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Application checklists & timelines Print-ready, month-by-month checklists for every scholarship type. Built from real Chevening, Commonwealth, Fulbright, MasterCard Foundation, DAAD and Erasmus Mundus cycles so you start the right tasks at the right time.
Undergraduate Plan 12–18 months ahead
Bachelor's programs abroad — Common App, UCAS, MasterCard Foundation routes.
18–14 months out
Shortlist 8–12 universities Register SAT/ACT + IELTS/TOEFL Line up recommenders 13–10 months out
Draft personal statement Order transcripts Take English & standardized tests 9–6 months out
Submit early action (Nov 1/15) File CSS Profile / ISFAA Submit scholarship essays 5–2 months out
Submit regular decision (Jan 1–15) Compare aid letters & appeal Pay enrollment deposit 1 month – departure
Visa interview with I-20/CAS Housing, insurance, flights Pre-departure briefings Master's Plan 12–15 months ahead
Chevening, Commonwealth, DAAD, Erasmus Mundus, Fulbright, departmental funding.
15–12 months out
Define field + 2–3 thesis angles Shortlist 6–10 programs Register GRE/GMAT + IELTS/TOEFL 11–8 months out
Draft program-specific SoPs WES/ECE evaluation Update academic CV 7–4 months out
Chevening (early Nov) Commonwealth (mid-Oct) Erasmus Mundus (mid-Jan) 3–1 months out
Scholarship interviews Secure unconditional offer Medical + police clearance Pre-departure
Visa & residence permit Stipend bank account Orientation PhD Plan 18–24 months ahead
Fully-funded doctorates — Commonwealth, MSCA, Mandela Rhodes, Wellcome, school studentships.
24–18 months out
Map 5–8 supervisors Email 1-page concept note Identify funding routes 17–12 months out
Draft 3–5k word proposal Publish or submit a paper Take IELTS/TOEFL 11–6 months out
Commonwealth PhD (mid-Oct) US PhD apps (Dec 1–Jan 15) Mandela Rhodes (April) 5–2 months out
Supervisor interviews Negotiate stipend & conference budget Accept best offer Pre-departure
Visa + dependant visa ORCID + library access 90-day milestones with supervisor Exchange / Short-term Plan 8–12 months ahead
Semester abroad, summer schools, YALI, MWF, Erasmus+ ICM, Fulbright FLTA.
12–9 months out
Confirm bilateral agreement Check GPA + language Take language test 8–5 months out
Internal nomination form Motivation letter + learning agreement Host acceptance letter 4–2 months out
Visa application Travel insurance Flights & first 2 weeks housing 1 month – departure
Pre-register host courses Confirm credit transfer Pre-departure briefing On return
Final report + receipts (30 days) Host transcript File credit transfer 