I am sure most of us have ponder about this question before. Especially when your parents are pressuring you with questions like “Where do you want to study after your diploma/high school?” or “Choose anywhere you want to go, I will pay for all the expenses” (that was what my dad told me). But the problem is not with them nor the money, it is with yourself. How to choose a university of your choice?

Choosing a university is no rocket science. It is easy but takes a little tiny weeny bit of your time.
First, ask yourself what you want to be in the future and choose an academic field closest related to your ambition.

If you have already know what you want to study, take note of these few things that enables you to apply for universities

1. Results – in other words, your transcripts
2. A compilation of course outlines – A book that explains everything about the subjects you had learnt (for transfer students)
3. Economic background – Your buying power
4. Requirements of university – Eligibility
5. University’s focus on any particular field – Every university has its own area of expertise. For example my university, University of New South Wales (UNSW), they are they top engineering school in Australia, that is why I’m studying engineering in UNSW.

So, your second step will be to make a research about all the universities that are competent in your field of interest. By competent I meant popularity, research, recommendations and references. All these can be found effortlessly if you spend the time watching movies into research. If you have ticked all the 4 I had mentioned above for a particular university, that university might be for you. The last thing you want to find out when you are enrolled is your university is not competent at all in the area you are studying.

Next, now you have chosen your university, it is time to check the requirements. Are you (your result) qualified for the course? What else do they need besides your results? References from your principal maybe, English proficiency maybe. Can you afford to study at the university?

Almost everything can be obtained in a short period of time except for money. If you can’t afford a university, the most you can do is study hard and get scholarship, that is why early preparations always works. For the richer group out there, some best universities in the world cares about your result as well, so never take your result for granted.

Don’t feel shy when applying for university. Know your rights, and believe that universities out there want more students. They are happy to lick your butt just to get you into their university. Why? Because they want to survive as well. Send tonnes of emails to the university of your choice, if things get urgent, phone them. Make sure you have everything ready and confirmed before sending any documents to them. Keep bugging them until you are successfully confirmed that you are fully enrolled. Remember, they are there to serve you.

Lastly, I know many people (including myself) tend to turn all their responsibilities to agents to settle for them. Do you know what is the other word for agents? IDIOTS, that is what they are. I had been there, done that, and I had concluded that agents are only there to cheat your money. So stay away from them.

Do add some comments if you have anything to add. Thanks

Disclaimer: I am not giving legal advice here. I am not responsible if any misfortune happens when you follow my advice.