WHEN TO START YOUR APPLICATION PROCESS

 

In our work with many prospective students, one question has been recurrent amongst the very many questions, we have been asked by our students.

The question is, “When is the best time to apply for international studies?”

Some are of the opinion that it takes 3 months, 6 months, or even one year; well we hope that after reading this edition, you will gain a better understanding on the best time to put forward your application.

First, we want to make it clear that international study applications take a long time and at many instances, are usually overlapped in such a way that a prospective student has to wait in between various school timelines. At Vantage Migration, we believe that knowing the application calendar is very important to your success and that is why we are here to provide you with knowledge and strategies on how to go about it.

Let’s say you are a fresh Nigerian graduate with a dream to take a Master’s course abroad. After your graduation, you are expected to undergo the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) after which you are allowed to pursue your life goals. At Vantage Migration, we advise that you start your application ahead of time. We suggest that you apply to as many schools as you can during your national service; so that as soon as you receive your admission letter(s) and carry out all requirements and logistic arrangements, you would have rounded off your service program. This way, you will not be under any form of panic as you can meet up on school resumption.

Interesting, right?

The deal is, there is never a best time to get it done.

Do it now.

Take advantage of the gaps in your life’s journey by making your applications, or taking an online course, partake in volunteer and do community service, learning a new skill etc.

So, there are three application windows open to international students.

They are;

January-usually called the Winter term.

May-usually called the Spring term

September-usually called the Fall term

Every university in the world operates with any or all of these three terms however, almost all universities offer admission for the main intake in the fall academic session. For instance, the Fall application deadlines can be early as November of the previous year. So for example, if you are aiming at attending Fall 2021 session, the application deadlines will typically end in November 2020. That’s full nine months before you actually begin your session.

Now, consider all it takes to make an application. Ideally, a typical application process starts from searching out for your preferred course, searching out the schools offering the courses, the applications procedure ─ evaluating school certificate and transcripts, waiting for the admission committee to reach a conclusion on your application, and then the visa application, and lastly the trip to your host country. If you consider the time taken for all of these processes, you will realize that it will take up to six to nine months.

So you see why you must not rest on your oars.

Don’t forget that getting an admission slot is one thing, and getting your visa is another uphill task you must conquer. There are many tales of prospective students who were denied Visas into their host countries despite showing their admission letters. All of these processes take time and so you must find ways to be productive as you make your application.

Sure you have been armed with strategic information on how you can navigate the internet to your advantage.

Still want more guidance? Let’s help you make your dreams come alive.

Remember to follow us on our Facebook page or join our Admission Hack Webinar for free