The art of completing one’s application correctly
Well, no, the application to a higher education school is not just an administrative step.
If it is well completed, it is a first lever to highlight your project, your application. If not, it can also be a formidable cutter that puts an end to your wish, for lack of having been able to demonstrate a coherent and serious approach.
To help you, here are some tips that we suggest you read before completing your application and reread before submitting it, as a checklist of key points to remember:
1. Take care of the form
Just as your dress code and attitude can tell us about your personality and motivation, the form of your application is an element that informs, consciously or not, the jury receiving the document about your project.
Spelling mistakes, difficult or illegible handwriting, writing zones that are not respected, etc. Numerous “little typos” can give the impression that the candidate does not attach much importance to his or her study project or, worse, that he or she is not capable of taking care of his or her presentations.
To enroll in a higher education program implies the desire to enter a potentially responsible profession and therefore, to be able to take care of the content as well as the form of your productions.
Therefore, make sure you proofread your work well, avoid erasures and other unsightly scribbles, and respect the format of what is asked of you. This will give a positive first impression of your approach.
2. Be precise and follow instructions
Your academic background and professional experience are often requested starting with the most recent activities. This allows the recipients of the application to quickly and correctly understand your profile.
Even if some of your diplomas seem to be well known, remember that when you apply to a program abroad, you will be confronted with people from another context, another culture, who are not necessarily familiar with your country’s educational system.
It is therefore crucial to communicate information clearly, in an orderly fashion, and in accordance with the stated instructions.
3. Provide all requested documents
An application file is necessarily accompanied by documents to support the elements stated in your file. These documents are not intended to discourage certain candidates; they are all necessary for a good understanding of your background and to prepare you for the next step.
Please make sure that you present everything that is requested and, if you do not have a document, that you justify the fact that you cannot present it at that time. If you have lost certain documents, it is therefore urgent to formally request their reissue, as these elements will necessarily be required at some point in your process.
As for the cover letter and CV, don’t make the mistake of ignoring them or of not spending the necessary time on them.
The cover letter should be addressed to the right people, the admissions committee and, above all, highlight your application project. Even if your plans have evolved over the last few weeks, your cover letter cannot be approximate about the training program/school you are targeting. This could once again be perceived as a lack of interest and motivation on your part.
For the formalism of your CV and cover letter, many websites remind you of the golden rules of the exercise. Take the time to proofread your documents and even to get the opinion of outside people on the documents produced. Investing time in these steps is never in vain: it necessarily prepares you for an eventual interview and when you do it again in the future, you will be able to base yourself on a solid foundation.
In summary, when submitting your application, remember the following 3 key points: be precise, be accurate and present all the elements requested.
This will give you the best chance to proceed to the next stage and take another step towards your study project in France at FIGS Education schools.