Not sure what documents you require for your college applications? Browse through our compiled list of requirements of colleges to find out.

1. Valid ID

Have a Valid CNIC and Passport. Make sure your Passport still has a validity of at least six months.

2. Application Form

This is the most important document that includes all your personal and professional details. An application form is to be filled carefully with correct information. Always double check before submitting.

3. Statement of Purpose (SOP)

The most important component of your application, this essay will mostly talk about your background, reason to pursue your program in the stated university, and your career goals.

4. Academic Transcripts

This is essentially your academic record provided by your previously attended institution, it is similar to a consolidated mark sheet as we have in Pakistan, which will include all courses you’ve taken with your grades.

5. Essays

Some universities may ask you to submit a study abroad essay to make sure that you are serious about your study abroad plans. This essay can be a great chance to make an impeccable first impression and exhibit to the university administration.

6. CV

Curriculum Vitae is a concise document that includes an individual’s education, research work, extracurricular activities, work experience, achievements, certificates, and personal interests.

7. Letters of Recommendation

Academic and Professional Letters of Recommendation are required to ensure credibility of a student.

Students often wonder what exactly AP classes are in an American high school system. Read along as we explain the AP classes in detail.

• AP (Advanced Placement) is a program of classes to give high school students an introduction to college-level classes and gain college credit.
• A-Levels are relatively intensive courses taken over a two-year period, a typical student will do three, and a bright student might do four. 
• A Level essentially from the standard core examination that students take in their final two years that determine their entry into the university. 
• Advanced Placement exams, or APS, are optional exams that American High school students can take and administered through the college board. 
• AP classes are one-off exams and generally slot in and around the right school curriculum. Many students will take none at all; some bright students may take as many as 10 or more.
• Although APs can help us students get into university, they are not mandatory in high school for university admissions. 

Letters of Recommendation are an integral part of your University application. Strong Letters of Recommendation showcase what makes you a diverse and notable applicant, allowing you to be different from other applicants.

What is a LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION?

A letter Of Recommendation is a letter written on behalf of an applicant by someone who can vouch for that person’s academic or professional performance.

WHY IS IT NEEDED?

Recommendations are a very important part of the application process as they allow universities to see the applicants through someone else’s eyes. Universities value recommendations that can give them a personal insight into the achievements and traits of the student.

WHAT SHOULD IT INCLUDE?

A good recommendation should be honest, accurate, and complete. The recommendation letter should mention the qualities and unique contributions that you would bring to the university – what positive changes, impact, and new learning would you be able to contribute towards.

WHO SHOULD WRITE YOUR LOR?

It is important to get recommendations written by people who know the applicant very well. Be it teachers, academic counselors or employers. Synopsis on the course and interest should be well known to the recommender before writing your letter of recommendation.

English Language Proficiency Tests are a main component of your international college applications. TOEFL is only accepted by American institutions while IELTS is accepted by all international institutions worldwide.

IELTS:

• IELTS is available 7 days a week, three times daily.
• IELTS speaking test is conducted face-to-face with a human examiner at a test center.
• IELTS results arrive within 3 to 7 days.

TOEFL:

• TOEFL is available more than 60 times a year.
• TOEFL speaking test is conducted by wearing headphones and speaking into a microphone.
• TOEFL results arrive within one week.

If you are stressed about how to prepare for IELTS exams, here are a few tips you can follow to ace your exam.

Test yourself with practice questions:

Do timed practice questions online and allow yourself to understand the questions and text. Try solving the IELTS authentic practice tests, there are model answers and examiner comments to help you analyze your work.

Record yourself doing an IELTS Speaking Test:

Ask for a friend to practice with you, either at home or online, take turns being the examiner and the candidate. Listen back and evaluate your own performance. You could also try to note down everything you said, like a transcript, this will help you to identify any mistakes that you made.

Test out computer delivered IELTS:

Even if you have no intention of taking a computer-delivered IELTS test, there are some really helpful practice materials available on the internet. The test is the same whether you take it on a computer or on paper so these activities will be useful to you.

Are you confused and worried about what to do before you arrive at your University? Here are 6 things you should do before your classes start.

Manage your Finances:

While this may not seem like the most exciting task when preparing for university, it’s essential to get your finances in order before starting your classes so you can budget for the coming academic year.

Arrange Accommodation:

When it comes to finding a place to live, most students choose to stay in an on-campus residence, as they’re managed by the university, guarantee security, and present an easy way to meet new people.

Know What To Pack:

Find out what will be provided at your accommodation to avoid making unnecessary purchases and check how much storage space you’ll have – there’s no point taking things you don’t have the room to keep.

Benefit From Discounted Travel:

Taking a car to university isn’t always necessary. If you have one, parking is likely limited, and you’ll have to pay for a permit to leave it on campus. It’s worth looking into your savings by using trains, buses, and coaches instead.

Arrange A Health Check:

Arrange a health check with your GP before you leave home to ensure that you’re starting university in the best health possible. This is especially important in post-COVID times.

Get To Know The Area:

Familiarize yourself with your new surroundings. It’s a good idea to have a look around while you’re visiting for an open day. Even a virtual tour can give you some sense of what to expect.

We asked our University Application Experts about the most common mistakes to avoid when considering applying to an international degree.

1. Considering only the tuition fees when budgeting for your degree:

When you’re considering how much money you would need for international experience, it’s easy to go and search for the cheapest tuition fee, thinking this is the way to go and save money, but that’s not always the case. 

2. Thinking your program tuition is less than it actually is:

Tuition fees have to be researched and you should understand how they work. There are additional costs that you might have to consider including library, lab, meals, books, and living. 

3. Ignoring potential scholarships:

A lot of students don’t even try to apply for a scholarship, thinking they won’t meet the requirements, but that’s not always the case. So research, research, research!

4. Not checking if you can work while studying in the country:

While we’re discussing documents and funding options, let’s mention that if you want to work during your studies, you will only be allowed to work part-time as a student.

Confused about which exam to take for your postgraduate applications? Both GRE and GMAT are pretty expensive tests and require proper resource materials for preparation. Scores are Valid for 5 Years. Many university programs do not require a GRE or GMAT. Research about the degrees you are planning on applying to and check their requirements.

GRE (Graduate Record Exam)

It includes following sections:

• Analytical Writing (2 Sections)
• Verbal Reasoning (2 sections)
• Quantitative Reasoning (2 sections)
• Unscored Section for Research Purposes
• Harder verbal and vocabulary & more emphasis on writing.
• Difficulty level varies from section to section.

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)

It is intended to assess:

• Analytical Writing + 1 Essay Integrated Reasoning
• Verbal Reasoning
• Quantitative Reasoning
• Harder Maths & more emphasis on grammar. It is Applicable only for Business Schools Difficulty level increases and decreases Question by Question.

Asking yourself the right questions before considering applying to an international university is an important part and sets the ground into the right direction for you. It helps clear your mind and moves you in the right direction to make the best decision about your future and career.

• Am I able to afford the total cost?

Many students mistake the tuition cost as the only important cost, however the application costs, medical exam cost, English language test, living, traveling and necessity shopping costs make up most of the costs that will be incurred. Therefore the affordability should be properly researched upon.

• What will be the benefit of the specific degree I am going to apply into?

Demand of the specific degree and Career opportunities back at home and in other countries should be researched about.

• Am I fulfilling the admission requirements?

Each program has its own requirements, they need to be properly checked to know which of the requirements a student is able to fulfill. Some programs require extra admission tests and some require job experiences.

• Am I excited and happy?

This is the most important question you need to ask yourself. You should be excited about getting a once in a lifetime opportunity and be ready to start your new venture full of hope for a brighter future.

Want to get a scholarship? Here are some tips that can help you stand out in your scholarship application!

• Make a good first impression:

The first impression you make on your scholarship reviewer can have a huge impact on whether they invite you to join their team or not. So, it’s important that you make a good first impression with your application letter.

• Be concise and clear:

The scholarship application process is a lot like a job interview. You want to show that you’re the best candidate for the position, so it’s important that you do all you can to make sure your application stands out from the crowd. 

• Take your time:

Don’t rush. It’s tempting to want to apply for scholarships as soon as possible, but rushing your scholarship application will almost certainly result in making mistakes and leaving out important details.

• Follow the submission guidelines:

The submission guidelines are there for a reason. If you don’t follow them, you could be disqualified from the competition. For example, if your application doesn’t have all of the required attachments or if your resume isn’t formatted correctly and follows the rules, then it will likely not be accepted into consideration.

• Proofread and then have someone else read it for you:

Proofread, proofread, proofread and then have someone else read it for you.

1. Read the SOP out loud. You should be able to recite it verbatim (without thinking) so that you can spot mistakes on your own.
2. Use a thesaurus to find better words/phrases than those used in the original document; this will also help improve clarity.

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help, if you need it:

1. Google is your friend.
2.  Ask a friend or family member to proofread your work before you submit it. It might also give you some time to think about how best to answer questions in the future!
3. If things are still unclear after reading through all of these tips.

• Do careful planning and preparation:

1. Be prepared.
2. Don’t rush it.
3. Proofread! Have someone else read it for you.
4. Follow the submission guidelines to the letter, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it!