How to get into the top universities in the world?
Last Saturday (6th of March), I had the honor to moderate a panel discussion titled ‘How To Get Into The Top Universities In The World’ and all four of our panelists are definitely experts on this topic. Ivana Devic is a Teaching Assistant and Undergraduate Research Assistant at Dartmouth College. Hana Galijasevic is a junior double-majoring in Computer Science and Linguistics at Yale University where she also serves as Academic Strategies Mentor and Pedagogical Partner. Nikola Jurkovic is an incoming freshman at Harvard University and a participant in the European Physics Olympiad and Physics National Champion (Croatia). Finally, Munib Mesinovic holds MSc in Advanced Computer Science at the University of Oxford and is the first Bosnian and Herzegovinian to be selected as Rhodes Scholar.
Despite grim reports on satisfaction with secondary education among B&H youth and staggering youth unemployment rates, these young people have done it differently and the discussion kicked off with their ‘Eureka!’ moment – when and how have they realized that they can make it – get into some of the best universities in the world. While their answers to all questions were varied and highly individual, there was still enough overlapping to provide meaningful advice for our listeners:
Start early – IB High School programmes might offer more up-to-date knowledge and skills
It is more likely to get financial support when applying to study abroad
Online courses (EdX, Coursera) and each university’s webpage can provide useful insights into life on campus and teaching/learning styles
Become a part of a tribe of like-minded individuals who can support you when the process looks overwhelming
Luck is a huge factor anywhere, but it is possible to improve your ‘luck factor’ – read the right books (see below) and apply to as many universities/scholarships as you can!
Have a backup plan – What will you do if you don’t make it abroad?
Have a gambler mindset – this is the best lottery you can ever take – possible returns are huge!
When to start?
Start during your junior year (the third year of high school) at the latest
Unlike home experience, you don’t have to choose your major until much later in your university life – you don’t have to have a clear vision of your future in your head!
How does the process look like? The fees are steep, how to reduce losses?
Ask universities/admission officers for support during application – it is possible to have your fees waived!
Some universities will take your ‘word’ for SAT/ACT score and only ask you for official documentation after getting accepted – again, send as many applications as possible!
Education USA offers support through CCC (Competitive College Clubs)
Four-year high school gymnasium programs are the optimal starting point for several reasons:
Admission exams are usually focused on general knowledge
Three-year programmes are not considered
Higher occurrence of different extracurricular activities/clubs
Requirements/Tips for admissions/essays/interviews
As high a GPA as possible
Show your passion
Be authentic and honest – never lie
Extracurriculars are important but they have to follow your passion/dedication
o Better to have one ‘unusual’ activity that you deeply care about, rather than be a part of Math/Physics/Sports Club
Ask for several letters of recommendation
o Give teachers enough time – at least three weeks
o Teachers should know you!
- Some teachers won’t be familiar with details – it is your role to introduce what exactly do you need
o Keep in mind that letters will need to be translated by an authorized person
o Some schools require different subject teachers to give out a letter
Go as far as you can! - It is not about resources and opportunities you didn’t have as you grew up in the Balkans – it is about those you had and how far did you go! – create your own extracurricular activity/club
Scholarships
Research universities who provide ‘needs-based’ scholarship
Anything except a full scholarship is super expensive!
o Be careful to see if you will have a meal plan and paid utilities
Ph.D. funding is ‘easier’ to get – Universities will find a way to get funding!
Part-time jobs
Try to work part-time on campus
o Meaningful and relevant work experience
o Making connections
- Assisting professors who might be your future mentors!
o Making money!
Adjusting to culture
Coming from quite a conservative environment – be open to different outlooks and behavior
Reserve your comments/judgments until you get a deeper understanding!
When you are unsure about if something you want to say is ok, best not to say it (general advice)
Talking about others’ grade can be considered rude/inappropriate
Consider the climate – some places are significantly colder/warmer than where you are coming from
o Getting sick for a week or two can make put your academic progress in question! – Take good care!
Take COVID-19 into account!
· Many application processes/funding have been altered
· Many universities are still working remotely
· You might be ‘stuck’ at one place for a while
· Some universities are changing grades to pass/fail
· Subject requirements might change
Academic requirements/adjustments
Use office hours!!!
o There are people who will help you understand concepts you struggle with
Free tutoring available
Use study groups
Balancing social and private life – correlation between healthy lifestyle and habits with future lifestyle
Cal Newport – Nikola suggests reading all his books!
o How to Become a Straight A Student
o How to Be a High School Superstar
Barbara Oakley
o A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science
Don’t pull ‘all-nighters' [staying awake for nights, a couple of days before the exam]!
o Stay in control of your learning
o Revise after each lesson
o Have weekly learning reviews
o Don’t allow yourself to fall behind!
Stay organized
o Use Google Calendar or similar apps
Eat healthy & sleep healthy
o Almost nobody can function properly with less than 7 hours of sleep per night!
Take care of your mental health!
o Talk to counselors if you need help!
o Join a student wellness group
o Manage your expectations
- Prepare yourself to be fine if you are no longer the top of your class!
- Don’t compare yourself to people who had different starting positions!
·Your health is the number one priority!
Future plans
Everything becomes possible
o Having a top university on CV opens many doors
o You will be unemployed only if you choose!
Many opportunities to dig deeper into what you like
o Job fairs & career fairs
Key takeaways!
Ivana: Our students abroad are willing to help and support – reach out! Be authentic in your application and try your best!
Hana: Don’t waste time waiting for the help to come. Be proactive, research early
Nikola: You don’t have to reinvent the wheel – ask help from people who have done it, do your research. Ask questions and don’t repeat others’ mistakes.
Munib: Apply to as many schools as possible. Don’t be afraid – the next year is always there. Invest in the application itself and don’t worry about what happens after!