I shared my Master's results yesterday and my DMs were full of people asking how I approached the whole process. So I wanted to write down the three things that I think actually made a difference for me. I'm not going to pretend this is a complete guide or that Im an expert. It's just what I wish someone had told me before I started applying.
Start earlier than you think
The biggest mistake I see people make is starting too late. By the time you actually start applying, you should already know which programmes you want, what they require, and what makes each one different.
At my university we didn't really get a lot of perspectives on what was out there. Most of what I know came from my own internet research, talking to alumni on LinkedIn, and reading programme pages for hours. Don't wait for your university to hand you the options. Go find them yourself, ideally months before deadlines.
Get your documents in order early
This one sounds boring but it's where most people lose time and stress themselves out.
For my applications I needed three reference letters each. That means aligning with multiple professors at the same time, while they are also busy with teaching and research. The earlier you ask the better the letters will be. Professors who feel rushed write generic letters. Professors who have weeks to prepare actually write something personal.
Same thing goes for transcripts, language certificates and your CV. Get all of it ready months before you need it. The version of you two weeks before the deadline will thank the version of you that started early.
A good application is more than just good GPA
A lot of people thing without perfect GPA their changes for a good programme or low. And while an above average GPA is helpful, there are a lot of things that the decision makers also look at:
Extracurricular stuff. Clubs, student initiatives, volunteering. Anything that shows you do more than just attend lectures.
Well documented projects. Put them on GitHub, write a short README and link them in your CV. Don't just say you built something, show it.
Competitions and awards. Hackathons, case comps, scholarships. Even reaching the finals counts.
Working as a research assistant. This is one of the strongest signals you can send, and it's much easier to get than people think. Just email professors whose work you find interesting.
Every part of your application should be telling the same story. That you are motivated, that you fit the programme, and that you actually care about the field. That's it.
The people who get into top programmes usually didn't do anything magical. They just started early and were intentional about it. Boring, but it works.
💡 My Recommendation of the week
If you are starting your Master's research, the Find a PhD / Find a Masters database is way more useful than most university portals for discovering programmes you didn't know existed. Filter by country and field and just go through the list.
Have a great week,
Chris