Essay
The Personal Statement Guide
Structure, voice, editing — with an annotated successful example. 8-page professional guide.
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Free guides, checklists, and templates.
Everything we wish we had when we started applying — collected, organized, and free.
Essay
Essay resources
Essay
Financial Need Statement Template
Four-paragraph structure with a complete 450-word sample. Honest, specific, no performance.
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Common App Undergraduate Essay Prompts (2026–27)
All 7 Common App essay prompts, plus annotated South Sudanese applicant responses for each.
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Applications resources
Applications
The Common App Checklist
Every section of the Common Application, in the exact order to complete it.
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Recommendation Letter Brief
Whom to ask, when to ask, what to send — including a model brief email.
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Scholarship Interview Question Bank
50 common scholarship interview questions with answer frameworks.
Open guide →Applications
Scholarship CV Template
One-page format with full annotated example and formatting standards.
Download PDFApplications
US Need-Blind Colleges Playbook
Deadlines, Common App walkthrough, financial aid Non-Tax Filer guide, and 3 annotated 'Why Us' essay examples for all 9 US need-blind colleges.
Open guide →Applications
Asia Undergraduate Application Toolkit
Country-by-country deadline calendar and document checklists for GKS (Korea), CSC (China), MEXT (Japan), NUS/NTU (Singapore), and KAIST.
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Test Prep resources
Test Prep
The 60-Day IELTS Plan
A free four-phase study plan with weekly schedule, mock-test cadence, and band-7 targets per module.
Download PDFPlanning
Planning resources
Planning
Scholarship Application Tracker
Printable tracker with status definitions, materials checklist, and deadline calendar for major programs.
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12-Month Application Timeline
Month-by-month roadmap from research to departure for a September intake.
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Pre-Departure Budget Worksheet
What 'fully funded' covers — and the USD 2,400–7,600 of costs it doesn't. Includes fill-in worksheet.
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European Undergraduate Scholarships Map
One-page comparison of Stipendium Hungaricum, Türkiye Bursları, Czech, Romanian, Polish NAWA, German, Norwegian, and French Sciences Po undergraduate programmes.
Open guide →Planning
12-Month Undergraduate Timeline
Month-by-month wall chart from research to acceptance for a September 2027 undergraduate intake — deadlines, milestones, and prep tasks by month.
Open guide →Planning
Undergraduate Scholarship Deadline Calendar
The 40+ undergraduate scholarships in the SSSI database, sorted by deadline month — printable one-pager.
Download PDFReading lists
Where to start, by stage
Curated paths through the SSSI blog — read in order.
If you are just starting out
If you are mid-application
If you are applying from a refugee or displacement setting
More to come
What we're working on
A growing library of resources, built with input from current scholars and admissions mentors.
- Video walkthrough: Common App from start to submit
- Interview prep workbook for major scholarships
- Country-specific guides (UK, US, Canada, Germany)
- Visa application checklist for South Sudanese passport holders
- Mock interview question bank with model answers
- Financial planning worksheet for partially funded offers
- Research statement template for PhD applicants
- Recommender outreach email templates
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