If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you know we have been doing “this” (admissions counseling) for YEARS. That’s years of experience and years of tools for the university application process.
We recently decided to make more of our hidden, secret, super awesome tools available to our readers and all the people who stumble onto this blog. The tool you’re going to find in this blog post is one of the best tools we have ever created. This is the ONLY tool you need to organize your university application process: the APPLY ME University Shortlist.
So what is a university shortlist? It’s your list of universities. It’s called a shortlist because, ideally, you start with a bunch of unis. Then, you research them and eliminate a bunch until you got down to a list of about 10 universities (if applying to the USA and Canada–only 5 if applying via UCAS from the UK). For more on this process, check out our post on How NOT to Pick a University.
Introducing the Apply Me University Shortlist
Now that you’ve got a list of universities, you need to organize yourself. The most efficient way to do this for your application process is to put all of the important information about deadlines and requirements on ONE sheet: the Apply Me University Shortlist. Here’s an example of what this sheet looks like based on a student that we worked with a couple of years ago.
Now that you’ve seen the greatest admissions organization tool ever, we’ll explain what’s in it.
Top row
These are all the universities you’re applying to. This student was applying to 11 schools because she was interested in 2 different majors. We recommend only applying to 10.
Category
Stretch, match, safety. Choose 2 or 3 universities that have requirements slightly higher than your profile (higher GPA, SAT score, etc.). Select 5 or 6 universities that match your profile. Finally, choose 2 or 3 safety universities that have requirements lower than your profile. Basically, you’re guaranteed to get into these universities because you’re so awesome.
Location, deadline, application fee
Duh.
Common Application
If you can submit the Common Application for these universities. Being able to use the Common App make things A LOT easier.
School Supplement
Some universities require a specific school supplement to be submitted with the Common App. It’s very important that you know whether this is required.
SAT Math, Reading, Writing
These are the average or median SAT scores for incoming students. If there is no minimum cutoff required, then look for the statistics of students that we accepted the previous year. You can also use other college research websites like Cappex to help you find this info.
SAT Subject Tests
Some universities or specific programs, like engineering, require or strongly suggest (umm…that means require) you to take SAT Subject Tests are part of your application. Learn more about the different tests offered here and decide which will make your application the most competitive it can be.
IELTS
Many universities require the TOEFL or IELTS as proof of your English language ability. Put the minimum required score in this cell. Be sure to check whether you can get a TOEFL or IELTS waiver.
Transcripts
Get your transcripts translated if they aren’t in English (this student finished in the French system). Record the requirements here.
Counselor’s/Teacher’s Evaluation
Do you need them? How many? The requirements vary by university so be sure to check.
International Supplement
You may be required to complete extra paperwork since you are an international student. If this information isn’t on the admissions page of the university website, look for the international applicants section.
Additional Essays for the Application Process
Even if you’ve completed the Common App essay, some universities require additional essays as part of their School Supplements. You need to know how many you’ll have to write.
Financial Certification
In order to issue a student visa, the US government requires proof that you (or a sponsor or scholarship) can pay for the entire first year of university including tuition and room and board. Some universities want this information completed when you apply. Most require it only if you have been accepted. For more on financial verification, check out this post we wrote on financial verification and the student visa process.
Download a FREE University Shortlist Template!!
So you’ve seen it and we’ve explained…now you can DOWNLOAD IT!! Download this Excel file what you can fill in for your application process. The file includes:
- A blank shortlist for the US and Canada (11 universities with the right number of stretch, match, and safety) already formatted and one sheet print ready.
- A blank shortlist UCAS version for the UK (5 universities with the right number of stretch, match, and safety) already formatted and one sheet print ready. We’ve also changed the categories to match UCAS requirements.
- Donya’s sample shortlist shown above.
Download the Apply Me University Shortlist
How to Use Your University Shortlist for the Application Process
Here’s what you need to do:
- Spend time on each universities website finding all of the information you need to fill in each cell in the shortlist. This research usually takes 30+ minutes per university.
- Enter all the information into the cells on the spreadsheet.
- Print 2 copies of the spreadsheet once you complete it.
- Post 1 copy wherever you do your homework.
- Staple or tape 1 copy to a file folder where you will keep all your admissions stuff.
Need help applying to universities?
We have worked with many students applying to the US, UK, and Canada for university. We’ll help you coordinate your timeline, figure out the tests you need to take, write your essays, and more. Schedule a FREE consultation on Whatsapp and get started!
