An International Student’s Guide to Applying to Private School.pdf

8/2/2019 An International Students Guide to Applying to Private School.pdf

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www.admissionsquest.com

by: Christine Chapman

AnInternational

to Applying toPrivate School

Students Guide

www.boardingschooltours.com
http://www.admissionsquest.com/http://www.boardingschooltours.com/http://www.boardingschooltours.com/http://www.boardingschooltours.com/http://www.admissionsquest.com/http://www.admissionsquest.com/


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IIAn International Students Guide to Applying to Private School

Table o contents

Congratulations! Youve Decided to Applyto a North American Private School! 1

Reasons or Considering a North AmericanPrivate School Environment 2

A School or Every Student:Te Dierent ypes o Private Schools 2

Boarding school or a day school? 3

Sing le sex or co-educat iona l school? 3

Diering Approaches 3

Setting Goa ls or Your Search 3

Personal Growth Underlies and Builds theFoundation or L arger Successes 4

What Are North American Private Schools Looking For? 4

Diversity 4

A Note about Diversity and Competit ion 4

Current International Student Demographics 5

Academic Perormance & English Prociency 5

Admission criteria 5

School-Specic Requirements 6

Do you need a consultant? 6

Finding an educational consultant 7

Te Independent EducationalConsultants Association (IECA 7

AdmissionsQuest 7

School Search and Application Process 7

In an ideal world 7

School Appl icat ion Calendar & Checkl is t 7

As you begin planning your application(18-24 months beore you plan to attend) 8

12-15 months beore you plan to at tend 8

October - November 9December 9

January 9

February 10

March 10

April - May 10

esting 11

Te Secondary School Admissions est (SSA) 11

Te Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) 11

Te est o English as Foreign Language (OEFL) 11

An Alternative to the OEFL- Secondary LevelEnglish Prociency est (SLEP) 11

Understanding the SLEP 11

Building Language Prociency Trough Sel-Immersion 12

Finding A School : Te Importance o Fit 12

Te School Interview 13

Suggest ions or Visit s and Interviews 14

A Note to Student s About Teir Essays 15

Acceptance, Waiting Lists and Denials 15

American and Canadian Student Visa Acquisition Processes 16

United Stat es Student Visa Proce sses 16

J visas 16

F category visas 16

Te United States visa application and interview process 17

Te United St ates visa interview 18

Canadian Student Visa Processes 18

Eligibility to study in Canada 19

Students who do not require a study permit

to study in Canada 20

Enrollment Considerations 21

Scheduling 21

Why you should consider a guardian? 21

Guardianship services 21

More Enrollment Considerations and Summer Work 22

Forms, Course selections, Summer reading 22

Packing and planning 22

Upon arrival, here are some things you need to do 23

About Christine Chapman 24
http://www.boardingschooltours.com/http://www.boardingschooltours.com/http://www.boardingschooltours.com/http://www.boardingschooltours.com/http://www.admissionsquest.com/


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1An International Students Guide to Applying to Private School

Congratulations! Youve Decided to Applyto a North American Private School!

I you have downloaded this e-book, you have decided toconsider an educational experience that will take your student

away rom the comorts o home and the country o birth andinitial upbringing to a private school, most likely in an English-speaking country, such as Te United States, Canada, GreatBritain, Australia, or New Zealand

You may even be considering a North American school in acountry where English is not the native language, as there arenumerous day and boarding schools that have opened up in partso Asia and Europe as well I encourage you, beore going anyurther, to take inventory o your reasons or considering yourdecision to make application to private schools as an international

student and to take an opportunity to set some goals

Tis guide is intended to assist you and your amily in preparingto apply to a private school

I encourage you,beore going anyurther, to takeinventory o

your reasons orconsidering yourdecision to makeapplication toprivate schools asan internationalstudent and to takean opportunity toset some goals.

Vivian Webb Chapel,

The Webb Schools

www.webb.org
http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.boardingschooltours.com/http://www.admissionsquest.com/


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Reasons or Considering a North AmericanPrivate School Environment

You may have a number o reasons or looking toward a NorthAmerican private school education For international amilies,

here are some common reasons to consider a private schoolsetting abroad:

to attend a university in the US or Canada;

to improve English prociency and uency;

smaller class sizes and better student-teacher ratios;

advanced course work or your student showing talents, needingmore support and/or a more rigorous academic environment;

extra support and structure in a residential environment that

will strengthen areas o academic weakness; a broader-based education that emphasizes academic and

social development, and one that values participation inextracurricular activities;

you would like to be certain your student becomes a mature,independent, and creative thinker and problem solver

A School or Every Student:The Dierent Types o Private Schools

Here in North America, there is a private school or practicallyevery student, and thereore a great emphasis is placed on theright school t Te key to success in applying to a US orCanadian private school will be in nding one that ts yourstudent and will, then, help him grow, mature, and thrive

Because each school has dierent requirements, it is importantto do your homework as a amily beore your student beginsthe application process It is also important, as you begin yoursearch, to consider the dierent kinds o private schools

to attenda universityin the US orCanada

to improveEnglishprociencyand uency

advancedcoursework or

your studentshowing talents,needing more supportand/or a more rigorousacademic environment

Fowler Learning Center,

Proctor Academy

www.proctoracademy.org
http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.webb.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.boardingschooltours.com/http://www.admissionsquest.com/


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Personal Growth Underlies and Buildsthe Foundation or Larger SuccessesAvoid setting unrealistic goals Focus on near-term goals thatyour student can reach - one ater another Its easy to overlookthe importance o adult encouragement and enthusiasm to ourchildren My hope and goal or every student is that the high

school years will be a sae training ground in which to learnrom mistakes and to take risks through the encouragementand guidance o adults I want them to enter university withcondence and experience

What Are North American Private SchoolsLooking For?

Its important to know what American private schools look orin an international applicant

DiversityDiversity is a wonderul asset or prospective internationalstudents It is a very important part o the boarding schoolexperience By diversity, I do not necessarily mean to limit thediscussion to ethnic, linguistic, or cultural diversity It alsoincludes geographic and socioeconomic diversities Boardingschools seek to create a balance and a sharing o perspectives,opinions, experiences and ideas

A Note about Diversity and Competition:Based on the concentrations o students rom the dierentcountries represented in the student body o a given school,competition will vary

In recent years, Chinese students have comprised largepercentages o boarding school and college applicant pools

As wonderul as this inux o diversity can be, i there are toomany students rom a single country, competition among thosestudents increases- becoming very rigorous as these studentscompete with one another or a nite number o spaces

Diversity is a wonderul

asset or prospectiveinternational students.

Wall o fagsrepresenting

currently enrolledstudents at

Northeld MountHermon School

www.nmhschool.org
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Be mindul o the competition you ace as you prepare to applyto a North American private school In recent years, the largestwaves o international students have come rom Japan (in the1980s into the 1990s), South Korea (1990s into 2008) andcurrently American schools are experiencing a wave o Chinesestudents seeking admission

Current International Student DemographicsTe Association o Boarding Schools reports that internationalstudents make up 31% o students in boarding schools Chinesestudents have the highest degree o saturation; it is not uncommonto see schools with populations o 20 or more students romChina Te growth in Chinese applicants has brought the levelo admission competition to new heights Day schools are alsoseeing great numbers o international applicants, primarily romPacic Rim countries Private schools appreciate the diversity any

international student brings to the student body as a whole But,concentrations o students rom a single country can limit theeects o immersion into a truly international experience

Look or schools with smaller concentrations o students romyour country or students who speak your language Applyingto a school with a smaller number o students with similarbackgrounds can make your student a more compelling candidate

Academic Perormance & English Prociency

Just as there is a school or every type o student, there is al so aschool that can support every level o English prociency.

Expect an emphasis on academic and linguistic levels specicto each school Each school will make its admission decisionregarding your student based on its evaluation o his ability towork through its curriculum and whether or not the admissionofcers believe that he has the capacity to grow and thrivewithin the schools program

Admission ofcers criteria in their admission judgments:

English prociency

standardized testing results

academic record

essays

other application materials

Just asthere isa school

or every type ostudent, there isalso a school thatcan support everylevel o Englishprociency.
http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.boardingschooltours.com/http://www.admissionsquest.com/


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Each school will have its own benchmarks and measures orinternational students based on its rigor and requirements

You do NO have to arrive in the United States or Canadaprocient in English

My best advice to parents and students is to choose a school thatwill meet your student where he stands and is able to help him tothe next level o perormance and prociency

School-Specic RequirementsEach school operates with its own admission calendar anddeadlines When you begin your search, learn the deadlines andspecic requirements or international students at each schoolConsider the benchmark scores or international students andthe testing requirements Do your students scores all within the

published score proles?

Know the tuition costs or international students. Teyreusually higher than domestic tuition.

Keep in mind that, normally, schools oer no nancial aid tonew, incoming international students Ask about how competitivethe admission process can be or a student rom your countryso that you can get a sense, in advance, o how competitive anadmissions pool you might be considering

Do you need a consultant?Tis guide was written or those who want to approach theprocess on their own Use o a consultant is a decision you aregoing to have to make or yoursel My intention is to give youthe tools to know, and to identiy, all the layers that make up theadmission process or an international student and his amily asthey consider application o their student in a private school

I, as you read through this e-book, you believe it is a sufcientguide to help you orge ahead, excellent I you begin to eel thatthe process is becoming more than you anticipated, you maywant to consider working with an educational consultant

Do not avoid working with a consultant because o the potentialcost o services Te cost o a year lost in your students educationbecause o a poor school t ar outweighs the consultants ee, orworse, the loss o a students sel-esteem

Know thetuitioncosts

or internationalstudents. Theyreusually higher thandomestic tuition.
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Finding an educational consultantTe Independent Educational Consultants Association(IECA) is the proessional body that oers training andaccreditation to educational consultants You will nd a memberdirectory o educational consultants all over the world oeringservices in a variety o dierent specialty areas

visitwwwiecaonlinecom

AdmissionsQuestalso has educational consultants experiencedin working with international amilies

School Search and Application Process

Now that weve laid the oundation, weve arrived at the

application process

In an ideal world...Te school search and application process should start as earlyas 18 to 24 months prior to your desired matriculation dateTis gives a student and amily ample time to do a thoroughsearch and to work on the school search and application process -thoughtully, and with plenty o time

Te truth o the matter is that international and domestic

students almost always use a shorter, compressed applicationtimeline I understand that amilies oten nd themselvesrushing as decisions come quickly, and they suddenly ndthemselves knee-deep in applications, essays, and interviews,while madly struggling to prepare or standardized tests!

Heres a brie sketch o the admission process rom start to nish:

School Application Calendar & ChecklistMake your application planning easier by using this prep school

admission checklist Te calendar below serves as an ideal Weknow that many amilies may not begin their private school/boarding school application process until later into the schoolyear Still, this calendar can serve as a guide or condensedtimelines as well by providing helpul reminders or tasksyou may need to complete Remember that completing andsubmitting an application is not the conclusion o the process

The school searchand applicationprocess shouldstart as earlyas 18 to 24 monthsprior to your desiredmatriculation date.

Clark Chapel,

Pomret Schoolwww.pomretschool.org
http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.nmhschool.org/http://www.iecaonline.com/http://www.iecaonline.com/http://www.aqeducationalconsulting.com/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.aqeducationalconsulting.com/http://www.iecaonline.com/http://www.boardingschooltours.com/http://www.admissionsquest.com/


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As you begin planning your application(18-24 months beore you plan to attend):

Evaluate your personality, interests and skills

ake challenging courses

Improve your reading and vocabulary skills

Improve your math skills

I youre an international student you have alreadybeen studying hard or the SSA and OEFL

Participate in extracurricular activities and developyour social skills

alk with private school riends and amilies ask themabout their schools and the dierent kinds o schools

12-15 months beore you plan to attend:

Identiy characteristics you want in a school

Collect school catalogs and applications

Prepare a list o questions to ask school admission

ofcers

Register to take the SSA, ISEE, and OEFL

Create les to keep copies o applications andcorrespondence

Set up a calendar to track important dates and deadlines

Attend private school airs

Participate in

extracurricularactivities anddevelop yoursocial skills.

Rowing Program,

Ridley College

www.ridleycollege.com
http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.pomfretschool.org/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.boardingschooltours.com/http://www.admissionsquest.com/


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October - November

Attend private school airs

Narrow your school list to a reasonable number

our and Interview at the schools o interest

ake the SSA, ISEE, and OEFL

Request letters o recommendation to includewith your admissions applications

Begin working on admission application essays

December

Know your application deadlines

I applicable, determine which nancial aid ormsthe schools on your list require

ake any admission tests still needed

Keep your les organized and up to date

Finalize essay drats

Complete and submit your applications

ake any required admission tests i necessary

January

I you have not done so already, submit youradmission applications

Be mindul o each schools application requirementsand deadlines

ake any required admission tests i necessary

Send transcripts to schools to which you are applying

Tour & Interviewat the schoolso interest.

Proctor Academy

www.proctoracademy.org
http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.ridleycollege.com/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.boardingschooltours.com/http://www.admissionsquest.com/


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February

ake any admission tests still needed

I you havent done so already, send transcripts

Respond quickly to any requests rom schools

March

School decisions arrive around March 15th(notication date is traditionallyMarch 10)

Careully read your decision letters

Seriously consider revisits, i possible Schedule

them soon i you decide to revisit

Choose whether or not you want to pursue anywaitlist opportunities

April - May

Attend accepted student (revisit) programs i possible

Make a decision, most schools request your reply

byApril 15th

Send your tuition deposit You will want to reserve a place(make a deposit) even i you are pursuing a waitlist situationat another school.

Respectully decline oers rom schools that youwill not attend

Send thank you notes to individuals who contributedto your application

For a more thorough look at the application processgeared toward American students, we invite you todownload AdmissionsQuestsMastering the Private School Admissions Process

Take any admission

tests still needed.

Hayden Library,

Tabor Academy

www.taboracademy.org
http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.proctoracademy.org/http://www.admissionsquest.com/~e-books/showarticle.cfm/articleid/190/articletypeid/14/topic/mastering-the-private-school-admission-processhttp://www.taboracademy.org/http://www.taboracademy.org/http://www.admissionsquest.com/~e-books/showarticle.cfm/articleid/190/articletypeid/14/topic/mastering-the-private-school-admission-processhttp://www.boardingschooltours.com/http://www.admissionsquest.com/


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TestingTree tests provide primary evaluations o internationalstudents applying to private schools:

1 Te Secondary School Admissions est (SSA)(wwwssatorg)

2Te Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE)(wwwerblearnorg)

Both the SSA and ISEE are required or both domesticand international students Each test measures writingskills, math skills, reading comprehension, vocabulary,and mathematics skills(Check with each school to get a sense o which test it preers andthe schools international student test score benchmarks.)

3Te est o English as Foreign Language (OEFL)(wwwtoeorg)(Check with each school to get a sense owhich test it preers and the schools international studenttest score benchmarks.)

An Alternative to the TOEFL- Secondary Level EnglishProfciency Test (SLEP)In some instances, where it is not possible to take the OEFLexamination, the student may be given the option to take theSecondary Level English Prociency est (SLEP) either in theofce o an educational consultant, or at a school oering thetest Some admission ofces require students to take the SLEPwhen the student visits campus or an interview

Understanding the SLEPTe SLEP is published by the same organization that publishesthe OEFL Schools originally turned to administering theSLEP because the OEFL is really a test geared towards collegebound or graduate studies-bound students Te SLEP helps aschool gain a quick picture o a students English prociency

with the student right in the ofce Stay tuned or the OEFLJunior which has just been released

Check with eachschool to get asense o whichtest it preersand the schoolsinternationalstudent test scorebenchmarks.
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Building Language ProciencyThrough Sel-ImmersionStrengthen your students application by simulating immersionexperiences Immersion settings are ideal in building languageprociency Help and encourage your student to createminiature immersion settings with riends and amilyin dorm

common rooms with riends and students, on a mall trip, or onsome wonderul school-sponsored adventure

Watching television with English subtitles and listening toEnglish in songs or talk shows on the radio are great ways inwhich to surround yoursel with the spoken language Tis willhelp with both your listening and your speaking skills Te bestway to become a better reader and writer is to do a lot o itRead voraciously and write daily

Families and students can save a great deal on test preparationcourses and products i they ocus on reading good books andspeaking their new language as much as possible

Dont be shy! Do everything you can to practice your English,mistakes and all.

Your skills will improve and so will your condence and yourtest scores

Finding A School: The Importance o FitAs I explained earlier, there is a type o school or eachinternational students level o English prociency I you havebeen resourceul enough to nd and download this e-book andhave come this ar in your reading, then you are serious aboutthis process and you are planning to ollow through

I cannot stress enough how important it is, especially or aninternational student, to base a school choice on proper school t.

Look or the school that is going to welcome your student with

open arms, a school that is able to support his/her needs andhelp him/her acquire the necessary skills or success, both in theclassroom and in the community

Dont be shy!

Do everything youcan to practice

your English,mistakes and all.

I cannotstressenoughhow important itis, especially oran internationalstudent, to base aschool choice onproper school t.

Woodside PrioryStudents, Woodside

Priory School

www.prioryca.org
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Know that the adjustments that an international student goesthrough in order to adjust to a new language and culture,country, city, school environment, peer group, and way olearning, are likely some o the biggest and most lie-changingexperiences the student will ever have Tis makes nding theright t that much more important

When a student is put into a setting where the t is right, thereare no limits as to where that student can go On the otherhand, I have seen too many students who have struggled becausethe t is wrong, and more oten than not, try as everyone does,the student may not succeed, and the all-out that comes romwhat is perceived by the student as his ailure is, in act, a ailurein the school selection process

The School Interview

Its the part o the process that every single international studentdreads I advise students to keep in mind that an interview is atwo-sided reality: as much as you are being interviewed by anadmission counselor, your campus visit and interview are YOURopportunities to check out the school and be certain that it meetsyour expectations and is worthy o having YOU on campus.

I highly recommend an actual visit to each school to which youare serious about making applications

In this era o SKYPE interviews and virtual meetings, visiting

a campus makes a dierence When you make a trip to visita campus and meet with an admission counselor ace-to-ace,you demonstrate seriousness and commitment Private schoolsare still very traditional in some regards, giving preerence tothose who go the extra mile to visit campus

I you are serious about living abroad and are looking atschools, its important to see the school you are planning toapply to and to understand what the surrounding area lookslike, how ar away it is rom a mall, an airport, and a city

Te tour and visit presents an opportunity or you to makea personal connection with both the campus and the community

I advise students tokeep in mind thatan interview is atwo-sided reality:as much as you arebeing interviewedby an admissioncounselor, yourcampus visit andinterview are YOURopportunitiesto check outthe school andbe certain thatit meets yourexpectations andis worthy o havingYOU on campus.
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Here are some suggestions I give to my studentsas they prepare or visits and interviews:

Although it isnt ideal to visit more than one school a day, asan international with a tight visit schedule, and a lot o extraexpenses that come with such a trip abroad, two schools a day

is more likely to be a realistic benchmark as you schedule visits

Dress appropriately Do your homework Know what studentswear during the school day and dress similarly Tis maymean a coat and tie or boys and a dress or skirt or girlsI oten ask international students to log onto some websitesor clothing suggestions: Lands End, Te Gap, J Crew are allstores that are popular among private school communities

Bring a copy o your transcripts, test scores (i available) anda portolio (o art work, etc) i it applies to you DO NO

bring copies o every single award youve ever won sincekindergarten Sometimes, or an international student, itsnice to have a little tiny album o pictures that represent homeand may be a good conversation starter about what lie in yournative country is like and who the key people in your lie are

Do NO bring copies o certicates o donations that yourparents have made to local charities, or proo that youdonated blood

Keep notes about each school during your visits becausethe act o the matter is that it is unlikely that you will visitagain ater being accepted Your notes will help you have arm sense o which schools are your avorites and what yourparents or other visitors thought o each school

Your notes will help you weigh the pros and cons o eachschool as you make your nal choices later

Ater visits, be sure to write a short, personal and HAND-WRIEN note to each schools admission ofcers

Keep notes about

each school duringyour visits becausethe act o thematter is that it isunlikely that youwill visit again aterbeing accepted.

Rader Hall,Worcester Academy

www.worcesteracademy.org
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A Note to Students About Their Essays:Its expected that you will write more than one or two drats othe essays required o you during the admission process And itis expected that you will inevitably receive some assistance andeditorial direction rom amily members, riends, English tutors,and probably even your educational consultant

HOWEVER, it is important or you to stay true to your ownwriting style and voice In evaluating international applicants,admission ofcers will pay close attention to the essays submittedAND the essays written in a standardized testing setting Ithere is any doubt about an essays authorship, admission ofcerswill tend to assume that your true English ability in the writtenword is much closer to the timed 30-minute essay writing taskyou are given while taking the SSA or the ISEE

I a writing sample is too polished, admission ofcers can

begin to iner that the essay has not been written by the student,but rather by a hired ghostwriter When detected by admissionofcers, this kind o situation does not bode well or the student

Acceptance, Waiting Lists and DenialsI wait listed, be certain to keep the school updated o anychanges, particularly changes that may positively aect yournal candidacy Ask the admission ofce about the chanceso being accepted rom the waiting list I the waiting list isranked, where do you stand on it?

Its important to stay in touch and to demonstrate your interest,but its also important not to pester an admissions ofcer bybeing overly persistent Simply ask your admissions contact howoten would be appropriate to make contact - or when you shouldplan to ollow up next to check in on a waiting list position

My best advice in juggling waiting list positions and acceptancesis to be certain you are upront about what your plans are withany schools by which you have already been accepted

it is importantor you to staytrue to your ownwriting style andvoice. In evaluatinginternationalapplicants,admission ofcerswill pay close

attention to theessays submittedAND the essayswritten in astandardizedtesting setting.
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American and Canadian Student VisaAcquisition ProcessesSo you have been accepted into a private school and have sentin payment and enrollment paperwork! Now, it is time to getthrough the visa process! Our ocus or now will be on the visasthat are oered to non-immigrant applicants who are looking to

come to the United States to study:

United States Student Visa Processes

All student visitor visas are subject to SEVIS (Studentand Exchange Visitor Inormation System) approval andaccompanying paperwork:

SEVIS issues the ollowing categories o visas pertainingto international students and educators:

J visas are or exchange visitors and this category including

proessors, scholars, teachers and exchange students

F category visas pertain to academic students (all levels) Mosto the international students who attend private boarding or dayschools will apply or the F category o visa as they plan to beacademic students who plan on completing their education in theUnited States and usually are not short-term exchange students

Once all paperwork and payments have been made - manyschools ask that tuition be paid in ull or the rst year oenrollment to conrm attending that school the rst year It alsomakes the visa acquisition process somewhat easier Te privateschool will issue a SEVIS I-20 orm, which a student will haveto take to the embassy along with accompanying paperwork orthe visa acquisition interview and documentation review

A quick note about paying tuition in ull or the rst yearo enrollment I imagine you are thinking: What? Tats alot o money! What i I pay all this money and dont get thevisa? In the case o a visa denial, a student amily is alwaysissued a reund Remember that when you sign an enrollment

agreement, you commit to reserving a space or your studentwith an enrollment deposit Some schools will keep theenrollment deposit but I have known many to reund even theenrollment deposit in the event o a visa denial as a denial othe visa is out o anyones hands and some schools eel that ia student is unable to attend due to visa issues, they arecertainly not going to penalize a student and his/her amily

All student visitorvisas are subjectto SEVIS (Studentand ExchangeVisitor InormationSystem) approvaland accompanyingpaperwork:

Tabor Academy

www.taboracademy.org
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Educational institutions here in the United States are not justgoing to ask or payment in ull and then keep your money iyou cannot attend due to visa issues that are out o your controlIn nearly 2 decades o working with independent schools andinternational amilies, I have never known an institution to beunair to a amily in such a way as not reunding tuition paid

in ull i a child is rejected It is also a little more comortingor the consular ofcer interviewing a student or the visa toknow that the amily is serious about attending a ull year at theinstitutionand this is why it makes the visa acquisition processa little more certain

Te United States visa application and interview process:

In terms o documentation, please know that it will be prettysubstantial Expect to prove that your student will retain strongties to his country o citizenship, and that there is no risk ohaving that student become an illegal resident at some point

in time In a standard F-1 visa le, a student will completethe short application or the F-1 visa, bring their passport andprovide the original I-20 orm rom the school to which he hasenrolled and paid ull tuition Te student will also need toshow copies o transcripts rom the school he is attending in thehome country, along with a resume o activities and awards Itis usually important to include a birth certicate or the studentalong with a amily register (i applicable)

Families will also provide proo o ownership o property,

copies o income taxes, bank balances to prove that unds areavailable or schooling (this is why paying the rst year in ullis important and helpul), and any other documentation thatshows ties to the home country

Te interview process can be quite overwhelming:Many international students may eel scared, or as i they arebeing interrogated by someone who wants to nd a reason NOto give him a student visa What each student and amily need torealize is that this is absolutely true - that IS what these consularofces are looking or - a reason to say no. So, amilies and

students should be very meticulous about paperwork and theirown knowledge o the school they are planning to attend

What each studentand amily need torealize is that thisis absolutely true -that IS what theseconsular ofcesare looking or - areason to say no.
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Te United States visa interview:

Te interview itsel may not be terribly long Usually theseconsular ofces are packed with students looking to receiveapproval or a student visa Here are some tips to make theinterview a success:

Be sure you are well-groomed and look like a student (dresscareully) Many students choose to wear their school uniormsI think a nice skirt and blouse, or a pair o slacks and a buttondown shirt, will keep things very simple and unadorned

Know everything you can about the school you have enrolledin (size, general mission, anything that is special or dierentabout the school, etc)

Be sure you know why you chose the school

Know what your uture plans are Your uture plansSHOULD NO include staying in the United States upongraduation rom college

Expect or the interview to be primarily about the ofcerlooking through documents provided and asking maybeabout 10 minutes o actual questions to the student

Dont be nervous I do believe that consular ofcers canalmost smell the ear and like to make students eel nervous;and once a student gets nervous, it gives consular ofcers areason to be suspicious

Canadian Student Visa Processes

Te immigration site or Canada reports that more than 90,000students come to study in Canada every year and even more cometo Canada to learn English or French Foreign students bringa rich culture to our classrooms Your knowledge and skills arewelcome in our schools

In Canada, the student visa is called a Study Permit. Please note

that the provinces and territories o Canada have jurisdiction overeducation and may have visa hurdles or you to overcome. Forexample, the visa application or the province o Quebec is a littlemore intricate than many o the other provinces and territories Itis important to ollow the guidance o the school where you planto study in obtaining this very important immigration permit

Know everything

you can aboutthe school youhave enrolledin (size, generalmission, anythingthat is special ordierent aboutthe school, etc.).

Campus Quad,

The Webb Schools

www.webb.org
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In most cases, you will have to obtain a study permit or studiesin Canada that exceed a period o 6 months Its important toknow that the processing time or a Canadian study permit varieswith each individual case Te processing time or the Canadianstudy permit can be as short as a week to months long

In order to be eligible to study in Canada: You must have been accepted to a Canadian school

You must show proo o eligibility to pay the ollowing expenses:

tuitionfees(includingroom,board,activities,etc.)

anyotherlivingexpensesforyourstudent.

returntransportationforyourstudent.

You must have a clear criminal record and not be deemed a riskto Canadian security In some cases, you may have to provide apolice certicate

You must be in good health and willing to complete a medicalexamination, i necessary

You must satisy an immigration ofcer that you will leaveCanada at the end o your authorized stay

Whether a student needs to obtain a Canadian study permitdepends upon the students country o citizenship Consult withyour school and Citizenship and Immigration Canada,

wwwcicgcca

Whether a studentneeds to obtaina Canadian studypermit dependsupon the studentscountry ocitizenship.
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Tere are several documents that students will have to present toobtain a study permit or Canada Tose documents are:

Completed Application

A valid passport

wo photos o the student Te photograph must not be more

that six month old On the back o the photo, the name and dateo birth o the person appearing in the photo should be written

An acceptance letter rom the school

Evidence o sufcient unds to cover all the expenses associatedwith studying in Canada (again, many schools ask or the rstyear o tuition to be paid upront.)

Bank statements or the most recent our months

Proo o payment o ee in acceptable ormat

Evidence that shows students have no criminal records

Students rom some nations may need to present medical reports

Any other supporting documents that may help in acquiringa Student visa or Canada (documentation that shows closeties to the home country so that a consular ofcer is satised thatupon completion o studies, the student will return tothe home country.)

Students rom a ew specic countries do not require a studypermit to study in Canada

Students who meet these criteria are:

Students who are the permanent resident o United States whohold a Green Card or can present any evidence which show theybelong permanently to USA

Students who are the citizens o United Kingdom, whether theyare in the UK or are staying abroad but legally can return backand stay in the UK

Students who have a valid Special Administrative Region

passport issued by the Government o the Hong Kong

There are severaldocuments thatstudents will haveto present to obtaina study permit orCanada.
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Enrollment ConsiderationsSo now you have received visa approval and youre awaiting visaprocessing In most instances, it is usually a couple o days or aweek Te hard work o preparing to go to a North Americanprivate school is done, but in terms o enrolling in the newenvironment, there is a great deal that needs to be done by

international students:

Scheduling- book travel or the whole school year, i possibleMake sure you book or all the big vacations like Christmas andMarch break, and the beginning and the end o the school yearFlights book up quickly And when youre booking, schools willbe accepting o some minor deviations rom the schedule, buttry to y in and out on the dates given to us on the calendar

Why you should consider a guardian?

Many private schools that have international students arestarting to strongly suggest, or require, a US guardian Tisperson would be someone with whom the school can be inregular contact regarding the student and who can take care othe student, in the event o an emergency A good guardianshipprogram will oer the student some support and someone tocheck in with to get advice and tools or sel-advocacy Fromthe schools standpoint, it is a way to make sure that someone isgetting, and responding to, correspondence they send out Tereare a lot o people who see this as an easy way to make money,usually as a side job o sorts

I you do not have a amily member or close amily riend whowill be there or your student on weekends or in case o anemergency, and want to consider a very structured and seriousmentoring and liaison program or the student and amily inits relationship to the school, a guardian may be what you arelooking or

Here are two programs worth researching that areproessionally-based companies oering top notchguardianship services:

1 Concierge Services or Students:wwwconciergeorstudentsnet

2 International Student Connections:wwwinternationalstudentconnectionscom

International Student Connections will work with internationalstudents attending Canadian or American schools.

book travel or thewhole school year,i possible. Makesure you book orall the big vacationslike Christmasand March break,and the beginningand the end o theschool year.
http://www.conciergeforstudents.net/http://www.internationalstudentconnections.com/http://www.internationalstudentconnections.com/http://www.conciergeforstudents.net/http://www.boardingschooltours.com/http://www.admissionsquest.com/


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More Enrollment Considerations and Summer WorkForms, Course selections, Summer reading:

Fill out permission orms, health orms, laundry service orms,and course selections; and send them right back to yourstudents school Usually orms get sent out in mid-Juneinto early July.

Summer reading is usually a large part o the summerhomework and is very important Please make sure that you geta head start on the summer reading and that you do not saveit or the last minute. For international students, it is oten agreat challenge to do as much reading as is required o studentsduring the summer, especially or someone who has English ashis second or third language

ake notes while you read so that when you nd yoursel acingsome sort o a quiz or other accompanying assignment, whether itbe a book report or a series o questions or an essay Te summerreading will be especially helpul or an international studentwho might get a chance o better understanding and acclimatingto reading comprehension and writing in a second language

Packing and planning:

Each school will send, along with orms, course selection, andsummer reading, a list o things to bring My best advice to newinternational students is this: plan to get a lot o the clothingrequirements taken care o while at home, but stick to the

basics When you get to the US or Canada, you will want tobuy North American styles, etc, so you can t in As or theother things to bring, its the same story Bring your essentials,and maybe your computer and printer Save yoursel the troubleo lugging extra bags and boxes on an overseas trip Goodbye,country o originhello arget and Walmart! At either o thesetwo store chains, youll nd almost everything you need

And nally, you have arrived! Please note that many schoolsreally like or brand new students to arrive with a parent orguardian so that there is a good deal o help and support or thestudent Tis enables dorm parents and key administrators, andsome teachers, to see the students amily and make some sort oa ace-to-ace connection

Please make surethat you get ahead start on thesummer readingand that you donot save it or thelast minute.
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However, that is not always the case Many students willarrive on their own I this is the case, make sure that there issomeone rom the school scheduled to pick you up, or that youhave specic directions rom your school about where you aresupposed to go right ater baggage claim

Upon arrival, here are some things you need to do:Call, text, or email your parents to let them know you are

sae Make sure they have the best email and phone numberby which to reach you

Seek out the international student director so that you canmake his acquaintance Tis person will most likely be theprimary point person or your amily or guardian to contactGet a business card rom him so you can pass along anyinormation to your amily

Make sure you turn in your passport and I-20 to theinternational student director or the transportationdirector Make sure you ask who this person should be

ake a look at your schedule and meet with your advisor

I theres a shopping trip make sure that you are signed up togoto get anything you missed

I you have a lot o cash that you have brought with you,

turn it into the business ofce or sae-keepingYou shouldnt have a lot o money in your room

Dont be araid to reach out and ask or help

Read through the handbook again in preparationor orientation

o ght jetlag, in the rst ew days, try to stay up as late asyou possibly can

Youre nally there at school! Its been a long journey, but youhave arrived Good luck! Dont be shy about articulating yourneeds and reaching out to aculty members and peers alike orhelp as you adjust to the idea o belonging to your new schoolcommunity And, i you need any help or advice along the way,I am sure that someone atAdmissionsQuest can help!

Seek out theinternationalstudent director sothat you can makehis acquaintance.This person willmost likely bethe primary pointperson or youramily or guardianto contact.
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About Christine Chapman

Christine Chapman began her work as an educationalconsultant in 1995 Since then Mrs Chapman has worked withover teen hundred amilies in the educational process, andhas developed strong relationships with admissions counselors

and other educational consultants at more than two hundredty schools and colleges

Mrs Chapman currently serves at the Director oChapmanEducational Services Additionally, she has served as SeniorChair o the Schools Committee or the IndependentEducational Consultants Association, board member or TeCape Cod Montessori School, vice-president and secretary oTe Sandwich Montessori Enrichment and Assistance Fund,and as a member o the IECA Credentialing task orce or

schools consulting She has presented experienced perspectiveson diversity and the challenges o international student lie inschool communities at conerence workshops sponsored by theollowing organizations:

Te Association o Boarding Schools

Educational Records Bureau

Independent Educational Consultants Association

New England Association o College Admissions Counselors

Secondary Schools Admissions est Board

Small Boarding Schools Association

Western Boarding Schools Association

Mrs Chapmans international perspective has strong rootsin her own lie Born and raised in Montreal, she has residedin Seoul, South Korea, Vancouver, Canada, Boston, MA andPlymouth, MA Mrs Chapman is an a lumna o the SacredHeart School o Montreal and Skidmore College, and is inpursuit o her masters degree at Harvard University She isthe author o Te International Students Guide to Applyingto Private Schools or AdmissionsQuestcom, writes a collegeadmissions-based blog entitled College Chat with ChristineChapman or the online publicationswwwcapecodtodaycomandwwwplymouthdailynewscom, and is a regular reelancewriter and contributor orwwwcapecodkidzcom She also hasher own parenting blog:wwwparentspagecom

o contact Mrs Chapman, please eel ree to visit herwebsite,wwwscchapmanedcom, or reach out via e-mail,Christine@scchapmanedcom

Mrs. Chapman residesin South Plymouthwith her husbandand her two children.She enjoys reading,writing, walking,

regular gym visits,pilates, and is grateulor the opportunityto work out o herhome so that she canbe active in the liveso her young childrenwhile pursuing a careerpositively impacting

schools, students andamilies.

Christine Chapman
http://www.scchapmaned.com/http://www.scchapmaned.com/http://www.capecodtoday.com/http://www.plymouthdailynews.com/http://www.capecodkidz.com/http://www.parentspage.com/http://www.parentspage.com/http://www.scchapmaned.com/http://www.scchapmaned.com/http://www.parentspage.com/http://www.capecodkidz.com/http://www.plymouthdailynews.com/http://www.capecodtoday.com/http://www.scchapmaned.com/http://www.scchapmaned.com/

Documents

An International Student’s Guide to Applying to Private School.pdf