Save Hours of Research with ApplyBoard’s Program Matcher

Image of two students looking at a computer, alongside spot illustrations of documents, passports, magnifying glasses, and a stopwatch.

ApplyBoard has helped over 600,000 international students start their study abroad journeys. So, we know how difficult it can be to search for the perfect program or institution. From your educational background and your credentials to your country of residence, there are so many factors that can affect your options. That’s why ApplyBoard’s new Program Matcher tool takes the research and guesswork out of finding your perfect study abroad program.

All you have to do is take around three minutes of your time to answer a few questions about your academic history and goals. Then, we’ll offer you four highly personalized recommendations for study programs to match your budget, preferences, qualifications, and more. 

We use artificial intelligence to match your interest with suitable open study abroad programs. You’ll get personalized recommendations picked from over 140,000 possible programs across five countries! 

Curious to learn more about how ApplyBoard helps students? Read our blog!

An illustration of an open laptop with Program Matcher results.

How Does Program Matcher Work? 

Using Program Matcher is easy. You’ll begin by registering for a free ApplyBoard account. Once you complete your student profile, we’ll ask you a few simple questions to learn your study preferences.

Tip: While you can use Program Matcher without an account, your results are better tailored to you if you register for a free account first. 

The first half of the quiz will ask you questions about:

  • Which countries you want to study in
  • The level of education you’re applying for
  • The subject you’d like to study
  • When you want to study
  • Your estimated budget 

Your screen should look something like this:

A screenshot of the question

In the second half of the quiz, we’ll assess your eligibility. You’ll answer questions about your:

  • Nationality 
  • Country and state of residence
  • Valid study permits or visas you hold, if any 
  • Highest level of education
  • Most recent overall grades
  • English proficiency test scores (if applicable)

At this point, your screen should look like this:

A screenshot of the question

Once you’ve completed the quiz, our AI matches your answers against millions of data points and serves you four options of study abroad programs, selected specifically to meet your needs.

A screenshot of the results from ApplyBoard's Program Matcher.

We use the information you’ve provided to match you with customized results. These institutions and programs are ones that are well-suited to your needs and circumstances. This means you no longer have to spend hours trying to find the perfect program that both suits your needs and matches your qualifications. 

Helpful Notes about Program Matcher

Once you’ve received your results, you can save your favourite programs to your Cart so you can return to them later and compare programs. When you complete the quiz, you can jump back to Program Matcher to see your recommendations again at any time. 

Want to take the quiz again and edit some of your responses? No sweat. You can use this link to change your quiz answers or give more specific details. The more information you provide, the better our AI-powered algorithm can match you with the right programs. 

Wondering if you’re ready to study abroad? Take our interactive quiz to find out if it’s the right choice for you. 

How Do I Apply Once I’ve Found the Right Program?

ApplyBoard makes it easy. Our team of experts can guide you through your study abroad journey in five simple steps. We’ve outlined what they are below, and what each step looks like.

1. Check Your Eligibility

We’ve created two free approaches to help you apply to your university or college of choice. You can choose between comparing programs for yourself or taking our Program Matcher quiz. Then, you’ll be directed to a list of recommended programs for you. 

2. Submit Your Application

Once you’ve found a program that works for you, an ApplyBoard team member will review your applications. They’ll make sure the applications are in excellent shape, and ensure they’re all submitted on time. Easy peasy! 

3. Receive Your Letter of Acceptance

After your application’s been submitted comes the waiting game. While nothing is ever completely guaranteed, you can rest easier, knowing that students who apply using the ApplyBoard Platform have a 95% acceptance rate into many of our partner universities and colleges. 

4. Apply for Your Visa

As many of our team members have been international students themselves, ApplyBoard’s team has lots of experience with and empathy for students going through their visa applications. Exclusive tools like our Canada Visa Calculator (if you’re interested in studying in Canada specifically) can help you determine your potential chance of approval. 

Please note: while we can share general information, for official visa and residency advice you’ll need to connect with a licensed professional like an immigration attorney. In Canada, you can also contact a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant. Headed to the United Kingdom? You can work with an advisor who’s certified by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner.

5. Start Your Journey Abroad

The last step is perhaps the most exciting—beginning your thrilling journey abroad! We know it can feel a little intimidating to make the jump, which is why we have plenty of tools and resources to help you as you adjust to your new destination. You’ll always be able to talk to someone on our team and be given resources to help you make the most of your adventure. 

Now that you know how it works, why not give it a try for yourself? Use our Program Matcher to find your perfect study program today!

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