INSIGHTS

Insights

Explore the latest university admissions news, application guides, test preparation tips, and career insights.

What Do US Colleges Really Look For in Admissions? A Factor-by-Factor Count of the 18 Admission Factors in the Common Data Set (C7) at 53 Universities: How Course Rigor, GPA, Essays, Test Scores, Interviews and Legacy Are Rated, and How Domestic and International Applicants (Including Students in China) Can Use It

In section C7 of the Common Data Set, each US university rates 18 admission factors as very important, important, considered or not considered. We checked the original C7 tables of 53 universities: 49 rate the rigor of the secondary school record as very important and 44 rate academic GPA as very important; 30 consider standardized test scores and 6 do not; 27 do not consider interviews and 22 do not consider alumni relations. This guide explains how to read and use C7.

2026-11-11Admissions / Admissions Planning

Guides

How Do You Apply for a Taught Master's in the UK? Using the University of Manchester as an Example: How to Apply, When Applications Open, Referees and English Requirements, the Graduate Visa Falling to 18 Months from 2027, and Notes for Domestic and International Applicants

Most UK taught master's programs are applied for directly through the university. Using the University of Manchester as an example, this guide sets out how to apply, when 2027/28 applications open (10 October 2026), deadlines, referees, research proposals, English requirements and requirements for Chinese degrees, and explains the latest GOV.UK Graduate visa rules: 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027.

2026-11-11Admissions / Admissions Planning

Guides

GRE or GMAT for a Master's Degree? How the Two Tests Compare on Structure, Timing, Scores and Fees, Which Programs Require Them, and Notes for Domestic and International Applicants

Before choosing a test, check whether your master's programs require the GRE or GMAT: many graduate schools leave it to each program. Using ETS and GMAC sources, this guide compares the two tests: the GRE takes about 1 hour and 58 minutes across five sections and costs $237.86 in China; the GMAT takes 2 hours and 15 minutes with three sections and 64 questions, scored 205–805. It also covers score sending, score validity and what several universities require.

2026-11-11Admissions / Admissions Planning

Guides

What Do You Need for a Master's Application? Statements, Research Proposals, References, CV, Transcripts and English Scores at Graduate Schools in the US, Canada and the UK, with Notes for Domestic and International Applicants

Master's applications ask for broadly similar materials: a personal or academic statement, references, a CV, transcripts and English scores, plus a research proposal for some programs. Using official information from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, UW-Madison, UBC, the University of Toronto and the University of Manchester, this guide covers what each item requires, English score minimums and application fees, with notes for domestic and international applicants, including students in China.

2026-11-11Admissions / Admissions Planning

Guides

How Should You Plan Your Master's Applications? Deadlines, Grade Requirements and Tests for Master's Programs in the US, Canada and the UK, from Third Year to Enrolment, with Notes for Domestic and International Applicants

There is no single deadline for master's applications: graduate schools in the US and Canada state that deadlines are set by each program, and the University of Manchester opens 2027/28 master's applications on 10 October 2026, with many courses having no official closing date. Using official sources, this guide sets out a timeline from third year to enrolment, minimum grade requirements (including for degrees from China) and whether you need the GRE or GMAT.

2026-11-11Admissions / Admissions Planning

Guides

How Do You Build a University List? The Rules for Five UCAS Choices, Multiple UC Campuses and Two UBC Choices, and How to Shortlist by Interest, Requirements, Selectivity and Cost, with Notes for Domestic and International Applicants

A longer university list is not always better; start with the hard rules of each application system. UCAS allows up to five choices, with a 2027 entry fee of £34.50; one University of California application covers more than one campus; UBC lets you choose a first and second degree. Using official sources, this guide sets out these rules and the reply deadlines after offers, then explains how to shortlist by interest, subject requirements, selectivity and cost.

2026-11-11Admissions / Admissions Planning

Guides

How Do You Choose Referees? What UCAS, UBC and the University of California Say About References, When to Ask, Whom to Ask and What to Give Them, with Notes for Domestic and International Applicants

Someone else writes your reference, but the preparation is yours. Using official sources, this guide explains what UCAS, UBC and the University of California say about referees: UCAS needs a referee who knows you academically and can add predicted grades, UBC's personal profile asks for two references, and the UC pages read for this guide do not mention letters of recommendation. It then covers whom to ask, when, and what to give your referees.

2026-11-11Admissions / Admissions Planning

Guides

How Should You Prepare Your Personal Statement? Questions, Length Limits and Preparation for the University of California, UCAS and UBC, with Notes for Domestic and International Applicants

Personal statements differ widely: the University of California asks for four short answers chosen from eight questions, UCAS asks three questions within 4,000 characters, and UBC's personal profile asks several sets of questions plus your activities. Using official sources, this guide sets out the questions, length limits and deadlines for all three, explains how to prepare starting the summer after grade 11, and adds notes for domestic and international applicants, including students in China.

2026-11-11Admissions / Admissions Planning

Guides

SAT or ACT? Comparing Sections, Timing, Scores, Fees and Registration, Checking Your Universities' Policies First, and Notes for Domestic and International Applicants

The SAT and ACT are the two common standardized tests for US university applications, but not every university uses them: the University of California does not consider them in admissions decisions. Using the College Board and ACT websites, this guide compares the two tests' sections, timing, score ranges, registration fees and score-sending rules, explains how to choose based on your universities' policies and your own strengths, and adds notes for domestic and international applicants, including students in China.

2026-11-11Admissions / Admissions Planning

Guides

How Should a 12th Grader Get Through Application Season? The US, Canadian and UK Timeline from Submitting to Results, Accepting an Offer and Sending Final Grades, Six Things to Do in Grade 12, and Notes for Domestic and International Applicants

In grade 12 you submit applications in the autumn and winter, receive results and accept an offer in the spring, and send final grades in the summer. Using official sources, this guide sets out the full 2027-entry timeline for the University of California, UBC and UCAS: filing periods, decisions, deadlines to accept, final transcripts and results, and lists six things to do in grade 12 and common mistakes.

2026-11-11Admissions / Admissions Planning

Guides

How Should an 11th Grader Plan for University? Grades, the SAT and ACT, Referees, Essays and Your University List, the Application Timeline for the US, Canada and the UK, and Notes for Domestic and International Applicants

Grade 11 is the most important year before you apply: the University of California counts grades up to the summer after 11th grade, UBC looks at all Grade 11 and 12 courses, and UK predicted grades come from your teachers. Using official sources, this guide covers grades, the SAT and ACT, referees, essays and your university list, sets out the UC, UBC and UCAS application timelines, and lists six things to do in grade 11.

2026-11-11Admissions / Admissions Planning

Guides

How Should a 10th Grader Plan for University? How Universities in the US, Canada and the UK Treat Grade 10, and How to Plan Courses, Honors Classes, the PSAT and Activities, with Notes for Domestic and International Applicants

Grade 10 is when your application record starts to count: the University of California begins calculating its GPA from this year, and the Grade 11 and 12 courses that UBC looks at are chosen now. Using official sources, this guide covers grade 10 grades, the cap on honors points, the PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT, activities and the timeline, lists six things to do in grade 10, and adds notes for domestic and international applicants, including students in China.

2026-11-11Admissions / Admissions Planning