2 answers
Emma
Student
Tucson, Arizona
1
Question
Asked
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How do I prepare myself to apply to Leiden university when I'm an American?
-My aunt works there and my parents are very enthusiastic about me going there.
-I have a 4.0 and extra cirriculars.
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2 answers
Joe L.
Program Manager
88
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Joe’s Answer
Sounds like with a 4.0 GPA and extracurriculars you are already ahead of the game.
Here you go..hope this helps and best of luck!
Preparing to apply to Leiden University as an American student with a strong GPA and extracurricular activities is a great start. Leiden University, located in the Netherlands, is a prestigious institution known for its high academic standards. Here are steps you can take to enhance your chances of admission:
Research Leiden University:
Start by thoroughly researching Leiden University's website and the specific programs you're interested in. Understand the admission requirements, application deadlines, and any additional requirements for international students.
Choose Your Program:
Select the program of study that aligns with your academic and career goals. Make sure you meet the program's prerequisites and have the necessary background in terms of coursework and knowledge.
Language Proficiency:
Leiden University typically conducts its courses in Dutch and English. If you plan to enroll in an English-taught program, you will likely need to demonstrate your English language proficiency by taking an English language proficiency test like TOEFL or IELTS. Make sure you meet the university's language requirements.
Academic Transcripts:
Gather your academic transcripts from high school and any college coursework you may have completed. Leiden University may require you to provide certified translations of these documents. Ensure that your GPA is accurately calculated and corresponds to the Dutch grading system.
Letters of Recommendation:
Obtain strong letters of recommendation from teachers, professors, or employers who can speak to your academic abilities and character. These letters should highlight your potential to succeed in higher education.
Personal Statement:
Write a compelling personal statement (motivation letter) explaining why you want to study at Leiden University, your academic and career goals, and how your extracurricular activities have prepared you for your chosen field of study. Be specific and sincere in your motivations.
Extracurricular Activities:
Highlight your extracurricular activities, emphasizing any that demonstrate leadership, community involvement, or skills relevant to your chosen field. Leiden University values a well-rounded applicant.
Prepare for an Interview:
Some programs at Leiden University may require an interview as part of the admission process. Prepare for this by practicing your communication skills and articulating your goals and motivations clearly.
Financial Planning:
Ensure you have a plan for covering tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs associated with studying abroad. Leiden University may require proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies.
Submit Your Application:
Complete the online application through Leiden University's admissions portal. Pay close attention to deadlines and provide all required documents accurately and on time.
Scholarships:
Explore scholarship opportunities for international students. Leiden University and various external organizations offer scholarships to help with the cost of studying abroad.
Stay Informed:
Keep track of your application status and respond promptly to any requests for additional information or interviews.
Remember that admission to Leiden University can be competitive, so make sure your application materials are as strong as possible and align well with the program you're interested in. Tailor your application to showcase how your background and experiences make you a strong fit for Leiden's academic community. Good luck with your application!
Here you go..hope this helps and best of luck!
Preparing to apply to Leiden University as an American student with a strong GPA and extracurricular activities is a great start. Leiden University, located in the Netherlands, is a prestigious institution known for its high academic standards. Here are steps you can take to enhance your chances of admission:
Research Leiden University:
Start by thoroughly researching Leiden University's website and the specific programs you're interested in. Understand the admission requirements, application deadlines, and any additional requirements for international students.
Choose Your Program:
Select the program of study that aligns with your academic and career goals. Make sure you meet the program's prerequisites and have the necessary background in terms of coursework and knowledge.
Language Proficiency:
Leiden University typically conducts its courses in Dutch and English. If you plan to enroll in an English-taught program, you will likely need to demonstrate your English language proficiency by taking an English language proficiency test like TOEFL or IELTS. Make sure you meet the university's language requirements.
Academic Transcripts:
Gather your academic transcripts from high school and any college coursework you may have completed. Leiden University may require you to provide certified translations of these documents. Ensure that your GPA is accurately calculated and corresponds to the Dutch grading system.
Letters of Recommendation:
Obtain strong letters of recommendation from teachers, professors, or employers who can speak to your academic abilities and character. These letters should highlight your potential to succeed in higher education.
Personal Statement:
Write a compelling personal statement (motivation letter) explaining why you want to study at Leiden University, your academic and career goals, and how your extracurricular activities have prepared you for your chosen field of study. Be specific and sincere in your motivations.
Extracurricular Activities:
Highlight your extracurricular activities, emphasizing any that demonstrate leadership, community involvement, or skills relevant to your chosen field. Leiden University values a well-rounded applicant.
Prepare for an Interview:
Some programs at Leiden University may require an interview as part of the admission process. Prepare for this by practicing your communication skills and articulating your goals and motivations clearly.
Financial Planning:
Ensure you have a plan for covering tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs associated with studying abroad. Leiden University may require proof of sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies.
Submit Your Application:
Complete the online application through Leiden University's admissions portal. Pay close attention to deadlines and provide all required documents accurately and on time.
Scholarships:
Explore scholarship opportunities for international students. Leiden University and various external organizations offer scholarships to help with the cost of studying abroad.
Stay Informed:
Keep track of your application status and respond promptly to any requests for additional information or interviews.
Remember that admission to Leiden University can be competitive, so make sure your application materials are as strong as possible and align well with the program you're interested in. Tailor your application to showcase how your background and experiences make you a strong fit for Leiden's academic community. Good luck with your application!
Karin P.
Lecturer
376
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Emma,
That’s so exciting! Do you know what you want to study? The admission requirements will depend on the program you choose.
You would have the option to do the complete program at Leiden University and get the degree from there or enrol at a US university and do a year abroad. If you want to do a year abroad, you might want to look at existing exchange partnerships. You can find exchange partners of Leiden University here:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/binaries/content/assets/governance-and-global-affairs/luc/exchange-partners-luc-nov-2017.pdf
If you want to do the whole program at Leiden, you find information for international students here:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/international-students
I don’t know if you speak Dutch already. Generally speaking, there are programs that are taught in Dutch, and you would need to be fluent in Dutch for those. Other programs are taught in English. You can download a brochure here:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/study-programmes/bachelor/brochure
If you don’t speak Dutch and your desired program is not taught in English, the year-abroad path might be more suitable for you. You could start studying in the US, learn Dutch on the side and do a year at Leiden later. Or you could spend a year to learn Dutch before you start a full program at Leiden.
You find information on application and admission for Bachelors programs here:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/admission-and-application/bachelors
The application starts here:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/admission-and-application/bachelors
• Step 1: Choose your bachelor's programme
• Step 2: Check the admission requirements
• Step 3: Check the application deadlines
• Step 4: Collect the required documents
• Step 5: Start your application
• Step 6: Pay your tuition fees
• Step 7: Prepare for your studies at Leiden University
Under requirements, there are language requirements, program specific requirements and requirements for programs with limited spaces.
The application deadlines depend on program, so please check here:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/admission-and-application/bachelors/application-deadlines#bachelor-s-programmes-with-a-numerus-fixus-limited-places,bachelor-s-programmes-with-a-compulsory-matching-module,bachelor-s-programmes-for-candidates-who-need-a-student-visa-or-residence-permit
Some Application deadlines are as early as 15 January (limited spaces), others are in April or May. Please check with the university.
You find information on required documents here:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/admission-and-application/bachelors/required-documents
You find information on the application process here: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/admission-and-application/bachelors/application-procedure#apply-in-studielink
The applicable tuition fees are listed here:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/admission-and-application/bachelors/tuition-fee#institutional-tuition-fee-for-students-who-are-not-nationals-of-an-eea-country-suriname-or-switzerland
As an American you would have to pay international fees:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/admission-and-application/bachelors/tuition-fee#institutional-tuition-fee-for-students-who-are-not-nationals-of-an-eea-country-suriname-or-switzerland
To prepare for your stay, please check out these pages:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/admission-and-application/bachelors/youre-a-student-at-leiden-university
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/international-students/prepare-your-stay
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/binaries/content/assets/studentenwerving/scm/international/prepare_your_stay_checklist.pdf
If you have more questions, don’t be shy to contact the student office (general questions) or the relevant department (program specific).
Do you have questions about your admission and application? Please contact the Student Affairs Office.
Student Affairs Office
+31 (0)71 527 8011
There is also an online form.
Questions about studying at Leiden University or about information activities for prospective students? We will be glad to help you!
Study Line
+31 71 527 1111
There is also an e-mail address, but I am not allowed to post it here, so please follow the links.
Good luck!
KP
That’s so exciting! Do you know what you want to study? The admission requirements will depend on the program you choose.
You would have the option to do the complete program at Leiden University and get the degree from there or enrol at a US university and do a year abroad. If you want to do a year abroad, you might want to look at existing exchange partnerships. You can find exchange partners of Leiden University here:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/binaries/content/assets/governance-and-global-affairs/luc/exchange-partners-luc-nov-2017.pdf
If you want to do the whole program at Leiden, you find information for international students here:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/international-students
I don’t know if you speak Dutch already. Generally speaking, there are programs that are taught in Dutch, and you would need to be fluent in Dutch for those. Other programs are taught in English. You can download a brochure here:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/study-programmes/bachelor/brochure
If you don’t speak Dutch and your desired program is not taught in English, the year-abroad path might be more suitable for you. You could start studying in the US, learn Dutch on the side and do a year at Leiden later. Or you could spend a year to learn Dutch before you start a full program at Leiden.
You find information on application and admission for Bachelors programs here:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/admission-and-application/bachelors
The application starts here:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/admission-and-application/bachelors
• Step 1: Choose your bachelor's programme
• Step 2: Check the admission requirements
• Step 3: Check the application deadlines
• Step 4: Collect the required documents
• Step 5: Start your application
• Step 6: Pay your tuition fees
• Step 7: Prepare for your studies at Leiden University
Under requirements, there are language requirements, program specific requirements and requirements for programs with limited spaces.
The application deadlines depend on program, so please check here:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/admission-and-application/bachelors/application-deadlines#bachelor-s-programmes-with-a-numerus-fixus-limited-places,bachelor-s-programmes-with-a-compulsory-matching-module,bachelor-s-programmes-for-candidates-who-need-a-student-visa-or-residence-permit
Some Application deadlines are as early as 15 January (limited spaces), others are in April or May. Please check with the university.
You find information on required documents here:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/admission-and-application/bachelors/required-documents
You find information on the application process here: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/admission-and-application/bachelors/application-procedure#apply-in-studielink
The applicable tuition fees are listed here:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/admission-and-application/bachelors/tuition-fee#institutional-tuition-fee-for-students-who-are-not-nationals-of-an-eea-country-suriname-or-switzerland
As an American you would have to pay international fees:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/admission-and-application/bachelors/tuition-fee#institutional-tuition-fee-for-students-who-are-not-nationals-of-an-eea-country-suriname-or-switzerland
To prepare for your stay, please check out these pages:
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/admission-and-application/bachelors/youre-a-student-at-leiden-university
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/international-students/prepare-your-stay
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/binaries/content/assets/studentenwerving/scm/international/prepare_your_stay_checklist.pdf
If you have more questions, don’t be shy to contact the student office (general questions) or the relevant department (program specific).
Do you have questions about your admission and application? Please contact the Student Affairs Office.
Student Affairs Office
+31 (0)71 527 8011
There is also an online form.
Questions about studying at Leiden University or about information activities for prospective students? We will be glad to help you!
Study Line
+31 71 527 1111
There is also an e-mail address, but I am not allowed to post it here, so please follow the links.
Good luck!
KP