More and more Romanian students dream of studying at top 100 universities, such as Oxford, Harvard, Cambridge, Bocconi, ESADE or the University of Amsterdam. To dismantle the myths and misconceptions about getting admitted to these institutions, we use a tool that is innovative on the Romanian market: the Admission Test.
This admission test is free, and the results are made available through a free strategy session with a dedicated mentor. After you complete the test, the results are analyzed in detail during this meeting. Sign up for a free session with a mentor to get access to the test.
What exactly does the admission test involve?
The admission test is an important step in personalizing the preparation process for admission to top universities abroad. Tinu Bosinceanu, the founder of Upgrade Education, explains that this test was developed to preserve the essence of the mentor-student relationship and to make the assessment of each student more efficient.
The test reveals, across several stages, where students stand in terms of academic performance, extracurricular activities and competition achievements. It also checks the level of the key skills that admissions committees at top universities look for, such as: critical thinking, problem solving, interpersonal skills and many others. The test helps identify the areas that need improvement and makes it possible to create personalized preparation programs, tailored to each student's needs.
When we first launched the admission test in the summer of this year, 410 Romanian students took part. The results showed that 78% of the students discovered for the first time that they have a real chance of being admitted to top universities abroad. Although many of them had a strong academic background, they did not truly know what matters to top universities in the admission process.
The test was administered to a sample of students in the 10th and 11th grades who want to apply to study abroad and who currently study at various high schools in Romania, of whom 60% came from private institutions and 40% from public high schools. The purpose of this process was to fine-tune and improve the test, so that, starting this autumn, the admission test is available to all students who are beginning their preparation for admission to a university abroad.
"The road to top universities is often blocked by misconceptions", says Tinu Bosinceanu, the founder of Upgrade Education. "Grades do not tell the whole story. Many students do not realize that skills such as leadership, critical thinking and extracurricular activities are just as important as grades, if not more so."
What does it mean to be ready for admission to a top university abroad?
A well-built academic profile is the foundation of success in the admission process at internationally renowned universities, whether we are talking about the USA, the United Kingdom or other European countries. But success does not come down to high grades alone. Such a profile requires a balance between academic achievements, consistent involvement in extracurricular activities, relevant leadership experiences and remarkable results in competitions.
A strategy well adapted to each student makes the difference in shaping a competitive profile. It is essential for students to showcase all of their achievements. Taking part in olympiads, volunteering or leadership initiatives, as well as rigorous preparation for standardized tests such as the SAT or IELTS, are the pillars of a profile that catches the attention of top universities.
What skills do Romanian students lack in order to succeed at top universities?
According to the admission test, many Romanian students struggle in a few key areas that are essential for success in the application process at renowned universities:
- Critical thinking: This is the foundation of a convincing academic profile. Without clear and coherent thinking, students struggle to structure their ideas in essays or applications, which are decisive elements in the admission process.
- Interpersonal skills (leadership, communication, networking): These competencies are essential both for admission interviews and for integrating into academic communities. Many students fail to demonstrate these skills at the level required by top universities.
- Extracurricular profile: Prestigious universities look for candidates with well-structured CVs that reflect significant achievements in extracurricular activities. A lack of involvement in relevant projects reduces the chances of success in the admission process.
- Mathematical reasoning: Even for fields where mathematics does not seem essential (such as law or psychology), many universities require good results on standardized tests like the SAT. Students who do not master mathematical reasoning struggle to reach the necessary scores.
These results highlight the challenges that Romanian students face in preparing for top universities. Even those with strong academic results can be at a disadvantage if they do not have a clear strategy or the confidence needed to apply to competitive institutions.