Apply to University: Definition and Usage Guide

Meaning 1：apply for university admission (apply to university)

apply to university 🔊

/əˈplaɪ tuː ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːrsəti/

v-phr

To officially ask to be accepted as a student at a university by sending in your documents and forms.

Student applying to university on laptop with brochures

apply for university admission 🔊

➕

/əˈplaɪ fɔːr ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːrsəti ædˈmɪʃən/

v-phr

To formally submit an application to a university, typically including documents, transcripts, and personal statements, in order to be considered for admission.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'applicare' (ad- 'to' + plicare 'to fold'), meaning to attach or put to.

💡 Mnemonic

Picture folding your application form and attaching it to a university envelope.

📖 Example

She spent months preparing her personal statement before she finally applied to university. 🔊 She spent months preparing her personal statement before she finally applied to university.

🔗 Collocations

apply to multiple universities – Submit applications to several universities at once

apply to university early – Submit application before the early deadline

apply to university online – Submit application through the university's web portal

🔄 Synonyms

submit a university application (v-phr) – To formally send in all required materials for admission

seek admission to a university (v-phr) – To try to be accepted as a student at a university

file for university entrance (v-phr) – To officially lodge a request for enrollment

🚫 Antonyms

withdraw university application (v-phr) – To cancel a previously submitted application

drop out of university (v-phr) – To leave university without completing studies

reject an admission offer (v-phr) – To decline a university's acceptance

🌱 Derivatives

applicant (n) – A person who applies for something, especially a university place

application (n) – The formal request or form submitted to a university

📖 Cultural Story

The verb 'apply' derives from Latin 'applicare' meaning 'to fold towards'. In modern English, 'apply to university' became the standard phrase for formally requesting admission.