Introduction

Sabancı University how to apply online step by step

Before you start — who should use this guide

• International student recruiters and placement agencies managing multiple applicants.
• University admissions officers processing international applications.
• HR and marketing teams building recruitment campaigns and onboarding processes.
• Edtech or internal teams integrating application tracking and document management.

The guide below lays out the nine essential stages of the online application process for international undergraduate applicants to Sabancı University. Each step includes best-practice tips for agents and university staff, plus recommendations from Study in Turkiye.

Step 1 — Prepare your application documents (checklist)

Successful online applications begin with organised digital files. Request applicants provide high-resolution scans (PDF or JPG) and translations where required.

Required documents (scan and save high-resolution copies)

• Passport photo page.
• High school diploma (notarised translation required if not in Turkish or English).
• Transcript of records.
• International exam results (e.g., SAT, ACT — optional; Sabancı English exam may be taken later).
• Language proficiency certificate (optional; relevant for exemption from Foundation Development Year).
• One passport-sized photograph (4.5 x 6 cm).
• Residence permit copy (if already in Turkiye).
• Visa page with Turkish entry stamp (if applicable).
• Notarized Parental Consent Letter (for applicants under 18; follow Sabancı’s specific format).
• Optional but recommended: motivation letter, recommendation letters, certificates of extracurricular achievement.
• Complete Student Information Form — applicants will need a Sabancı account to complete this.

Best-practice tips for recruiters and admissions teams

• Verify file names and sizes before upload (use a standard naming convention such as LastName_DocumentType.pdf).
• Keep a master spreadsheet or a standardised intake system tracking each applicant’s document status and expiry dates.
• If translations are required, ensure notarisation and legalisation processes are completed early.

Step 2 — Access the online application portal

Navigate to Sabancı University’s application page via Study in Turkiye’s university directory: Sabancı University. Confirm the undergraduate application window is open for your intended intake. For 2025–2026 the published dates are:

• Start: January 15, 2025
• Early deadline: March 15, 2025
• Final deadline: August 29, 2025 (portal closes at 16:00 Turkish time)

Operational advice

• Add application opening and closing dates to calendar reminders for applicants and internal teams.
• Trigger pre-application checklists automatically three weeks before deadlines.

Step 3 — Fill out the online application form

What to expect and how to guide applicants:

• Applicants must enter personal details, contact information (ensure phone number and active email are correct), academic history and program preferences (up to three program choices).
• Complete every field — incomplete fields block submission.
• Ensure citizenship and whether high school was completed in Turkiye are accurately indicated (this affects eligibility and documentation).
• Recruiters: validate details with applicants before submission to prevent delays.

Data quality and verification

• Use a two-step verification: agent/team checks form entries, then send a confirmation screenshot to the applicant for sign-off.
• For bulk applications, use CSV import tools if the portal supports them, or maintain a secure intake system to standardise entries.

Step 4 — Upload your documents

Upload guidance:

• Upload scanned documents in the formats accepted by the portal. Confirm size limits and orientation (portrait/landscape).
• Only soft copies are required during review. Originals must be presented physically during registration week on campus after admission.

Admissions workflow tips

• Maintain an internal checklist that flags missing or low-quality uploads.
• If an applicant is missing a document, follow up immediately and set a deadline for receipt.

Step 5 — State your scholarship expectation

The application form includes a field to indicate scholarship need or expectation. All international candidates are considered for scholarships; indicate expectation explicitly to help the admissions team process awards.

Advice for recruiters: prepare a short justification (academic highlights, extracurricular leadership) to attach as part of a motivation letter if scholarship consideration is expected.

Step 6 — Pay the application fee online

After submitting the form, applicants must pay a non-refundable $30 USD application fee by credit card (Visa or Mastercard). Applications without payment are not reviewed.

Operations tip

• For agents: confirm payment receipt and attach proof to your internal record. Automate a confirmation email to the applicant once payment is completed.

Step 7 — Submit your application

Review all information carefully before final submission. Once submitted, an acknowledgement email is sent; recruiters and applicants should monitor this inbox for additional requests.

Post-submission tracking

Use Study in Turkiye’s recommended tracking templates or integrate the portal’s notifications into your CRM to ensure timely responses to any follow-up requests.

Step 8 — Application review and offer

What to expect after submission:

• Sabancı University reviews the complete application and issues offers via email when successful.
• The offer includes scholarship decisions (if any), a pre-payment deadline and bank details for a mandatory non-refundable $2,000 USD prepayment to secure the place.

Important

• The pre-payment must be made within the deadline. If a scholarship is awarded, paying on time is essential to keep the scholarship and the admission offer.
• Agents: always confirm bank details with the student and retain payment receipts for records.

Step 9 — Registration and next steps (after offer acceptance)

After paying the prepayment and sending the bank receipt, applicants must bring original documents to campus during registration week. Originals are verified to finalise admission.

• Ensure applicants have arranged visas, accommodation and arrival logistics in advance.

Additional reminders for international candidates and agents

• All communications and requests from the admissions office are sent to the email address on the application — ensure this email is monitored and responses are timely.
• Application quotas vary by program; advising applicants to apply to programs across different faculties can increase admission chances.
• Fees and prepayments are strictly non-refundable.

Practical checklist for recruiters and admissions teams

Use this summary checklist to streamline processing for multiple applicants:

Before application

• Collect high-quality scanned documents and translated/notarised copies.
• Confirm applicant eligibility and target programs.
• Schedule deadlines aligned to Sabancı’s intake calendar.

During application

• Fill forms carefully and validate entries twice.
• Upload documents with standard file names.
• Pay the $30 USD fee and retain proof.

After submission

• Track acknowledgement and respond to queries within 48 hours.
• Prepare scholarship documentation if requested.
• Once an offer arrives, confirm scholarship details, pay the $2,000 USD prepayment by deadline, and store the bank receipt.

At registration

• Ensure originals are ready for verification during registration week.
• Assist with enrolment, housing, orientation and any Foundation Development Year requirements.

How Study in Turkiye supports international recruitment and admissions

Study in Turkiye is positioned as a partner for universities, agencies and in-house recruitment teams by offering:

• End-to-end application support and quality-control checklists to reduce errors and processing time.
• Candidate tracking integrations that sync application status, payment confirmations and document compliance.
• Training and onboarding for agents and admission teams to standardise submissions and ensure timely communication.
• Expert advice on scholarship packaging, prepayment management and deadline monitoring.

If your team needs branded workflows, CRM integration or co-branded communication templates for applicants, Study in Turkiye provides implementation and training support tailored to institutional processes.

Example use cases for institutional teams

• Admissions teams: reduce application review time by 30% using standardised digital intake and document validation.
• Recruitment agencies: increase conversion rates by ensuring full and accurate applications before portal submission.
• HR & marketing teams: use unified messaging to improve applicant experience and reduce abandonment rates.

Universities and complementary pathways

When advising applicants who may also consider other institutions in Turkiye, Study in Turkiye’s directory helps identify program matches quickly. The following related universities are frequently considered alongside Sabancı University:

For a full list of partner universities, visit Study in Turkiye’s university directory: All Universities in Turkiye.

Read more

• If You Want to Became an agent for Study in Türkiye
• Admission process
• Why to study in Türkiye

Common questions and troubleshooting

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