Four years ago, when I began applying to universities abroad, the whole process felt both thrilling and overwhelming. Now, looking back, I can see the mistakes I made—mistakes that could’ve easily been avoided. I’m sharing them here so you don’t have to go through the same struggles.
Procrastination
Moving away from home to study in a completely different culture was a big deal, and honestly, it made me nervous. Because of that, I kept delaying my applications, telling myself there was still time. But before I knew it, deadlines were closing in, and I had to scramble to get all my documents ready.
Lesson learned: Putting things off only makes it harder. If you meet the requirements and are serious about studying abroad, don’t wait—just start.
Underestimating Test Prep
Since I was already good at English, I thought I could breeze through the IELTS and GRE with just two weeks of studying. Turns out, I was wrong. My scores weren’t bad, but they definitely could’ve been better with proper preparation.
Lesson learned: Stay grounded. Even if you’re strong in English or math, tests like these need practice. Make time for it.
Not Researching Enough
I was so focused on big-name universities and rankings that I barely looked into the actual courses. For some reason, I assumed that top schools would automatically have programs that matched what I wanted. Much later, I realized I could’ve chosen better.
Lesson learned: Look beyond rankings. Lesser-known universities might have programs that fit you perfectly. And if possible, get advice from experts.
Sloppy Documentation
I didn’t take recommendation letters and personal statements seriously enough. My essay was rushed and didn’t showcase my strengths well. And because I waited too long to ask for recommendations, my professors had very little time to write them—resulting in generic, weak letters.
Lesson learned: Documents matter. Start early on your personal statement and tailor it for each program. Give recommenders plenty of time and clear instructions so they can write strong, personalized letters for you.
Missing Out on Scholarships
I completely overlooked scholarships, thinking they were too competitive to even try for. But later, I met so many students who actually got them—and I realized I should’ve applied too. Scholarships can make a massive difference in easing financial stress.
Lesson learned: Always check for scholarships early and apply. It’s worth the effort.
Applying to universities abroad is a huge step, but with the right planning, it doesn’t have to be as stressful as I made it. Hopefully, my mistakes help you avoid a few pitfalls. Wishing you a smooth application process and an amazing study abroad experience!