How to get into one of the top 10 universities in the world
How to get into one of the top 10 universities in the world? It’s not easy, but there are many ways you can increase your chances of getting into one of these prestigious institutions. The key to being accepted by one of the top 10 universities in the world is setting yourself apart from other applicants and having every aspect of your application process done right. Here are five strategies you can use to become more competitive against other high school students who want to get into a top 10 university.
Top 10 Universities
Getting into a university is an important step towards an education, but it’s not always easy. Whether you need to be invited by a school or are striving for a spot at one of America’s best universities, check out some tips below. You can also see if you qualify for any scholarships. (See: How Scholarships Work) Be sure to research other useful articles on our site and start applying today!
Choosing a university
If you want to attend a prestigious university, you’ll need a superb high school record, great standardized test scores, and letters of recommendation from teachers. The caliber of your high school education, then, will go a long way toward determining whether or not you gain admission to an elite university. So how do you make sure that happens?
1) US News & World Report Ranking
The US News & World Report Ranking is based on opinions from education experts. The ranking takes different factors into accounts, such as SAT scores, number of incoming freshmen, and admissions selectivity. The formula for how a university ranks can be found here. Most colleges require you to submit your SAT/ACT scores when applying for admission, so you must take them seriously and understand how they fit into your overall application.
2) QS World University Rankings
To start, check out last year’s QS World University Rankings. These rankings are compiled by an independent organization called Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). Their methodology involves a wide range of factors, including academic reputation and the number of international students at each university. Use these factors as a barometer to determine which schools you should target as you apply.
3) Times Higher Education World University Rankings
Times Higher Education has been ranking global universities for 13 years. While their rankings are completely subjective, they do use specific criteria (which can be viewed on their website) that attempt to take different aspects into account and give a general idea about what makes a good university. Although it’s generally easier to get accepted at an institution with a lower ranking, you should still apply even if you think your university won’t make it in. After all, we never know where our passions will take us.
4) Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Academic Ranking of World Universities, often known as Shanghai Ranking, is an annual publication of university rankings by Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The publication currently includes the world's 500 best universities. ARWU is regarded as one of the three most influential and widely observed university measures (alongside QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education World University Rankings) and it attracts much attention from academics and media worldwide. It has been praised for being unbiased, transparent, robust, comprehensive, and especially notable for its lack of English-speaking bias.
5) League tables are mostly broken
What they don’t tell you is that it’s only difficult to get into a top university if you live outside of Europe or North America. If your family is from India, then an Ivy League education might be out of reach. For example, Harvard University, widely considered to be number 1 on all global university rankings, has an acceptance rate that hovers around 5%. Students from across Asia or Africa have about a 0.01% chance of getting accepted into Harvard—but it's still worth applying!
6) Review different parts of an institution
Every university is made up of different parts; each has a unique personality. It may be helpful for you to consider each part, then decide which fits your needs. For example, there are hundreds (or thousands) of institutions that offer a 4-year undergraduate degree – but only about 200 which offer a Master’s degree. Consider your long-term goals as you make these determinations.
7) Follow your passion
Follow your passion! If you’re passionate about what you want to study, you will most likely be successful. Find a way to become involved with groups or organizations related to your chosen field. You can also read up on your topic and connect with others who are learning about it. The more you learn, the better your chance of being accepted into a top university program.
8) Give yourself time to find your perfect university
Deciding where you want to study abroad can be a daunting task. If you don’t have time or patience for numerous research-heavy applications, consider applying early action or early decision. These programs allow students to apply early and receive an admission decision much earlier than they would with a regular application (typically within two months as opposed to six). Just remember that applying earlier means working on your application sooner than later, so if you know that you want to attend a specific university now, don’t wait!
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