5 Tips for International Students Applying to University

Take the stress out of the application process and enjoy this exciting time.

1. Do your research

What school is best for your interests and goals? What programs are the school's most prestigious? Find out about school fairs and visits, and if you can meet a university representative in your country. As you narrow down your list of schools, make sure you know the qualifications and prerequisites you need. What's the admissions process? What are the deadlines? What kind of support services are available to students, and international students in particular? Does the school help you get work experience in your area of study? What are the advantages of living in your potential new city, and the cost of living? And a big one: what scholarships do international students have access to?

Try to have fun exploring the possibilities! There's lots to learn.

2. Give yourself plenty of time

To avoid potential disappointment, start the process as early as possible. Leave plenty of room to ensure you get your study permit on time. Take note of deadlines in advance. Maybe you have stellar grades and would be admitted no problem, but if you miss the deadline to apply, or don't submit all your documents — by the time you get yourself organized, the program might be full. This is especially true for very niche programs that are popular and have limited enrollment.

Also, leave yourself plenty of time to get any prerequisites you may be missing. For example, if you have your heart set on aerospace engineering, and you haven't taken chemistry — make sure you have time to get that chemistry prerequisite!

3. Talk to current international students

As you narrow down the schools that seem right for you, it might help to hear what current international students have to say. Universities usually have testimonials (video) from students, and you can often ask to get in touch with a student from your country, or a student in the program you're interested in. They can offer great advice, and probably understand your perspective better than anyone. When you become an international university student, consider sharing your experiences too!

4. Take advantage of webinars / chats to ask questions and get a feel for the personality of the school

Many schools have online events. Carleton University has regular webinars with live chats throughout the year. This is particularly helpful if you can't visit the school in person. Carleton also hosts webinars throughout the year, covering a multitude of topics, as well as weekly chats so you can ask questions throughout the year.

Be sure to follow the schools you want to apply to on social media, and sign up for email updates — you can do this at Carleton by creating an account on our personalized student portal. This will ensure that you get notifications when we're coming to your city or country, deadline reminders, and invitations to events.

5. Ask questions!

After you have done your research, you will probably have questions. Don't hesitate to contact the school: At Carleton you can send an email, ask questions in the weekly chat or via social media, or call us directly! Put your mind at ease by getting the answers you need to make the decisions that are right for you.

Your exciting future awaits!