Matrics: Top tips on applying to the university of your choice, provided by an expert

APPLYING to a university can be easier to handle if  matriculants  put together an application ‘survival kit’ ahead of time.

“There are a number of things you will need and can get ready before you even look at the application forms,” says Dr Felicity Coughlan, Director of The Independent Institute of Education.

She says pupils should prepare hard copies as well as an electronic folder containing all the documents and information they are going to require, as well as keep a log to track applications and all the log-in credentials and passwords they will amass to application portals if they are applying to more than one institution.

Pupils need to make it easy for an institution to accept them by ensuring their applications are complete.

Dr Coughlan adds that, once pupils have prepared all their documents and information, they will be able to respond to application requirements in one sitting.

“You need to ensure that scanned copies of documents are as small as possible to ensure they are not rejected due to an institution’s mail server settings, so do not save them as image files. Also ensure that the names of all documents tie back to you, by including your name, ID number and description of the document in the file name.”

Most institutions will require the following:

• A certified copy of your identity document.
• A certified copy of your grade 11 school results as well as your April or prelim matric results.
• Your NBT number or results or both.
• A certified copy of the fee payer’s identity document as well as proof of banking details and residence.
• A certified testimonial from a school or equivalent if you are applying for residence.
• Application letters, forms and portfolios for those programmes that require them.
• All your contact details – telephone numbers, residential and postal addresses and email address.
• All the contact details of your next of kin.

Dr Coughlan says the application process can further be streamlined and made more manageable if pupils also ensure that they:

• Use easy-to-remember passwords and login details keep records of all of them.
• Keep a record of reference numbers sent to them.
• Carefully track dates and requirements and keep to them.
• Complete the forms in absolute and correct detail.
• Have all the information close at hand when filling in applications.
• Use the correct codes for courses as provided.

(Information from The Independent Institute of Education)

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