Why this thread exists / 为什么要开这条经验帖
This thread is for people who already went through this stage and can share what really happened, what surprised them, and what they would do differently now.
这条经验帖适合已经走过这个阶段的人来补充真实过程、踩过的坑，以及如果重来会怎么做。
Good details to share / 欢迎补充的细节
your school, city, degree level, and rough timeline
what looked easy on paper but turned out slower or harder in practice
what you wish you had known one month earlier
Good angles / 建议从这些角度写
What did your school allow or refuse?
Which paperwork or approval did you actually need?
what advice you would give to the next international student