Choosing where to apply is one of the biggest decisions you'll make. ApplyBoard's Success Prediction score is here to help. It looks at your profile and tells you how likely you are to get into a program — before you even apply. Think of it as your personal guide to finding programs where you have the best shot.
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What Is a Success Prediction Score?
When you search for programs on ApplyBoard, every program card shows you an Overall Success Chance — High, Medium, or Low. This score is made just for you. It looks at a number of different things about you and the program to figure out how strong your application would be.
Your success chance is based on:
- Your personal profile
- Your academic background
- Real data from past students who applied to that program
The higher your score, the better your chances of getting in.
Tip! Make sure your ApplyBoard profile is 100% complete. The more we know about you, the more accurate your score will be — and the better your program matches.
What We Look At
When you click the (i) icon on any program card, you'll see a full breakdown of your Success Analysis. Here's what each one means:
This shows how many students got accepted compared to everyone who got a final decision on their application.
This is how long the school usually takes to send back a decision after you apply. If it shows Unavailable, we don't have enough data yet for that program — but we're always collecting more.
This shows how many other students are interested in the same program. A High popularity means lots of students want in, so competition may be stronger. A Medium or Low rating means fewer students are going after the same spot — which can work in your favour.
This shows where the school sits in global or national university rankings. A higher-ranked school may have tougher competition but can also carry more weight on your resume after graduation.
If this says Yes, your application can be evaluated and sent to the school within just a few hours once you've uploaded all your documents. No waiting in long queues.
If this says Yes, ApplyBoard can issue you a conditional offer on behalf of the school — sometimes on the same day you apply. This is one of the fastest ways to secure your spot.
This shows whether the program qualifies for a post-study work permit in your chosen destination. This is one of the most important factors for your future plans — it tells you whether you'll be able to stay and work after you graduate.
What this looks like depends on where you're studying:
- Canada: This will show PGWP Eligibility — the Post-Graduation Work Permit, which lets eligible graduates work in Canada after finishing their studies.
- USA: This will show OPT Eligibility — Optional Practical Training, which allows graduates to work in the US in a job related to their field of study.
- Other destinations will show the equivalent work permit program for that country.
Important: The final decision on post-study work eligibility always rests with the immigration authority in your destination country. Always check the latest requirements on the official government website before making decisions based on this information.
If this says Yes, there is strong demand for workers in this field after graduation. This means your program is linked to career areas where employers are actively hiring.
Programs marked as Prime are either only available through ApplyBoard or have a special number of seats reserved just for ApplyBoard students. This means you get access to spots that other students applying elsewhere simply can't get.
How to Use Your Success Score When Searching
Here's a simple way to use Success Prediction to build a strong application list:
Step 1 — Aim high, but be smart. Look for programs where your Overall Success Chance is High. These are your best bets and should make up most of your list.
Step 2 — Add some Medium picks. A Medium success chance doesn't mean you won't get in — it just means there's more competition or your profile is a close match. These are worth including as part of a balanced list.
Step 3 — Check the details. Two programs might both show High — but one has Instant Offer and PGWP Eligibility while the other doesn't. Those extra details can make a big difference to your future, so read the full breakdown before you decide.
Step 4 — Keep your profile updated. Your success scores update as your profile changes. Added a new test score? Updated your grades? Your matches will get more accurate. Keep coming back to check.
A Quick Example
Imagine you're looking at two programs in Canada. Both show a High success chance. But when you check the Success Analysis:
- Program A: Instant Offer ✅ · PGWP Eligibility ✅ · High Job Availability ✅
- Program B: Instant Offer ❌ · PGWP Eligibility ❌ · High Job Availability ❌
Program A is the stronger choice — not just for getting in, but for everything that comes after graduation too.
Ready to Find Your Best Match?
Head to the program search on ApplyBoard and start exploring. Filter by your destination, field of study, and use the Success Prediction scores to build a list you feel confident about.