From Harvard to Oxford: 5 things every top university looks for in candidates

On Mar 1, 2022

“It isn’t where you come from. It’s where you’re going that counts.” – Ella Fitzgerald

‘Hello, my name is Sydroy, and I am an alumnus of Harvard.’ Sounds powerful, doesn’t it?

Regardless of your location, a few colleges are recognized worldwide. Be it Ivy League schools like Oxford, Cambridge, Princeton, and Yale, or universities like MIT, NUS, NYU, or ESADE, alumni of these institutes stand out of the herd. From Nobel prize winners to the world’s leading businessmen & politicians, these top universities are renowned for establishing the base for a bright and prosperous future for some of the brightest minds humanity has seen.

But how do you become a part of the chosen few? What are these top universities looking for in their candidates? Read this blog to find out!

5 things every top university looks for in their candidates

Academics

Academics play an important role in the study abroad application process. Your GPAs and your scores in standardized tests, like SAT/GMAT/GRE/ACT and IELTS/TOEFL, are the most objective methods to measure your potential as a student. These are the first things a top-ranked university will look for in your application. Moreover, the merit you achieve in these tests will also define the kind of scholarships you stand to receive from colleges.

Insightful SOPs or well-written Essays

Secondly, your Statement of Purpose (SOP), or your college essay, is a quintessential document that universities will evaluate. The better your SOPs are, the higher will be your chances of getting through. SOPs help universities learn more about you and understand your motivation behind applying for their program. An insightful SOP without any grammatical errors can propel the chances of a marginal student to get into the best universities in the world. If you face trouble writing your SOP, you can utilize an AI-powered writing mentor tool for suggestions, grammar & plagiarism checks.

Extracurriculars

An active lifestyle outside academic pursuits is a sought-after trait that top universities look for. Make sure to join a few well-chosen clubs and perform some social work to make your resume stand out from the crowd. If you have held leadership positions in one of these clubs, ensure that you highlight it as universities always look out for students with exceptional leadership qualities.

Get recommendations

Got any favorite teachers in school? Then get a good Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from them. A well-written LOR can work wonders with your college application. An ideal letter should highlight your academic prowess and your personality. In addition to this, if you can get an alumnus of the university you are applying to write the letter for you, you are almost halfway there.

Highlight your work experience

Irrespective of if you have done a full-time or a part-time job, highlight your work experience in your resume. Sometimes, universities appreciate that you are earning to pay your expenses. In addition to this, talking about your job will also highlight the fact that you have a strong work ethic and are striving hard for an independent lifestyle.

Honestly, there are many other factors that the best universities in the world consider while choosing a candidate. However, if you excel in these five aspects, your chances of getting into your dream university increase drastically.

If you’re looking for more information, you can always reach out to experts at iSchoolConnect. Apply for their 30-min free counseling session today.