Student blogs

October! A drop in temperatures, beautiful fall colors, pumpkin spice lattes (no judgment here), and of course, spooky season… including… APPLICATION PERIOD STARTING!! And I know exactly what you’re thinking: “What should I focus on when writing my application?” “Where do I even start?” and maybe a little bit of “AAAAAAAAAAAA—!”.

To that I say: relax, I got you! In this blog, I’ll be sharing my top tips for navigating the application period, from the first step to that glorious moment when you hit SUBMIT. Having been through both the application process and an entire year of the master’s program, I’m feeling like a bit of a pro now (hindsight really is 20/20). So, without further ado…

Tip #1: Get familiar with all the info available online (especially the KI Website)

Before I started my application, I spent a lot of time exploring the KI website. It’s not only the place to find practical details like requirements and deadlines, but it’s also great for figuring out which programmes you really want to apply to. If you’re applying to multiple programmes, you’ll need to rank them and write a separate application for each one. It’s important to understand the differences between them to be able to explain why you’re applying and why you’d be a great candidate in your statement of intent. Also, keep in mind that each programme has general and specific requirements! These can be found on the webpage of the programme you’re applying to (here’s a list of all of them). If you have questions about eligibility, don’t hesitate to contact the admissions office.

Pro tip: Check out the “For students attending the programme in XYZ“/programme overview webpages (e.g. overview for the Master’s Programme in Toxicology, but all programmes should have something similar). You can often find details like current course schedules, which give you an idea of what the programme is actually like (of course, the student blogs are also great for this!). Personally, I also paid extra attention to the career opportunities section for each programme to better understand potential career paths. You can find this on the programme webpage, or sometimes there’s even separate pages (again, e.g. careers after graduation from toxicology). You can also turn to LinkedIn to see what graduates of the programme are working with!

Here’s a screenshot of the programme webpage for the Toxicology Master’s Programme, highlighting the “Career opportunities” section. Each programme has this section in their respective webpage!

Tip #2: Track your deadlines… and maybe create your own

There’s nothing worse than missing a key deadline. So, write down every. single. one. Not just in your online calendar but somewhere visible, like a whiteboard, sticky notes, phone reminders… or all of the above. Pay special attention to the different deadlines for the CV form and submitting all the required documents. Staying on top of this will do wonders for your sanity, trust me!

Pro tip: If, like me, you work better under pressure, set “internal” deadlines ahead of the official ones. This way, you can finish your application in smaller chunks and avoid the last-minute panic.

Tip #3: Give yourself enough time to write and revise

Be realistic about how long it will take to complete your application, especially the statement of intent. Some days you won’t feel productive, and that’s totally okay! Build in extra time to allow for those off days, and leave yourself plenty of time for revisions. It’s also a good idea to get feedback from friends and family along the way. Make sure you also have enough time to collect all the documents you’re required to submit!

Pro tip: Finish your draft early enough that you can let it sit for a while. Giving it some time helps you notice things you might’ve overlooked before!

Tip #4: Plan your statement of intent

The statement of intent can be the trickiest part of your application because space is limited, and you want every word to count. Start by outlining the key things you want to cover e.g. your background, motivations, why you’re interested in the program, how it aligns with your future goals, etc. Try to highlight what really makes you stand out and what makes you a good fit for the program!

Tip #5: Reach out, ask questions!

If you’re unsure about anything or need clarification, don’t hesitate to reach out to the admissions office or even the programme directors. Feel free to also reach out to current students like us digital ambassadors! We can help calm your nerves and answer any program-specific questions you still have (even after you’ve explored the KI website).

Finally and most importantly: Breathe! You’ve got this!

I know, the application process can feel overwhelming. But as long as you stay organized and give yourself enough time, you’ll get through it. And remember, the only guarantee you won’t get in is if you don’t apply. So take a deep breath, do your best, and trust that everything will fall into place!

With these tips, I hope the application period will be a lot less scary (spooky season vibes aside). Thanks for reading, and good luck to everyone applying!!