COMPLETING THE ONLINE APPLICATION

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Scholarship Office

KAUST Scholarships
Institute of International Education
520 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 740
Houston, TX 77027
U.S.A.
email: scholarships@kaust.edu.sa

Read all instructions carefully before completing the application

If you have any questions or problems, please contact the KAUST Scholarship
Management staff at scholarships@kaust.edu.sa or 713-621-6300 ext. 23

STEP 1: Record user ID and password in a safe place

Your email address is your User ID. When you create an account for the on-line
application, you must identify a password. Keep this information in a safe place. You can
log in and out of the application as frequently as you like; however, you must have your
User ID and password to do so. While you cannot change your User ID, you can change
your password, if necessary, by clicking on “Update My Account” at the top of the Home
page of the application.

STEP 2: Complete the application

You do not need to complete this application during one session. You can re-enter your
application as many times as you like before submitting it. But remember: once you
submit your application, you can make NO MORE changes to it.

All forms in this application are to be completed in English. Items must be answered
completely and carefully.
Some helpful “tips”:

• Avoid using all capital letters when answering items, it is better to use upper and
lower case, e.g., Ron Smith.
• You can copy and paste information into all text boxes.
• In the text boxes, you must limit your responses to the space provided.
Information that exceeds the space provided will not display or print.
• You can review each page of the application in its PDF format by clicking on the
Preview button on the upper right-hand corner.
• Preview your application to be sure that all of your text will be viewable to the
selection panel members.
• Closing out of the PDF view will bring you back to your application.
• You will write and submit two essays: ‘statement of purpose’ on page 4 and
‘personal essay’ on page 5.
• On the essay pages, text entered that exceeds the space provided will display
and print. However, keep your essays to one page when possible; multiple page
essays are not recommended.
• Your application will be accepted once all required items are completed.
• The Application Inspector button on the Home page will check your application
for completeness and prompt you to enter any missing information on required
questions.

If specific instructions for completing a question or item are provided in the application
itself, please read them carefully. In addition, please review the following important
information.

Statement of Purpose Essay: The information you provide in your statement of

purpose is an essential part of your application. You should take great care to write a
clear and very detailed description of your future goals and how they relate to the
KAUST Scholarships. Be sure to address your specific research interests and what you
hope to contribute to the KAUST community. Leave a 1.5 inch (4cm) margin at the top of
every page if you upload the essay from an off-line document. Review your essay by
clicking on the Preview button.
Item 29—Personal Statement: This personal statement should be a narrative
statement describing your personal and academic strengths as well as why you view
yourself as a competitive applicant.

Address the following points in your essay: It should not be a mere listing of facts. It
should include information about your leadership skills, international adaptability,
willingness and ability to participate in KAUST enrichment activities around the world as
well as future career plans. Describe any significant factors that have influenced your
educational or professional development.
NOTE: You have several ways in which you can create your essays and resume.

• You can compose your essay on-line. Please note, there is a 40-minute "time
out" function. In other words, you will need to either complete your essay in 40
minutes or periodically save your essay. You will not be able to customize the
formatting of your essay.
• You can copy and paste text from another document and edit online. Again, you
will have a 40-minute "time out" function. You will not be able to customize the
formatting.
• You can upload text from another document. This is the only option where you
will be able to have special formatting, e.g. bold, underline, headers, double-
spacing. While you cannot edit an uploaded document on-line, you can delete
your upload, make your corrections in your document off-line, and upload again.
• You must leave a 1.5 inch (4 cm) top margin on every page of your uploaded
essays to allow space for the header that will appear on the print version of your
application.
• Please click the PREVIEW button on the essay pages to review your essay. You
must use the "Back" browser button to return to your essay. Closing out of
this view will exit you from your application.

Item 30—Additional Information: You must upload scanned copies of the required
additional documents on this page including your English language proficiency test
results. If your referees were unable to complete your letters of reference using the
online system, you can also attach scanned letters of reference here.
 • Page 7—University or Post-secondary Transcripts: You can send your
transcripts electronically by scanning copies of your university or other post-
secondary transcripts and then attaching them to this online application by
uploading them on page 7. Detailed instructions for uploading scanned
documents are located on page 7 of the application. Original transcripts must be
sent to KAUST Discovery Scholarships.
• Letters of Reference/Recommendation: You must have three letters of
reference submitted on your behalf. Letters of reference are extremely important.
They should be written by professors or teachers under whom you have studied
or pursued research or by someone who has supervised you in work related to
your field of study. Letters of reference should not be written by persons related
to you either by blood or marriage or by personal friends. The letters should be
written in English if possible. If they are not, an original English translation must
be provided. Your recommenders have two ways to submit their letters.

1. You can print out the Letter of Reference form and forward it to your
recommenders. They will then complete the forms and mail them
to the KAUST Scholarships.
2. Your recommenders can complete the forms online and submit
electronically. You must click on the Recommendation button on the
Home page of this application to register your recommenders.

STEP 3: Application inspector

Before you can electronically submit your application, it will automatically be reviewed for
completeness. If there is missing data, you will be prompted to add specific items.

STEP 4: Review and print your application

Review a PDF version of your application and print a copy for your records.

STEP 5: Submit your application

After completing this application and thoroughly reviewing it, submit it electronically to
the KAUST Scholarship Office.
Note carefully, after submitting your application electronically, you will be able to access
it in a printable PDF format. However, you will not be able to make changes to your
application.

STEP 6: Track your application for missing documents

At the bottom of the home page of your application, there is a 'track your status' link. If
items are missing, they will be identified here. Only missing items will be identified. This
table will be routinely updated by the KAUST Scholarship Office. Please return
periodically to check the status of your application before the closing date.

STEP 7: Supporting documentation needed to complete your application

Your application is not considered complete until the KAUST Scholarship Office receives
all your supporting documentation. The KAUST Scholarship Office will inform you if any
additional documentation is needed. At a minimum, you can expect that the following
documents will be needed: three letters of reference/ recommendation, TOEFL or IELTS
reports, and official academic transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended. If
official transcripts are not issued in English, official translations are required.

a. Academic transcripts: For the KAUST Discovery Scholarship program, applicants

can initially submit student copies of academic records. Upon selection, you will be
required to submit official, complete and certified academic documents covering the
entire period of study at university and other post-secondary institutions. These
documents must include:

1. One certified official record (transcript) from each university or post-secondary

institution you attended, even those schools from which you did not receive a
degree or diploma. Transcripts should list the subjects you studied and the
grades you received during each year of your enrollment. Official transcripts are
expected to be submitted directly from the schools in sealed envelopes to the
KAUST Discovery Scholarship Office. All transcripts must be in English.
2. Certified, official evidence of each post-secondary or university degree, diploma
or certificate awarded to you should be included as part of the completed
application. A scanned copy can be posted to the online application site.
b. Tests of English Language Proficiency: A measure of your English language
proficiency is a requirement for applicants whose native language is not English (or
whose prior program of study was conducted in a language other than English). The two
accepted exams are:

1. IELTS (International English Language Testing System): This exam is jointly

managed by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, British Council,
and IDP: IELTS Australia. For further information, go to
http://www.www.ielts.org/. Make sure to select the "Institute of International
Education" as the recognizing body to which you would like your scores sent.
2. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): This exam is administered by
the Educational Testing Service. For further information, go to
http://www.www.toefl.org/.

KAUST is not responsible for late or incomplete applications submitted by candidates.

If you have any questions during the on-line application process, please email KAUST
Scholarship advisors at: scholarships@kaust.edu.sa