wants them in their research group, admission becomes easier.
- However, emailing professors requires effort—each email must be customized, and responses are rare. Most students skip this step, but it’s a key strategy that sets top applicants apart.
5. Write good quality admission essays – SOPs and LORs
- While many students rely on counselors or SOP writers, what sets top applicants apart is their commitment to writing their own documents.
- They take the time to learn how to craft strong SOPs and LORs, then invest in writing quality essays and having them professionally reviewed before submission.
- The students who join our Study Abroad Course, SOP Review Program and LOR Review Program are typically those aiming for top universities.
So everyone, that’s all wanted to share with you in this blog. After speaking to so many students, these are the main insights that Neha had received, and if you too want to get into top universities, then start adopting these and see a huge change in the application that you send out. Do drop your questions in the comments and we will get back to you as soon as possible 🙂
