Our centre provides further study and career services under the Student Counselling Section, Student Affairs Office. Our objective is to enhance your employability and competitiveness, as well as increase your interest in and preparation for further study, by offering a variety of programmes, workshops and advising services.

We issue a bi-weekly “Further Study Insider” to provide advice and guidance on planning and preparing for further study. We hope you find it useful in your preparation.

Application Season Survival Guide: An Efficient Timeline from School Selection to Acceptance

‘Even though I started preparing six months in advance, why am I still staying up late to finish my application documents?’
‘I only realised that my letters of recommendation hadn’t been submitted after the deadline had passed.’
‘After receiving my safety school’s acceptance letter, I realised that I didn’t actually want to go there.’

Effective time management is key to a successful application. The timeline below will help you complete each stage of the process in an organised manner.

Early Preparation Phase (12-6 months before application)

Enhance Your Academic Profile

• Take 2-3 core courses relevant to your chosen field of study and strive for excellent results.
• Join a professor’s research team and participate in at least one ongoing research project.
• Prepare for graduate admissions tests and English proficiency exams (such as GRE, TOEFL or IELTS), and aim to achieve your target scores.

Research the Universities

• Create a database of potential universities that includes programme rankings, course structures, faculty profiles, and graduate career outcomes.
• Shortlist 15-20 universities of interest.
• Contact 3-5 current students at your target universities to gain first-hand insights.

Application Document Preparation Phase (6-3 months before application)

Obtain Letters of Recommendation

• Choose 3 referees who can provide detailed evaluations of your abilities, and arrange meetings with them.
• Prepare personalised reference materials for each referee, including transcripts, a resume, and a draft of your personal statement.
• Set 3 reminder dates: 2 months, 1 month, and 2 weeks before the submission deadline.

Draft Application Documents

• Personal Statement: Complete 3 rounds of revisions (first draft, structural adjustments, and language editing).
• Research Proposal: Discuss with your supervisor at least twice and refine accordingly.
• Resume: Optimise to meet academic resume standards.

Formal Application Phase (3 months before application to the deadline)

Navigating the Online Application System

• Create an application tracker to monitor your progress.
• Submit applications in batches (recommended order: safety, target, and reach schools).
• Allow at least 2 weeks for document certification and other tasks.

Preparing for Interviews

• Compile answers to the 20 most common interview questions.
• Arrange a mock interview.
• Prepare 5 thoughtful questions to impress the interview panel.

Post-Acceptance Phase

Results Tracking

• Create a comparison table evaluating the course content, fees and career prospects of different offers.

Pre-Enrolment Tasks

• Make a list of the documents needed for your student visa and note the deadlines for accommodation applications.

 

Important Notes Allocate an additional 20% of time for each stage to allow for unforeseen delays. Set up a dedicated email address for the applications and a file management system.

 

To ensure the completeness and quality of your application materials, adjust your timeline flexibly based on your progress and the requirements of your target universities. Don’t rush or compromise on quality. Regularly review your progress with your supervisor to address any issues promptly and keep the process on track.