Parent and StudentCollege/UniversityOrientation]

Maja KellyCollege & University Counselor

The Dream School: What Parents and Students Consider

Priority

Students Parents

#1 Location

#5 Program

#4 Size & Social life

#3 Familiarity

#2 Reputation

Location

Money

Reputation

Safety

Program & Outcome

What universities think about

1.Qualifications  2.Diversity  3.Uniqueness  4.Rankings5.Retention

Things you may not have considered:

Gap yearsCommunity collegesFoundation programs/degrees

Some unfortunate truths…

College planning often leads to stress in the home Separation anxiety Pressure Arguments Anger

Why do students procrastinate?

Fear of rejectionUncertainty about futureFear of independenceFear of disappointing parentsFear of humiliationFear of growing up

Senioritis

ProcrastinationLazinessFrustrationLack of motivationNeglect of responsibilities

OR…

If you’re very lucky…

The opposite!

Renewed enthusiasm for schoolIntense bonding Volunteering for choresSpending time with family

How to help…

Organization!! Keep a calendar of deadlines

(and set your own) Provide a standing file for mail/

brochures Help create reasonable

timelines Give your child some space Keep he pressure down and be realistic Be aware of how this process is influenced

by/influences other children (younger and older)

How to help…

Offer support…Be patient…Provide assistance…

Making a List

REACH 2-4 A school where Predicted IB/GPA/Test scores are

LOWER than the average of admitted students POSSIBLE 4-6

A school where Predicted IB/GPA/Test scores are the SAME as average of admitted students

LIKELY/SAFETY 2-4 A school where Predicted IB/GPA/Test scores are

HIGHER than the average of admitted students

Visiting Universities

Come with a prepared list of questions! Do you look at the SAT Writing section of the test? Do you have a separate orientation program for international freshman? Do you provide airport pickup for international students? Do you have current students we can contact with questions about your

school? If you were to live on campus, which dorms would you recommend

and why? What percentage of your students are international? Do you have any

students from _______? What kind of major changes are taking place on campus over the next

four years? Do you have financial aid for international students? Scholarships for

international students?

Why are visits so important?

A concrete ideaVisualizationFear removalA goalExcitement Fun!!!!

Application Procedures

Importance of Deadlines SCIS has its own internal deadlines!! Photocopy everything Transcript

Requests/Recommendation Requests Student part of application vs. school

part Testing—SAT/TOEFL UPDATE NAVIANCE

Application integrity

Colleges and universities ask for: Schools to verify the information given

in student applications Disciplinary histories Authenticity of student writing True and accurate recommendations Resume checks Impartial voices

Web Links

UCAS Home Page https://www.commonapp.org/ http://professionals.collegeboard.co

m/gateway Association of Universities and Colleg

es of Canada's Web site - Le site Web de l'Association des universités et collèges du Canada

http://www.fastweb.com/ http://connection.naviance.com/isob

Common Mistakes

Assume most expensive/selective is best

Leave process entirely to students Take over the process for the student Choose college only because of its

academic record Think that “liberal arts” won’t lead to

a job Don’t apply for scholarships/financial

aid LEAVE THINGS TO THE LAST

MINUTE!!

What this year’s seniors say:

START EARLY!!!!APPLY EARLY!!!!!!USE THE SUMMER!!!!!!VISIT SCHOOLS!!!!!!!!!RESEARCH YOUR SCHOOLS!!!ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR WEAKNESSES AND EXPLAIN

THEM!!!!!!!

What to do before Grade 12

Make an appointment with the counselor! Build student resume Identify and ask teachers who can/will write

recommendations (2 for US schools; 1 for UCAS) Draft personal statement Research/create list of schools Visit/contact schools Discuss finances as a family Research/apply for scholarships available now Get copies and official translations (if necessary)

of transcripts from previous schools Prep for/register/take SAT and TOEFL tests Register for the NCAA If applying UCAS: choose a course!!

SATs

The deadline are posted on the school calendar.

SATs are relevant for students applying to: US Canada Asia English language unis abroad UK

The Resume: what to include Education (including any honors) *always first on

resume Languages Sports Leadership roles Community Service Skills Work experience Extra-curricular (e.g.: drama, journalism,

yearbook, musical training, etc.) All entries except Education should be listed starting

with the most recent and put in order of importance to student

Resources:

Counselor Naviance Web resources Print resources Former SCIS students University Handbook Family friends Student friends

QUESTIONS?