COLLEGE COUNSELING AT ISM
The 11/12 CounselorsName: Jennifer Melton
Call Sign: Hollywood
Surnames: A~I
Home: Richmond, Virginia
Power: Kindness
Name: Curt Nichols
Call Sign: Big Time
Surnames: J~N
Home: Rochester, New York
Power: Judgment
Name: Lisa Ball
Call Sign: Panther
Surnames: O~Z
Home: Dallas, Texas
Power: Prudence
Name: David Birchenall
Call Sign: The Gaffer
Surnames: Various
Home: Galashiels, Scotland
Power: Judgment
About Us• Collectively we account for over forty years of experience as college and university counselors.
• Our travels to visit universities span the globe, including extensive travel in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Europe, the Middle East, Singapore and the US.
• We are long-standing members and leaders of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the Overseas Association for College Admission Counseling (OACAC) and the American School Counseling Association (ASCA).
•We regularly lead workshops on college and university admissions topics for our peers.
The Bottom LineWe have:
• A strong, extensive network of professional relationships with the people who will read your applications
• A vast working knowledge of tertiary education systems and their admissions practices and procedures around the world
• The ability to quickly access the answers to your questions that we cannot readily answer ourselves
Our PhilosophyWe believe students must be experts on their colleges
We are encouraging, and we provide honest, data-driven counseling
We believe college admission is a match to be made, not a trophy to be won
We seek to help find colleges that fit
We operate with integrity and confidentiality
Our Program To Help Students
• Initial Counselor-Student Meeting• Junior University Kick-Off• Parent Survey in Naviance• Second Counselor-Student
Meeting, Including Parents• US Mock Admissions Session• Application Essay Writing
• US College Essay Workshop
• UCAS Personal Statement
• Request Teacher Recommendations
• Senior Profile• Senior Application Night• UCAS Application Meeting• CommonApp Workshops• Counselor-Student Meetings• Meetings with Parents, as
Requested• Application Essay Writing
• US College Essay Workshop, Part 2
• UCAS Personal Statement, Part 2
• College Interview Workshops
Junior Year Senior Year
RESOURCES
Resources: Online & Books
• University Sites
• Reviews
• Country/Region Specific Search Engines
• Rankings – QS World Rankings, Country Specific Rankings
• Parent Transition Resources• The Naked Roommate
• The Global Nomad’s Guide to University Transition
• Letting Go
• Country Specific Guides• US - College Board College
Handbook and Book of Majors, Fiske Guide to Colleges
• UK - HEAP Guides
• Canada – MacLean’s
Online Books
Resources: Naviancehttps://connection.naviance.com/ismanila
Resources: Naviancehttps://connection.naviance.com/ismanila
Resources: College Visits
• Visitors from around the world• Increased interest in the
Philippines as a destination• Lunch time visits• Evening visits• College Fairs• Alumni Visits
• Ideal to visit while classes are in session if possible (Spring Break?)• Sit in on a class• Talk with students! • Talk with professors• Eat in dining facilities• Visit residence halls• How do people move about
campus? (cars, bikes, walking)• Where do students congregate?• How do you feel walking around on
that campus?• Is it competitive? Supportive?• Meet with admissions
representative
Visitors to ISM Visiting Campuses
ROLES & EXPECTATIONS
Independence…•Student must take ownership•Parents support, but don’t apply
The Role of the Parent• Communicate openly with your son/daughter• Help create list of criteria to evaluate universities• Be transparent about budget and finances now• Prepare any necessary financial documents• Help your son/daughter stay organized• Help plan college visits• Help your son/daughter balance being a teenager, student, and university applicant• This is your son’s or daughter’s process, and they learn a lot from taking on this responsibility
Student Expectations• LIKE each university to which you apply• OWN the process!! Research, test registration, organization• Be an EXPERT on each university• Be ORGANIZED• Know each deadline
• Know test requirements
• Know the ISM and application processes
• Know essay requirements
• Know username and passwords
• Initiate communication with your counselor regularly• Communicate early with teachers about recommendations• Continue communication with your parent• Be respectful of counselor’s time
School Responsibilities• Provide general guidance and counsel• Manage sending of all school documentation•Maintain records of what school documents were sent and when• Provide workshops and information sessions related to the college application process• Coordinate teachers’ letters of recommendation• Advocate for students during the admissions process• Build relationships with universities• Support students emotionally throughout the process
PARTS OF THE PROCESS
Selecting Universities
• Learning Style• Strengths/Weaknesses• Interests• Environmental Needs• Social Needs
• Characteristics• Location
• Size
• Access to family or friends
• Majors
• Personality or Vibe
• Data• Retention rate?
• % of international students?
• Career Office• What is job placement?
• What services are offered to assist students in finding internships/jobs?
Personal Assessment University Assessment
Next Steps• Academic performance• Engagement both inside and outside of the classroom• Conversations at home about expectations, limitations, financing,
etc.• Student reflection on self• Identify priorities• Research universities• Junior Parent Survey in Naviance – Due March 4, 2013• Summer planning
• Bearcat Career Experience Program
• University Visits
• Summer Programs
• Continue Researching Universities
• Refine University List
• Application Essays
• Senior Profile in Naviance
Today’s Program1. Opening and Welcome
2. 45 Minute Sessions Session 1 1:45 - 2:30Session 2 2:40 - 3:25Session 3 3:35 - 4:20
Rm 3009 HSMC Lofthouse A Rm 3051 Lofthouse B Lofthouse C LT
3. 4:30 - 5:30 Little Theatre (LT)
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