After helping students get into universities across Europe, USA, and Canada, I keep seeing the same mistakes. Here's what to avoid:

1. Applying to too few universities

Most students apply to 2-3 and hope for the best. Apply to at least 6-8 across different competitiveness levels.

2. Ignoring scholarship deadlines

Many fully-funded scholarships close months before university deadlines. DAAD, Chevening, Commonwealth — they all have early windows. Start 12 months ahead.

3. Writing generic SOPs

"I have always been passionate about..." — admissions committees read thousands of these. Be specific. Name professors, research labs, and exact reasons why THAT university.

4. Underestimating visa finances

Having tuition covered isn't enough. Most embassies want 12 months of living expenses in your bank. Start building proof early.

5. Not preparing for IELTS/TOEFL properly

A 6.0 IELTS won't cut it for top programs. Most need 6.5-7.0+. Invest 2-3 months of serious prep.

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