Applying To University: 5 Important Things You Should Do First

Applying to university is an exciting experience.  

For many high school graduates, the enthusiasm of exploring a new environment and enjoying fresh experiences is akin to starting a new adventure. Thus, many students look forward to the day they can finally leave school and attend university.  

However, applying to university is no small task.

1) Decide on a course to take 

One of the first things you should do is decide on a course you want to study. 

Take a look at your current interests and ask yourself, ‘Is this something I am okay with studying throughout my time in university?’ 

If the answer is yes, then you can start looking for an institution that offers the program. On the contrary, if you remain undecided, talking to our counsellors can help you make up your mind. 

Applying to university through a counsellor will help smoothen the process.

2) Plan your finances 

You need to get your finances in order before attending university.  

You’ll be solely responsible for your expenses when classes start, so setting a limit to how much you should spend each week is important if you don’t want to be broke by the end of the month. Surviving on instant noodles and snacks may sound fun in theory, but it won’t be long before you start craving real, appetizing food. 

It’s also best to set up an emergency fund so you’re not low on cash when you’re faced with a crisis, like an accident. 

3) Arrange your accommodation  

Think about the type of accommodation you want to live in. Do you want to stay with a roommate, surrounded by coursemates and the close proximity of your classes, or do you prefer your own personal space?

First-year students are usually given the privilege to stay in hostels, because it’s easier for them to get acquainted with the campus and meet people. However, if you prefer to stay off-campus, check out the neighbourhood for hostels or housing that offer affordable student rates. You can also get in touch with the university’s Student Department to explore other options.  

4) Arrange for a health checkup 

During this time where a minor flu can be the symptom of a much bigger problem, it’s best to be safe than sorry.  Schedule a health check with your doctor to ensure you are in tip-top condition before leaving for university. You don’t want to spend your first week alone in the dorm, down with the flu and feeling miserable.  

5) Understand how to apply 

Applying to university is a lot more complicated than it looks.  

To ensure your application is processed as smoothly as possible, (and to avoid the dreaded rejection!) there are several steps you have to take.  

This includes preparations such as creating a college checklist, knowing your budget, researching campus facilities, and listing down your requirements. You may also be planning to pursue your studies abroad, which we cover in another article here 

The entire process may seem daunting at first, but it gets easier once you know what you need to do.  

As a student recruitment agency, Eduloco is here to help you with the procedure and guide you through step by step.

What is Eduloco? 

Eduloco is a student recruitment agency that aims to provide access to affordable education for every student, regardless of their background, race, and financial status.   Hence, we keep our students needs and goals in mind when recommending a suitable university for them. Here’s a list of our services that we provide: 
  • Free Consultation 
  • Scholarships & Financial Aid 
  • Visa Application Assistance 
  • Free Portal of Courses & Universities 
  • Support System  
  

1) Free Consultation 

As mentioned above, Eduloco provides free consultation to students!   Whether you are looking for information on the best universities, or are undecided on a course to study, we personalize our consultation to suit your needs. So, if you have any specific concerns, you can inform our counsellors about the issue and they will assist you to the best of their ability. You can consult a counsellor when applying to university if you have any specific concerns.

2) Scholarships & Financial Aid 

At Eduloco, we never run out of scholarships for you! We regularly send out newsletters detailing the offers and scholarships from top universities every weekend. If you’re not subscribed, you can sign up here  We offer scholarships from top universities that we are partnered with. Some of them are: 
  • SEGi University 
  • Heriot Watt University 
  • University of Chester 
  • Multimedia University (MMU) 
  • Business & Hotel Management School (BHMS) 
  

3) Visa Application 

Visa applications are infamous for its lengthy approval period. On top of that, there are so many documents you need to submit!  If this is your first time, chances are that you’ll lose track of which documents you have on hand, because there’s so many to consider. There’s the offer letter, academic transcripts, and passport to provide. Some countries may also require you to take an IELTS language test before applying, which may cause your application to be rejected if you fail to provide the relevant qualifications.   Eduloco is made up of team members from international backgrounds, so we’re all too familiar with the obstacles of applying for a visa. That’s the reason Eduloco exists—to simplify the visa procedure in a way that makes your life easier, because we’ve been through the same pain! 

4) Free Portal 

If you’re too shy to speak to a counsellor or prefer to do things yourself, that’s okay. We see and respect that. In fact, we have a portal full of available courses and universities for people who prefer flying solo—and all for free!   There are over 1000 courses and more than 50 universities listed on our website. You can take your time to browse through our selection of programs. Don’t be too surprised if you come across unconventional courses like Contemporary Music or Patisserie Arts, though. Who knows, that might just be your calling! 

5) Support System 

If you haven’t already noticed, we do things differently here at Eduloco.   Once a student enrolls with us, we consider them part of the family. That means we provide you with a support system that you can fall back upon anytime you need help with your higher education. If you need advice on your career path or are looking to secure an internship placement, we’ll do our utmost best to support you!   Most importantly, we aim to support students throughout their journey from applying to university to their first day of orientation. Heading to university is a big step up from high school, so you’ll need all the help you can get!  If you have any questions, hit us up at [email protected] or through our Contact Us page. We look forward to hearing from you!  

Here are some testimonials from students about their experience with Eduloco: 

Khaldoon Afwan, Sports Management  

I had no idea what I wanted to study. My family wanted me to pursue Law, but memorizing huge textbooks of paragraphs felt like a nightmare to me. One day, I was mindlessly scrolling through Facebook and stumbled upon this group that was promoting a free consultation for students. I thought to myself, “Heck, why not” and signed up for it.   That was the first time I met a counsellor who didn’t try to push me to study something ‘popular’. She actually listened to my concerns and asked about my interests. It was thanks to her that I realized I didn’t want to be stuck doing a mundane office job, but I wanted to be a sports coach.   I wasn’t sure if there were any institutions for that, but my counsellor found them for me. She was so efficient! After we found an open spot at Brickfields Asia College, my decision to study there was sealed. I’ve never regretted it since. I owe it to Eduloco for their guidance and great advice! 

Goh Mei Jin, Bachelor of Mass Communication 

I was worried that my finances would not be enough to support my higher studies. Coming from Malaysia, I wanted to Study in the UK, but had no idea how to secure a scholarship. I found Eduloco through sheer luck when I was looking up ways to study in UK.   Turns out they had a partnership with the University of Chester in UK! Because I applied through Eduloco, they were able to grant me a £2000 scholarship. I was able to save so much thanks to them!
Tee May

Tee May

Teemay is a content writer who relishes telling a good story as much as she enjoys reading one. A fan of fantasy and time travel lore, she indulges herself with quaint daydreams of living in a vintage cottage settled deep in the woods. She hopes to achieve this one day, or may just settle with a treehouse instead. In her free time, she practices amateur astrology and interprets birth charts. These started out as a hobby for ‘fun’, but they come close to being obsessions these days.

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