Applying to Universities Overseas
Years ago, I wrote a post about going to college overseas. Today's post is Part 2 to that. But first, let's melt over the beauty of the University of Glasgow. Can this building (and student) be more gorgeous? I think not.
My daughter applied to universities overseas several years ago and is completing her degree in the UK now. Here's what helped her narrow down which universities she wanted to apply to for her bachelors degree. By the way, I will use the shorthand "uni" to mean university in this blog post.
1. Look for "unis" that offer the major (also called "program of study" or "course" or "degree program") in the language you want to learn in. For example, my daughter likes biology, so she narrowed down the unis that interested in her based on which biology programs were taught in English. If you are fluent in other languages, you will - of course - have more options. Also, if your program of study is business, finance, and/or economics, you likely will have more choices, too, since those courses are more widely available around the world. For biology, there are very few unis that teach biology in English, so my daughter had less to choose from when it came time to apply.
2. Once you have identified which unis have your degree program in the language you prefer to learn in, as early as possible, learn about the uni's admission process and requirements, tuition for international students, student visa process, and housing options. Most university websites have thorough explanations of these. It's best to start exploring your overseas options during your 10th or 11th grade years in high school in case there are special requirements you need to complete (for example, a specific number of AP classes, or certain IB scores). Starting early also helps you understand the uni and it's pros and cons. For example, originally, my daughter was interested in applying to unis in the Netherlands, however, during her application cycle, many unis in the Netherlands were extremely short on housing for uni students, which made those unis less inviting to apply to. If you can visit the uni in person, that intel is also helpful to narrow down your choices. After my daughter visited several unis in Ireland and the UK, I made this video to explain her favorite options and what we learned during that uni tour.
3. If you are a parent reading this, join Facebook groups related to favorite unis to learn, from a parent's perspective, what that university is like. There is so much useful intel in those parent FB groups! Just do a search for "Parents and XYZ University" to find the right groups. There are also general FB groups that also offer good intel like Flown Abroad
4. If you are applying to unis in the US via the Common App, some overseas unis accept the Common App, too, which makes applying fairly straight-forward.
5. For schools in the UK, use the UCAS application to apply to up to five schools. The cost to apply via UCAS back when my daughter applied was approximately $35 US dollars to apply to five schools all at once. What a bargain!
6. You can get free help with your UCAS application and personal statement if you apply to one of Across the Pond's universities. This is another great bargain - it's free! When you apply to Across the Pond, they assign you an advisor who walks you through the UCAS process. My daughter's advisor also gave her feedback on her personal statement. Lauren, her advisor, was a HUGE help in the UK uni process.
7. Deadlines to apply to unis overseas can be different than the United States, so pay close attention to deadlines. This is also true for decisions, too. Whereas in the United States, students often know by mid-May where they have been accepted, overseas, it's not always as early. For example, my daughter applied to University College Dublin in September and heard back about her acceptance within weeks! For the UK schools, she heard back via UCAS about all her final acceptances in July after her senior year! Of course, this waiting takes extreme steadfastness and patience on the student's and family's part.
8. Because some overseas unis do not share final acceptances until the summer after a high school student's senior year, it makes sense to apply to some US universities, too, get accepted, and hold a spot at that university by making a deposit (if you can) so you have a safety net or school to attend in case an overseas option does not work out.
9. Why would an overseas option not work out? Probably the most common reason why an overseas uni option may not work out: The student may not earn the final grades or test scores that they need to get a final offer from that uni. For example, most overseas unis are very specific about what AP and IB scores are needed in order to get fully, unconditionally accepted. Another reason may be housing (like I mentioned above in #2).
10. Like anything important in life, good things require effort. Due your due diligence, ask for help with this process from parents, college counselors and Facebook groups.
My daughter did explore financial aid options, scholarships, etc. for international students, so do that, too, if that resonates with you. Some unis offer some type of financial aid for international students, others do not.
If you have questions, drop them in the comments. I'll do my best to reply!
Cheers, Jen
Hey there
Hi. It's been a while.
And it is almost summertime. I thought a new wallpaper for your phone might be a great "we are back together" gift. Although, I have no idea if this will be my one and only blog post for spring-summer 2025 or if I'll keep going. Either way, how lovely and cheerful are these free wallpapers from the Natural Life?
Go help yourself if they speak to you or share with a friend.
Sending a big ole hug from my slice of the internet to you,
Jen
Let's Me Introduce You to The Coaching Professor
Hello, dear friend and colleague!
I wanted to introduce you to my new friend and social media project, The Coaching Professor.
You know I love coaching and truly believe having coaching skills changes how I....we....all show up in the world for the better. The issue with traditional coach training is it is expensive. Most ICF-accredited coach training programs cost $12K or higher, except my college's coach training program (which is affordable and experiential, high-quality and life-changing). If we are going to change the world via coaching, there must be more places to learn these skills.
That's where my new social media project comes in. Join me on Instagram and TikTok to learn micro-coaching lessons, the same lessons I teach my college coaching students. Learn anytime. Watch as many videos as you like as many times as you like. Start showing up more coachlike in your work and life.
I'll see you over there to connect and deepen coaching skills together!
With immense enthusiasm,
Jen
Freshening Up Things Around Here
Hello there! It's been a bit since we've connected here, yes?
I'm spring cleaning and tidying up right now.
I've got plant clippings propagating. My new calendar arrived, and yes, I use a paper calendar because sometimes I need a break from screens and technology. I'm surrounded by color and artwork. Thanks, Coach Susan for the Laugh sign by artist, Britto. It brings me joy.
My website is up-to-date including....
- Updated social media links at the bottom of each page
- Updated services because I want to bring more coaching to your organization. Yes, your organization!
- I've posted links to my podcast, The Jen Den, and other podcasts I've guested on.
- Are we connected on LinkedIn? If not, let's get connected there, too!
Spring is a time of blossoming and growth. There is so much blossoming in me right now that my most recent coaching growthwork for myself was to make time to celebrate all that has already bloomed. Here I am with family and friends celebrating the end of the semester.
What are you celebrating? What's blossoming in you?
It's lovely to see you...
Jen
Send Me Your Teens: Leadership + Coaching Program
Y'all - send me your teens.
I'm serious. Say YES.
For two years (yep, you heard me - two full years), I've been wanting to create and launch a teen-centered program to develop teens' leadership skills and combine it with coaching. You know my love for coaching. To me, coaching is the foundation of all good, transformative things in the world including leadership. And, I can't wait any longer.
The world is too crazy.
The times are too urgent.
There is too much at stake.
The time is now. For me. For you. For our teens.
The Leadership + Coaching Program (LCP) I created is not focused on the doing of leadership. Our teens "do" enough. The LCP is focused on how to be a leader. What leadership feels like from within.
Read more about The Leadership + Coaching Program here. And, send your teens. I've built this age-appropriate, all in experience just for them.
With certitude,
Jen
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